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Need Help Finding a Gaming Laptop - Printable Version

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RE: Need Help Finding a Gaming Laptop - Cassandra - 09-18-2015

(09-18-2015, 09:17 PM)LiadansWhisper Wrote: Is there a reason you want a laptop instead of a desktop?

A desktop is going to net you so much more for your money and has the added benefit of being upgradeable over time.

Was about to ask this myself. At your budget, you could afford to toss in dual GTX 980tis, which utterly wrecks any game currently available (and for the foreseeable future). Even just one of those cards can handle 4K level gaming with minimal effort. You just won't get that type of performance with a laptop. So unless you need it for work, I highly recommend a desktop, specifically building one yourself. It may sound daunting at first, but there are a plethora of guides to help out with that.

If you're set on a laptop though, the Razorblade garners a lot of praise. Alienware also makes some good laptops that aren't as insanely overpriced as some of their other models. 

I suggest searching through Linus Tech Tips. He makes detailed youtube revives on gaming laptops and computer hardcore. Excellent source of info.


RE: Need Help Finding a Gaming Laptop - Arcian - 09-19-2015

(09-18-2015, 11:48 PM)Olivia Wrote: Alienware also makes some good laptops that aren't as insanely overpriced as some of their other models. 

If you do opt for an Alienware, I would not recommend the 18 (and this is from someone who is currently typing on one). Lots of fan speed and overheating issues, and consequently major fps drop at points. Don't be me, kids.

Other folks in this thread seem to have a lot of good suggestions, though.


RE: Need Help Finding a Gaming Laptop - allgivenover - 09-19-2015

There's an important question you need to answer first, and maybe it seems a bit redundant in the thread but OP's statement about just wanting to play a few steam games and MMOs push its importance.

Does it really have to be a laptop?

If you're in a situation where you're often moving your gaming from one location to the next, then yes a laptop is very convenient, but there are downsides:
  • For the price of a good gaming laptop you can build a desktop that will blow it out of the water for the same price point, often less than the same price point. Even if building is not an option for you there are good pre-built vendors that will do the same thing for a little more (but still less than the laptop).

  • You can't upgrade a laptop.This might seem like a duh moment, but in the desktop world you can put down $1000 (or less) on a very nice rig, then upgrade the graphics card three or four years later. I have several friends who are using an i5 2500k, a processor released four years ago mind you, that have only had to upgrade the graphics card once since the initial build to keep their desktop on par and able to play modern games smoothly on highest settings.

  • Wear and tear. Gaming laptops simply don't last as long as desktop counterparts. All of the components in a gaming laptop are crammed together in a tiny case, and while they've gotten better at laptop cooling the truth is those components suffer greatly over time from heat.

  • Repair considerations. This is related to the prior point but warrants its own bullet. When a desktop component breaks you take out that component and replace it, easily. When a laptop breaks the repair costs can be astronomical, and you can't do it yourself unless you've the tools, know how, and manufacturer replacement parts access.

The trade-off is of course portability. If you're the sort of person that travels for work often, or visits family or friends often, or lives in a dorm room, then yes a laptop is worth all of the downsides. In that case using the model Aysun linked as a guide is a good start.


RE: Need Help Finding a Gaming Laptop - Sylentmana - 09-21-2015

(09-18-2015, 09:17 PM)LiadansWhisper Wrote: Is there a reason you want a laptop instead of a desktop?

A desktop is going to net you so much more for your money and has the added benefit of being upgradeable over time.

Because I don't have the room in my small apartment for a desktop. Otherwise I would get one instead of a laptop.

To be honest, I'm starting to reconsider getting a laptop and just continue being computer-less. I haven't had a personal computer for about 2 years now so I'm not really hurting for one. It just seems like way more trouble than it's worth. Thanks anyway everyone.


RE: Need Help Finding a Gaming Laptop - Coatleque - 09-21-2015

(09-21-2015, 08:37 AM)Sylentmana Wrote: Because I don't have the room in my small apartment for a desktop. Otherwise I would get one instead of a laptop.

If you prefer a laptop, by all means get a laptop of course. I've run FF XIV on a Surface Pro 3 already just to see if it could. I for one wasn't trying to discourage purchase of a laptop over a desktop, I just don't want to see someone drop $1500 with high expectations only to be sorely disappointed the next day.


RE: Need Help Finding a Gaming Laptop - Xydane - 09-21-2015

I made and purchased my gaming laptop off:

https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

I also recommend:

www.ibuypower.com/

Good luck in your search!