LuvMyTSX

I'm thinking about surprising my bf with a new laptop. His current desktop is several years old and dying. He plays some games, but I'm not sure which ones, and it's not really that often, but I want to make sure I get him one he'll like and be able to use for all his needs. He mentioned he wants a laptop instead of a desktop. I'm still toying with the idea, so nothing is set in stone.

What I need help with, is what I should get? Which video card is good? What other internals should I look for? Doesn't need to be top of the line, and I really don't want to spend more than $2000 if possible.

His current is a Dell desktop, specifically for gaming. Not sure specifically which one, and it's old as a dinosaur anyway.

Recommendations?

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Alienware makes the best gaming PCs and laptops but they are not cheap; however, they look to be in your price range...

http://www.dell.com/content/products...=us&l=en&s=dhs

Whiskers

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+L...&skuId=9568112

LuvMyTSX

Thanks. I will take a look.

pimpin-tl

Actually they aren't the best. Might as well buy a Dell.

Sager is one of the best ones you can get.

http://www.sagernotebook.com/default.php

SG81

iTrader: (1)

wow, you're a great GF!

LuvMyTSX

I try.

He is buying the house, so not much money left and his computer is pretty much dead. Too many expenses right now for him, so I want to do something to help.

LuvMyTSX

Hmm, lots of opinions here, I see.

Never heard of Sager. Are they reliable machines?

rza49311

iTrader: (1)

Asus is doing quite well with their gaming laptops.

Moog-Type-S

You gonna get your name on the title?

LuvMyTSX

When we get hitched.

And that's another reason for me getting this for him: so he doesn't have to spend it on the computer and instead can get me my ring sooner.

jupitersolo

Jackie, Aleinware are pretty good gaming laptops, it's all about what's in them. Dell does own them now, some of the hardcore gamers think that is just wrong. Dell does have a A/W laptop on sale right now, starts at $1400.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/s...&cs=19&ref=hbn

Moog-Type-S

Tick-tock!

Perhaps you should put a wallpaper background on the screen....so that when he boots it for the first time the Windows background says:

"I bought this for you, my love, so that you can save your money to get me that ring...(sooner than later)."

You know....real subtle:wink:

wrxyboy

iTrader: (2)

check out www.xoticpc.com I bought a fully loaded laptop not for gaming but more for Autocad since i use alot of 3d views. The laptop performs really well but battery life sucks and it is heavy. I bought the SAGER NP9262 it is about a 1 year old but still really powerful.

Johnny_b

I have dell laptop and desktop. The desktop is 6 years old and is a trooper. Just bought the laptop(studio 15) and I like it. Construction is a little cheap, but for 850 it was a steal considering the hardware/2yr warranty. Check out their XPS models for gaming. Should be well under 2 grand.

Just make sure you or your bf know what your doing with computers so you don't have to call up their customer service.

wasupdog

iTrader: (2)

those asus gaming laptops that u get at best buy are well priced but they tend to get overly hot. the specs of that asus is pretty much what you want. the dell/alienware m15x is a good buy that should come in at under $2000, but not by much.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0320538

^this one will last a long time. more expensive than the asus though. you can get a gaming laptop that's cheaper but it really helps to know what you're looking for. you want a laptop with a single 260gtx graphics card or dual sli 260gtx (more expensive).

tftimm

How about a MAC?

jupitersolo

G a m i n g computer

Moog-Type-S

^^

pimpin-tl

MACs Game just as easily as desktops do.

LuvMyTSX

That would be hilarious!!!

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Same here, I've had my Dell desktop for... 8 YEARS! It is a trooper too, only thing I've had to do is replace the HD which cost like $30 lol. I still use it for the 1 game I play.

Also have a Dell M1530 laptop which is about a year or two old and works like a champ, but battery life could be better.


Did someone say mac?

LuvMyTSX

Wow, so many options. My head is beginning to swim.

Sorry, no Macs. Neither of us know anything about them and just feel more comfortable with PC. Plus they are too pricey, I think.

04WDPSeDaN

iTrader: (1)

+1, for Alienware however.. you can build a better one from another company.

Ive bought my 1st Alienware about 7 years ago. I kept the case but keep upgrade the internals. Green Area 51.. Hot stuff when it was new, now the case is a classic but the internals are godly

LuvMyTSX

The one in the link has 1.6GHz. Don't desktops usually have around 3 or so? It's been so long since I looked at computers, I don't really know what the norm is anymore. I am also a total laptop noob.

Ken1997TL

FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL

With WHAT selection?

Only SOME of the largest titles are available and even then they come out a year or two later.


Luv: Its all about the built-in graphics card and processor.

I've had Alienware laptops but they are spendy. A top of the line Acer, Asus or even better a Sager should do the trick. You shouldn't have to spend much more than $1500 on one.

jupitersolo

When ALL PC notebook makers are putting i3, i5 and i7 chips in theirs, there is a gap.

pimpin-tl

Nothing fail about it when they have mostly the same internals as most higher end laptops, and per many reviews, they game just as good if not BETTER if the game supports MAC OS-X. For games that do not come in the Mac version you can do Bootcamp and have a dual boot system with Windows on the other side.

pimpin-tl

LOL, the i series just started to hit machines, and IMHO, isn't worth the price over the Intel Core 2 Duos in performance YET.

Ken1997TL

And you have to pay an arm and a leg more than for an equivalent Windows laptop.

But lets pretend for a second you know what you're talking about..

Looking it up on Apple's website, the cheapest laptop I'd recommend for gaming is a 15 inch Macbook Pro. It starts at $2300 and has a smaller screen and inferior processor/graphics card compared to $1500 laptops from other established brands.

Oh and those awful PC laptops have 16 or 17 inch screens.

jupitersolo

There isn't that much a difference in price, she's looking for NEW gaming, why the hell would you buy OLD?

And the i7 chips haven't just hit laptops, I've seen the i7 in laptops well before Christmas.

jupitersolo

That's pushing it. Considering he said that iCore chips cost too much, but would dual boot a Mac and kill the price savings.

godfather2

asus is a good deal

wasupdog

iTrader: (2)

this is a QUAD core processor. it has 4 cores. it's one of the newest laptop processors available. basically, it increases it's own speed up until 2.8ghz as needed. it's decreases it's own speed if it's not needed to save power and for lower heat output. that's one of the reasons that this laptop is expensive.

Cruz_msl

I have an Asus that I bought for gaming. It's fast but it's build quality is lacking. Lots of plastic and it also gets hot. It actually partially melted part of the back where he fan is and the hinge for the screen is now mis-aligned slightly. I'm just waiting for it to break one day. Also, make sure it can handle at least 4 gigs of RAM, you will need it. I have 2 on my system and Vista sucks up 48%. Windows 7 will most likely do the same. Another thing that I should have stuck with was a matte screen versus a shiny one. The Asus has a very reflective screen and I dislike it. My Sony laptop has the matte finish and it makes a big difference.

jupitersolo

Sorry for that, I've been having a few e-mails today, were people have been short with each other. Didn't mean for it to carry over to here.

pimpin-tl

How does it start at $2300? Mine was $1599 new from Apple. And I have a 15" MacBook Pro.

I am no MAC person, since I have been using PCs for 25 years and in the IT field. But I will admit that MACs are no longer overpriced anymore. And after using one for the past few months (which is how old mine is) I am pleased with the purchase and it performs better than my 17" XPS laptop I had.

jupitersolo

When it comes to gaming, a MBP, will not cut it, they are too slow, you can't overclock and the video card is just a little better than entry. Gamers won't BMW's, not Toyotas. Plus MBP's are not built to expel heat as a gaming unit.

pimpin-tl

http://my350z.com/forum/computer-tec...s-pc-help.html

Good discussion between MAC and PC. And the costs are actually cheaper on a MAC vs a PC system in some cases with the same hardware.

MBP again does just fine, and heat has never been a issue.

Ken1997TL

$1500 with Apple will only get you an Nvidia 9400m, 4 gigs of 1066 RAM, a 250 GB hard drive at 5400 rpms, the display is 1440 x 900 and the processor is a 2.53 ghz Core 2 duo.

You can do so much better than that for the same price. Hell I can grab a Sony or Sager for that price that will be much better.

And now you're advocating for Bootcamp with Windows which I assume you install legit copies of (ahem) will cost you even more.

You don't think Macs are overpriced and you're in IT? Lord help us.