Can a gaming laptop version of the PS4 / xboxone be created?

murphyebass

Ok so this isnt a pc build/upgrade. Im considering buying a gaming laptop in the coming 6months - year.

Reason for me is I dont want to be tied to the telly with an xboxone or ps4 (albeit with vita remote play as an option)
I also like the idea of taking it on hols etc.., playing on the couch or wherever.

So I've been looking on pcspecialist. 17.3" Vortex IV looks like what I'm after. Really like the big screen.

Specs wise I'd probably be looking at:

Intel i7 quad core 2.9ghz, 8mb. (would the 2.8ghz, 6mb version of this be much slower in relation to gaming in particular?)

16gb of ram (2*8mb sticks, I dont want any less than this)

Nvidia Geoforce GTX880, 8GB, DDR5 (there is an option for the same price roughly for a Nvidia Quadro K3000M, 2GB, DDR5, again I'd have no idea which is better)

There is a 6GB version of the geoforce and a K1100M version of the Quadro that ideally I'd go for to save a few quid but again is it worth going for the higher stuff in the long run?

After that its just the normal stuff like hard drives etc which I can handle myself but the 3 parts above I think are important to get as right as possible as its hard to upgrade laptops. I used to build them for a company years ago so I have half an idea of what I'm at but its been a while in fairness.

The specs above are about as high as I can go with the money I have but its a real stretch.
They also seem to be above the specs of a PS4 which is really all I'm trying to do so if I can reduce spec I'd happily do that as well. Like the graphics card and the processor in particular.

As I say all I want is a laptop that will play the same games as the new consoles and at least the same if not higher graphical capability as a PS4.

I think the PS4 only has 8gb ram but I want more than that just for extra multitasking capabilities on the laptop.

Bear in mind I havent the room for a PC so this isnt an option plus I want the extra portability the laptop provides.

All of this said bottom line is I'm a console "gamer" going to a laptop so Im not expecting the amazing graphics a PC can give.
As I say I really only want to replicate the power of the PS4 / Xbox one with a laptop that'll last a similar cycle to the consoles ie about 5 years.

Any help here with specs and reducing build costs would very much appreciated.

If theres other sites that I'm missing for buying laptops I'd love to hear of them.

Ri_Nollaig

Not wanting to turn you off a gaming laptop
but...
You will pay a heavy premium, about 500-600eur more than a similar spec'ed desktop and couple with the fact that a gaming laptop isn't really a laptop, or atleast a laptop as I would call one. Its more of a desktop replacement.
They will get hot and loud when gaming and normally are not really practical for use in say a sitting room when someone else could be watching TV. Battery life will also be limiting and they are normally heavy.

Also note that the GPU's used in laptops are underclocked versions of the desktop chips. Like a 880mGTX or whatever its called wouldn't hold a candle to the desktop (780?) version. Saying that, it would probably be perfect for anything currently out at 1080p and would certainly last a good bit to come. You will be doing well to "match" the consoles as the games will be developed with them in mind and while a good laptop should do the job, as it gets older you will have issues. You will often find the game requirements will say "mobile chipsets not supported". The game will still probably work, less likely to be an issue when its the high end mobile gpus over those budget entries but if it doesn't, you have no real come back.

With that in mind. I would recommend PC Specialist. They use the customiseable clevo chassis so you will have a lot of room for putting in high end components and even upgrading the GPU again later [bare in mind laptop gpu upgrades are limited and comically dear].
When it comes to buying a laptop and even more so a gaming one. You choices really are limited. You may as well check out dell/alienware as well. I know MSI released a new laptop with mobile version of the AMD 290s in them. Asus also have a gaming range.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=959&catid=1828
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/

Amazon as well would have some high end stock.

My recommendation:
Get a good gaming desktop AND a cheap ultrabook/tablet

cherryghost

www.scan.co.uk also do Clevo chassis laptops, often find them a little cheaper than pcspecialist.

Ri_Nollaig

Just saw this from reddit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ICjqsUk82o

and overclockers.co.uk have it for pre-order [£1199.99].

Looks like it would solve some of the issues I outlined above [weight, heat, noise, etc]. Not sure how good and "future proof" a 860 is, check reviews on that but you are always going to have some trade off when it comes to a gaming laptop.

My recommendation of a great desktop coupled with a tablet or cheap ultra book maybe even a PS vita especially if you have a PS3/4 and PS+ still stands.

ShadowHearth

As much as I would like a gaming lappy myself, I have to admit - it's shiete in performance, costs, usability and mobility aspects.
I would even suggest better getting ps4, ps vita, 3ds xl, a bunch of games and save a grand over gaming laptop...

Or buy a good gaming pc ( if you already willing to spend loony money on gaming laptop) and then ps vita + 3ds xl.

murphyebass

ShadowHearth wrote: »

As much as I would like a gaming lappy myself, I have to admit - it's shiete in performance, costs, usability and mobility aspects.
I would even suggest better getting ps4, ps vita, 3ds xl, a bunch of games and save a grand over gaming laptop...

Or buy a good gaming pc ( if you already willing to spend loony money on gaming laptop) and then ps vita + 3ds xl.

Tbh it's looking more likely that I'll end up getting the PS4. The cost really is very high for a laptop with all the high end specs I want. I already have a vita. We'll see I suppose. Don't need either yet as I've my backlog to get through. In the mean time I'll just keep saving and be ready when I do decide which to go for.

cherryghost

2 questions though, how likely are you to bring a console on holidays? I've never understood the thoughts of this so maybe you can enlighten me.

Second question, you want a laptop so you can play on the couch, yet you're looking to get a PS4 now. The PC can easily bring that experience into your living room and now more than ever with Steam's Big Picture. Would you not build a PC instead if that's the case? You get more value for money out of it imo for what you're looking for.

ShadowHearth

cherryghost wrote: »

2 questions though, how likely are you to bring a console on holidays? I've never understood the thoughts of this so maybe you can enlighten me.

Second question, you want a laptop so you can play on the couch, yet you're looking to get a PS4 now. The PC can easily bring that experience into your living room and now more than ever with Steam's Big Picture. Would you not build a PC instead if that's the case? You get more value for money out of it imo for what you're looking for.

murphyebass

cherryghost wrote: »

2 questions though, how likely are you to bring a console on holidays? I've never understood the thoughts of this so maybe you can enlighten me.

Second question, you want a laptop so you can play on the couch, yet you're looking to get a PS4 now. The PC can easily bring that experience into your living room and now more than ever with Steam's Big Picture. Would you not build a PC instead if that's the case? You get more value for money out of it imo for what you're looking for.

Depends on the holiday really. I do my holidaying in Ireland now mainly as I have a young child so in the house we stay it'd be handy to have for that.

Plus I go to a lot of conferences in hotels with work so that'd be another one.

The ps4 could be played from the couch on my vita.

I really don't have room for a pc setup in the living room. Plus as I've said I want it to be a mobile device.

I know the ps4 is massively different but it is mobile when used on the vita.

murphyebass

ShadowHearth wrote: »

What the hell is that mobile device?

cherryghost

Nvidia shield, it streams games from your PC to the device. It was recently updated to allow streaming from outside the home on other networks, so technically you could play in Spain if your PC was on at home :P I think I'd only stick to turn based strategy games because of the horrendous lag though

ShadowHearth

murphyebass wrote: »

What the hell is that mobile device?

Nvidia shield. You can stream your PC to it at home, so it works same way like PS4 with Vita. On top of that it is an android mobile device. You get android games library, but you get proper controls too, not just touch screen.
so you still enjoy your PC and still have a mobile version of your pc around the house. Plus its a gaming console when you out and a way from your all mighty pc.

murphyebass

Lots to think about it seems. Cheers for the ideas.

Serephucus

When you have cases as small as this, that can hold a high-power gaming PC, desktops can be mobile too.

If you really want mobile though, a Shield is probably something to look at. It'll play all your PC games, as well as any Android games you want as well. This opens up things like Gameboy an SNES games through emulators, so lots of options.