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[K.Jack]

So my wife's bday is next month. She wants one of those laptops that flip over into a tablet. But she also plays WoW. Is that possible?

Please post one of the laptops you're referencing.

I'm also looking for a nice gaming laptop to play dota 2 for around that price range, I see that in amazon there are some i7 processor laptops for cheap. I've been checking around and there are a lot of reviews for the laptops on there. You think you could take a look and see whats good? I will go with the 699.99 one if I can't find anything better. Appreciate your expertise in this subject. Also hows this, you posted it was for 800 but I think they dropped it to 700

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314017

Definitely take this Acer. That's a nice price drop, and a quad core is always to priority.

Country of purchase: USA
Price range: <= $600
Max screen size: 15.6" (I'd like to be able to bring it to classes)
Gaming: Unlikely to be *too* much gaming. In general, I'd probably just use OnLive... maybe some other games here and there. I may use it to make some vids, though.

Currently looking at:
Acer Aspire V5-171-6471 (Also, if this one's good but you know of a place to buy it cheaper...)

I had been looking at the Vaio Fit 14E, but bad reviews of the Fit 14 turned me off to that one.

If you're not gaming I see no reason to steer you into a different direction.

Did all that. Well, except the silent mode thing. I presses FN+F11, but nothing happens on screen to tell me if it's on or off. How can I tell?
Sorry for being such a bother.

Well, I actually came across the mention of the silent mode in this thread. Apparently the only way too know if it's on is to press Fn+F1 and a settings menu will pop up, which shows you in which state your machine is.

Need some advice. Anyone here have that new Razor Blade 14? If so how is the trackpad and keyboard for general use not gaming?

I am looking to get a new laptop and was initially looking at getting the Sony Vaio PRO or Leneovo Carbon but then I saw this and it seems to be pretty thin but also has great specs for games. I currently have a Macbook pro and dont really play any PC games and its not a priority for me but I am thinking since this thing is around the same price as some of the new higher end ultrabooks might as well get one that I can game on occasionally.

But my main concern is how the Keyboard / Trackpad / Screen are compared to the other laptops since those I have actually been able to use at the stores but I am not sure where I can go hands on on the Razor Blade. Any thoughts?

Anandtech's review of the Blade 14. I did you the favor of linking directly to the page where they cover the screen in detail, because I figure that will be the deal breaker for you. It's one of the worst screens I've ever seen.

You may want to check out the Sager 7330. It's 13.3" with a 1080p IPS display, Haswell i7-4700MQ, and a GTX 765M

 

[NEO0MJ]

Well, I actually came across the mention of the silent mode in this thread. Apparently the only way too know if it's on is to press Fn+F1 and a settings menu will pop up, which shows you in which state your machine is.

That worked, thanks!

 

[K.Jack]

That worked, thanks!

You mean it solved your gaming issue?

 

[NEO0MJ]

You mean it solved your gaming issue?

Well, it at least turn off silent mode, which sacrifices performance. I don't have any game that pushes the system right now, as I didn't use my old laptop for gaming other than indie stuff. It's supposed to run games better now, but until AMD release their windows 8 driver for the 8870m I won't get the most of it.

I have Hard Reset but the version I bought was on DVD and my current laptop has no Optic Disc Drive. If I rip it with my old laptop and transfer it to my new one it should work, right?

 

[Vermillion]

If you're not gaming I see no reason to steer you into a different direction.

Actually, feel free if you know of a better one that's under $600. I like to have power just in case

 

[Quirah]

Guys I need cooler for my Lenovo Y500. Is Zalman NC 2000 good enough? Or can you prefer anything else with same budget level?

 

[anaron]

Would you folks recommend this?

Lenovo IdeaPad® Y500

Display & Graphics

Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Backlight Technology: LED
Display Screen Type: Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
Graphics Controller Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Intel
Graphics Controller Model: GeForce GT 650M
HD 4000
Graphics Memory Accessibility: Dedicated
Shared
Graphics Memory Capacity: 2 GB
Graphics Memory Technology: DDR5 SDRAM
DDR3 SDRAM
Screen Mode: Full HD
Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Screen Size: 15.6"
Switchable Graphics: Yes
Wi-Di Technology: Yes

Memory

Maximum Memory: 16 GB
Memory Card Reader: Yes
Memory Card Supported: Secure Digital (SD) Card
Secure Digital (SD) Pro
MultiMediaCard (MMC)
Memory Stick
Memory Stick PRO
xD-Picture Card
Memory Standard: DDR3-1600/PC3-12800
Memory Technology: DDR3 SDRAM
Number of Total Memory Slots: 2
Standard Memory: 6 GB

Processor & Chipset

64-bit Processing: Yes
Cache: 3 MB
Direct Media Interface: 5 GT/s
Hyper-Threading: Yes
Processor Core: Dual-core (2 Core)
Processor Manufacturer: Intel
Processor Model: i5-3230M
Processor Speed: 2.60 GHz
Processor Type: Core i5
Software
Operating System: Genuine Windows 8
Storage
Hard Drive Capacity: 1 TB
Hard Drive Interface: Serial ATA/150
Optical Drive Type: No

 

[K.Jack]

I have Hard Reset but the version I bought was on DVD and my current laptop has no Optic Disc Drive. If I rip it with my old laptop and transfer it to my new one it should work, right?

hypothetically, assuming there's no DRM to intercede.

Actually, feel free if you know of a better one that's under $600. I like to have power just in case

Just now realized that's an 11.6" laptop. Nah, you're good.

Guys I need cooler for my Lenovo Y500. Is Zalman NC 2000 good enough? Or can you prefer anything else with same budget level?

May I ask why you need a cooler?

Would you folks recommend this?

No I wouldn't, not when the i7-3630QM equipped version costs essentially the same. Forget the dual core SKU.

 

[anaron]

No I wouldn't, not when the i7-3630QM equipped version costs essentially the same. Forget the dual core SKU.

haha, thanks for the heads up. So on the whole, is this a laptop you comfortably endorse, K.Jack?

 

[Quirah]

May I ask why you need a cooler?

I was a desktop gamer but transfered to laptop. I just bought my laptop last week and saw 94~ C's as a higher temp. value. While playing games, keyboards heat is reaches 'annoying level' easily. I need to find a solution.

 

[BadWolf]

Just a quick question, is 1366 x 768 pixels considered a good resolution for a laptop or should I be aiming higher when searching?

 

[NEO0MJ]

hypothetically, assuming there's no DRM to intercede.

Decided to just buy an external DVD drive, might come handy in the future.
Tried hard Reset and managed to get it running on Ultra with MSAA on a pretty smooth rate, pretty sure it was over 30 FPS, though can't say for certain if it was 50 FPS or above. Is here a program I can use to accurately tell?

 

[Doczu]

Decided to just buy an external DVD drive, might come handy in the future.
Tried hard Reset and managed to get it running on Ultra with MSAA on a pretty smooth rate, pretty sure it was over 30 FPS, though can't say for certain if it was 50 FPS or above. Is here a program I can use to accurately tell?

Try FRAPS. It's quite accurate
http://www.fraps.com/download.php

 

[maplelord93]

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/sony-sony-vaio-15-5-laptop-white-intel-core-i5-3337u-1tb-hdd-8gb-ram-windows-8-svf15215cdw/10253404.aspx?path=f9409f7de7afb428902a44cc69cd57a9en02&SearchPageIndex=1

Is this laptop good?

Note: I don't really want a gaming exclusive laptop that won't last long.

 

[Vermillion]

Just now realized that's an 11.6" laptop. Nah, you're good.

Sweet, thanks.

 

[NEO0MJ]

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/sony-sony-vaio-15-5-laptop-white-intel-core-i5-3337u-1tb-hdd-8gb-ram-windows-8-svf15215cdw/10253404.aspx?path=f9409f7de7afb428902a44cc69cd57a9en02&SearchPageIndex=1

Is this laptop good?

Note: I don't really want a gaming exclusive laptop that won't last long.

I don't understand the note. Do you mean you want a gaming laptop? If so then the one you posted won't last long at all.

 

[K.Jack]

haha, thanks for the heads up. So on the whole, is this a laptop you comfortably endorse, K.Jack?

They're so close in price, you might as well spend the few extra dollars to get the updated Y501P. The 750M is worth it. If you don't care for the CPU upgrade, the haha, thanks for the heads up. So on the whole, is this a laptop you comfortably endorse, K.Jack?[/QUOTE] Might as well spend the few extra dollars to get [URL="http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/webca/LenovoPortal/en_CA/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087&current-category-id=3B20BA877A2C60BD831C560F83B08DDE&action=init"]the updated model. The 750M is worth it."]Y500 has also been updated with the GT 750M[/URL].

I was a desktop gamer but transfered to laptop. I just bought my laptop last week and saw 94~ C's as a higher temp. value. While playing games, keyboards heat is reaches 'annoying level' easily. I need to find a solution.

You're the first person with a Y500 who I've seen report temps that abnormally high.

Just a quick question, is 1366 x 768 pixels considered a good resolution for a laptop or should I be aiming higher when searching?

only accept 768p if you can't afford a machine with a 1080p display.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/sony-sony-vaio-15-5-laptop-white-intel-core-i5-3337u-1tb-hdd-8gb-ram-windows-8-svf15215cdw/10253404.aspx?path=f9409f7de7afb428902a44cc69cd57a9en02&SearchPageIndex=1

Is this laptop good?

Note: I don't really want a gaming exclusive laptop that won't last long.

Any good for what?

 

[JetBlackPanda]

There's a weird gap of nothingness between $500 and $700. You either take this at $549.99 or this at $699.99.

Hey thanks man! I really appreciate it.

 

[maplelord93]

Any good for what?

Edit: Sorry I'll do this the right way..

Country where it will be purchased: Canada
Maximum budget: $850
Max size (can be in screen inches, dimensions, weight). 15" screen
Planned usage (what kind of games or specific games it must run, if heavily gaming at all). Ideally you'll point out what resolution and settings are your standard, based off of what I've laid out in the OP:
Light-medium gaming, word processing and general school usage. I'd like to be able to play games at medium settings with decent IQ (~720p is fine).
Specific game(s): Runescape 3 at high settings (40+ fps),
Whatever else you find relevant, misc. things such as desired battery life, screen resolution, fan noise, etc. Preferably I'd like something that's fairly slim with solid battery life (~6 hours). 1366x768 is fine for screen resolution and I want something that's very quiet.

Edit 2: Ended up buying this laptop

 

[state_vector_collapse]

If anyone here has an Alienware M17X and has upgraded to a GTX680M, I wouldn't mind bending your ear via PM if that's ok.

Trying to get a straight answer from Dell is like trying to get blood from a stone. Thanks.

 

[Doczu]

Country where it will be purchased: Poland
Maximum budget: ~$800 (it can be bent a bit higher)
Max size (can be in screen inches, dimensions, weight). 15-16" screen
Planned usage (what kind of games or specific games it must run, if heavily gaming at all). Ideally you'll point out what resolution and settings are your standard, based off of what I've laid out in the OP:
Games, general usage (movies, browsing and stuff like that) and emulation (PS2/Wii/GCN)
Specific game(s): STALKER series, Fallout 3/NV, Skyrim, GTA4 (?) and stuff like that.

Is this a good one for it?
http://www.komputronik.pl/product/184578/Komputery/Laptopy_i_netbooki/MSI_GE60_0ND_607XPL.html
MSI is preferable, because they have an authorized repair and service in my city. This is a version with an i7 processor. Is it better to take this one, or to take a cheaper with i5?

 

[Quirah]

You're the first person with a Y500 who I've seen report temps that abnormally high.

Umm I think summer season makes effect on that. It is my first laptop and I don't really know about my temperature values. I mean is it fine or bad.
Here is a three minutes of a System Stability Test results. Is it fine?
http://i.imgur.com/KtwyZRY.jpg

 

[BadWolf]

only accept 768p if you can't afford a machine with a 1080p display.

Thank you

 

[NEO0MJ]

Is this a good one for it?
http://www.komputronik.pl/product/184578/Komputery/Laptopy_i_netbooki/MSI_GE60_0ND_607XPL.html
MSI is preferable, because they have an authorized repair and service in my city. This is a version with an i7 processor. Is it better to take this one, or to take a cheaper with i5?

This one seems like the one to go with. Ram is kinda low but the GPU and CPU are pretty good. And according to notebookcheck the GPU should run most of the games you mentioned.

 

[Doczu]

This one seems like the one to go with. Ram is kinda low but the GPU and CPU are pretty good. And according to notebookcheck the GPU should run most of the games you mentioned.

I thought about looking for one with extra 4 gigs of memory. But i still don't know if to invest some extra cash for the i7. Wouldn't i5 be sufficient for gaming alone?

 

[Pastry]

Hey GAF, so I've had the same Macbook for the past five years and I'm about to start graduate school. Basically it's time to move on, realistically if I bootcamped the following MacBook would it suffice for some gaming? I'm not trying to play Crysis 3 on max settings or anything like that but some DOTA, League of Legends and Planetside 2 would be fun.

2.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz
8GB 1600MHz memory
256GB flash storage1
Intel HD Graphics 4000
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory

 

[K.Jack]

E
Edit 2: Ended up buying this laptop

Good buy.

Umm I think summer season makes effect on that. It is my first laptop and I don't really know about my temperature values. I mean is it fine or bad.
Here is a three minutes of a System Stability Test results. Is it fine?
http://i.imgur.com/KtwyZRY.jpg

Below 90C is fine. If you want a cooler then the Zalman has been the go-to for years, but I don't know what has come out recently.

I thought about looking for one with extra 4 gigs of memory. But i still don't know if to invest some extra cash for the i7. Wouldn't i5 be sufficient for gaming alone?

Almost every game you listed wants a quad core to run smoothly.

Hey GAF, so I've had the same Macbook for the past five years and I'm about to start graduate school. Basically it's time to move on, realistically if I bootcamped the following MacBook would it suffice for some gaming? I'm not trying to play Crysis 3 on max settings or anything like that but some DOTA, League of Legends and Planetside 2 would be fun.

2.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz
8GB 1600MHz memory
256GB flash storage1
Intel HD Graphics 4000
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory

Can't speak for Planetside, but the 650M will run DOTA and LoL at 60fps.

 

[Quirah]

Below 90C is fine. If you want a cooler then the Zalman has been the go-to for years, but I don't know what has come out recently.

Thanks a lot. I heard NC2000 is good. I ordered one today.

 

[Doczu]

Good buy.
Almost every game you listed wants a quad core to run smoothly.

STALKER and Fallout use 4 cores? Nice. Ok then, I'll buy the 4 core one with 8 gigs of memory. GTX 660M will be sufficient for some time.

 

[K.Jack]

STALKER and Fallout use 4 cores? Nice. Ok then, I'll buy the 4 core one with 8 gigs of memory. GTX 660M will be sufficient for some time.

Well, a quad is almost mandatory for good performance in GTA4, and Skyrim relies on the CPU heavily as well. Not so much for STALKER, but it won't hurt.

 

[Karish]

I'm looking for a laptop that's CAPABLE of playing games but I don't need one of those big AlienWare beasts. In fact, I'd prefer something more portable that can play current games at simply "high" settings rather than a beast that can play them on "ultra".

I plan to do most of my gaming on XBO/PS4 but want a laptop that still gives me the option to game. Also, would love something that doesn't have a DVD drive, seems like such a waste of space/width to me.

Any recommendations?

I would say my budget is anywhere from $700 to $1,500

EDIT: To be clear, I don't necessarily need a "gaming laptop". I need a laptop capable of playing games. Couldn't that just be an ultrabook with a discrete card?

 

[K.Jack]

I'm looking for a laptop that's CAPABLE of playing games but I don't need one of those big AlienWare beasts. In fact, I'd prefer something more portable that can play current games at simply "high" settings rather than a beast that can play them on "ultra".

I plan to do most of my gaming on XBO/PS4 but want a laptop that still gives me the option to game. Also, would love something that doesn't have a DVD drive, seems like such a waste of space/width to me.

Any recommendations?

I would say my budget is anywhere from $700 to $1,500

You're not going to have any luck, finding a gaming laptop which doesn't have a DVD drive.

What do you think of the MSI GT60? I'm firing at the top of your budget to start.

 

[Karish]

You're not going to have any luck, finding a gaming laptop which doesn't have a DVD drive.

What do you think of the MSI GT60? I'm firing at the top of your budget to start.

To be clear, I don't necessarily need a "gaming laptop". I need a laptop capable of playing games. Couldn't that just be an ultrabook with a discrete card?

 

[asdad123]

I'm looking for a laptop that's CAPABLE of playing games but I don't need one of those big AlienWare beasts. In fact, I'd prefer something more portable that can play current games at simply "high" settings rather than a beast that can play them on "ultra".

I plan to do most of my gaming on XBO/PS4 but want a laptop that still gives me the option to game. Also, would love something that doesn't have a DVD drive, seems like such a waste of space/width to me.

Any recommendations?

I would say my budget is anywhere from $700 to $1,500

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus---14%26%2334%3B-Laptop---8GB-Memory---750GB-Hard-Drive---Black/7674066.p?id=1218858193065&skuId=7674066

or

http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np7330-clevo-w230st-p-6163.html

The sager is more powerful, but If you're lucky, you can find the Asus on clearance at Best Buy for $495 which is an amazing price for the performance. I got mine for that price, bought a 3610qm for $127 and a 256gb m4 msata and have am loving it.

 

[NEO0MJ]

I'm looking for a laptop that's CAPABLE of playing games but I don't need one of those big AlienWare beasts. In fact, I'd prefer something more portable that can play current games at simply "high" settings rather than a beast that can play them on "ultra".

I plan to do most of my gaming on XBO/PS4 but want a laptop that still gives me the option to game. Also, would love something that doesn't have a DVD drive, seems like such a waste of space/width to me.

Any recommendations?

I would say my budget is anywhere from $700 to $1,500

This one should cover your needs, it's small, packs a lot of power and looks great.
You can customize it a bit if you want to give it a power boost, though that will cost you more.

 

[K.Jack]

To be clear, I don't necessarily need a "gaming laptop". I need a laptop capable of playing games. Couldn't that just be an ultrabook with a discrete card?

Sure, if you can find an ultrabook with a discrete card.

Gigabyte has some very interesting Ultrabooks, coming out in late July/early August.

The Sager NP7330 is a good option, if you don't mind the small screen. It's a beautiful 1080p IPS panel, though.

 

[Kwixotik]

There's a weird gap of nothingness between $500 and $700. You either take this at $549.99 or this at $699.99.

So that's definitely the best option at $550 right now? I finally have the money in hand and am ready to buy, but the laptop you recommended at $500 before is now $700 so it's going to hurt pulling the trigger on this more expensive, less powerful laptop.

Oh, well, that's how it goes I guess. Probably gonna buy before I go to bed tonight.

 

[K.Jack]

So that's definitely the best option at $550 right now? I finally have the money in hand and am ready to buy, but the laptop you recommended at $500 before is now $700 so it's going to hurt pulling the trigger on this more expensive, less powerful laptop.

Oh, well, that's how it goes I guess. Probably gonna buy before I go to bed tonight.

In fact, you might as well spend $529.99 on this Acer Aspire which has identical specs to the $549 Lenovo.

 

[Socreges]

Considering getting a desktop PC, but before I eliminate the laptop as an option I figure I should get a better idea of what the limitations are:

Country: Canada
Max budget: $1300-$1500
Max size; 15.6-17in
Planned usage: High-end gaming. I'd like to be able to run, for example, The Witcher 3 and Watch Dogs. If I'm going to spend a lot on a laptop I'd like it to continue playing AAA games for the next couple years.
Misc: Ability to show games on my TV at 1080p

I have no idea what the ceiling is for laptops in terms of what games they can play at what settings. Just trying to gather as much info as possible so I know what I can and can't do. I do understand that I may have to shell out $2000-$3000 in order to play upcoming AAA games. In that case I'd go with a desktop PC.

Great OP, K.Jack.

 

[Ken]

Country: US for two weeks. In Irvine CA specifically.
Budget: Under $1000 preferrably
Max Size: 17 inches max, 15.6 min
Usage: I want something to play f2p stuff at medium to high settings on 1080p (stuff like Dota, LoL).
Comments: 1080p resolution, something I can find in stores like Best Buy. Staying in a hotel so I'm a little iffy on shipping things here.

 

[jourdy]

What are some good laptop bags for 18.4" monsters?
Am in Hong Kong - I have tried checking so many stores but I cannot find any. Biggest backpacks I've seen are for 17"

Might have to order one abroad if so.

 

[Kwixotik]

I think I'm going to go with the Lenovo just because I like the look better than the Acer and it's only a $20 price difference. Gonna go in on a RAM upgrade as well.

My only question is since it uses CrossFire or whatever with the "APU" (CPU?) and the GPU, do I download separate drivers for the APU and GPU? Or just one of the two? I don't really understand how that's supposed to work.

 

[K.Jack]

Considering getting a desktop PC, but before I eliminate the laptop as an option I figure I should get a better idea of what the limitations are:

Country: Canada
Max budget: $1300-$1500
Max size; 15.6-17in
Planned usage: High-end gaming. I'd like to be able to run, for example, The Witcher 3 and Watch Dogs. If I'm going to spend a lot on a laptop I'd like it to continue playing AAA games for the next couple years.
Misc: Ability to show games on my TV at 1080p

I have no idea what the ceiling is for laptops in terms of what games they can play at what settings. Just trying to gather as much info as possible so I know what I can and can't do. I do understand that I may have to shell out $2000-$3000 in order to play upcoming AAA games. In that case I'd go with a desktop PC.

Great OP, K.Jack.

If you're all the way serious about next-gen gaming, I can only recommend the GTX 780M, which is a lower clocked GTX 680. The next Nvidia card down is the GTX 770M, which is a GTX 660 (non Ti). The cheapest route to the 780M is this MSI notebook.

Country: US for two weeks. In Irvine CA specifically.
Budget: Under $1000 preferrably
Max Size: 17 inches max, 15.6 min
Usage: I want something to play f2p stuff at medium to high settings on 1080p (stuff like Dota, LoL).
Comments: 1080p resolution, something I can find in stores like Best Buy. Staying in a hotel so I'm a little iffy on shipping things here.

Under $1k and at Best Buy, you're looking at the ASUS G46VW.

What are some good laptop bags for 18.4" monsters?
Am in Hong Kong - I have tried checking so many stores but I cannot find any. Biggest backpacks I've seen are for 17"

Might have to order one abroad if so.

I don't know, other than hitting Googlw with 18" laptop bags..

My only question is since it uses CrossFire or whatever with the "APU" (CPU?) and the GPU, do I download separate drivers for the APU and GPU? Or just one of the two? I don't really understand how that's supposed to work.

There's only one driver.

 

[Socreges]

If you're all the way serious about next-gen gaming, I can only recommend the GTX 780M, which is a lower clocked GTX 680. The next Nvidia card down is the GTX 770M, which is a GTX 660 (non Ti). The cheapest route to the 780M is this MSI notebook.

Great, thanks! How do I easily find out which 'mobile' cards correlate to which desktop cards? Is there a table out there?

 

[Ken]

Under $1k and at Best Buy, you're looking at the ASUS G46VW.
.

Would you recommend the G750 if I can go a few hundred bucks over budget? Not sure if I can go back to the G46's resolution.

 

[pizzapizza64]

I am in a bit if a different situation than most:

I have a 2010 MacBook Pro (2.53 ghz processor, 4 gigs of ram) in great shape that I want to either trade for a Windows laptop or sell in order to buy a Windows laptop.

I would use it for 3 things and don't really need it to be top of the line, though I hate huge laptops:
1. Writing (I'm a writer, after all!)
2. Podcasting/editing podcasts
3. Playing indie games with a 360 controller. I REALLY hate missing out on so many indies!

Any advice?

 

[asdad123]

I am in a bit if a different situation than most:

I have a 2010 MacBook Pro (2.53 ghz processor, 4 gigs of ram) in great shape that I want to either trade for a Windows laptop or sell in order to buy a Windows laptop.

I would use it for 3 things and don't really need it to be top of the line, though I hate huge laptops:
1. Writing (I'm a writer, after all!)
2. Podcasting/editing podcasts
3. Playing indie games with a 360 controller. I REALLY hate missing out on so many indies!

Any advice?

Ever try bootcamp? The 330m should handle most of the indies out depending on what you're playing. Might as well try it before buying another laptop.

 

[pizzapizza64]

Ever try bootcamp? The 330m should handle most of the indies out depending on what you're playing. Might as well try it before buying another laptop.

Thanks, I will look into that. Probably a smarter solution since I love osx.

Should I buy windows 7 or 8? Which version of said Windows? Amazon shows like a million versions of each.

 

[K.Jack]

Great, thanks! How do I easily find out which 'mobile' cards correlate to which desktop cards? Is there a table out there?

The knowledge really just comes from looking at the mobile card's specs and matching them up to the reference desktop parts. Notebook Check is a good resource for starters. I've tried to cover them in the OP.

Would you recommend the G750 if I can go a few hundred bucks over budget? Not sure if I can go back to the G46's resolution.

Yes, I like the G750 a lot.

 

[Ken]

The knowledge really just comes from looking at the mobile card's specs and matching them up to the reference desktop parts. Notebook Check is a good resource for starters. I've tried to cover them in the OP.


Yes, I like the G750 a lot.

Okay thanks. Going to try looking for one at Micro Center since the BB in Jamboree closed.