Question:
Help me pick out a gaming notebook
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
up to around $1500
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
No real difference, whatever is cheaper
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
General web browsing/papers/etc, but also gaming.
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Carrying to school and back, but weight is not a large issue.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Yes. Something that can definitely handle WoW. An Oblivion/FEAR/QIV/Next-gen ready monster would be lovely, but alas.
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
No significant preference, although Dell Inspirons seem rather poorly built.
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Not important. Anything over 2 will be workable.
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
No
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
US
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Widescreen would be preferable.
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.
Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
The higher the better. My desktop is a 20.1", 1600x1200 beast, so getting used to a 320x240 resolution would be unpleasant.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
I'd prefer matte. Glare has always been a pet peeve.
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Looks are my 3rd priority, after price and performance.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
I could wait until the thanksgiving season.
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
~80+
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
The usual DVD/CD Burner combo drive will do fine.
I have little expertise in laptops, although I've worked with desktops for a while, both as a tech and a user/gamer. I play WoW heavily, so performance in at least that should be a priority. I'd like a gamer laptop for around $1500, and if I can get one through the heavy discounts (i.e. Black Friday) of this season, I'd be overjoyed.
Any advice is appreciated.
Answer:
Re: Help me pick out a gaming notebook
click on the dell coupons
make a dell e1705 with uxga and 7900 gs making it cost as clost to 1500 as possible as every dollar over is a rip off
should cost around 1300 shipped.
your next best choice is what im getting the asus a8js with the 512 mb 7700. thats literally true the next highest gpu you can get in your budget is in a 14 inch notebook.
Answer:
Re: Help me pick out a gaming notebook
Thanks. The Asus seems an awe-inspiring deal for the money, and it shows - I can't find the damned thing anywhere. Send me an e-mail if you catch one for below $1600.
Answer:
Re: Help me pick out a gaming notebook
The A8js has a glossy(glare) screen. I think HP nc8430 would be a good fit. You can get it for under $1500 if you don't care about having the Core 2 Duo. The Core 2 Duo model is around $1650 on Pricegrabber. The e1705 has a matte screen option, but it is only WXGA+(1440x900) The WUXGA screen is glossy. You won't get the top GPUs in notebooks under 17", but a 15" notebook will be more portable. I have known people who needed some mobility who regretted getting a 17" notebook though they thought they could handle it. Good Luck.
Answer:
Re: Help me pick out a gaming notebook
I think HP nc8430 would be a good fit.
I agree, it's an excellent system. It may go over your budget though. You may also want to take a look at the WSXGA+ matte Compal HEL80. You should be able to configure one within your budget.
I have known people who needed some mobility who regretted getting a 17" notebook though they thought they could handle it.
I'm one of those people. Now I'm very happy with my 15.4" system.
Answer:
Re: Help me pick out a gaming notebook
the asus a8js is for sale right now. as far as below 1600 all the dealers will go below 1600.
Im not sure if Im welcome to direct people to the best prices but um its easy to find for a discount even brand new
just be sure youre not getting put on some waiting list for the middle of november.
I was in a rare situation of actually renting a e1705 for 2 months. I may buy it someday when the owner realizes what its really worth.
I appreciated its screen when it was a single sit computer session of like 6 hours.
But for a quick hotspot email check it was worthless. It just negated the possibility. Eventually I had to turn it into a non mobile computer in my passenger car seat and only fire it up there.
So anyhow if I hadnt had that experience with one I probably would be buying one right now. The thing is just too big