Need a Small Light Gaming Laptop

[Jadow]

I'm looking for a gaming laptop in the 14 - 15 inch screen size range, preferably a resolution around 1440X900 or 1600X900, that's less than 5lbs. Any suggestions? I'm having a hard time finding one!

There's a market for gamers who don't want a 9lb, 18 inch laptop on their lap!

 

[Zap]

Two problems with what you are looking for.

#1 Small screens with (relatively) high resolutions are pretty rare.

#2 It is rare for "good" gaming graphic cards in small/light notebooks.

The closest I know of would be high resolution 15" range notebooks with higher end (for notebooks) graphics such as GeForce GTX 260M or 9800M. Indeed I've had a chance to play with such a notebook about a half year ago. It had a 15.4" screen that was 1920x1200 resolution (everything was so tiny it almost hurt my eyes) and it had some kind of G92b graphics (maybe 9800M). It certainly wasn't under 5 pounds though, and was more like 8 pounds.

I think part of the problem is that higher end graphics needs bigger coolers and bigger batteries, thus they end up in bigger notebooks.

This isn't to say that you can't get discrete graphics in a small/light notebook. The problem is that you will be limited to something low end, such as GeForce 9300M or Radeon 3450 Mobility. Those are hardly pixel pushing monsters.

 

[CurseTheSky]

My 14.1" with a 9650M GT is just enough to play some games at decent settings. Unfortunately, because it was one of the first retail laptops coming out with an LED backlit screen, the resolution is only 1280x800. If the resolution was higher, the graphics card would quickly fall behind.

 

[WildHorse]

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[SonicIce]

wow $2 u can't beat that

 

[WildHorse]

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[Zap]

Originally posted by: Jadow
I'm looking for a gaming laptop in the 14 - 15 inch screen size range, preferably a resolution around 1440X900 or 1600X900, that's less than 5lbs.

Originally posted by: WildHorse
Since you didn't mention a price constraint...

This fits your desire for a top of the line lightweight gamer, [B

7.38 > 5

 

[WildHorse]

``

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: WildHorse

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: Jadow
I'm looking for a gaming laptop in the 14 - 15 inch screen size range, preferably a resolution around 1440X900 or 1600X900, that's less than 5lbs.

Originally posted by: WildHorse
Since you didn't mention a price constraint...

http://7.38Lbs</">

7.38 > 5

So Zap, what helpful suggestion will you add to help point Jadow toward what he asked for help with?

Yes the one I nominated weighs more, but is also kick-ass-performance, top-of-the-line superior compared to way too-expensive-for-its-specs Dell or Lenovo or HP.

So Zap, after putting down my suggestion, what better helpful suggestion do you offer to Jadow?

Dang, you sound bitter and vindictive.

Anyway, OP... I don't think you are going to hit your mark. There are thin/light laptops, there are laptops, there are laptops that could play some games, and then there are gaming laptops, and they usually progess, in that order from lightest and thinnest to heaviest and thickest.

That Clevo that was linked is very impressive for its weight and size, and if you are willing to compromise on the weight (which honestly I think you are going to need to regardless) then I think it would be a good deal.

You are almost certainly not going to find a >5lb laptop that has anything other than integrated graphics.

 

[WildHorse]

``

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: WildHorse
So Zap, what helpful suggestion will you add to help point Jadow toward what he asked for help with?

If anyone can find something that fits in the criteria, speak up! Otherwise, saying "this fits your desire" when it doesn't is about as helpful as what I said. I gave a wordy reply that basically said "it doesn't exist." In a way that is helpful because then Jadow can stop searcing for something that doesn't exist (yet?).

Originally posted by: TheStu
You are almost certainly not going to find a >5lb laptop that has anything other than integrated graphics.

There are <5 pound notebooks that have discrete graphics, but just low end stuff. Heck, Asus makes one that uses an Atom CPU and a GeForce 9300M (not Ion). However, I wouldn't really consider any of those "gaming laptops."

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: WildHorse
So Zap, what helpful suggestion will you add to help point Jadow toward what he asked for help with?

If anyone can find something that fits in the criteria, speak up! Otherwise, saying "this fits your desire" when it doesn't is about as helpful as what I said. I gave a wordy reply that basically said "it doesn't exist." In a way that is helpful because then Jadow can stop searcing for something that doesn't exist (yet?).

Originally posted by: TheStu
You are almost certainly not going to find a >5lb laptop that has anything other than integrated graphics.

There are <5 pound notebooks that have discrete graphics, but just low end stuff. Heck, Asus makes one that uses an Atom CPU and a GeForce 9300M (not Ion). However, I wouldn't really consider any of those "gaming laptops."

I don't really consider the 9300 to be discrete graphics when there are laptops with 9400m IGPs.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: TheStu
I don't really consider the 9300 to be discrete graphics when there are laptops with 9400m IGPs.

Discrete means not built into the chipset and with dedicated video RAM. The 9400M IGP typically uses shared memory so performance may be lower.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: TheStu
I don't really consider the 9300 to be discrete graphics when there are laptops with 9400m IGPs.

Discrete means not built into the chipset and with dedicated video RAM. The 9400M IGP typically uses shared memory so performance may be lower.

True enough.

 

[firewolfsm]

The XPS 13 might be one of your best options. It has a 9500M which should run medium settings and weighs under 5lbs. Without dropping a ridiculous amount of money, this is the best performance you'll get under 5lbs.

The HP DV6t has a 4650 which is faster but the laptop weighs 6.4lbs.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Jadow
I'm looking for a gaming laptop in the 14 - 15 inch screen size range, preferably a resolution around 1440X900 or 1600X900, that's less than 5lbs. Any suggestions? I'm having a hard time finding one!

There's a market for gamers who don't want a 9lb, 18 inch laptop on their lap!

They got 'em at XoticPC.com!

If it was me... I'd wait for a month, and go with the Sager NP8690 (Clevo W860CU with lipstick):

http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-n...ptop-order-p-2659.html (XoticPC.com - Sager NP8690)

It comes in 15.6" HD+ (1600x900) or FHD (1920x1080) Glossy - and it's 7.3 lbs. Close enough?!?!?

If that's too much for you, they have other 14-15 inch gaming lappies (some for 1/3 the price).

Click around their site...

EDIT

Thought I'd better post a link, instead of making you dig around...

http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-...tops-ct-118_96_98.html (XoticPC.com - Gaming Lappies)

 

[Chiropteran]

I just bought an HP dv2z. It's smaller than what you are looking for, but it has some decent power for it's size. I think finding a 15" laptop at less than 5lbs will prove difficult.

 

[Skott]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: Jadow
I'm looking for a gaming laptop in the 14 - 15 inch screen size range, preferably a resolution around 1440X900 or 1600X900, that's less than 5lbs. Any suggestions? I'm having a hard time finding one!

There's a market for gamers who don't want a 9lb, 18 inch laptop on their lap!

They got 'em at XoticPC.com!

If it was me... I'd wait for a month, and go with the Sager NP8690 (Clevo W860CU with lipstick):

http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-n...ptop-order-p-2659.html (XoticPC.com - Sager NP8690)

It comes in 15.6" HD+ (1600x900) or FHD (1920x1080) Glossy - and it's 7.3 lbs. Close enough?!?!?

If that's too much for you, they have other 14-15 inch gaming lappies (some for 1/3 the price).

Click around their site...

EDIT

Thought I'd better post a link, instead of making you dig around...

http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-...tops-ct-118_96_98.html (XoticPC.com - Gaming Lappies)

The problem is Vin is that he wants one in a 5lb or less weight class and they dont exist. Not that I have seen anyway. They make them with everything he's asking for, and then some, but they come in the 7lb-8lb weight class unfortunately. He needs to accept it or give it up altogether.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Skott
The problem is Vin is that he wants one in a 5lb or less weight class and they dont exist. Not that I have seen anyway. They make them with everything he's asking for, and then some, but they come in the 7lb-8lb weight class unfortunately. He needs to accept it or give it up altogether.

Hrm...

They have a 14-inch gaming laptop that only weighs 5.3lb

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n81vpd1-p-2609.html (XoticPC.com - ASUS N81VP-D1)

LoL!

I *know* 5.3lb is not 4.9 - but that's pretty close, yes?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: VinDSL
They have a 14-inch gaming laptop that only weighs 5.3lb

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n81vpd1-p-2609.html (XoticPC.com - ASUS N81VP-D1)
...
I *know* 5.3lb is not 4.9 - but that's pretty close, yes?

That's the closest so far.

The screen resolution is a bit low at 720p for what the OP mentioned, the weight 0.3 pounds over and a Radeon 4650 is not that high end, but damn if this doesn't come within spitting distance.

FWIW an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670 is a bit under the performance of a desktop GeForce 9600 GT, and the 4650 is the same chip, only clocked even lower.