Curse

Kosar The Cruel · Apr 18, 2010, 05:00 AM // 05:00

Going off to college soon, so I need a new Laptop that'll be of decent quality. Usually just running Guild Wars and Google Chrome. Don't need some thing to powerful, but something nice that'll last. Price tag is at about $1000.
Been looking a Dell laptops but don't know to much about laptops. Any suggestions?

Death Syndrome · Apr 18, 2010, 05:06 AM // 05:06

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...tops-Notebooks

Things I would Look for

Dual/Quad Core Processor atleast 2.8Ghz
Atleast 4GB Ram
Hard Drive that has 7200 RPM
Then look at the graphics cards google them and compare

If you find a few on there you like you could post them here then I am sure we could help you choose one. There is alot on there, but newegg is the best in the computer business imo.

snikerz · Apr 18, 2010, 06:05 AM // 06:05

don't just buy any laptop, lots of variables to consider when buying one.

great website here
http://www.notebookreview.com/
the top 20 is definitely worth looking at,

Asus UL50 is pretty decent, my fav one, it handles GW nicely.

alot of glowing reviews on the Alienware m11x too for under $1000.

Death Syndrome · Apr 18, 2010, 08:52 AM // 08:52

Asus UL50 From what I am seeing is only a dual core 1.3ghz, and a 5400 RPM hard drive.

I would aim for better than that.

I mean i just scrolled through about 5 laptops on newegg and found this which is better than the Asus UL50, although it is HP (and recertified) it has a good pricetag on it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...n%20dv6-1350us
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed T6600(2.20GHz)
Screen Size 15.6"
Wide Screen Support Yes
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
GPU Intel GMA 4500MHD
HDD 320GB
HDD RPM 7200rpm
Memory 4GB
Memory Type 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM

As for the graphics, I haven't really used laptops much, nor have shopped for them, but with integrated graphics, i wouldn't really expect too much FPS wise, and I am not really sure how you would approach adding a graphics card to a laptop if it is even possible.

From looking up that alienware I am getting these specs:
# 1.3GHz Intel SU4100 (800MHz FSB, 2MB Cache) or 1.3GHz Intel SU7300 (800MHz FSB, 3MB Cache) both overclockable to 1066MHz FSB (approximately 1.73GHz)
# 4GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 x 2GB)
# Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
# 11.6" WXGA WideHD LED Backlit display (1366x768)
# 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
# Nvidia GeForce GT 335M Discrete Graphics (1GB GDDR3) with switchable Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics
# 802.11b/g/n, 10/100 LAN
# 3-in-1 card reader
# 8-Cell Li-ion 64WH battery, 65W Power Supply
# Dimensions: (W x L x H) 11.25" x 9.19" x 1.29"

The thing about the alienware is it has the graphics. The pricetag is alot higher though. If it is possible to add graphics to the hp I think the hp would be the better deal, the proccessor and hard drive are both faster. The graphics card is what is really going to affect gaming though. I really do not see why they would only make it a 1.3ghz though.

The HP with the same graphics the alienware has would be a good laptop, which I am not sure would be even possible to add in graphics or not. I'm sure someone here owns a laptop and may have tryed or knows if it is possible to do. I would be of more help if it were a desktop pc.

Lord Sojar · Apr 18, 2010, 09:05 AM // 09:05

For a $1000 budget, I'd highly recommend this model:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220706

It's a very well balanced model, will be able to play Guild Wars with no effort, max settings. It has nVidia Optimus technology, which is a huge plus for battery life. The Corei3 is a great little CPU that easily beats out any Core2 Duo.

If you can push your budget to $1,200, this will last you a LONG time, and will slaughter almost anything you can throw at it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220700

Quote:

Originally Posted by Death Syndrome

GPU Intel GMA 4500MHD........Alienware

We don't recommend things that:

Can't play games unless the user doesn't intend to ever do so
Are overpriced beyond all logical reason and offer no advantage whatsoever, aka Alienware.

Death Syndrome · Apr 18, 2010, 09:09 AM // 09:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahja the Thief

For a $1000 budget, I'd highly recommend this model:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220706

It's a very well balanced model, will be able to play Guild Wars with no effort, max settings. It has nVidia Optimus technology, which is a huge plus for battery life. The Corei3 is a great little CPU that easily beats out any Core2 Duo.

If you can push your budget to $1,200, this will last you a LONG time, and will slaughter almost anything you can throw at it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220700

We don't recommend things that:

Can't play games unless the user doesn't intend to ever do so
Are overpriced beyond all logical reason and offer no advantage whatsoever, aka Alienware.

I wasn't the one who suggested the alien ware it was the post above me, but if you look at the HP I was talking about from newegg, it has the same onboard graphics card as the alienware, although...

The alienware does have a 1gb ddr3 graphics card in it. That is what I was talking about when i said it has good graphics for a laptop.

The laptops you linked are both very good looking to run games on.

I did not recommend it, just posted the specs...

Quote:

Originally Posted by snikerz

don't just buy any laptop, lots of variables to consider when buying one.

great website here
http://www.notebookreview.com/
the top 20 is definitely worth looking at,

Asus UL50 is pretty decent, my fav one, it handles GW nicely.

alot of glowing reviews on the Alienware m11x too for under $1000.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Death Syndrome

I would be of more help if it were a desktop pc.

Lord Sojar · Apr 18, 2010, 09:15 AM // 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Death Syndrome

I wasn't the one who suggested the alien ware it was the post above me, but if you look at the HP I was talking about from newegg, it has the same onboard graphics card as the alienware, although...

The alienware does have a 1gb ddr3 graphics card in it. That is what I was talking about when i said it has good graphics for a laptop.

The laptops you linked are both very good looking to run games on.

A laptop is not a gaming machine, and never will be. Those "desktop replacement" things Alienware and the like sell are a complete joke, and need to be tethered to the wall 24/7. They are great for lan parties, but otherwise useless.

The vRAM makes NO difference in a graphics chip unless you are directly comparing the same model, and even then, it only enables better performance at higher resolutions.

On a laptop, it isn't just about good graphics. IGPs are still severely limited in performance, and you have to weigh out battery life versus performance. nVidia Optimus technology is a boon there, allowing you to use the Corei3/i5/i7's on package IGP normally, and the discrete nVidia GPU when needed. Optimus decides when each is needed and switches seamlessly, and it's really the first solution with no kinks in it.

And I was aware you didn't recommend the Alienware, that was a general rule unless the person in need of a system specifically asks for a boutique system or has that kind of budget (and even then it's stupid, there are better systems). I didn't feel like doing an endless quote train.

Death Syndrome · Apr 18, 2010, 09:17 AM // 09:17

Well ofcourse laptops aren't for gaming, this is the exact reason why I have 0 laptops, 3 Desktops. He needs one that can game though, I would probably go with the first one you posted.

Burst Cancel · Apr 18, 2010, 02:33 PM // 14:33

How soon do you need this laptop? If you're not off to college until fall, I'd advise waiting for the Arrandale refresh that's supposedly coming this summer; current chips have sub-par power characteristics.

Kosar The Cruel · Apr 18, 2010, 04:04 PM // 16:04

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I'll have to go about researching and comparing when a get a few hours. lol
I'll need the laptop by January, so if it's better to wait I have no problem doing so.

Riot Narita · Apr 18, 2010, 05:21 PM // 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Death Syndrome

Well ofcourse laptops aren't for gaming,

They're not for anything else either.
Laptops are rubbish at everything... except portability.

Wrath Of Dragons · Apr 18, 2010, 06:36 PM // 18:36

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+L...&skuId=9736955

Been looking at this one. Theres a 1200$ model there too.... w/ a 5870 card and a 17inch screen.
Real nice keyboards on these too. Kinda like the mac ones....spaces between keys.

My friend just got the 1200 version...its sexy but huge.

Elder III · Apr 19, 2010, 01:46 AM // 01:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kosar The Cruel

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I'll have to go about researching and comparing when a get a few hours. lol
I'll need the laptop by January, so if it's better to wait I have no problem doing so.

wait until november or december then - take advantage of the sweet black friday and holiday deals as well as having newer technology that will be out by then...

N E D M · Apr 19, 2010, 10:51 AM // 10:51

got a hp g60 was cheap , plays gw with full settings no probs, dual core turion not best thing on market but fine -
do you need long batt life?
my laptops are always plugged in so i cannot rate batteries

Kosar The Cruel · Apr 19, 2010, 03:46 PM // 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by N E D M

got a hp g60 was cheap , plays gw with full settings no probs, dual core turion not best thing on market but fine -
do you need long batt life?
my laptops are always plugged in so i cannot rate batteries

Battery life isn't to important because i'd probably have it plugged in most of the time, just if I travel around (cottage, school, etc) i would have it unplugged.

cebalrai · May 04, 2010, 10:25 PM // 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahja the Thief

For a $1000 budget, I'd highly recommend this model:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220706

It's a very well balanced model, will be able to play Guild Wars with no effort, max settings. It has nVidia Optimus technology, which is a huge plus for battery life. The Corei3 is a great little CPU that easily beats out any Core2 Duo.

For $1000 he shouldn't have to settle for a GeForce 325 with old GDDR3 memory. I disagree strongly with this recommendation.

Lord Sojar · May 05, 2010, 02:25 AM // 02:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by cebalrai

For $1000 he shouldn't have to settle for a GeForce 325 with old GDDR3 memory. I disagree strongly with this recommendation.

And what would be better...? Let's face it, while ATi has the desktop GPU market under control nicely, their mobile solutions are a joke. The new GTX 480M is power hungry, but with nVidia Optimus, it doesn't matter.... nVidia is still king in the mobile markets, period. The 325 is a great little gaming chip btw, more than enough for Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2.

cebalrai · May 05, 2010, 10:11 PM // 22:11

What about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834157118

- Has a ATI 4650, which is slightly faster than the N325.
- Has a lower resolution, meaning performance will be better.
- Has 6 GB RAM

tijo · May 06, 2010, 03:46 PM // 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by cebalrai

What about this?

- Has a lower resolution, meaning performance will be better.

Nothing prevents you from lowering the resolution in game to one lower than the native res of the laptop to improve performance.

6GB RAM won't be necessary for GW either

I agree with the GPU statement though. Just keep in mind that with An HP laptop you may or may not have quality issues (more that other brands, from personal experience) so be sure to check reviews from long time owners if possible before buying an HP laptop.

Eragon Selene · May 10, 2010, 12:49 AM // 00:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riot Narita

They're not for anything else either.
Laptops are rubbish at everything... except portability.

Ive been playing on a laptop since 2005, same one im on now..........plays GW great.

I disagree........can you make a desktop morepowerfull? Absolutely.

But when I travel for work of for pleasure.......I can take mine with me, you can not. Not without some difficulty.