Gaming laptop help

kgiller

Looking for a laptop for multimedia use, gaming, photo processing, browsing, watching movies etc. Want it to last at least 3 years so want good enough specs :

Good Processor
4GB RAM
512MB-1GB Graphics Card
15" Screen (17" is too big; 13 too small)
Would like Windows 7 too (think it will be nice, i skipped Vista, stayed with xp)

Would dell be the best place to go? A lot of laptops ive seen only have 512MB graphics cards, is this enough for the newest games to run at high quality, and if so, how long until it isnt anymore?

Thanks in advance
K

roberthurley14

need to know your budget for it.....

start around this area for those specs (7 will cost more to get)

Graphics cards on laptop cost way more than pc, wouldnt use it for HEAVY gaming

kgiller

Sorry, forgot the price. €1000 or less (hopefully less). Not heavy gaming, i would play call of duty online for an hour or two.

Farcear

Whether the GPU has 512MB RAM or a gig isn't as important as what GPU you are actually getting. Indeed, the GPU ram is really only benficial when you are gaming at high resolutions, e.g. 1920x1080 hi-def screens on 22"+ monitors.

Also, do *not* go looking for something that will run the newest games at highest quality, that's a bad idea for several reasons: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055761428

If you are content to play the newest games at medium settings, you should be able to find something you there without spending a fortune.

kgiller

Cool. I am willing to play games on medium/low settings alright.

Saw this on laptops direct
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_Pro_L500-1D6_Laptop_PSLS4E-00D009EN/version.asp

Or else ive been looking at dell for studio 15 laptops customised

EDIT:
or this
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5739_Laptop_LX.PH602.198/version.asp

RD77

I know you said you wanted Windows 7 and your budge is €1000 but would you consider a 15" MBP? Great performance, not too bulky and great battery life. Even the 2009 Macbook (white) for €949 is very good with performance and battery. Will definitely last you years

kgiller

Im not a huge fan of Apples to be honest. Ive always had PC's and would feel more comfortable sticking with them.

Overheal

'Gaming Laptop' is an oxymoron btw

kgiller

So's your face, cause it pretty ugly

RD77

Try the dell xps line good value to be had there

Voodu Child

kgiller wrote: »

EDIT:
or this
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5739_Laptop_LX.PH602.198/version.asp

Thats a good upper-mid graphics card, and a great price. 500GB drive, Blu-Ray, 4GB ram...there's nothing to upgrade there, thats a great spec, i'd go for it. The CPU is a little old-hat, but it won't hold you back in games.

Generally the ATI-based laptops have more bang-per-buck in the sub €1000 range (particularly the HD4670) but I have to say that Acer above is fantastic value.

The Acer Aspire 5942G looks pretty sweet too. Arrandale (Core i5) and an ATI HD5650. Not out for a few weeks though.

kgiller

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=518881

Voodu Child

kgiller wrote: »

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=518881

Thats 17.3". You said in your OP that 17" was too big.

Alanstrainor

kgiller wrote: »

So's your face, cause it pretty ugly

Oy, no need for that.

kgiller

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Oy, no need for that.

It was a joke ... oxymoron ... pretty ugly ... get it.

Thats 17.3". You said in your OP that 17" was too big.

True, didnt see that actually, was only looking at the other specs.

kgiller

So ive been reading up about laptops and gaming, and how gaming on laptops isnt the best. Reading about GPUs and overheating and so on. But i really want a laptop rather thana desktop so i can bring it around the house or out with me, browse, work and process photos on it using the built in screen, and then hook it up to my HD TV for watching movies, TV shows and gaming.

- I wana spend less than €1000.
- I think 17 inches is too big and heavy, so 15 inch is best.
- I think i need a good processor that can handle multiple programs working simultaneously and also handle stuff like photoshop and gaming (use a lot of processing power).
- Same with the RAM (im guessing windows 7 will require quite a bit)
- I think i need a dedicated graphics card which is good enough to play the newest games online at low/medium qualtiy (so long as the gameplay remains good, the shadows and reflections etc in games arent a big deal to me; is 512MB card enough?)
- Reasonable harddrive size (250-500GB; i have some externals so im not worried about internal space)

So overall what would people recommend as my best option. I would really appreciate any feedback, ive been looking for ages and need to be pushed in a direction soon. Im out of the loop on computer technology in the last couple of years.


Possible options
Toshiba
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Toshi...EN/version.asp

Acer
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Acer_...98/version.asp

Dell
Studio 15 customised with either
Core i7-720QM (1.6GHz, turbo up to 2.8GHz, 6MB L3 Cahce) or Core 2 duo P8700 (2.53Ghz, 3MB, 1066MHz)
Windows 7
4GB or 6GB RAM
320GB (7200rpm) or 500GB (5400rpm)
512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HP 4570


Thanks for the replies
K

John2009

I know its my own laptop but would you be interested in something like this Asus http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=165391&cat=8

I would be open to a serious offer for it.

Hope this is ok by the Mods here.

kgiller

Thanks, but not really interested. Bit garish/

kgiller

Any other advice or ideas?

igiggles

Toshiba have a pretty good one out now (although I cannot remember if it was a 17 or a 15.6 display) that has a dedicated graphics card (1 GB), 500GB HDD and a Core 2 Duo processor for €750 in PC World.

I know you said you would prefer not to go with Apple but the spec on the new entry level Macbook is amazing. You can install Windows on it pretty easily too if you would prefer. I use a Mac for some basic gaming every now and then (Windows XP on it through bootcamp).

Hope that helps

Voodu Child

igiggles wrote: »

I know you said you would prefer not to go with Apple but the spec on the new entry level Macbook is amazing. You can install Windows on it pretty easily too if you would prefer. I use a Mac for some basic gaming every now and then (Windows XP on it through bootcamp).

Hope that helps

What GPU has the base Macbook got? 9400M G? Thats easily 2 or 3 times slower than the GT240M in the €750 Acer he posted. And the Acer has a BD drive and twice the ram and HDD space as standard.

He said 13" was too small in the OP anyway.

Any other advice or ideas?

The Acer you quoted is good value and you won't get a higher graphics card for €750 through normal channels. If you want to play a few games alongside other uses, that'd be high on my list.

ghosttown

Aren't Alienware products made in Ireland, you could go on their site and spec, maybe call them in Athlone and see if they sell refurbs, or use their site to make your spec and then use that to get one built cheaper somewhere else ? Just an idea if its a gaming machine u need.

kgiller

Alienware are really expensive and i think pretty gaudy. Id rather a slicker machine. Any other suggestions of where to look or what i should be looking for?

kgiller

Bump. Need to sort this out for xmas. Help please.