Question:
Gaming laptop flexibility
Greetings. I've been reading posts from this forum fairly regularly as I'm looking to get a laptop in February. What a great source of information this forum has been for me! I wasn't sure about the differences between hard drive speeds and graphics card capabilities and I didn't even know about the various brands available to me. I had purchased my last laptop through CompUsa (Toshiba Satellite 5205-S705) and thought those types of stores were my only viable options. What an eye-opener to discover Asus, Sager, and others.
I did the copy-and-paste some time ago of the laptop questionnaire but only got one response. That's fine b/c since then I've read many good threads from others expressing some of my queries better than I was able to do and have gained from the informative responses offered to them. I remain with a couple of questions and what I hope is a constructive comment.
Comment first. While I've found exceedingly helpful information in these forums regarding subjects from graphics cards (the thread that actually puts cards in order of strength and describes the diffences between premium cards and integrated cards is like gold to an uninformed person such as myself - so helpful!) and well, to many other useful topics to name, I haven't found enough information on when to buy. Yes, I've read the responses expressing the idea that a person should buy a laptop when they need it not waiting for the new technology that's just around the corner as better technology is always on the horizon. But I want to know when to get the latest technology without missing out on a monumental development. Of course, who wouldn't, and I realize it's a bit unrealistic but I would like to be as informed as possible none-the-less. Thus my suggestion: A thread giving a timeline of what's coming out, when, and it's value. I realize there are multitudes of variables that make it difficult to assess values but I am completely ignorant. Any input is valuable.
Questions next. I don't know for sure what laptop I'll get in February b/c I don't know what will be available then. What I'm liking the most today is the Sager 5760. My friend at work, however, tells me that a gaming laptop is good for games only and performs poorly for other tasks. I'm not wealthy and will be making a substantial commitment when I get my laptop. I want to be able play games at the highest level possible but also want the computer to do everything else well, too. Is my friend right or will a laptop like the Sager 5760 perform all tasks well (to include multimedia and office applications)?
My second question regards graphics cards. I would be satisfied with nVidia Go7600 GT in a laptop but the vast majority of laptops I consider only go to the 7600 or ATI's x1600, x1700. Why aren't they using the better card? Is it b/c the laptops run too hot? Will the cards be much improved in February?
One last question. I don't quite get the significance of dead pixels in a monitor. How likely is it that a new laptop will have dead pixels? Should I get the insurance? I want to be frugal with my money but I don't want to spend a lot of money for a constant eyesore, either. Please advise on the value of getting the "dead-pixel" warranty.
Thanks again. I am grateful for all I've learned from this forum.
Answer:
Re: Gaming laptop flexibility
Your friend is a moron. Gaming laptops run circles around standard ones in all tasks. The only time a gaming laptop won't do so is when comparing CAD performance to a dedicated mobile workstation type, and even then it'll perform better than any "standard" laptop. Just stay away from the gaming laptops with single-core processors. Those WILL be slower.
You hit it dead-on with the reason they top out with the 7600/7700 (Asus A8js) in the sub-17" laptops. The cooling and power systems just can't keep up. I don't see that changing significantly by February, just more systems shipping with 7700/X1700's, POSSIBLY DX10 (GeForce 8XXX series, not sure about ATI) cards, but I doubt it.
For dead pixels, it's somewhat likely. I have had one in every laptop I've owned, which sucks. But I barely notice it, and most people around me don't get them. It depends on how much the warranty is. For $300, ehhh... for $100, not a bad idea.
Answer:
Re: Gaming laptop flexibility
The mid range 8600 wont be out until april may
the first dx 10 gpus will be for the dtr screens so there is nothing even on the radar scale for the small machines.
only the 17 inchers
there is the 512 mb version of the x1700 upcoming late this year that should be the equivilent of the 7600 gt but its also going to be introduced in a 17 inch.