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Gamer-approved laptop recommendation thread
- Thread starter dLMN8R
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taku
Member
Yeah I really don't get how Alienware are able to sell any of their products, to be honest. I mean, were all these things designed back in 1991 or what? If they wanted to be inspired by the past they should have gone with the 50's >_>Jonnyram said:
UL30JT seems interesting. Although, if only this specific Alienware laptop was slightly less horrible, I would have bought it since it's an 11.6" and I kind of wish I had a smaller laptop than the 13.3" Asus are offering..Firestorm said:
brain_stew
Member
_dementia said:
Should manage that no problem, probably at 1080p or 768p w/ 4xmsaa.
newsguy said:
I'd upgrade the HDD a little and definitely go with 4GB RAM. If the Pentium proves overclockable, I'd forgoe the CPU upgrade personally, the gap is super small.
IMACOMPUTA
Member
I get 10% off for being a student.
www.delluniversity.com
www.delluniversity.com
Ok, my $400 laptop has the same size hard drive and more ram (3GB). And a 15.6' screen. And a disc drive.
Yeah, it has a shitty Intel chipset and can't really play anything newer than 2001, and it's battery life is about 2 hours at best, but who really wants to game on a laptop anyway? That's what desktops are for. You're going to be paying a premium for portability, and you get a small screen, wierd keyboard and awkward touchpad for your trouble. It's just not worth it, unless that's your only PC.
Yeah, it has a shitty Intel chipset and can't really play anything newer than 2001, and it's battery life is about 2 hours at best, but who really wants to game on a laptop anyway? That's what desktops are for. You're going to be paying a premium for portability, and you get a small screen, wierd keyboard and awkward touchpad for your trouble. It's just not worth it, unless that's your only PC.
twdnewh_k
Member
Durante said:
I definitely agree. I'm not looking at the mx11 as a replacement to my desktop, just a choice of how to spend the extra money I had for a new pc/upgrade.
Im currently on a 8800gt and as much as Id love to upgrade, the card keeps surprising me at how well it holds up till today, so Im considering getting some more mileage out of it.
I wonder if they'll ever bring out an mx13, that would defintly be the sweet spot for me.
twdnewh_k
Member
Durante said:It's not that surprising that the 8800 GT is still serving you quite well, it's around 3 times as fast as the GT 335M in this system
Think it's better to wait for the next mx11 before I jump in. How long do you think it'll take before they have one with better specs ?
brain_stew
Member
Durante said:It's not that surprising that the 8800 GT is still serving you quite well, it's around 3 times as fast as the GT 335M in this system
I'd say its more like 2x, it should perform on par or better than a desktop GT 220 and a 8800GT is pretty much a straight 2x upgrade over that in most benchmarks.
I haven't kept up with the CPU realm for awhile now, can someone explain this CPU to me:
Intel® Pentium SU4100 1.3GHz (2MB Cache) (dual-core CPU)
Now I know the GPU is the main thing here, but how does a 1.3Ghz processor compare to a 2Ghz+ Core2Duo, or an i3, etc? Is it really possible that a 1.3Ghz processor can beat out higher clock speed by that much? What are the different types of CPUs out there right now and where do they fall in the hierarchy speedwise?
I really have no clue about processors post Core2Duo.
Intel® Pentium SU4100 1.3GHz (2MB Cache) (dual-core CPU)
Now I know the GPU is the main thing here, but how does a 1.3Ghz processor compare to a 2Ghz+ Core2Duo, or an i3, etc? Is it really possible that a 1.3Ghz processor can beat out higher clock speed by that much? What are the different types of CPUs out there right now and where do they fall in the hierarchy speedwise?
I really have no clue about processors post Core2Duo.
The small screen is the entire point. your 15.6" is NOT an advantage in this case.Dr. Light said:
People who travel a lot, people who can't afford multiple computers, people that like to move around the house, and people for whom space is at a premium (like dorm rooms).Dr. Light said:
My desktop has been getting a lot less use because my new laptop runs most games better, smaller screen and odd keyboard notwithstanding. I will be getting a new desktop in the future, so I'll go back to putting more time on that in the future, but the portability of the laptop around the house means it will still get plenty of playing time. I don't necessarily want to be banished to the back room with my desktop every time I want to play games, a lot of the time I want to be in the living room with my wife while watching a movie or TV show or something.
The "premium for portability" boat has already sailed when you're in the market for ANY laptop, this is just further up the curve, and as I noted above there are plenty of reasons for wanting to game on a laptop instead of a desktop.Dr. Light said:
IMACOMPUTA
Member
How does a 8700M (256mb)
compare to the GPU in the m11x?
compare to the GPU in the m11x?
Diablohead
Member
For a laptop with it's own worthwhile battery, nice size and well, just being a laptop it's a real good price for what performance you get. My sister owns a laptop with 17" screen or something silly and it was lovely at first but now when I end up using it on visits it's an overkill size, we have a tiny laptop with 11" screen at home and it's great for sitting anywhere you like and carrying around, the fact that this new alienware also plays games at a worth while performance for £500-ish is amazing.
Is there a given UK price yet? I would think vat and shit will make it over priced in the UK.
Is there a given UK price yet? I would think vat and shit will make it over priced in the UK.
Basically it boils down to this:
ME2 isn't very demanding, nor is L4D2, the two games they've posted results for.
The processor is a signifcant step up from an Atom, but that's not saying a lot.
Typically, games are GPU constrained, not CPU. Alienware has taken the logical extreme and paired a relatively weak CPU (which would typically be seen with an integrated solution) with a pretty powerful GPU. Mind you, that's probably the only way they were going to fit that kind of GPU in that kind of body without massive battery and overheating concerns.
But any game that is remotely CPU-intensive will be crippling on a system like this.
Don't buy this to game. Buy it for a decent battery life, great portability and the occasional game. You're deluding yourself if you think this even compares to a real gaming notebook, which in and of itself is vastly inferior to gaming desktops in terms of bang for buck.
ME2 isn't very demanding, nor is L4D2, the two games they've posted results for.
The processor is a signifcant step up from an Atom, but that's not saying a lot.
Typically, games are GPU constrained, not CPU. Alienware has taken the logical extreme and paired a relatively weak CPU (which would typically be seen with an integrated solution) with a pretty powerful GPU. Mind you, that's probably the only way they were going to fit that kind of GPU in that kind of body without massive battery and overheating concerns.
But any game that is remotely CPU-intensive will be crippling on a system like this.
Don't buy this to game. Buy it for a decent battery life, great portability and the occasional game. You're deluding yourself if you think this even compares to a real gaming notebook, which in and of itself is vastly inferior to gaming desktops in terms of bang for buck.
Minsc
Gold Member
There quite a few benches here.
But my gripe with most laptop benches holds true here, and that is that they suck. Not just talking about performance, but they give you shit to compare it to. Throw some other cards on the charts please? Put a Fermi or 5870 in there so you can see how it compares to the high end. At least put some other things, and please, for the love of god, don't bench at random setting for every game. One game medium, one game high, one game with AF/ the next without, the none with AA. Enough ranting.
The laptop will fall apart with more demanding games, w/ AA and high setting yes. DiRT 2, like I said in the other thread, struggles to hold 30fps, at medium settings, with no AA, no AF, and at a lower resolution of 768p. Pretty much all the games in that link don't bench with AA, and they don't always run maxed out either.
So it's no power house, but it is the fastest 11" laptop you can buy, so you have to give it that.
But my gripe with most laptop benches holds true here, and that is that they suck. Not just talking about performance, but they give you shit to compare it to. Throw some other cards on the charts please? Put a Fermi or 5870 in there so you can see how it compares to the high end. At least put some other things, and please, for the love of god, don't bench at random setting for every game. One game medium, one game high, one game with AF/ the next without, the none with AA. Enough ranting.
The laptop will fall apart with more demanding games, w/ AA and high setting yes. DiRT 2, like I said in the other thread, struggles to hold 30fps, at medium settings, with no AA, no AF, and at a lower resolution of 768p. Pretty much all the games in that link don't bench with AA, and they don't always run maxed out either.
So it's no power house, but it is the fastest 11" laptop you can buy, so you have to give it that.
MoFuzz
Member
Both L4D games are actually quite CPU dependant. I'm guessing due to the AI director and the amount of guys being thrown at you. So if this manages a constant 30 fps, that's already equal to the 360 version.hauton said:
I think it's realistic to use this to game at 30 frames for recent games. 60 for older titles. In terms of its size/price/performance, I'd say it's a good value. It's only a matter of time before other competitors get in on the action and drive the price down even more though, which is great for the consumer.
'different classes of laptop' is bullshit, all laptops are designed with portability in mind pretty much by definition, while there are some practical differences between a netbook and some 20" behemoth, there isn't between a netbook and an average sized 15incher.dLMN8R said:
this isn't something you can store in a purse, you'll still need a backpack or laptop bag to lug this thing around. for all your crying, you are not gaining anything in terms of portability. not. one. thing. well, i guess if you suffer from muscular dystrophy the 2 pound difference might be an issue.
so yeah, enjoy paying more to match performance with a year old machine at the expense of a feature set with no significant changes in weight. I really wouldn't mind it if it atleast maintained feature parity, i understand that netbooks will be behind slightly larger machines, but you certainly cant cut features and shrink a case and then expect sane people to applaud how small it is. especially when its still in the weight-class of a regular sized laptop.
I'm interested in a gaming netbook, i'm not interested in lowering standards to get one.
IMACOMPUTA
Member
Pandaman said:
Reasons I want it;
My current gaming laptop is 10 lbs w/17" screen and TERRIBLE battery life.
This m11x runs games better than it.
And i can sell my gaming laptop for over $1,000.
I figure i can buy the m11x and have money to spare, and be happier.
1) There is a tremendous difference between a 15.6" notebook at 7+ pounds and a 12" notebook at 4.3 pounds. It's just not comparable at all. It's the difference between taking something everywhere you want to go, and saying "fuck it" because you're intentionally traveling lightly. Not to mention the fact that a 15.6" laptop is literally impossible to use comfortably on a plane.Pandaman said:
2) It's not "paying more to match performance". For fuck's sake, this laptop is less expensive than you laptop and it's faster than your laptop and it's more portable than you laptop and has battery life that's multiple times better than your laptop and, knowing Alienware, it's probably built better than your laptop to boot. Not to mention the fact that your laptop would probably scorch a real man's balls when gaming while, according to reviews, this Alienware laptop barely gets warm.
I've owned and worked with laptops of all ships, sizes, weights, and performance. There is nothing at all remotely equivalent or comparable between this Alienware laptop and the one you have right now.
sweetvar26
Member
IMACOMPUTA said:
I would feel sorry for the one who buys a used laptop for $1000 even though its a gaming machine.
brain_stew
Member
IMACOMPUTA said:
It should be nearly twice as fast as a 8700m, though that'll depend on whether or not a CPU bottleneck comes into play.
IMACOMPUTA
Member
sweetvar26 said:
Seems like a lot, but thats how much it goes for.
Its a beast!
brain_stew
Member
Fox318 said:
Bad Company 2, Saints Row 2, Ghostbusters, GTA 4 and possibly L4D2. Most games will probably be CPU limited just to different degrees, UE3 games are a perfect fit.
How does Ati 5650M stack up against 8800GT? I'm looking into buying a laptop and I'd like to know if it makes sense to buy a laptop that could potentially play games or if I should drop the issue altogether and buy something with integrated graphics processor..brain_stew said:
IMACOMPUTA
Member
Looks like the price has gone up..
Well, they aren't offering the lower options anymore.
I can only select the core2duo, and the options for RAM are 4gb or 8gb (that might be how it has been.. not sure)
the base price is $1100 now.
no longer interested.
[EDIT]
This appears to only be when using my student discount via delluniversity.com
It's forcing me to get atleast 8gb RAM, the Core2Duo, and a 500gb harddrive....
boo!
Wasn't like this before.
Well, they aren't offering the lower options anymore.
I can only select the core2duo, and the options for RAM are 4gb or 8gb (that might be how it has been.. not sure)
the base price is $1100 now.
no longer interested.
[EDIT]
This appears to only be when using my student discount via delluniversity.com
It's forcing me to get atleast 8gb RAM, the Core2Duo, and a 500gb harddrive....
boo! Wasn't like this before.
John Harker
Definitely doesn't make things up as he goes along.
How are Alienwares for other functions?
I've had the same Mac Mini for years and love it, it's all I really need for home... but with Starcraft 2 coming out this year, I very much want a PC laptop. I want it to rock for games but I suppose it would theoretically be my main computer now as well.
This still the best?
I've had the same Mac Mini for years and love it, it's all I really need for home... but with Starcraft 2 coming out this year, I very much want a PC laptop. I want it to rock for games but I suppose it would theoretically be my main computer now as well.
This still the best?
IMACOMPUTA
Member
This laptop is a great value.
It's small, powerful, has a great battery life and is very affordable.
If that's what you're looking for, this seems to be the best one around..
If you're just looking for a gaming laptop and size/battery life isn't an issue, you can probably find something better.
It's small, powerful, has a great battery life and is very affordable.
If that's what you're looking for, this seems to be the best one around..
If you're just looking for a gaming laptop and size/battery life isn't an issue, you can probably find something better.
Anticitizen One
Banned
Is there a desktop that can max out these new games thats in the same price range? I need a new PC but I cant afford $1000+ rigs and I don't want to build my own.
IMACOMPUTA
Member
For the price of this laptop you can get a much better desktop, so yes.Anticitizen One said:
Anticitizen One
Banned
IMACOMPUTA said:
link please!
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=383771Anticitizen One said:
scroll down to the $600 and $1000 US Builds
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