Budget Gaming Notebook

[mbesto]

Hi I was wondering if someone could help me out. I play world of warcraft alot and am on the road. I am looking into a budget notebook that will play the game well but dont need a hoss machine. This is what I am currently looking for:

Chip: Doesnt matter, but higher than 1.8ghz i assume
RAM: Preferably 512 DDR
Vid Card: nVidia or ATI (nvidia do better on tests for WoW) - no integrated graphic set
HD: Doesnt matter
Battery life/size/etc: Doesnt matter
Price: Less than $1000 (shooting for $899)

Like i said i mainly play WoW and so anything that is necessary based on my presumptions let me know as well. One big one is the reliance on the vid card. How important is it for a laptop to handle WoW? Here is a chart of support/unsupported graphics cards:
http://www.blizzard.com/support/wow/?id=aww0830p

Thanks in advance

 

[Ronin]

HP/Compaq with AMD CPU. Start there first.

 

[mparr1708]

I think HP is still going to be a bit out of your range. Anything with integrated graphics is not going to play WoW very well and getting a sub 1k notebook with decent dedicated graphics is going to be tough. In fact I can't think of a single sub 1k notebook that I would want to play MMORPGs on.

You can probably get a decent dv4000 for around 1200-1300ish. That one has a x700 card in it which would handle WoW pretty well. You also need to make sure you don't skimp on memory if you are planning on playing MMORPGs. I would configure the notebook with a single 256mb chip and then get a 1gb chip from your favorite e-tailer and pop it in the second slot. After that you would be solidly in the 1300ish range though.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Hacp]

You don't need the x700 for WoW on 1024/768

 

[mparr1708]

Originally posted by: Hacp
You don't need the x700 for WoW on 1024/768

Nope but I was giving that as an example because the previous poster mentioned HP and the dv4000 (has the x700) would be a decent gamer. I would think at minimum you would want something in the x600 / 9600 range though. You may be able to get by with an x300 but you would have to turn your settings down a good bit. Also, IMHO MMORPGs just are not enjoyable if you have to play at the lowest resolution with all the goodies turned off. If it were me I would just save a bit more cash and buy something half way decent for gaming.

 

[Mike01]

A friend of mine recently bought a Gateway for $999 at best buy. It had an A64 3400+, 1GB ram and an X600.

Not sure of the model number, but they may have something similar in the weeks to come.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

You could get a stripped Inspiron 9300 if you wait long enough, or one from the outlet. Mine was $1064 shipped (Dell Home)

1.6
256MB
40GB
Wireless
6 Cell battery
CDRW/DVD combo
Geforce 6800 Go

Basically the lowest config you can buy with the 6800. Should be fine for WoW, after you add 512MB of ram. I personally added a DVD burner (swapped the one from my 6000D), 2GB of ram, a 60GB 7200RPM HD, and bought a 1.6ghz 400fsb cpu and pin-modded it to 2.13ghz.

Really don't think there is anything else that comes close for the near $1000 price.