-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
Gamer-approved laptop recommendation thread
- Thread starter dLMN8R
- Start date
- Status
of the If you really want sleek and premium, go with the HP Envy 17.
I've done a 670M vs 660M comparison on Notebookcheck. The 670M leads in 23 of 27 games, by an average margin of 15.8%, so they're pretty close in many games.
thanks again!!
SOOOOO, I DIT IT!! bought a lenovo y580 with 8gb ram, i7 and full HD screen! heeeell yeeaaaah!
Ugh, really wish the Lenovo Y580 was available through Best Buy 
My financial aid hasn't come in yet, and I have a zero balance on my BB card. Wanted to get this model, which seems similar enough sans the better GPU...but it's unavailable pretty much everywhere? What?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+...1610804&skuId=5762734&st=lenovo 580&cp=1&lp=1
Funnily enough, after adding it to my cart, BB has emailed me about 3 times asking if I need help with items in my cart. YES, THEY AREN'T AVAILABLE. DERP.
My financial aid hasn't come in yet, and I have a zero balance on my BB card. Wanted to get this model, which seems similar enough sans the better GPU...but it's unavailable pretty much everywhere? What?http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+...1610804&skuId=5762734&st=lenovo 580&cp=1&lp=1
Funnily enough, after adding it to my cart, BB has emailed me about 3 times asking if I need help with items in my cart. YES, THEY AREN'T AVAILABLE. DERP.
Congrats. Lenovo has really stormed the market with this Y580.
Ugh, really wish the Lenovo Y580 was available through Best Buy
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+...1610804&skuId=5762734&st=lenovo 580&cp=1&lp=1
Funnily enough, after adding it to my cart, BB has emailed me about 3 times asking if I need help with items in my cart. YES, THEY AREN'T AVAILABLE. DERP.
Yeah spec-wise the ASUS G55 is the closest machine to the Y580 at Best Buy.
Hey, are there any significant GPU/CPU technology upgrades in the pipeline for the next 6 - 9 months? Starting to get tempted to pick up a new gaming laptop again...but I *can* wait 6 - 9 months if "the next big thing" is on its way. There seem to be a few resource hogs (games) I want coming out in 2013... 
Hey, are there any significant GPU/CPU technology upgrades in the pipeline for the next 6 - 9 months? Starting to get tempted to pick up a new gaming laptop again...but I *can* wait 6 - 9 months if "the next big thing" is on its way. There seem to be a few resource hogs (games) I want coming out in 2013...
New mobile cards come out in Q1 of every year, like clockwork. But it doesn't make since to wait that long, if there are games you want to play now.
As far as "next big thing", look at the upcoming desktop tech, and you see exactly what is coming for laptops. There are no major architectural changes coming until late 2013-2014. Both Nvidia and AMD will be refreshing their current cards in Q1 2013, and you should expect a 30-40% increase in performance, at the highest-end tiers.
RoadHazard
Gold Member
Where are you seeing that? All I see on that page is USB-to-USB and Firewire-to-Firewire adapters. Firewire and USB use completely different data transfer protocols anyway, so I don't see how a simple adapter could work.
The reason I'm interested is that I have a pretty damn nice external Firewire sound card with all kinds of inputs for music recording, which just sits unused now because it's almost impossible to find a laptop with a Firewire port these days.
Hmmm. An extra 30 - 40% isn't bad. Sure there are games I want to play now...but I can keep busy with console games until June, I think. Maybe. My desktop seems to be struggling, so I may just need a new system, period.
May as well ask: For how long will Sager or similar highish-end laptops (say with a GTX 680M) be able to play demanding games at 1080p and high settings for? Roughly toughly. Looking to spend around $2,000 CAD.
We're kind in an in-between zone right now. The console market is the one dictating the graphical fidelity and everyone is waiting for the new Xbox and Playstation. It's going to be easier to figure out what kind of hardware you are going to need at the most basic level.
But ballpark, we're talking the next 2-3 years without any issues. Lower the AA, SSAO or ubersampling and you'll be playing every game at 50-60 with a 680M or the 7970M.
(wait for K.Jack answer, he's the bearded sage for anything regarding laptops.)
I really need to revise that number down to the range of 25 percent, thinking more realistically.
As far as the longevity of a 680M goes, assuming you unlock it and raise its clocks back up to where the desktop GTX 670 sits, it will last as long as the desktop GTX 670, and that has to be an easy 3 or 4 years. My Sager with 6970M (desktop 6850) was bought in Q1 of last year, and I'm still playing everything at 1080p/High/30+ fps, because of the old consoles.
Now, the strength of the Next-box and PS4 is definitely the wild card, as system requirements will take a tremendous hit a year or so into their cycles. The problem is, we'd (I'm looking at buying next Spring also) have to hold out until 2014 to be guaranteed of having tech that's fully a generation stronger than the new consoles.
So I can't really say whether you should spring for the 680M, or hold out for the 780M, as it's too subjective of a call. My way above decent laptop makes the decision to wait a lot easier.
As far as the longevity of a 680M goes, assuming you unlock it and raise its clocks back up to where the desktop GTX 670 sits, it will last as long as the desktop GTX 670, and that has to be an easy 3 or 4 years. My Sager with 6970M (desktop 6850) was bought in Q1 of last year, and I'm still playing everything at 1080p/High/30+ fps, because of the old consoles.
Now, the strength of the Next-box and PS4 is definitely the wild card, as system requirements will take a tremendous hit a year or so into their cycles. The problem is, we'd (I'm looking at buying next Spring also) have to hold out until 2014 to be guaranteed of having tech that's fully a generation stronger than the new consoles.
So I can't really say whether you should spring for the 680M, or hold out for the 780M, as it's too subjective of a call. My way above decent laptop makes the decision to wait a lot easier.
As long as I can play strategy games like Rome Total War 2, Company of Heroes 2 and Dawn of War 2 at the highest detail settings, 1080p and physics (probably don't need FSAA etc), I should be good. What's the best laptop with a 680 card? Been looking at the Sager 9370 and 9170 at reflexnotebook . Not quite sure what the differences are besides the default video card, though.
You only get the 9370 if you want to SLI or Crossfire cards.
Is SLI/crossfire worthwhile down the road? Could I get that laptop with one GTX 680 then add another in a year or two? Or are they difficult to customize? Can you even buy a laptop GPU separately?
Got a Sager laptop recently. I'm happy with it for the most part, but it's kinda slow to start up and the screen colors are too warm for my tastes (very faint yellowish tint). I paid for the 95% gamut screen, I was wondering if there was a way to play with the colors of the screen? If not, is there a third party program for this?
pillowpants
Neo Member
Not sure if this was mentioned already but it looks like Asus is close to revealing a 14" gaming notebook to add to their G-series line. They teased a couple of screenshots here:
http://rog.asus.com/162832012/g-series-laptops/how-about-a-14-inch-g-series-gaming-laptop/
Anyone have any more info on it?
http://rog.asus.com/162832012/g-series-laptops/how-about-a-14-inch-g-series-gaming-laptop/
Anyone have any more info on it?
The issue with going single and buying a second GTX 680M later is not the installation, which is very simple, but that the aftermarket cost is $750 a piece, and prices don't fluctuate even years later. In a year even, Nvidia will have released a faster card at the same price, making the idea of spending that much on another 680M ridiculous.
So either take the 9370 with two up front, or a 9170.
Personally, I prefer a single card strong card over the headaches of a dual setup, but there's no denying the power.
Probably will be the size of some 15" notebooks, but I'm intrigued to know what GPU is in it. I'll guess at the GT 650M.
Dreams-Visions
Member
Thinking of picking up a 17" Elitebook with Dreamcolor and DIY'ing a 680m.
Someone stop me.
Someone stop me.
Nah, why not try it out? I'd kill for some of these companies like Sager and Alienware to start offering that Dreamcolor display.
Don't buy the 7970M is a Sager until AMD releases the fixes to Enduro.
i'm really satisfied with the y580. Games like Driver San Fransico or FIFA 13 are running in full 1080p with all settings on high. had some problems with binary domain since it doesnt recognize the optimus technology, means it only detects the weaker intel HD 4000 graphics card - not the gtx 660m. besides that i was a little bit unlucky in the beginning. the build in 4GB RAM stick was broken. luckly they added another one. after some working around on this problem i finally made it work. called the company, and they will send me a another 4GB ram stick as a replacement (free too!!). right now im on 6GB , but im gonna change that later since they already shipped it actually.
right now im downloading metro 2033, gta4 and the last remnant on steam. at some point i definitely wanna try you the wii und ps2 emulators too. would rock if they also run on this device.
the 1080p screen is just wonderful btw. its my first device with actual 1080p and i love it. dont wanna go back!!!
EDIT:
GTA4 works in 1080p too!
right now im downloading metro 2033, gta4 and the last remnant on steam. at some point i definitely wanna try you the wii und ps2 emulators too. would rock if they also run on this device.
the 1080p screen is just wonderful btw. its my first device with actual 1080p and i love it. dont wanna go back!!!
EDIT:
GTA4 works in 1080p too!
the 1080p screen is just wonderful btw. its my first device with actual 1080p and i love it. dont wanna go back!!!
EDIT:
GTA4 works in 1080p too!
I didn't realize there was a 1080 version of the y580 until today, and it's currently $999 from Lenovo, which is severely temping, as the only thing holding me back from the $849 model was that 1366 resolution.. not ideal for coding.
The sager laptops seem to have issues with sound. Will they sound OK if it's run from HDMI into a receiver/sound system? Thinking about using the laptop to play some films and games through my HDTV setup. Do I need to think about upgrading the sound card or something?
Also, is the blu-ray readers that come with the laptop region free? Doesn't indicate which model(s) they are...
Also, is the blu-ray readers that come with the laptop region free? Doesn't indicate which model(s) they are...
had some graphical glitches with metro 2033. binary domain is only running on the integrated graphics since it doesnt detect the geforce.
sleeping dogs is also just working with the integrated. when i turn on the 660m it can run the game easily in high settings.... BUT... it crashes after some minutes which is pretty annoying i would love to play more.
had some minor issues with GTA4: the ballad of gay tony. vanilla GTA4 is working great though. no problems at all. everything in 1080p.
fifa 2012 runs fucking smooth. just bought f1 2012 as well... gonna mention the results later.
counter strike: global offensive does also work without any problems.
the sound is fantastic btw! really digging the y580. even with the sleeping dogs bug.
EDIT:
formula one 2012 runs smooth as butter
sleeping dogs is also just working with the integrated. when i turn on the 660m it can run the game easily in high settings.... BUT... it crashes after some minutes which is pretty annoying
i would love to play more.had some minor issues with GTA4: the ballad of gay tony. vanilla GTA4 is working great though. no problems at all. everything in 1080p.
fifa 2012 runs fucking smooth. just bought f1 2012 as well... gonna mention the results later.
counter strike: global offensive does also work without any problems.
the sound is fantastic btw! really digging the y580. even with the sleeping dogs bug.
EDIT:
formula one 2012 runs smooth as butter
EndcatOmega
Unconfirmed Member
Depends what your sound problem is. Sound through headphones was fine for me, I just found the speakers terrible, so HDMI was an easy solution.
i had problems with the sound when i updated the sound drivers. went back to the old ones. and now its alright. maybe u did the same.
EndcatOmega
Unconfirmed Member
Talking about Sager, not Lenevo, unless you had a Sager before?
i heard its a common problem.
EndcatOmega
Unconfirmed Member
Ahh, alright. Didn't change the drivers myself, but if PCSpecialist know about it they may have loaded old sound drivers?
OK guys, I need a recommendation, but it's with a twist. I already have a gaming PC; I need some insights on a good NON-gaming PC, for my parents. I'm really hoping someone here is savvy enough to have some suggestions. I told them GAF could help! 
Here's what I posted in Off-Topic, where I will probably be lost among the shuffle.
Here's what I posted in Off-Topic, where I will probably be lost among the shuffle.
I'd like to run HDMI through a receiver for when I play games non-region a blus. I'm hoping the sound is somewhat comparable to a PS3.
I gave 400$, do you think i was ripped of? XD
OK guys, I need a recommendation, but it's with a twist. I already have a gaming PC; I need some insights on a good NON-gaming PC, for my parents. I'm really hoping someone here is savvy enough to have some suggestions. I told them GAF could help!
Here's what I posted in Off-Topic, where I will probably be lost among the shuffle.
Tbh, any old ivy bridge laptop will do them fine.
Dreams-Visions
Member
damn it man. I needed to be talked off the cliff, not back up on it!
yea I just might. I saw someone else do the mod and...it seems like the perfect laptop. best laptop screen in the industry matched with the best (or one of the best) gamer GPU?
sheeeeeyit
I think I can get it done for about $3100. I just worry about battery life and wish they could do Optimus. Apparently Optimus tech doesn't support 10-bit panels or something, so I'd be staring down the barrel of 3 hours. A stark departure from the 7 hours I'm getting from my 17" MBP.
idk. I'm feelin' froggy. Might jump.
cartoon_soldier
Member
Anybody own a Vaio? I can't get my discs to load into the slot...they don't go in. I push them as far as I can.
Having a lot of problems with this Vaio, I am in India now, probably going to ask for a replacement once I come back to US.
Having a lot of problems with this Vaio, I am in India now, probably going to ask for a replacement once I come back to US.
holy shit, it takes 3 weeks to receiver a sager? No wonder they don't mention how long it takes to receive the laptop on the website I was looking at. lol
No, had almost no troubles with it at all, touch wood. Even running the latest nvidia drivers, not the Lenovo official ones.
i tried all drivers available
always had those crashes! so what are the consequences? gonna send it back already decided to go for the asus n76vz now i loved the y580 but those crashes were too annoying. i google the bug and it seems like i'm not the only one. man, what a pain in the ass. i wanna play more sleeping dogs :<
The Y580 is looking great, but the estimated shipping time is 10 days I really would like it now. I'm looking at the 1099 (with coupon) spec set. Is there a store I could go to to pick this up. I live in NYC, but I'd like it at that price point and spec set.
20994HU
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...=AC523278A4F13F27A84F5F5622D1AC7A&action=init
I really would like it now. I'm looking at the 1099 (with coupon) spec set. Is there a store I could go to to pick this up. I live in NYC, but I'd like it at that price point and spec set. 20994HU
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...=AC523278A4F13F27A84F5F5622D1AC7A&action=init
Got a new lenovo y580, and it has a bunch of problems. The windows image that was pre-installed had problems updating, so I clean installed my own windows. However, BF3 is really acting up, going all this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFsYYeSyZBM on auto-settings. When I play on low, the game crashes frequently.
flintstryker
Banned
Nope my mine is A-OK
I'm looking to place an order today/tomorrow morning from reflexnotbook.ca (Canadian site). Looking at these builds:
This'll be a desktop replacement gaming machine that'll frequently be hooked up to my 46" HDTV and 5.1 sound system (via optical cable if I keep my current av receiver or HDMI if I get a new one). The blu-ray drive is so I can play region B blu-rays. I'd like something that can play games on ultra detail settings, but dual 680m's are too expensive and dual 7970's just don't sound like they give much of a boost, so I guess it's very high for The Witcher 2.
Sager NP9170
17.3" Full HD LED-Backlit Display with Super Glossy Surface (1920 x 1080)
Nvidia GeForce GTX 680M GPU with 4GB GDDR5 Video Memory
3rd Generation Intel® Ivy Bridge Core™ i7-3610QM (2.3GHz - 3.3GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache, 45W)
Genuine MS Windows® 7 Home Premium 32/64-Bit Edition
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 2 X 4GB
750GB 7200rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive
6X Blu-ray Reader/8X DVD±R/2.4X +DL Super-Multi Drive & Software
Internal 802.11 B+G+N Wireless LAN + Bluetooth Combo Module
No other options
CA$1,909 OR CA$1,664 with the single 7970
Do I need any of the warranty or cooling upgrades? Matt screen?
It's a decent chunk of change between the two GPUs for what seems like minimal performance gains for the 680 except in PhysicX, which is tempting. I guess my main concern re: the 7970 is compatibility with new and old games and overclocking potential. Thoughts?
Thanks
EDIT: Is there some sort of issue with the 7970 and Clevo? I thought it was just crossfire, but it seems to be single gpu set-ups, as well...
Also, is this system significantly stronger than my current desktop:
AMD Phenom II X4 995 3.2 Ghz (4 cores)
ATI Radeon HD 5700
4 GB RAM
This'll be a desktop replacement gaming machine that'll frequently be hooked up to my 46" HDTV and 5.1 sound system (via optical cable if I keep my current av receiver or HDMI if I get a new one). The blu-ray drive is so I can play region B blu-rays. I'd like something that can play games on ultra detail settings, but dual 680m's are too expensive and dual 7970's just don't sound like they give much of a boost, so I guess it's very high for The Witcher 2.
Sager NP9170
17.3" Full HD LED-Backlit Display with Super Glossy Surface (1920 x 1080)
Nvidia GeForce GTX 680M GPU with 4GB GDDR5 Video Memory
3rd Generation Intel® Ivy Bridge Core™ i7-3610QM (2.3GHz - 3.3GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache, 45W)
Genuine MS Windows® 7 Home Premium 32/64-Bit Edition
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 2 X 4GB
750GB 7200rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive
6X Blu-ray Reader/8X DVD±R/2.4X +DL Super-Multi Drive & Software
Internal 802.11 B+G+N Wireless LAN + Bluetooth Combo Module
No other options
CA$1,909 OR CA$1,664 with the single 7970
Do I need any of the warranty or cooling upgrades? Matt screen?
It's a decent chunk of change between the two GPUs for what seems like minimal performance gains for the 680 except in PhysicX, which is tempting. I guess my main concern re: the 7970 is compatibility with new and old games and overclocking potential. Thoughts?
Thanks
EDIT: Is there some sort of issue with the 7970 and Clevo? I thought it was just crossfire, but it seems to be single gpu set-ups, as well...
Also, is this system significantly stronger than my current desktop:
AMD Phenom II X4 995 3.2 Ghz (4 cores)
ATI Radeon HD 5700
4 GB RAM
Haha, dangit, I've been trying to purchase this for the last half hour:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...&category_id=AC523278A4F13F27A84F5F5622D1AC7A
Only to come in here and find a sudden slew of problems with the Y580. Maybe the inability to purchase from their website (having a lot of trouble with the eCoupon activation) was for the best. But that system is a beast... 1TB HDD + 32GB SSD, Bluray, dat 1080 screen. Even the 3-year warranty is on sale.
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...&category_id=AC523278A4F13F27A84F5F5622D1AC7A
Only to come in here and find a sudden slew of problems with the Y580. Maybe the inability to purchase from their website (having a lot of trouble with the eCoupon activation) was for the best. But that system is a beast... 1TB HDD + 32GB SSD, Bluray, dat 1080 screen. Even the 3-year warranty is on sale.
Hey, guys--
I, too, was in the market for the Y580. I'm looking for something comparable--perhaps more powerful, with the following specs. Any help is more than appreciated:
15.6" 1080p screen
i7 Ivy Bridge CPU
At least a GTX 660M
SSD or HD at 7200 or hybrid
backlit keyboard (a must)
something that can be used for the practicul stuff like word processing--there will be lots of Adobe Master Suite like InDesign used.
I will be doing a bit of gaming--basically playing superior-to-console ports of some of my favorite console games, plus a few PC exclusives.
Price range, 1000-1200 USD.
I'm still leaning toward the y580 because the "bang-for-buck" ratio is simply unmatched. I want the laptop for heavy, daily use (I'm an editor) to last for 4-5 years. Any suggestions are very much appreciated.
I, too, was in the market for the Y580. I'm looking for something comparable--perhaps more powerful, with the following specs. Any help is more than appreciated:
15.6" 1080p screen
i7 Ivy Bridge CPU
At least a GTX 660M
SSD or HD at 7200 or hybrid
backlit keyboard (a must)
something that can be used for the practicul stuff like word processing--there will be lots of Adobe Master Suite like InDesign used.
I will be doing a bit of gaming--basically playing superior-to-console ports of some of my favorite console games, plus a few PC exclusives.
Price range, 1000-1200 USD.
I'm still leaning toward the y580 because the "bang-for-buck" ratio is simply unmatched. I want the laptop for heavy, daily use (I'm an editor) to last for 4-5 years. Any suggestions are very much appreciated.
- Status