16.1" Screen or 17" WSXGA for Gaming

[imported_ToySoldier]

I want to buy a Laptop mostly for gaming if I get sent overseas. What's better for playing games... the 16.1" UltraXGA 1600x1200 LCD Display that Alienware offers or the 17" WSXGA screen that Sager offers? http://pctorque.com/8790.php Link for the Sager laptop. I can care less about DVD movies.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

The first concern if you want to play games should be the graphics hardware, not the screen.

A Mobility Radeon 9600 on a 15" will be infinitely better than Intel Integrated on a 17".

- M4H

 

[imported_ToySoldier]

I wont go with anything less than a Mobility Radeon 9700.

I'll be looking to spend $3000-$3500. I'm leaning towards the Alienware because I can upgrade the graphics card unlike the Sager. Sager does have a RAID 0 configuration for it's laptops but I'm not sure if I would see much improvement with gameplay using that.

Anyways... is 17" w or 16.1" "full screen" better?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: ToySoldier
I wont go with anything less than a Mobility Radeon 9700.

I'll be looking to spend $3000-$3500. I'm leaning towards the Alienware because I can upgrade the graphics card unlike the Sager. Sager does have a RAID 0 configuration for it's laptops but I'm not sure if I would see much improvement with gameplay using that.

Anyways... is 17" w or 16.1" "full screen" better?

IIRC, "upgrading" the video in an Alienware requires a motherboard replacement. Besides, they're about double the price of any other brand, and reviews of their customer "service" have been ... let's just say, less than stellar.

Far as choosing the aspect ratio, it's going to depend on what you're comfortable with. Personally, I'd go with the 17" wide - better aspect for watching movies, and lots of games support the 16:9 ratio. More natural to the eye to have a wider horizontal field as well.

- M4H

 

[GnomeCop]

stay away from alienware, their "upgradeable graphics" solutions arent doing that well anyways. It is proprietary and they still charge a lot for it.

You are better opff going for a voodoo pc laptop, valocity micro, hypersonic pc, or even Falcon Northwest's new fragbook.

 

[Flashram]

The Sager 8790 is probably the best notebook out right now for gaming. Alienware is really nothing special right now for gaming. You can get a better (and cheaper) gaming machine from HP in the way of the 17" zd7000. The 17" wsxga+ Brightview screen on the HP is amazing. Supposedly the Sager is using the same screen. Many people complain about ghosting on the 16.1" on the Alienware. Also, the Alienware does NOT require a motherboard replacement to upgrade the video. It uses a seperate video module.

 

[Whitecloak]

9100 or the XPS

 

[ShellGuy]

If you are willing to part with that much cash then I would go with a Voodoo AMD 64 Specd out. That would last you a nice long time. And IMHO would out run the SpacePeople and *ell any day.

Will

 

[KevinH]

Shellguy - This review suggests otherwise...

http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=23198

 

[nealh]

Ok..why a notebook for gaming..even with mobile radeon 9700 newer games are not going to be very smooth....

laptop seems a high expense for gaming..better to with desktop($2000 get real good desktop with a nice flat panel monitor) and $1500 notebook for portable needs

 

[imported_ToySoldier]

Originally posted by: nealh
Ok..why a notebook for gaming..even with mobile radeon 9700 newer games are not going to be very smooth....

laptop seems a high expense for gaming..better to with desktop($2000 get real good desktop with a nice flat panel monitor) and $1500 notebook for portable needs

It would be difficult to bring even a small desktop computer to Iraq with me. I need something FAST and portable. I only have a couple of duffle bags for "stuff".

 

[mrwxyz]

Originally posted by: whitecloak
9100 or the XPS

bad experiences with dell laptops.....along with many others i know who have gotten one

 

[nealh]

sorry no I had no idea...and did not carefully read your post

 

[gtd2000]

You might be in the middle of the real thing - and not too fussed about "playing" 3D FPS games over there dude.

 

[imported_ToySoldier]

Originally posted by: gtd 2000
You might be in the middle of the real thing - and not too fussed about "playing" 3D FPS games over there dude.

Well... I will need something like Warcraft or JediKnight II to keep my mind occupied. I've been in hostile fire zones before... sounds strange but after a few weeks...if you make it... you start to get used to it. Incoming morters suck but they are far and few between. From the reports I hear from my boys... we've been putting a serious hurt on them. Our night vision just rips them to pieces... the morons havent quite figured out we see better at night than day. Our snipers are putting the fear of ALLAH in them. 50 cal sniper rifle at a 1000 meters with night scope is a beautiful thing.