Solved! Best Gaming Laptop

[MysticalChocobo]

1. What is your budget?
Preferably no more than $1500, but a little more isn't a big deal. Less is better.

2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
14-15 inch, smaller is fine but not a 17 inch. Been there and done that.

3. What screen resolution do you want?
Something decent, really not that concerned.

4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Either works, I just want something strong.

5. How much battery life do you need?
It will be plugged in 90% of the time, but some life would be nice.

6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?

Mostly FPS's and RPG's at High settings, games like Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing,watching movies, Etc.)
Definitely a lot of video watching (hi-res preferably), with minimal video editing (none hi-res I imagine)

8. How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?
Anything above 200GB suits me fine, but running at 7200RPM is preferable.

9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post the links to them.
Not CyberPower. Amazon, Newegg, well-known sites; or direct from manufacturer. Not CyberPower.

10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
A long time, three-five years.

11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc?

Blu-Ray Reader (writer not necessary) is preferable, but DVD Writer/Reader works.

12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
On the fence about AlienWare, Dell, Asus, and Toshiba; but if it's a good computer I'll definitely take a look. Don't want an Acer, have had one and am not pleased.

13. What country do you live in?
USA

14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.
I really just want something strong that will last for a while, but don't want to pay too much money.

 

[legendkiller]

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230099
It got Warranties for if you spill something or drop it which is great because you can do it by the end or last month of it ending and get a replacement XD...

Want the best?
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152267

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

How do u think about thsi Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Laptop, Intel Core i7-2620M (2.7GHz), 12.5" HD LED Display, 4GB DDR3, 320GB 7200rpm HDD, 720p HD $999.00?
http/www.dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?type=id&q=d276883&ru=28907625
Sounds a good choice. It might worth u a peek. Good luck.

This is a 3rd time today I notice you advising a completely inappropriate laptop. I'm not sure if you're trolling or just genuinely don't understand the questions.

That said, the MSI offered above is great. If you want much cheaper, could go for Asus G53, but that has quite a bit less power.

I'd also take a look at Sager... I have no experience with them, but I've read many reviews and I've heard they're great.

 

[legendkiller]

This is a 3rd time today I notice you advising a completely inappropriate laptop. I'm not sure if you're trolling or just genuinely don't understand the questions.

That said, the MSI offered above is great. If you want much cheaper, could go for Asus G53, but that has quite a bit less power.

I'd also take a look at Sager... I have no experience with them, but I've read many reviews and I've heard they're great.

The MSI I Linked is one of the best laptop or the top right now that can play nearly any modern games but if all you worry is about game/FPS, than this laptop is your choice but I still prefer the MSI I Linked b4 is better as it has a great design and cooling... The MSI below has an 570m which is great(For Games) but doesn't have anything like LCD LED and Steel Series keyboard with Color Reflection(Something like that) and other cool stuff...
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152286&Tpk=570m (Best for FPS)

 

[MysticalChocobo]

Thanks for the recommendations so far! MSI came up quite a bit in my research as a good option.

I'd also take a look at Sager... I have no experience with them, but I've read many reviews and I've heard they're great.

Actually, I've been most favorable towards Sager as I've looked around online. XoticPC is an affordable re-seller that apparently is very reliable, I was thinking I'll probably go with that (unless someone else has a better suggestion).

BUT, I do have a few specific questions. I know some about computers, but I'm no expert.

Ivy Bridge is, from what I've heard, coming out near the end of this year. Is it going to replace all the current Intel processors together or just be added on as a more expensive option (for now)? If it replaces all of them I may as well wait.

There was an Asus that caught my eye with a GeForce GTX 560M 2GB, but the Sager I was considering had 1.5GB. Most sources are telling me that the 1.5 actually runs better, what is the difference?

...and I was looking into some new anti-virus, Windows One-Care is fine but I'm hearing some good things about Norton.

Thank you guys so much!

EDIT: Sorry to overload with questions, but in your guys' opinion, which one of these is a more powerful computer? http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152286&Tpk=570m&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=13y6f0zqdbvri

Or this Sager (same specs as the MSI except where noted):
Processor: Intel i7-2720QM
Hard Drive: 750GB 7200RPM (really not a big deal though)
Graphics Card: GeForce GTX 560M 1,536MB
RAM: 8GB - DDR3 1600MHz
Drive: 6X Blu-Ray Reader with DVD RW

They cost roughly the same (Sager is about $25 cheaper), so cost isn't the issue; just which is a better computer.

 

[legendkiller]

Thanks for the recommendations so far! MSI came up quite a bit in my research as a good option.


Actually, I've been most favorable towards Sager as I've looked around online. XoticPC is an affordable re-seller that apparently is very reliable, I was thinking I'll probably go with that (unless someone else has a better suggestion).

BUT, I do have a few specific questions. I know some about computers, but I'm no expert.

Ivy Bridge is, from what I've heard, coming out near the end of this year. Is it going to replace all the current Intel processors together or just be added on as a more expensive option (for now)? If it replaces all of them I may as well wait.

There was an Asus that caught my eye with a GeForce GTX 560M 2GB, but the Sager I was considering had 1.5GB. Most sources are telling me that the 1.5 actually runs better, what is the difference?

...and I was looking into some new anti-virus, Windows One-Care is fine but I'm hearing some good things about Norton.

Thank you guys so much!

EDIT: Sorry to overload with questions, but in your guys' opinion, which one of these is a more powerful computer? http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152286&Tpk=570m&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=13y6f0zqdbvri

Or this Sager (same specs as the MSI except where noted):
Processor: Intel i7-2720QM
Hard Drive: 750GB 7200RPM (really not a big deal though)
Graphics Card: GeForce GTX 560M 1,536MB
RAM: 8GB - DDR3 1600MHz
Drive: 6X Blu-Ray Reader with DVD RW

They cost roughly the same (Sager is about $25 cheaper), so cost isn't the issue; just which is a better computer.

The Ivy-Bridge will replace 100% of the current 1st Generation i7, Im Not sure but i think there's a 2011 Ivy Bridge and a 1356 Ivy Bridge but I dont know if the 1356 is ganna com out as the only different is just the QPI Link... The 1.5GB is better because no game will take more than 1.5GB unless your Resolution is like high around 2560x1440 which will use more than 1.5GB(In Games)... BTW the Memory can't possibly be at 1600MHz because i never seen it b4... I Recommend the MSI because since nothing(Games) uses more than 1.5GB than the Speed of the GPU is more useful... CPU "Will NOT" bottleneck so dont need the a monsterous CPU(2920XM)...

 

[orionite]

The MSI is pretty nice and the Asus G53 series is good (brand) value for money. I've been eyeing this site for a while. They seem to have a pretty good rep and some decent customization options.
For your budget check out this one: http/www.malibal.com/boutique/pc/configurePrd.asp?idProduct=279. With a gfx upgrade to a Radeon 6990M you are pretty much at the top of single mobile GPU setups.

Wonder if anyone else has experience with them.

 

[MysticalChocobo]

The MSI is pretty nice and the Asus G53 series is good (brand) value for money. I've been eyeing this site for a while. They seem to have a pretty good rep and some decent customization options.
For your budget check out this one: http/www.malibal.com/boutique/pc/configurePrd.asp?idProduct=279. With a gfx upgrade to a Radeon 6990M you are pretty much at the top of single mobile GPU setups.

Wonder if anyone else has experience with them.

Malibal is looking really good, I think I'm going to go with that.

Now, I do have a final question.

Ivy Bridge is supposedly coming out in March 2012 (at the earliest). From what I've looked at (namely, this: http/lenzfire.com/2011/07/ivy-bridge-benchmarks-vs-sandy-bridge-first-performance-comparison/2/) performance really isn't much greater, especially if I go with an i7-2720QM. Of course, this is only mildly-educated speculation on my part; does anyone have any idea how much greater the increase in efficiency will be--enough so it would prove just cause for me to wait six months to buy a new computer?

 

[DaveUK]

Dell XPS 15. Max the spec out to suit your budget.

 

[orionite]

Malibal is looking really good, I think I'm going to go with that.

Now, I do have a final question.

Ivy Bridge is supposedly coming out in March 2012 (at the earliest). From what I've looked at (namely, this: http/lenzfire.com/2011/07/ivy-bridge-benchmarks-vs-sandy-bridge-first-performance-comparison/2/) performance really isn't much greater, especially if I go with an i7-2720QM. Of course, this is only mildly-educated speculation on my part; does anyone have any idea how much greater the increase in efficiency will be--enough so it would prove just cause for me to wait six months to buy a new computer?

I can't even speculate, but philosophically speaking: Buy when you need to buy. In 6 months there will be new graphics cards, etc. and you'll be asking yourself the same question.

 

[legendkiller]

Malibal is looking really good, I think I'm going to go with that.

Now, I do have a final question.

Ivy Bridge is supposedly coming out in March 2012 (at the earliest). From what I've looked at (namely, this: http/lenzfire.com/2011/07/ivy-bridge-benchmarks-vs-sandy-bridge-first-performance-comparison/2/) performance really isn't much greater, especially if I go with an i7-2720QM. Of course, this is only mildly-educated speculation on my part; does anyone have any idea how much greater the increase in efficiency will be--enough so it would prove just cause for me to wait six months to buy a new computer?

this is when the Ivy-Bridge gets an update/upgrade so idk what it does, it'll come in the late Oct-Dec

 

[sugjavier]

just buy the p151hm1 from malibal or the p150hm-a bit expensive if u get 6990m

I've been tryign to request other gpu options for the cheapest p151hm1 laptop they offer. they said it would be in a month. So once they got the 6990m, im guessing its extra 250 average but my config is really good at only 1,350. by november, the prices will go down a bit beacuse malibal guarantee the lowest prices, even a bit btter than xotic pc. its all the same laptops anyway, just rebranded..

 

[dalauder]

I'd get the Asus G53SW-XN1 Laptop: i7 2630QM, GTX 460M, 6GB DDR3, 500GB 7200rpm, 15.6" LED (1920x1080), 8-Cell battery, $793 After $100 Rebate + Free Shipping

The GTX 460M is a high-end mobile card. It can play the majority of games on high at 1080p. They're discussing it in slickdeals here if you want more info: http/slickdeals.net/permadeal/58572/newegg-asus-g53swxn1-laptop-i7-2630qm-2.0ghz-quad-core-cpu-6gb-ddr3-500gb-hdd-15.6-led-1920x1080-wifi-n-8cell-win-7-prem

EDIT: I forgot the product link http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230027&Tpk=N82E16834230027

 

[legendkiller]

The 580m is much more better because it can max out every single game at 1920x1080 or even at 1920x1200 ... It lines up at the 560(Not Mobile one) at tomshardware video card chart thing...

 

[dalauder]

True, the 580M is more powerful. If you need the absolute best, then you'll have to spend top dollar and get it. I'd go for 2nd tier though...that's just my philosophy. Of course...I don't own a smart phone because I think they cost too much (the monthly data plans, mostly).

 

[bbgink]

Yeah, nVIDIA GeFore GTX 580M is the best for this price.
Sager NP8170 @ $1449
http/www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_info&model_name=NP8170

 

[dalauder]

I didn't know you could get a 580M for that price. Well, since it's in his budget, that's a good choice.

EDIT: That price is with the GTX 560M. You'd need to spend an extra $495 to get the GTX 580M. So for under half the price, I'd still go with the ASUS I suggested.