Gaming Laptop question

[Almerel]

I am going to be getting a new laptop once my tax return is in. The wife and I agree'd that we'll each take $1,000 for ourselves before using the remaining for life.

My question: Who has a laptop they are playing DDO on? I need to keep my price around $1,000 so if you got a good laptop that is in this price range I'd like to know what it has and what graphics setting can you play smooth.

I have found a couple laptops that just get away from the 1k mark. They have an i5 processor and a good tier 1 graphics card.

I'm just looking at all options before I make my final decision.

[Almerel]

Alright I think I have it narrowed down to 2. Do I go with the faster processor or the better graphics card?

Faster Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Ite m=N82E16834220696

GC http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops/q...X500/X505-Q865

[ArichValtrahn]

I have an MSI GT725. Pretty nice system all around for gaming. A bit out of your price range, though.

The Alienware M11x is supposed to be out in a couple of weeks for under a grand. Might want to check that out. Youd want to use an external monitor with it though, due to the screen size.

Your second link didnt load for me. Generally, Id say to go with the better graphics card because the cpu tends to be sufficient.

[Almerel]

Right on thanks. I got a different 2nd link for the same computer.

I was leaning towards the GC also but I'll have a wk or 2 before the tax money gets into the acct so I'll check out that Alienware one also.

[EKKM]

When I'm out of town I use a Toashiba A500 with Intel Dual core and a decent graphics card. Keyboard is bigger (numberpad) and decent screen size for a laptop.

Runs DDO just fine in extra high grapics mode (not HD).

So Imagine the X500 will probably work better.

[Gadget2775]

Couple of thoughts on Alienware...
*Good computers but you pay extra for the name. You can probably find a very comparable system for less else where.
*Alienware was bought by Dell. You can buy a comparable Dell Laptop cheaper than an Alienware.
*While I'm quite fond of my Dell Machines (yes, I have more than one) my newest rig (a full Desktop) was quite a bit cheaper (and self built) than a Dell and much more capable. I know it being a laptop puts huge limits on self building & modifying, but if you're on a budget for a gaming machine desktops really are much more cost effective.

[Vordax]

Couple of thoughts on Alienware...
*Good computers but you pay extra for the name. You can probably find a very comparable system for less else where.

Avoid Alienware like the plague. I bought a Alienware laptop a few years back. Thank god I bought the extended 3 year warranty on it, it was in the shop more often then not, utter piece of ****.

Vordax

[redraider]

Buy a good Toshiba or HP with a Core2Duo Mobile Proc, 2 Gigs Ram, and a 9800M or better graphics card. The new Nvidia 200 series would even be better.

DDO is not very graphics intensive so even this is a bit of overkill or "future proofing" if you could call it that.

[ezgoezit]

I bought a Toshiba x505-880 about 3 weeks ago from Toshibadirect.com and it was delivered earlier this week. (link below) Technically, I bought a different model and they discontinued it and replaced it with the 880, but no complaints from me as it was the same price with an upgraded grapics card and a 500 gig secondary drive as opposed to a 360 gig.

If you try and buy that one now from Toshibadirect, they will quote you 8-9 weeks delivery time. When they changed my order, they also changed my delivery date to Feb 26th. I complained via email and I didn't get a formal response, but my laptop was delivered 1 week later which was sooner than they quoted as the delivery time for my initial order, so I will chalk that up to good customer service even though they didn't respond to my email.

I went to Fry's last night to get a gaming mouse and low and behold, they had 2 880s in stock there at the same price as Toshibadirect. I can see no benefit to buying it from Toshiba over fry's consider that insane delivery date.

I have played DDO several hours since the laptop arrived. The SSD drive makes Windows and DDO load super fast. This is the first time I have owned a SSD drive and I can testify that the reviews are correct about SSD drive loading faster. One draw back I have noticed is that the SSD drive is 64 gigs. Everything that comes preloaded on the laptop is on the SSD drive (C drive). The 500 gig secondary drive is empty. That means that before you load a single program on the laptop, more than 35 of the 64 gigs are used (I don't remember exactly). I loaded DDO on the C drive of course, and MS Office without thinking I should have placed it on the secondary drive instead and was shocked to see that I only had 4.4 gigs left on my SSD drive... That was like an hour after I started setting things up!

The game play is awesome, but bear in mind this laptop is better suited for gaming than even my previous desktops so it is like commenting on the driving performance of a Porsche when you have only driven Toyotas in the past. I will say the keyboard will take some getting used to.

Regards,
Ez


http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/pdet.to?poid=460942

[Almerel]

but if you're on a budget for a gaming machine desktops really are much more cost effective.

I already have a gaming desktop. It's not the best rig but I can play DDO on high so it's good enough for at least another year or 2.

This laptop I want to get is basically to make up for the mistake I made when getting my current laptop 3.5 years ago (945gm media express).

Besides the wife likes me to hang out in the same room as her so this gives me that portability. If I can play DDO and hang with the wife then life is good

[Almerel]

Update!

The wife and I have increased our per person money to $1,500 (she wants a piano so it was easy lol).

So I think I'll be getting this one : http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...IN#detailspecs

[grodon9999]

I am VERY happy with the last-generation Asus I bought just to play this game when I help my brother watch his kids over the weekends (G51V or something. Core 2 Duo 2.53 GHz, Nvidia 260). Please ddo and other games very well.

[ezgoezit]

I think you will be pretty happy with that. I looked for a long time and wasn't able to find competitive alternatives to the Toshiba 505 line. I think this mark a concerted effort on the part of Toshiba to make a strong move into the gaming laptop market. Alienware is great, but they don't even remotely approach the value for this line especially when you consider the largest laptop screen for Alienware is the 17in. and while Toshiba has no rep that I know of in the gaming market, they have a generally good reputation.

While this is not confirmed information, I have a friend in the computer industry whom has never given me bad advice who informs me one of the best qualities of Toshiba computers is that they don’t outsource as much as many other computer makers do.

Ez

[ezgoezit]

I am VERY happy with the last-generation Asus I bought just to play this game when I help my brother watch his kids over the weekends (G51V or something. Core 2 Duo 2.53 GHz, Nvidia 260). Please ddo and other games very well.

That reminds me of an article I have recently read about a new Asus gaming laptop (Asus R.O.G. G73Jh):

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-31045_1-104...ml?tag=fbshare

Ez

[Philam]

Update!

The wife and I have increased our per person money to $1,500 (she wants a piano so it was easy lol).

So I think I'll be getting this one : http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...IN#detailspecs

Please let me know how your laptop purchase works out. I to have received a "hall pass" to get a new gaming laptop. I have looked at Alienware but what I am reading is that you can find just as good a computer for less money. If the Toshiba works out and you love it I may follow suit and purchase the same computer. Tahnk you and look forward to hearing about your choice!!

Ph

[Almerel]

Please let me know how your laptop purchase works out. I to have received a "hall pass" to get a new gaming laptop. I have looked at Alienware but what I am reading is that you can find just as good a computer for less money. If the Toshiba works out and you love it I may follow suit and purchase the same computer. Tahnk you and look forward to hearing about your choice!!

Ph

Hall pass... lol nice

I will make sure to post something when I get it. Hopefully the IRS can get the money in the acct sooner rather than later so I can order it.

I have been keeping an eye on different comps and laptops for awhile so when I finally got the go ahead I started to thoroughly look. That's one of the reasons I posted something so I could get more opinions.

When the wife said "sure" when I jokingly said $1,500 each ok I'm down with that. I knew I was going to get the above machine. Unless of course someone introduces a better machine for the money.

[Almerel]

That reminds me of an article I have recently read about a new Asus gaming laptop (Asus R.O.G. G73Jh):

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-31045_1-104...ml?tag=fbshare

Ez

Holy Bleep! That is friggen awesome. Hmmm... From 1k to 1.5k I wonder what she would say if I pushed to 1.7 lol

[Almerel]

Update 2

I decided to go with the ASUS G73JH-A1 http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-g73jha1-order-p-2731.html. The wife said 1.5 was enough since we already jumped $500. Well as I was going through the custom option there was a -89 to drop the Blue ray player and with the 3% off promotion I was able to get it down enough so the wife wouldn't kill me.


ASUS G73JH-A1 - PRE ORDER
- Warranty: 2 Year ASUS GLOBAL Warranty, 24/
- Software Bundle (Not Installed): No Software Bundle
- Microsoft Office Software (Media: No Office Software
- Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit -
- Mouse / Keyboard Accessories: Asus G Series Razor Gaming Mouse
- Fingerprint Reader: No Fingerprint Reader
- Port Replicator / Dock / Adapter: No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- Spare AC Adapter: None Standard*
- Car Adapter: No Car Adapter
- Battery: Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Case: Asus G Series Matching Backpack
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audi
- TV Tuner: No TV Tuner
- Camera: Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Wireless Network Accessories: No Network Accessory
- Wireless Network: Built-in 802.11 Wireless A/B/G/N
- Bluetooth: Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Memory Card Reader: Internal 8-in-1 Card Reader: MM
- Floppy Drive: No Floppy Drive
- External Hard Drive (Back Up): No Back Up Hard Drive
- Raid: HDD Raid Settings - OFF
- Second Hard Drive: - 500GB 7200RPM 8MB Cache Buffer
- Primary Hard Drive: - 500GB 7200RPM 8MB Cache Buffer
- Optical Drive: - Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X
- Exterior Finish: Standard Finish
- Ram: 8,192MB (8GB) DDR3 1066MHz Dual
- External Monitor Video Adapter: No Video Adapter
- Video Card: ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD5870 1024
- Thermal Compound: Stock OEM Thermal Compound
- Processor: - Intel® Core™ i7-720QM, 1.60-2.
- Dead Pixel Policy: ASUS Zero Bright Dot (ZBD) 30 Da
- Display: 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Glare Type" Supe
- Current Promotion: !! FREE !! UPS GROUND SHIPPING

Not sure why but they charged for ground shipping. I'm going to call them tomorrow and find out way.

[Goldeneye]

Thank you for this post! I was about to post the exact same thing and found this with all the answers I wanted and more! +Rep to everyone!

[Almerel]

Thank you for this post! I was about to post the exact same thing and found this with all the answers I wanted and more! +Rep to everyone!

+1 for +1ing me