Gamer-approved laptop recommendation thread

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Is there any benefit to the SSD with gaming? I'll be using it to browse on the web and gaming. I never used steam and think I'll be using this as my other option for HD gaming.

I'm thinking about a sager NP9150 and was trying to decide on the HD. I'm in a splurging mood but will an additional SSD or the hybrid HD/SSD help with making games faster? I was considering an additional SSD because I have dropped a laptop and busted up the HD and was thinking a SSD might be useful in that respect. But, then again, the hybrids won't help me in that respect and if I do it again, I'll be buying another HD anyway.

I'm leaning towards no but wanted to hear what y'all thought.

Either way, ty GAF for this awesome thread. TY all.
 
Getting a SSD solely for gaming isn't that good of an investment, IMO. Yeah, load times can suck on some games, but I would rather use the extra money for more RAM or a higher end CPU or GPU. Now, if you are doing other tasks with your computer a SSD may be a great investment.
 
SSDs do improve load times significantly, though. I love having one as my notebook's main drive.

Sometimes I think it loads too fast, because with certain games I don't even get to read the tips which the developers put in the load screens. But I wouldn't trade the speed for anything.

Should you buy an SSD for gaming? No. Should you buy an SSD, because it benefits nearly everything you do, including gaming? Absolutely.
 
Disappointed with my Asus N61 performance with Diablo 3 (1.6GHz i7, ATI 5730M 1GB, 4GB RAM) as I have to turn most settings down and run at sub native res. It's not even that old but I think the CPU is handicapping it more than I'd like.

Want an ivy bridge cpu, dedicated graphics and 15" or smaller screen for sub $1800AU. Also should note I'm not keen on the Clevo laptops.

Any suggestions/recommendations?
 
soxinthebox said:
Disappointed with my Asus N61 performance with Diablo 3 (1.6GHz i7, ATI 5730M 1GB, 4GB RAM) as I have to turn most settings down and run at sub native res. It's not even that old but I think the CPU is handicapping it more than I'd like.

Want an ivy bridge cpu, dedicated graphics and 15" or smaller screen for sub $1800AU. Also should note I'm not keen on the Clevo laptops.

Any suggestions/recommendations?
Click to expand...
Asus G55.
 
soxinthebox said:
From what I have seen the Asus G laptops are above $1800 in Australia unfortunately.
Click to expand...

Do you have a link to the G55 in AUS? I see that the G75 is $2,099.00, so I figure the G55 will be at least a couple hundred lower, but I don't think the G55 is out there yet. They do have G53 for $1,799.00, though it's what is now last-gen tech.

I understand you aren't feeling Clevo, but just so you see it, the new W150ER is only 1,338.00, with Ivy Bridge and the GT 650M, which is slightly faster than the GTX 560M, at half the power consumption.
 
I was basing my comments off the G53 here and the G75 being over 2k.

Yeah the Clevo are way cheaper with much better specs than the other options I've seen but I wouldn't feel confident purchasing one.
 
How about the Alienware m14x? Is equal to my limit and meets all my criteria but I have a feeling I could find something similar for less as it only has a 650M inside.
 
A friend of mine is currently looking for a laptop, in the range of $500 - $800

He needs something strong enough to stream his games online through Own3d or Twitch, etc. , while being able to play games like League of Legends, Dota 2, etc.

do you guys have any suggestions?
 
I bought the Asus G55 last week and i'm super happy. And diablo plays really well on it. I paid €1250 (= 1,613.38 AUD) but you probably cant translate the price like that i guess.
 
Ok guys I need to get a laptop as solely using a desktop isn't working out well for college. Here is what I'm looking for.

1. 14"-15.9" screen (1600x1200 - 1920x1080)
2. Good battery life
3. Decent to low weight
4. $800-1100 USD
5. Able to run a good selection of games. (I'm not replacing my desktop, but stuff like Dota 2, Diablo 3. If it can run Crysis 1 than that is already more than enough for me ;) *cough 4 yr old game* )
6. Good manufacturer. I have had my eye on Lenovo Thinkpads, or an Asus.
7. SSD

I will be probably waiting until Ivy Bridge has fully launched, and am about 2 months away from making this purchase. I will be custom building the specs so I just need a point in the right direction for model/make and other stuff. I hope I'm not asking for a dream computer, as I am spoiled with desktop specs and the like.
 
K.Jack said:
SSDs do improve load times significantly, though. I love having one as my notebook's main drive.

Sometimes I think it loads too fast, because with certain games I don't even get to read the tips which the developers put in the load screens. But I wouldn't trade the speed for anything.

Should you buy an SSD for gaming? No. Should you buy an SSD, because it benefits nearly everything you do, including gaming? Absolutely.
Click to expand...

How big are we talking? 60GB? Probably a lot bigger then.
 
My 80GB SSD was more than enough for my OS, every single application I installed other than games, and then 2-3 games to go along with it (including Battlefield 3 which takes up a huge amount of space).

Most worthwhile upgrade I've ever done. People will sometimes balk at spending $200-300 on a video card upgrade which only improves games, but SSDs will provide a much more noticeable improvement than a video card, and for everything, not just games.
 
Hey guys, I know this thread is for gaming laptops, so please forgive me, but I need your opinion on a laptop I don't plan on using for gaming.

Is the following the best bang I can get for my buck?


$930

_________


(Sandy Bridge) Core i5-2450M (2.50 GHz; up to 3.10 GHz via Turbo Boost 2.0)

15.6" Multi-Touch HD (1366x768) Truelife WLED (w/ Skype-Certified 2.0MP HD Webcam)

Windows 7 Home Premium (w/ recovery DVD)

8GB DDR3 1333MHz

Backlit Keyboard

NVIDIA/GeForce GT 525M 1GB w/ Optimus

1TB SATA HDD (5400 RPM)

10/100/1000 Ethernet

8X Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive

JBL 2.1 Speakers with Waves Maxx Audio 3

Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 Wi-Fi (dual channel)

Bluetooth 3.0

9 Cell (90 WHr) Battery

Free Shipping


I'll leave out the manufacturer's name because I feel it will just muddy the discussion (even though I'm sure some of you will know right off the bat who it is). I looked at similarly priced Ultra-Books, but they just lack too many standard functions/features for me.


So, is that a good deal? No? Can you point me in the right direction, or better yet, point me to something specific? If not, I'll assume this is as much computer as can get for this money

Thanks for the help.
 
Dell XPS 15?

edit: nvm on the gaming stuff

That looks decent, since you aren't gaming, but can you upgrade the screen? 1366x768 is horrible and you'll hate the screen quality.

You seriously want a 1600x900 or 1080p screen in your 15.6" laptops.
 
Well rediscovering this thread and reading about all these SSDs has made me start thinking about getting one for my laptop. Although I'm still a bit reluctant about the whole price factor, I haven't done really any looking around for SSDs yet, but do you all feel like it's a good time to buy one and, if so, what one would you recommend? I don't think I need anything with a massive storage space, I'd probably just put the OS and some applications/programs on it.
 
Are there any good laptops in the $500 range. This is for my gf's mom so gaming is not a concern. Looking for the best quality and reliability she could get at that price. It's going to be used in Florida so heat is a concern, but since it will almost always be plugged in battery life wont matter much.

I know this is the gamer approved laptop thread but I'm a desktop guy and have no idea about laptops anymore.
 
So I borrowed my brothers laptop this week to play diablo III. He wants the laptop back tomorrow. Diablo III worked fine/great at the lowest settings.

Asus U56E-BBL6

If I wanted to buy my own laptop, what can I get nowadays for $500-1000ish that's just as good or way better than that laptop? Like, $500 for something as good, or I'd pay $1000+ for something if it's way way way way way better.
 
PhoenixDawn said:
Well rediscovering this thread and reading about all these SSDs has made me start thinking about getting one for my laptop. Although I'm still a bit reluctant about the whole price factor, I haven't done really any looking around for SSDs yet, but do you all feel like it's a good time to buy one and, if so, what one would you recommend? I don't think I need anything with a massive storage space, I'd probably just put the OS and some applications/programs on it.
Click to expand...

The Crucial M4 128GB is an amazing value right now, and it's an incredibly reliable drive.

I H8 Memes said:
Are there any good laptops in the $500 range. This is for my gf's mom so gaming is not a concern. Looking for the best quality and reliability she could get at that price. It's going to be used in Florida so heat is a concern, but since it will almost always be plugged in battery life wont matter much.

I know this is the gamer approved laptop thread but I'm a desktop guy and have no idea about laptops anymore.
Click to expand...
This Acer should do well.

Owlowiscious said:
So I borrowed my brothers laptop this week to play diablo III. He wants the laptop back tomorrow. Diablo III worked fine/great at the lowest settings.

Asus U56E-BBL6

If I wanted to buy my own laptop, what can I get nowadays for $500-1000ish that's just as good or way better than that laptop? Like, $500 for something as good, or I'd pay $1000+ for something if it's way way way way way better.
Click to expand...
You're range is too wide.

Of course a $1k gaming machine will be "way way way way way better" than the $500 one, but how much do you really want to spend? What other games do you play, what resolution do you want, and what at settings?
 
K.Jack said:
You're range is too wide.

Of course a $1k gaming machine will be "way way way way way better" than the $500 one, but how much do you really want to spend? What other games do you play, what resolution do you want, and what at settings?
Click to expand...
I mean compared to the laptop I linked, which is a year old and $700.

I'm willing to spend $900-1000. I want to play games at 1920 x 1200, max settings (external display; the laptop display itself I could go for any size). I can't think of game examples, so I'd like to run the most graphic intensive games at medium settings 1920 x 1200, and most games at high/max settings 1920 x 1200. If this isn't possible for $1000, I'd like to know whatever I could get for $1000, as well as what laptop I would have to get to achieve that, so I could have the option to save up more and get that one instead.
 
Nevermind, just found out it (sager 9170) has two HDD drive bays. Will buy a regular one and add a SSD right out the box. From what I'm getting, I can just load all my games and music (20GB) on the regular 7200rpm SATA drive and the OS and programs on the SSD. Sorry for posting before researching but then again, someone else is bound to be a noob like me and asking the same questions.
 
I just bought a laptop with the following specs. How many frames per second will I get in Minecraft and WoW?

i7-3820QM processor (8MB Cache, up to 3.7GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
32GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (4DIMMS)
2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon™ HD 7970M
500GB 7,200 RPM Storage + 64GB mSATA Boot Drive + 256GB Samsung 830 Series SSD
 
skinnyrattler said:
Nevermind, just found out it (sager 9170) has two HDD drive bays. Will buy a regular one and add a SSD right out the box. From what I'm getting, I can just load all my games and music (20GB) on the regular 7200rpm SATA drive and the OS and programs on the SSD. Sorry for posting before researching but then again, someone else is bound to be a noob like me and asking the same questions.
Click to expand...

I plan to do the same with my 9170. Though I didn't order the SSD in my build.

Majik said:
I just bought a laptop with the following specs. How many frames per second will I get in Minecraft and WoW?

i7-3820QM processor (8MB Cache, up to 3.7GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
32GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (4DIMMS)
2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon™ HD 7970M
500GB 7,200 RPM Storage + 64GB mSATA Boot Drive + 256GB Samsung 830 Series SSD
Click to expand...

Joke post?
Those specs overdoing it/unneeded even for BF3.
 
anddo0 said:
I plan to do the same with my 9170. Though I didn't order the SSD in my build.
Click to expand...

Sry, I meant I would buy one from amazon (like the one KJack posted, have it here when the laptop is delivered. Although, Xoticpc will preinstall the OS. Can I just copy the OS folder to the SSD? Will they send an install CD with it? Is there a cloning program out there for me to just clone a newly installed OS folder?

I'm so excited about buying this thing this week. Steam here I come!
 
So, I'm leaning towards the Sager 9170, since that's the cheapest out there with the latest Radeon card. My question is, what carry case should I get for it? My only requirements is that it be a backpack, and that it's security checkpoint friendly.
 
Not a gaming laptop question, but thought you guys could help. I'm heading to the UK this summer (current US resident) and have a Lenovo E420 laptop with the standard AC adapter. What do I need to buy in order to ensure I can use my laptop overseas?
 
Stormtrooper30 said:
Not a gaming laptop question, but thought you guys could help. I'm heading to the UK this summer (current US resident) and have a Lenovo E420 laptop with the standard AC adapter. What do I need to buy in order to ensure I can use my laptop overseas?
Click to expand...
You need an adapter, like that. This is just an example, you might find them an extremely affordable price if you look a bit for it around.
 
K.Jack said:
Take one of the 15" Sagers (NP6165 or NP9150), and add the 95% color gamut matte LCD option under screens upgrades. It's the best non-IPS panel available in the entire industry.
Click to expand...
Damn, that option is backordered... I've bookmarked it, though, so I'll check back later. Thanks again for the recommendation!
 
skinnyrattler said:
Nevermind, just found out it (sager 9170) has two HDD drive bays. Will buy a regular one and add a SSD right out the box. From what I'm getting, I can just load all my games and music (20GB) on the regular 7200rpm SATA drive and the OS and programs on the SSD. Sorry for posting before researching but then again, someone else is bound to be a noob like me and asking the same questions.
Click to expand...
skinnyrattler said:
Sry, I meant I would buy one from amazon (like the one KJack posted, have it here when the laptop is delivered. Although, Xoticpc will preinstall the OS. Can I just copy the OS folder to the SSD? Will they send an install CD with it? Is there a cloning program out there for me to just clone a newly installed OS folder?

I'm so excited about buying this thing this week. Steam here I come!
Click to expand...
The Sager comes with a Windows 7 OEM disc, and a separate CD which contains all of the necessary drivers, which makes reinstalls really easy.

As far as the HDD/SSD goes, both drive bays are SATA III, so you can put yours in whichever way you choose. I moved my factory installed 320GB drive to the secondary bay, and put an SSD into the main bay to be the OS drive. It takes less than 10 minutes.

If you're not already, you should be on the NotebookReview Sager/Clevo forum, which is a wealth of information and the latest news. Quite a few XoticPC reps post there as well, so you can send PMs instead of phone calls and emails. That's how I communicate with them, anyway.

Also, here's a direct download link to the [urll=ftp://sftp.clevo.com.tw/USRMANUAL/P1xxEM/EUM.zip]notebook's pdf User Manual[/url]. That should answer a lot of your questions, if not all of them.

Owlowiscious said:
I mean compared to the laptop I linked, which is a year old and $700.

I'm willing to spend $900-1000. I want to play games at 1920 x 1200, max settings (external display; the laptop display itself I could go for any size). I can't think of game examples, so I'd like to run the most graphic intensive games at medium settings 1920 x 1200, and most games at high/max settings 1920 x 1200. If this isn't possible for $1000, I'd like to know whatever I could get for $1000, as well as what laptop I would have to get to achieve that, so I could have the option to save up more and get that one instead.
Click to expand...

At $1k, your looking at the Sager machines which come with the Ivy Bridge quad and GT 650M, which can right now play everything out there at 1080p, High settings.

Once you talk about spending over $1k, there's the Asus G75 and G55 around $1250 which come with the GTX 660M (essentially a higher clocked GT 650M, 15% faster).

If your budget goes any higher, you have to go for the Clevo with 7970M.


injurai said:
Ok guys I need to get a laptop as solely using a desktop isn't working out well for college. Here is what I'm looking for.

1. 14"-15.9" screen (1600x1200 - 1920x1080)
2. Good battery life
3. Decent to low weight
4. $800-1100 USD
5. Able to run a good selection of games. (I'm not replacing my desktop, but stuff like Dota 2, Diablo 3. If it can run Crysis 1 than that is already more than enough for me ;) *cough 4 yr old game* )
6. Good manufacturer. I have had my eye on Lenovo Thinkpads, or an Asus.
7. SSD

I will be probably waiting until Ivy Bridge has fully launched, and am about 2 months away from making this purchase. I will be custom building the specs so I just need a point in the right direction for model/make and other stuff. I hope I'm not asking for a dream computer, as I am spoiled with desktop specs and the like.
Click to expand...
In two months there will be a lot of options. Let's revisit this then.
 
So I got this message from Xotic:

Xotic said:
Sager has notified us that they have no inventory, nor will be getting an inventory on the following:

Ram: 8GB - DDR3 1866MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (SKU - S4R373) (+$55.00)

Please consider one of the following in order to proceed with your order:

12GB - DDR3 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (3 SODIMMS) (SKU - S4R557) ( - 15 )

16GB - DDR3 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (4 SODIMMS) (SKU - S4P761) ( + 80 )

32GB - DDR3 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (4 SODIMMS) (Windows 7 Pro OS Required) (SKU - S4R781) ( + 310 )
Click to expand...
What's the recommendation from you guys? I don't see a need for 16GB, but I'm not really an expert either. Also, how much will the downgrade from 1866MHz to 1600MHz affect performance? Would it be worth looking elsewhere or is it not that big a deal?
 
From a benchmark standpoint, the 1866 mhz performs marginally better than 1600 mhz. No one really needs 16 gb or even 32 gb of RAM.

I think 12 GB is good enough but you should wait for a 2nd opinion.
 
Go with 8GB 1333MHz. There's absolutely no reason for gamers to chase after the faster, more expensive RAM.

Spend that money somewhere else, like SSD, screen upgrade, Blu-ray, or warranty.
 
so trying to play some games (playable, i know iw ont get high performance) on a smaller laptop. The new ux32vd from Asus has the best resolution monitor but comes with the weak 620M, i couldn't find too much info on this, but is it even more powerful then the built in graphics on the new ivy bridge chipsets?

The next step down is the Gigabyte that comes with the 640M. This seems to be a better combo, but i lose the 1920x1080 panel down to an acceptable 1600x900. Am i kidding myself into thinking i'll be able to play any games low-medium on these? I really just wont use a larger laptop, and gaming is only a small piece of what i would use it. I guess the post is a bit off topic here as its not a pure gaming machine
 
gcubed said:
so trying to play some games (playable, i know iw ont get high performance) on a smaller laptop. The new ux32vd from Asus has the best resolution monitor but comes with the weak 620M, i couldn't find too much info on this, but is it even more powerful then the built in graphics on the new ivy bridge chipsets?

The next step down is the Gigabyte that comes with the 640M. This seems to be a better combo, but i lose the 1920x1080 panel down to an acceptable 1600x900. Am i kidding myself into thinking i'll be able to play any games low-medium on these? I really just wont use a larger laptop, and gaming is only a small piece of what i would use it. I guess the post is a bit off topic here as its not a pure gaming machine
Click to expand...

Every modern laptop is a gaming laptop, they're just separated by how much gaming they can do.

The 620M is the 525M/540M, rebranded. The 640M, on the other hand, is a true next-gen Kepler chip. It's over 2x the speed of the other mentioned chips (on par with the previous gen's GTX 460M), and can actually play today's games @ 1080p with medium/high setting. With a 1600x900 screen, it would play everything, even Battlefield 3, easily at high settings.

Personally, I'd take the 900p + GT 640M combo, 10 out of 10 times.

Would you link me to this Gigabyte laptop?
 
Oooh, so sager's 6165 and 6175 have the nVIDIA GeForce GT 650M. The 650M is one of the new cards? I might have a temporary computer for now, so I have time to wait now. If I wait two+ months for the ivy bridge thing mentioned here, would the sager laptops possibly add that, and what exactly would that improve?

edit- Second half of question answered, so I guess I'm only asking if sager might/will upgrade to these when released.
 
K.Jack said:
Every modern laptop is a gaming laptop, they're just separated by how much gaming they can do.

The 620M is the 525M/540M, rebranded. The 640M, on the other hand, is a true next-gen Kepler chip. It's over 2x the speed of the other mentioned chips (on par with the previous gen's GTX 460M), and can actually play today's games @ 1080p with medium/high setting. With a 1600x900 screen, it would play everything, even Battlefield 3, easily at high settings.

Personally, I'd take the 900p + GT 640M combo, 10 out of 10 times.

Would you link me to this Gigabyte laptop?
Click to expand...

http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/6/2848518/gigabyte-u2442v-u2442n-ultrabook-photos-video-hands-on

thats the video preview.

http://www.netbooknews.com/46110/gi...campaign=Feed:+netbooknews/nbn+(Netbook+News)

If the 640M can push that, then i'll give up the extras from Asus for the Gigabyte. Hopefully these ivy bridges arent that far away
 
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