Question:
Budget Gaming Laptop
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
$800-$1K
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
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Games/Movies/College/Laundry
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
85% Left on Desk.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Any of the latest games...though mainly BF2 and Raven Shield/Athena Sword
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I REALLY like Alienware, for the looks.
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Don't mind at all.
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
United States
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Widescreen is prefered..but can sacrifice.
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.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Glossy/reflective.
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Yes...but I can sacrifice in this category.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
I'd LIKE to have dual hard drives...but realize this might not happen under $1k. So whatever is fine.
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
Yes. Doesn't matter.
I don't mind buying USED laptops!
Answer:
Re: Budget Gaming Laptop
In that price range, and with the power you want, you are definately going to want to look at the Dell e1705 or 9400 on Ebay or perhaps at the delloutlet. You might be able to find one with the 7900gs in that price range. Otherwise, If you can find a 15.4" laptop with an x1600 or 7600 used, they also should meet your gaming needs. Again, your best bet is used because of your price limitations. I got the laptop in my sig about 3 months ago for $1050 with a 60gb hd, so it is possible.
Answer:
Re: Budget Gaming Laptop
The best notebook in your price range is probably the Dell E1505 with the ATI Radeon X1400 graphics card. The E1505 is the only notebook with a dedicated graphics card in your price range that has a higher-than WXGA resolution display (it offers WSXGA+).
If you are willing to pass up the higher resolution display, then take a look at the better-built and designed HP dv6000t.
Answer:
Re: Budget Gaming Laptop
Thanks guys.
What's wrong with the 1705s? They (on Ebay) seem to be in my price range, well some. I even found one with a go 7800 for around $800.. I really would like a 17" screen..however, if I could find a 15" version with a better video card, then sure?
I've found an Alienware with similar stats to the above, but with a 6800 ultra video card for around $1K.
I've been looking all day on Ebay at computers with video cards. I'd probably stay away from the ones with the x1400 cards, because I want something more powerfull than that. Using dreamer's chart for example, I am looking for a laptop that has a card in the Extreme area.
Could you elaborate on what you mean about the HP? I have an HP zd7000 (17"/3.2 P4 HT/2x512 DDR400/Go5600) at the moment... It is hot and horrible at playing games.
Answer:
Re: Budget Gaming Laptop
Oh, and the only problem with HPs that I've seen thus far, is that they rarely have GREAT video cards...
I just saw a NICE dv6000 on Ebay...but it only had a go7200. Not enough. Oh, and the same one but with the 7400. Nope.
Answer:
Re: Budget Gaming Laptop
The dv6000t is much better built than your HP. The p4 laptops are heaters. The 6800 ultra is still no slouch at gaming..neither is the 7800. They do get hotter and consume more juice than the GS.
The go7400~x1400.
Answer:
Re: Budget Gaming Laptop
The dv6000t is much better built than your HP. The p4 laptops are heaters. The 6800 ultra is still no slouch at gaming..neither is the 7800. They do get hotter and consume more juice than the GS.
The go7400~x1400.
I agree to all of that.
Should I jump on a Dell that is going for $800-$850 with the following specs?
Dell Inspiron e1705 / 9400
CPU - Dual core T2400 1.86ghz,
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home, English
17 inch WXGA (1440*900)
Transferable Warranty (Until Oct-2007)
VGA -radeon 7800-256MB
1GB Memory
60GB Hard Drive(7200rpm)
DVD +/-RW
Integrated Network Interface Card
WIFI
Lan
Modem
Dell Owners Manual
Ac-Adaptor
Battery
Oh, and say I were to get the above laptop. How much and where would I get another GB of RAM and another 60 GB HD? (Well, assuming that it will allow dual..)
Answer:
Re: Budget Gaming Laptop
Well, right now they got some 20% off of the dell inspiron range in the Dell coupons section in this website. Sweetens the deal won't you say? I also recommend the 9400 if you are thinking of bf2 AT ALL (comfortably). Also, I'm pretty sure the 9400 doesn't have RAID, unless someone corrects me of course.
Answer:
Re: Budget Gaming Laptop
If you can get a e1705 with an nvidia card for less then $900, you have done quite well.
Answer:
Re: Budget Gaming Laptop
If you can get a e1705 with an nvidia card for less then $900, you have done quite well.
So would a 7800 play BF2 and other demanding games relatively well?
I'd upgrade the RAM to max.