• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Which gaming laptop for me - or wait for Sandy Bridge?

O

oynaz

Platinum Member
Hi guys

My wife has ordered me to buy a gaming laptop so I can play World of Warcraft with me. Whipped husband that I am, I better do as I am told 🙂
I will use this machine for everything, gaming, mixing in CuBase, surf, Office, etc. I want it to be used for gaming now and 3 years from now with reasonable quality setting, so a powerful GPU is important. Portability is not very important though, I will get a netbook for that.

I will buy from one of the following Danish sites:

http://www.shg.dk
http://www.mm-vision.dk
http://www.dustin.dk (remember to click "privat" in the upper right corner to get prices with sales tax)

They are in Danish, but you should be able to work it out. Google Translate does a good job with them 🙂

I am considering the MSI GT660 - around 7000 DKK ($1300)

http://www.shg.dk/Baerbar/MSI-GT660-...6-2235349.html

Old but powerful parts, quiet, OK battery life considering the GTX285 GPU, quite cheap, but poor keyboard, display, touchpad, and it is very ugly.

The Asus G53 is compelling as well. 9300 DKK ($1750)

http://www.dustinhome.dk/pd_5010549001.aspx

Very powerful, and presumably better keys and touchpad, but quite a bit more expensive than the MSI. I know one of their account managers quite well, though, so I might get a price cut. But should I wait for Sandy Bridge?

And

Vision NB 2550. 7700 DKK ($1500)

http://www.mm-vision.dk/produkter/v...notebook&varenr=700700010&gruppe=PCnotevision

MM-Vision have a reputation of making machines of very high quality, but how fast is the Nvidia 540 GPU? And again, should I wait for Sandy Bridge?
 
Last edited:
IMHO i would get the G53JW or G73JW/JH/SW

The GPU (gtx 460m) is better then the GTX 285m and the GT 540m is not a gaming level card (it will run WoW though). The screen on the MSI is also a concern as it is only 1366x768, at 15" that looks pretty crappy you want at least 1600x900 with 1920x1080 being ideal the G53 has 1920x1080 a VERY nice resolution. The MSI might perform better in games, ONLY because it has a lower resolution it has to play the game at (768p vs 1080p) If the G53 had that lower resolution it would beat the MSI.
 
have you checked out xoticpc? They ship international and have a pretty good selection of laptops. I just ordered a Sager N5160 from them at a great price.
 
I got a G53JW from newegg for $1199. It has an i7 1.73ghz (turbo clocks to 2.9ghz), 4GB RAM, nVidia 460M, and a 1080p screen. It runs just about all of my games at high settings.

I would stay away from MSI. They don't have a very good quality reputation when it comes to their laptops and PCs.
 
oynaz said:
I will use this machine for everything, gaming, mixing in CuBase, surf, Office, etc. I want it to be used for gaming now and 3 years from now with reasonable quality setting, so a powerful GPU is important. Portability is not very important though, I will get a netbook for that.
Click to expand...

When should you buy a desktop instead of a laptop:
1. If working on a budget
2. If portability is not important
3. If you intend to play video games
4. If power consumption is not important
5. If you intend to use it for mixing, surfing, office, gaming, etc
6. If you want it to last a long time (although better than laptop it is still better to upgrade more often... Buy now for HALF the budget you set, keep the rest as cash and use it to upgrade in 18 months. you will get much more for your money!)
7. If comfort is important (large screen, large keyboard, good mouse, nice speakers, better looking screen...) so that you can play WoW on it all day
8. If you will ALSO be buying a netbook for portability.
9. When playing certain online games, like shooters and MMOs (use wired connection!)

Basically every single aspect of your requirements, EVERY SINGLE ONE without exception, says you should get a desktop.

I will suggest that you also forget netbooks, they are crap. Way too slow to be usable. I tried a netbook, it was terrible and I returned it to costo and bought myself an i3 ultra portable 13" laptop and I am very happy... The return people at costco warned me it is slow when I bought it and had a sign saying that this is only meant for "light activity", but opening a pdf or excel sheet shouldn't take THAT long, it was unacceptably slow.
Anyways my ultra portable laptop cost 600$ but:
1. It is fast; the netbook has a CPU meant for ipad like devices (no really, intel did not intent it as a laptop CPU, it was meant for "media playback devices")
2. It actually has RAM (4GB, can be upgraded and it WILL be needed in the future or its value will tank; netbook cannot go over 2GB)
3. 13" screen is a plus.
4. It weighs only 3.5 lbs (vs 2.5 lbs on the netbook I tried)
5. Battery lasts ~8 hours on both. Maybe an hour shorter on the ultraportable

So, bottom line... instead of a "gaming laptop" + "Netbook" I recommend you get a desktop + ultra portable laptop. It will actually cost you less money but give you a much much much better experience for both
 
Last edited:
taltamir said:
When should you buy a desktop instead of a laptop:
1. If working on a budget
2. If portability is not important
3. If you intend to play video games
4. If power consumption is not important
5. If you intend to use it for mixing, surfing, office, gaming, etc
6. If you want it to last a long time (although better than laptop it is still better to upgrade more often... Buy now for HALF the budget you set, keep the rest as cash and use it to upgrade in 18 months. you will get much more for your money!)
7. If comfort is important (large screen, large keyboard, good mouse, nice speakers, better looking screen...) so that you can play WoW on it all day
8. If you will ALSO be buying a netbook for portability.
9. When playing certain online games, like shooters and MMOs (use wired connection!)

Basically every single aspect of your requirements, EVERY SINGLE ONE without exception, says you should get a desktop.

I will suggest that you also forget netbooks, they are crap. Way too slow to be usable. I tried a netbook, it was terrible and I returned it to costo and bought myself an i3 ultra portable 13" laptop and I am very happy... The return people at costco warned me it is slow when I bought it and had a sign saying that this is only meant for "light activity", but opening a pdf or excel sheet shouldn't take THAT long, it was unacceptably slow.
Anyways my ultra portable laptop cost 600$ but:
1. It is fast; the netbook has a CPU meant for ipad like devices (no really, intel did not intent it as a laptop CPU, it was meant for "media playback devices")
2. It actually has RAM (4GB, can be upgraded and it WILL be needed in the future or its value will tank; netbook cannot go over 2GB)
3. 13" screen is a plus.
4. It weighs only 3.5 lbs (vs 2.5 lbs on the netbook I tried)
5. Battery lasts ~8 hours on both. Maybe an hour shorter on the ultraportable

So, bottom line... instead of a "gaming laptop" + "Netbook" I recommend you get a desktop + ultra portable laptop. It will actually cost you less money but give you a much much much better experience for both
Click to expand...

A lot of good arguments, but they are trumped by the almighty WAF. I would get a desktop if I had anywhere to put it, but I cannot see that happen for the next couple of years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top