In the market for mid-range gaming laptop...

[Bulmers]

Going into the market for a new computer by the weekend and need some help . Here's the breakdown ...

+ I'd like to stay away from Alienware, have had horrible experience.
+ I'm replacing my desktop (HP Pavillion) so I'd like something thin and light enough to carry around with me for school.
+ My price range is about 2,500 max. I guess I can squeeze a little more out of my bank if necessary.
+ World of Warcraft, DVDs, Microsoft Office tools, basic internet is really all I'm ever going to use it for. Possibly some other lower-level games like Sims2 or CivilizationIV.
+ For those familiar with WoW: I'd like something that will give me minimal IF/Org lag and mid to high graphics.
+ I need Media Center.
+ Good customer service is a plus, but I think it's gone extinct at this point.

Also, was wondering if TBC is going to be coming out as DirectX 10 and if so should I wait to get my new computer until then ...? I heard the new DirectX games won't be backwards compatible.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Brainonska511]

You won't see DirectX 10 GPUs in notebooks for another few months, so don't worry about that if you need a notebook now.

Do you want a 17" notebook or something smaller?

Is that $2500 USD? If so, take a look at Asus (Proportable.com is very reputable Asus reseller). You can get the W3J for $1800. The refresh model has a C2D, 1GB of RAM, MR X1600, and a 14" WXGA display. It also has a 2 year warranty through Asus. The one downside to the Asus machines is that they mostly all come with XP Pro and not Media Center.

If you want something in the 17" range with MCE, the only one with a C2D and MR X1600 on Newegg was the Fujitsu Lifebook N6420: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834110221 ($2275)

For Core Duo notebooks with MCE, you have the Asus W2Jb (17"): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834220031 or the barebones Asus notebook, S96J (15.4"): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834227002

 

[irishScott]

I'd recommend this:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Ace...e=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&sa=N&tab=wf