Gaming Laptop Opinions

LanceStorm

Hi all, 2 gaming laptops im interested in at the same price 1499.00e :

Alienware M17x
Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 2670QM (2.20Ghz, 6MB, 4C)
1.5GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 560M
4096MB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x2048]
320GB (7,200rpm) SATA Hard Drive
17.3" (44 cm) WideHD+ (1600 x 900) WLED LCD

Asus 17.3" G74SX-TZ177
2nd generation Intel Core i7-2630QM - 2.0GHz
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M - 3GB
8GB DDR3 SODIMM - 2x4GB 1333
750GB - 7200rpm
17.3" LED-Backlit TFT - 1920 x 1080 Full HD

Compare and contrast for me please.

Will be used literally for Star Wars : The Old Republic.

IRL_Sinister

I personally use an Asus. I have, so far, used it for Oblivion and primarily for SC2. It's an absolute beast of a machine and would definitely recommend it for anyone. It's also incredibly quite and remains cool even after hours of use on it's highest performance setups.

The one major downfall -- it's really NOT practical for lugging around; it really is a desktop replacement.

(I also hate Dell so would avoid Alienware like the plague and I generally find them not to be worth anything near what they cost).

Also, I got my Asus G74SX for cheaper in $CAD - then again I don't expect anything from Ireland anymore.

I'm awful when it comes to computers but I don't have a single regret having dished out for my Asus, it's definitely a good buy.

edit: the 1920 x 1080 is a pretty big deal when it comes to modern day gaming, too.

Zulu

I have the m11x, i7, 8GB of RAM, 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA GEFORCE, & a 256GB SSD.
Runs like sh1t of a shovel. Got it for about the same price.

I've only played CIV5, Portal2 & Dragon Age 2 on it so far. No problems running the games.


...all that said, bought it in June & have had to get a Mobo swapped out already. The GFX is built into the mobo & it runs really fu(king hot!!

Overheal

That ASUS chassis is hands down the largest, fattest, heaviest thing I have seen in a consumer laptop yet. Don't get me wrong it has amazing components but there is no battery life to speak of, and if you try to pick it up with one hand you run the risk of a wrist or forearm injury. It is not for carrying around by any means, it's a desktop replacement. Which makes me wonder why most of the people who come into buy it are soldiers getting ready to leave on deployment.

IRL_Sinister

Overheal wrote: »

That ASUS chassis is hands down the largest, fattest, heaviest thing I have seen in a consumer laptop yet. Don't get me wrong it has amazing components but there is no battery life to speak of, and if you try to pick it up with one hand you run the risk of a wrist or forearm injury. It is not for carrying around by any means, it's a desktop replacement. Which makes me wonder why most of the people who come into buy it are soldiers getting ready to leave on deployment.

Because it's built like a Tank, and feels that way too.

Clareman

I have a M18, thing of beauty so it is, couldn't go for anything else, the 17 is as good, go for that 1.

LanceStorm

Overheal wrote: »

That ASUS chassis is hands down the largest, fattest, heaviest thing I have seen in a consumer laptop yet. Don't get me wrong it has amazing components but there is no battery life to speak of, and if you try to pick it up with one hand you run the risk of a wrist or forearm injury. It is not for carrying around by any means, it's a desktop replacement. Which makes me wonder why most of the people who come into buy it are soldiers getting ready to leave on deployment.

you see I dont think this will be an issue for me, my current laptop in its 4 years has never not been connected to the mains, im not after super portability for trains/planes, just that I can physically carry it from the couch to the kitchen or throw it in a carry bag for trips away with work!

from what I can see of the graphics card/hard drive and RAM it beats the alienware, if I wanted to match those specs with the alienware it would be closer to 1750! the 18" starts at 2000 and im not spending that!

as long as it plays TOR effortlessly and I can move rooms with it when needed then its a fine purchase!

Zulu

Ring Dell, tell them you have a ceiling of €1500, and can they give you a discount. I got 20% off the original price for mine.

Jarren

How about Dell UK?





Alienware 17x R3
Date & Time: Thursday 27 October 2011 6:44 PM


SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Alienware 17x R3 Qty 1
Alienware M17x Stealth Black, English Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (64 BIT) Unit Price £1,538.99
Save £110 (Inc Vat) until 2/11/2011
Expires 03 November 2011 View Details
- £110.00

15% off on selected systems above 499 GBP
Expires 02 November 2011 View Details
- £214.35

Catalog Number: 202 N00W7V03
Module Description Show Details
Base Alienware M17x Stealth Black
Microsoft Operating System English Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)
Memory 4096MB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x2048]
Keyboard Internal UK/Irish Qwerty Keyboard
Video Card 1.5GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 560M
Hard Drive 320GB (7,200rpm) SATA Hard Drive
Optical Devices DVD+/-RW (DVD, CD read and write)
Speakers No speakers required
Wireless Networking Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 - EUR
Cables UK 2M 250V Power Cord
Shipping Documents English Documentation
Gedis Bundle Reference N11W7V03
Standard Warranty 1 year Next Business Day Hardware Support included with your PC
Enhanced Service Packs 1Yr Collect & Returns Warranty – No upgrade selected
Bluetooth Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Card - EUR
Order Information Alienware M17x R3 Order - UK
Primary Battery Primary 9 cell Li-Ion Default Base Battery
Carrying Cases No Carrying Case
Processor Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 2670QM (2.20Ghz, 6MB, 4C)
Dell System Media Kit Alienware Resource DVD
Camera Integrated 3.0 Mega Pixel HD Camera
Avatar Alienware Logo
AutoMatic Updates AutoMatic updates - On
TimeZone (GMT + 00.00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
Accidental Damage Support No Accidental Damage Protection
Call Dell Experts One free Dell Expert call to help with your PC queries within 60 days of purchase
Pre Installed Software Steam® Client and Portal™ Game - Factory Installed
LCD 17.3" WideFHD (1920 x 1080) WLED LCD
Hidden NamePlate Engraving Generic Name Plate Engraving
Protect your new PC No Antivirus Software
Power Supply 240W AC Adaptor
TOTAL :£1,214.64

Total excl. VAT VAT Rate Total incl. VAT
£1,012.20 20.00 % £1,214.64
Total Delivery Charge £16.66 20.00 % £19.99
Total Price £1,028.86 £1,234.63

http://ecomm.euro.dell.com/dellstore/basket.aspx?itemtype=CFG&s=dhs&l=en&cs=ukdhs1&c=uk&&details=false


Delivery only 22Euros http://www.deliverme.ie/

hare05

For reliability you just can't beat ASUS. I bought a €400 ASUS notebook for my brother and the build quality, materials, etc were several steps above my €950 Toshiba and I won't even mention my €1000 Dell which over 7 months needed 4 motherboard replacements for overheating.
I got a full refund from them by simply stating keeping something as badly built as that under warranty would cost them several times their original profit on repairs.