Gaming Laptop Recommendations?

[Cpl. Haas]

Wanted to get input from some of the more tech-savvy CalGunners - what are the best options for a high-quality laptop that can handle the current generation of PC games like Battlefield 3, MW3, etc?

I've had an HP dv5t with an Nvidia 9600M GT graphics card for several years now... it could handle games like MW2 and Fallout: New Vegas on lower-medium settings, but I'm looking for something I can rely on to run the newest generation of games coming out over the next few years. Are the Alienware laptops like the M14x worth the $1,800 pricetags, or are there cheaper options out there with better hardware? I'm looking to keep it under $2k, and portability is key, hence laptop over a custom desktop.

Any advice is appreciated!

[Lancear15]

If the primary use is gaming I would go at least to the 17, not the 14.

Upgrade the video card as high as you can and still stay in your budget.

[ibanezfoo]

ASUS G74

[Nose Nuggets]

probably the alienware ones. i saw Razer has a gaming laptop as well now, dont know much about it though.

[Lancear15]

ASUS G74

I have a VAIO with the same hardware as the G74 and It is good, but I wouldn't call it a gaming laptop. Needs a better video card IMO.

[Cpl. Haas]

Well it looks like it pretty much comes down to the Alienware M17x R3, or the Asus G74Sx-A1...

[Lancear15]

need to upgrade the vid card... IMO you'll be disappointed with both the 560M and 6970M

[Lancear15]

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-560M.48313.0.html

[Cpl. Haas]

need to upgrade the vid card... IMO you'll be disappointed with both the 560M and 6970M

Well keep in mind you're talking to the guy who's currently playing MW2 at 800x600 resolution to avoid lagging gameplay... so "disappointed" is a relative term for me, heh.

Looking at these different models and seeing the prices up into the $5k range, I've already accepted that I'm probably not going to be able to get the absolute top-of-the-line laptop within my budget. Both the M17x and G74 have the 560M as the highest-level graphics card available... I could move up the the M18x with the 580M, but I'm already breaking $2k and that's with the basic processor, memory, and hard drive.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-...M.48313.0.html

Very helpful link! The 560M definitely isn't the best, but it shows it can handle BF3 at high-settings, which is probably good enough for me as more of a casual-moderate gamer. I'm only anticipating this'll last me a few years... then I'll hopefully be settled down somewhere more permanent and can build a top-of-the-line desktop for gaming.

[ibanezfoo]

I have a VAIO with the same hardware as the G74 and It is good, but I wouldn't call it a gaming laptop. Needs a better video card IMO.

I have the G73SW with the gtx460m and it plays everything just fine. Been playing Skyrim on it while laying in bed... Haven't tried BF3 on it yet though.

[gorn5150]

Asus is the way to go. about $1200 and it will run anything. If you have any problems customer service takes care of business. I have had high end Dell, HP, pre dell Alienware and the best of all of them is the Asus. I wouldn't buy any of the others.

[Cpl. Haas]

Asus is the way to go. about $1200 and it will run anything. If you have any problems customer service takes care of business. I have had high end Dell, HP, pre dell Alienware and the best of all of them is the Asus. I wouldn't buy any of the others.

That's the direction I'm leaning... the G74SX-A1 comes standard with the GTX 560M graphics card, 12GB RAM, 1920x1080 screen w/webcam, Blu-Ray player, and 1TB hard drive... all of which are upgrades on the Alienware M17x.

About the only advantage the Alienware has over the ASUS is an i7-2670QM processor vs. the ASUS' i7-2630QM... but I'm not sure that's enough of a difference to warrant paying more for less.

[HalfMeltingEyes]

http://www.msimobile.com/level3_prod...x?cid=6&id=333 ! :P

[kojak5150]

I just picked up an Alienware m14x. I love it 3GB video Card, 8GB Memory..very fast and can handle BF3 or what ever I throw at it.

[Toolbox X]

http://www.razerzone.com/blade