New Laptop Questions

[0m3GAARS3NAL]

Okay, I'm looking into getting a decent (Don't have to have MAXED visuals) gaming laptop, and I have a budget... $1600 USD... :ugh:

I've been going crazy over all this, and it MUST be a laptop, can NOT be a desktop.
I'm wanting to play EVERY GAME BY VALVE.
That INCLUDES Left 4 Dead 2, ONLINE.
I don't need to be playing on MAX settings, as a matter of fact, Medium-Low is Great for me so long as I keep a steady 45 25+ FPS.
Don't worry about my Hard Drive, or Screen, they are all good.

I was thinking the of 3 different systems... Specs Below...
EDIT: Added Alienware M11x

Alienware M11x
Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo SU7300 1.3GHz (Processor)
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 800MHz (RAM)
1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M (Graphics)

Alienware M15x
Intel Core i5-540M 2.53 GHz (3.06 Turbo) (Processor)
512MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M (Graphics)
6GB DDR3 (RAM)

HP Pavilion dv8t quad edition
Intel Core i7-720QM Quad Core 1.6 GHz (2.8 Turbo) (Processor)
1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 230M (Graphics)
6GB DDR3 (RAM)

HP Pavilion dv7t quad edition
SAME AS dvt8 EXCEPT...
Intel Core i7-820QM Quad Core Processor 1.73GHz (3.06 Turbo) (Processor)

[flibitijibibo]

The M15x should run L4D2 on medium-high settings with 45+ fps. Dunno about the Pavilions.

[0m3GAARS3NAL]

Yeah I knew IT would, seen it on youtube, powerful little sucker.

Just Decided to add another addition to the list... Alienware M11X
I saw a few youtube reviews WITH the crappy discontinued Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo SU7300, and I'm PERFECTLY okay with the FPS rate of about 25 FPS... I'm not someone who needs 70+ FPS...
Good/Bad idea?

[flibitijibibo]

25 is unbearable in Left 4 Dead. I mean, it's ballbustingly frustrating. Without a solid view of what's going on around you (particularly that bullshit with zombies magically making you stop moving completely), it makes the game infinitely harder.

So yeah, I wouldn't go for it.

[0m3GAARS3NAL]

25 is unbearable in Left 4 Dead.
It didn't have 25 on Left 4 Dead 2... Ran with a good 30~50 and looked smooth enough for me... (Only got down to 25 on a review with Fallout 3, and that was when there was a HUGE EXPLOSION on 'high' everything... (And that was with the Intel Pentium SU4100 Processor)
Still think it's bad for someone who doesn't mind lowering graphics a bit?
And for about 1000 USD, It's something I can afford.

Don't think I'm trying to contradict your advice, I'm just presenting my thoughts...

[flibitijibibo]

Oh oh, I thought you meant the average rate was 25. Daerp on me.

Those rates aren't nearly as terrifying. Yeah, if the settings are acceptable, I'd give it a go.

[0m3GAARS3NAL]

=D

You literally have NO IDEA how happy you have made me.
+rep for sure, thank you!

I'll keep checking back here for other comments till thread dies...

[Warsaw]

$1600? Buy an ASUS laptop.

Try this one with an HD5870. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220695)

I know you don't necessarily want or need maximum performance, but if you can get it in your budget, why not?

[SiriusTexra]

The Alienwares are sketchy. I've seen some that look really cheaply made, and heard that they often shit toasters after a while.


I'm still getting my gf one though. They should be better now.


I'd say go the x15


ACTUALLY FUCK THAT. What warsaw said.

[flibitijibibo]

Mobility 5870 exists? Holy wow. Thirding Warsaw.

[Warsaw]

A single Mobility HD5870 performs almost as well as two GTX285Ms in SLI. You just can't go wrong with it, especially since AMD will be releasing mobility drivers on a regular basis now.

[Rook]

It didn't have 25 on Left 4 Dead 2... Ran with a good 30~50 and looked smooth enough for me...

What level was he playing on? Hard Rain/Swamp can possibly kill your FPS while something like Dead Center is nothing. If I were in the market for laptops I'd prolly get the M15x, stay away from the M11x though. Why the hell would you want a "netbook" with a $1600 budget.

also be sure to play against on the laptop you get

[Warsaw]

Not a netbook! :maddowns:

M11x is rumored to be getting nVidia Optimus and a higher-end CPU later this year. Still, I stand by my previous suggestion.

[Rook]

Not a netbook! :maddowns:

I too want a gaming laptop netbook with an 11.6 inch screen.

[Warsaw]

Netbooks are defined as having Intel Atom CPUs, pretty much. CULV != Atom. 11.6 inch screen is what allows that GT335M to be as good as it is for that notebook. It also only costs $1100 with all of the useful perks.

That being said, I do agree that a $1600 budget warrants getting a better computer.

[0m3GAARS3NAL]

I was thinking about the ASUS, but keep in mind, I have a TOTAL budget of 1600... not 1600 for the laptop... I have no games... XD
While it IS TRUE that I've seen some bad reviews on the Alienware M11x, I've also seen a LOT of good reviews...
I've seen a bunch of videos of the M11x with LOWER specs than my desired M11x and it looks like it runs fine...

Is there a smaller ASUS? Maybe one that comes out to around 1300-1400 USD?

Some Random Vidoes...

Left 4 Dead 2 on M11x
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1BdWINKHuk&feature=related

Mirrors Edge on M11x
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCudPhXORxI&feature=related

WoW on M11x
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vi_b0hd04k&feature=related

Modern Warefare 2 on M11x
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULL3jNCNh_k&feature=related



Here's another ASUS I was looking at... do you think the 4GB of DDR3 will hold me back much?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220702

[343guiltymc]

Do you care about battery life? The ASUS laptop can only go about 1.5 hours. Plus, it runs pretty damn hot.

[Warsaw]

There's this one. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220688)

Alternatively, you can go to one of those boutique laptop websites and configure both of those ASUS machines to fit your price, or look into the cheaper MSI 17" offering that has basically the same guts.