Question:
Gaming capable notebook
General Questions
1) What is your budget? pref $1500-$2000
2) What size notebook would you prefer? c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Gaming (main capability BF2:Special Forces), general apps, movie watching and amatuer making optional
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?Needs to be mobile as I will be moving around internationally for work
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?Yes. Mainly BF2 (most intensive I can think of)
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like? No. Had issues with HP packaged systems with old tech in them. My own fault really.
7) How many hours of battery life do you need? 3+ pref
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? buying is US, operating all over. eventually Australia
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen? widescreen FTW
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.
Widescreenany of these. (e) or (f) pref
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.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?meh. unsure. will go look at some this weekend
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? nice to have, but not neceesary.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
soon. ie next few weeks. ideally like to last forever, practically 2+ years would be nice.
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB? not a major concern as will be backing up regurlary. considering a 80GB as a more than adequate compromise.
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive? pref DVD multi-layer.
Currently I am looking at the s96j by btotech. Configured as:
Intel Merom Dual Core 2 2.0GHz, 64BIT, 667FSB, 4MB CACHE
whats the diff between "Intel approved Thermal Compound" and "Wet Arctic Thermal 5"? Which is better?
2GB (2 sticks) DDR2 667MHz Dual Channel
80GB 7200rpm SATA 8mb cache
WiFi 802.11a/b/g Intel MiniPCi Internal 3945ABG
15.4 WXGA 1280x800 Glossy
Windows XP Pro (Tuned)
DVD/RW 8x Dual-Layer SuperMulti
ATI Radeon x1600 256mb PCI-E will this work for med to high setting for BF2>
Messenger Carry Bag
Spare 6cel main battery
100GB 5400rom 9mb USB2 portable storage
Shipping 3day saver
Price: $1824
So what do you think? What are my alternatives (similar spec and price) and where can I get them for this sort of price (or cheaper lol)?
Spent too many hours at work researching, so I am calling upon the benevolence of all you experts (:eek:) out there. Thanks in advance.
Answer:
Re: Gaming capable notebook
The Asus S96J is an excellent choice. Alternatives include the Compal HEL80, HP Pavilion dv6000t and the Dell Inspiron E1505.
If you are going to be moving your notebook around a lot, you should consider 14 inch models like the Asus A8Js and the Compal HGL80.
Answer:
Re: Gaming capable notebook
I think Ill stick with the 15.4 as a happy medium between 14 and 17. I like to have a reasonably big target when sniping from 300meters :rolleyes:
thanks for the option. now where are all the good places to buy from? direct from manufacturer or from small mum-and-dad (sorry "mom-and-pop") internet companies?
Dell has the added advantage of excellent international support.
Answer:
Re: Gaming capable notebook
You can buy Dell notebooks only from their online store. The HP's are available at local electronics stores (BestBuy, CircuitCity, CompUSA) and can also be purchased online. Costco also sells customizable and pre-configured HP notebooks.
The Asus S96J and HEL80 should be available online at places like powernotebooks.com.
Answer:
Re: Gaming capable notebook
Refer to this:
Aint getting better than his for $2k.
In this forum, it is widely known as Sager 5750/5760... which is a Intel Core 2 Duo notebook with 17" widescreen and mid-range to high end video card options.
Normally this model notebook only comes with an ATI X1600, but recently some OEMs have had a shortage of that videocard, and has given the upgrade option to get an Nvidia 7800 Go GTX... for a cheap additional $100-150.
Most of the OEMs have pulled that deal off of their sites, except for www.RJtech.com. RJtech is one of the only sites out there that actually sells barebones of custom notebooks from Asus, Compal, MSI, Clevo, etc. They also will custom configure it like every other notebook site. And has excellent ratings @ resellerratings.com
Specifications from Sager
Read a review for the 5760 notebook which is the same chassis but minor upgrades differences:
Review of Sager NP5760
:D Check these specs of a Clevo M570U-A (A.K.A Sager 5750)
Display: 17" WXGA (1440x900) with Super Clear Glossy Surface
Video Card: nVidia 7800GTX 256MB dedicated
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.0 ghz)
DDR2 Memory: 2048MB DDR2/667
HDD: 100GB SATA 7200rpm
CD: 8x DVD-RW (Dual Layer)
Battery: 8-Cell Li-Ion Battery
Network Adapter: Integrated GigaBit (10/100/1000MB) LAN
WLAN: Intel 3945ABG Wireless Module + Bluetooth
OS: Windows XP Home (w/ Vista upgrade coupon)
Software: None
Carry Bag: Included
TV Tuner: Optional
Warranty: 1 Year
:D Approx. Total: $2000.00 :D
RJtech link for this Clevo M750U-A
This has a more powerful videocard than the 7600, 7700, or 7900 GS & has a Clevo (highest of the high-end) build, and comes fully loaded with all options for $2000.
Note: Clevo arguably designs & makes the highest of the high-end notebooks for boutique brands in the world (which are sold by Alienware, Voodoo PC, Sager, Hypersonic PC, etc)
:D This is without a doubt, the bang for the buck 17" gaming notebook... without all the coupon and watching outlets BS.
Hope this helps,
-Gophn
Answer:
Re: Gaming capable notebook
Or if its too big (17")...
I would recommend the Compal HEL80 or HGL30 for also bang for the buck performance for a 15.4" notebook.
Check them out at PowerNotebooks.
Answer:
Re: Gaming capable notebook
I recomend the asus a8js even though it has the 14 inch widescreen over the s96j.
Its gpu is a category ahead of any 15.4 inch notebook.
Its msrp is $1600
Answer:
Re: Gaming capable notebook
Thanks guys for all the options. I have three at the moment that I am considering. I have priced all of them with the extras I want (2GB@667, 80GB@7200, 2GHz@7200/extra battery/portable 100GB HD/Wireless/Bluetooth. So here we go:
s96j: 15.4" screen, lowest performance GPU of the 3, $1824
a8js: 14" screen, better GPU than s96j, $2162
Clevo M570U/Sager5750: 17" screen, great GPU, dog's bollocks for gaming, $2200 (plus say $100 portable HD) = ~$2300
I need confirmation on the x1600's performance on BF2, but what do you guys think out of the 3?
Is it likely that I would find my mosheen eclipsed in a year by new games if I went with the x1600?
Answer:
Re: Gaming capable notebook
The S96J is a great system--but if you want 3+ hours of battery life I don't think you're going to get it. The Compal HEL80 (9-cell standard) and HP nc8430 (12-cell available) will be better suited to meet that requirement if it's important to you.
Artic Silver 5 is the way to go if you're going with a reseller that offers it.
Also, if you're looking to spend $2300 on a Sager NP5750, you may want to bump yourself up to the Sager NP5760--it has the 512MB go 7950GTX and higher-resolution screen available.
You don't need to worry about the x1600 being outdated or underpowered. It's a very capable GPU for gaming.