Some Specs for a Gaming Laptop

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I know 'Gaming Laptop' is a bit of an oxymoron

I need a new laptop, my old one has given up the ghost and at best it ran things on minimum graphics.

I need the laptop for university primarily - but that also means I need it to run some recent games on it as well. If someone could give me some ballpark specs to work with I'd be grateful.

I don't know what the price limit is yet though, my step-father is getting it through work though so should get discounts.

 

Well...for gaming laptops, you usually want a fairly large screen, but that's counterproductive for school. Lugging around a 17" laptop isn't fun...trust me, I go to school with several people that have the HP HDX 17" laptop, and all they do is b*** about how big/heavy it is. But that's your decision...

From the big guys, I'd recommend the Dell Studio XPS series or the HP dv7t series.

What you want in either of those systems is:

• CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo CPU that starts with a "P". The "T" series may be faster, but they're hotter and drain your battery faster. Shoot for the higest number you can afford...like a P8800.
• RAM - Shoot for 6GB...but settle for a minimum of 4GB if there's a deal or if 6GB is way too expensive (like HP).
• Videocard - ATI Radeon HD 4670 1GB or an Nvidia GeForce GT 130M 1GB or better...do *not* get integrated graphics!
• OS - Wait as long as you possible can to get Windows 7 either pre-installed, or a coupon to upgrade for free...

BTW, what's your budget?

 

Thanks, Kit, always value your input

I don't have a budget yet, my mother was supposed to get in touch. No idea if she's testing me or actually something has happened at home

Every time I get a new computer and my parents are involved they always try and get integrated graphics cards Not going to happen this time! Will see about the 6gb, may be out the price range though

Not sure if waiting for Windows 7 will work too well, the laptop is meant to be a birthday present from my parents and grandparents but am hoping for it for September, will have to see!

 

ive noticed people are already starting ti give away free coupons for windows 7 which is good.

 

Since July.

Really pay attention to the graphics card as Kitrax said. Or else it is just a typewriter/internetbrowser.

Post the typenumber here isfpossible.

 

Looking at the Dell series you mentioned, Kit, they only offer 512mb graphics cards.

Haven't heard good reviews on HPs lately either, really. A fair few people at uni and in halls had trouble with them, whether they were student throw offs though, I have no idea

Merlanni, not entirely sure what you mean by posting the type number.

 

I've noticed people's opinions about HP laptop varying wildly between North American and the Europe. Everyone I knew in the UK who had an HP cursed and swore never to get another one, while I don't know anyone here or in the US who isn't happy with an HP purchase. Might be better to stay away from them if the UK only gets the cheap quality ones.

 

I had no problems with my 3 year old HP laptop (dv6000). However, I rarely played games on it until it became an Ubuntu machine, then it was just fine for playing Starcraft and BG (but what isn't.)

 

@Ziad - you know, I'm starting to think that's the case. Sounds to me that Europeans are getting shafted...the fact that 8 can only find a 512MB card (while I easily found 1GB cards on both HP's and Dell's sites) is proof of this.

Sounds like you're better off having someone in the US buy it for you and then ship it. I'd gladly do it for you, but to ensure proper handling, I'd need round trip airfare and a place to crash for a week or so...

 

When you select certain laptop it comes with a typenumber. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220559

With that number we, or yourself, can search for reviews or specification if there is some doubt. The laptop posted is just an random example. We can advise as soon as we know the budget and what size you want.

Any new pc now comes with the windows 7 upgrade.

HP gets burned here also. A lot of my co workers got an HP trough work. Non were happy.

 

On this note, is there any disadvantages of getting a computer from the US? Obviously there is a problem if something goes wrong - as it'll become difficult to send it in for replacement. But otherwise?

 

Depending on who you bought it from and what kind of warranty you got there may not be a problem with replacement. If the shop has partners in NZ and the warranty covers them too then handing in your laptop to them would be the same as handing it in to the original shop.

 

I'm not 100% on this, but I think the DVD drive will be set as Region 1...which might cause issues down the line....

 

most times over here the drive isn't locked to a region and you can change it a certain number of times in windows

 

Sorry to steal your thread like this 8people.

What I'm currently thinking about, for a similar purpose as 8people it seems, is this:

Sony Viao VGN-FW490 CTO
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz)
16.4" widescreen with XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology (1600x900)
4GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 2GBx2)
ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD4650 graphics card with 1GB vRAM
320GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [5400 rpm]
$1139.99

For similar set up, Dell and HP were quoting me at $300 extra.

Current concerns are:
-> Would 7200rpm hard disk be considerably better than 5400?
-> For an extra $100 the screen size can be increased to 1920x1080. I don't see the point though... given that it's still 16.4'
-> The Sony warranty doesn't cover anything once it leaves the US. Is this a big concern, or a small enough risk that it's not worht worrying about?

For same same model with lesser specs in New Zealand costs about 50% extra, after postage, so it's quite a hefty savings.

 

A 7200RPM HDD is going to run hotter and drain your battery a lot faster. Stick with 5400RPM...or better yet, get a SSD.

The resolution is up to you. The 1920x1080 would look better on a bigger screen...but better resolution is always a good thing.

I've never owned a Sony (and to be honest, I never will)...so I don't know how cheaply they're made. The warranty is up to you. If Dell will honor the warranty outside of the US, it may very well be worth the extra cost.

 

Currently looking at just sticking to 512MB graphics card - depressingly I'll probably be using the system to catch up on games I've missed out on rather than latest releases. I have friends with monstrous systems if it becomes neccessary for me to play the latest things.

 

Now I see. You CAN'T do with a netbook.

 

My very well researched opinion is AVOID SONY AND HP LIKE THE PLAGUE.

I have TRAUMA from trying to cleanse the crapware / repair them / trying to install a reasonable OS on the... ... .

 

The PC Decrapifier is a great tool for new system crapware removal.

I used it on my cousin's new Dell Studio 1555 just last week. BTW, that's a zippy little laptop. It's not going to be used for gaming, so it doesn't have a descrete graphics card...but it's still a sweet system. I can't wait to put Win7on it for them.