Need a good "Game-able" laptop around $1000

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runo

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Hey folks,
Simply put, I'm looking for a good laptop that I can use for gaming in the range of $800-$1100ish. I'd prefer not to go above that. It doesn't have to be a state of the art, amazing laptop, just something that can run games like CO, DCUO, Counter-Strike: Source, TF2, and preferably on max/high graphics if possible. Anyone got any suggestions?

I'm not looking to argue about why desktops are better in this price range or anything; I have my own reasons for getting a laptop, such as that I need something I can bring with me to my workplace if I land this job.

Thanks in advance!
 
Why would you get a gaming capable laptop if you plan on getting a job? Seems unproductive.
And what happened to that beastly build I recommended to you?
 
I bought it and built it with my brother! :> I just want a laptop I can take to my job and when I go on long trips, especially since I may be flying out-of-state in the months to come. The job is a PC workshop that will actually let me bring my laptop to my job for whenever I'm not actively working on a rig.
 
runo said:
I bought it and built it with my brother! :> I just want a laptop I can take to my job and when I go on long trips, especially since I may be flying out-of-state in the months to come. The job is a PC workshop that will actually let me bring my laptop to my job for whenever I'm not actively working on a rig.
Click to expand...

You never posted any pictures! Wtf man?

Ah. Understandable, then.
Why not pick up a little netbook with a fast Atom or Neo processor, and make sure it has a Ion for the GPU? Portability is very nice.
 
My cruddy little two-megapixel camera phone could never contain the awesome that is this rig. :<

Will these Atom/Neo & Ion netbooks actually run games like I mentioned? It seems like the screen would suck to IM/watch YouTube/chat on games on, and I am not sure how nice it'd be for music (the three 'categories' I rely on PCs the most for are IMs/browsers, gaming and music).

I wouldn't mind a $600-$800 laptop just to lug around for games like those, but my budget was aiming for $800 minimum, $1100 tops, if that'd land me something nice.
 
runo said:
My cruddy little two-megapixel camera phone could never contain the awesome that is this rig. :<

Will these Atom/Neo & Ion netbooks actually run games like I mentioned? It seems like the screen would suck to IM/watch YouTube/chat on games on, and I am not sure how nice it'd be for music (the three 'categories' I rely on PCs the most for are IMs/browsers, gaming and music).

I wouldn't mind a $600-$800 laptop just to lug around for games like those, but my budget was aiming for $800 minimum, $1100 tops, if that'd land me something nice.
Click to expand...

Yeah. A netbook with Ion can play l4d ~45fps on medium settings, but thats the baseline $500 version. I'm sure you can do better for $800-$1000.
 
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Uh... wow, yeah, that M11X looks quite boss and is actually really perfect for the price range I'm eying. I think I'll order one!




Here is what I've got specs-wise, and it's just right on my budget. Have I got everything I need/want for a laptop (I've got a mouse :>)? What do I need to know in general about laptops, specifically the M11X? I've never touched one before.

Specs:
Total Price: $1084.99
Software & Services
Genuine Windows? 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Intel? Core? i7 640UM (4M Cache, 1.2 GHZ with 2.266 GHz Max Turbo Frequency) - Overclockable
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 800MHz
250GB SATAII 7,200RPM
Dell External 12.7 Tray Super Multi Drive
No Internal WWAN Antenna Installed
Personalize
1 Year Basic Plan
McAfee SecurityCenter, 30-Day Trial
My Software & Accessories
Alienware M11x, Soft Touch Stealth Black
Personalized Nameplate
Terra Green
Steam and Portal? Factory Installed
My Accessories
Also Includes
1GB NVIDIA? GeForce? GT 335M
11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p) WLED
Internal High-Definition Surround Sound Audio (5.1)
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Alienware M11x 90W A/C Adapter
Integrated 10/100 Network Interface Card
Automatic Updates: On
1.3MP Web Cam
Thank you for Purchasing Alienware
Alienware M11x a/b/g/n 2x2 MIMO
 
you will get better performance I think out of the Dell Studio line.

also, as a personal rule of thumb I dont buy electronics costing over 500 dollars without at least a 3 year warranty. 1 year warranty on that m11x is near financial suicide IMO.

-Blue
 
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Personally, I'd recommend the Alienware M11X. It can play a lot of current-gen games at high FPS, and does come with a good (if somewhat short) warranty. Additionally, it has garnered a lot of high reviews for its design, specs, gaming, and pricing especially.

The one major different between the M11X and the other laptops being mentioned is size. The M11X is a sub 12" laptop, making it easy to carry around, especially for gamers on the go. Downside: Smaller screen. Your choice.
 
Snipeye said:
Personally, I'd recommend the Alienware M11X. It can play a lot of current-gen games at high FPS, and does come with a good (if somewhat short) warranty. Additionally, it has garnered a lot of high reviews for its design, specs, gaming, and pricing especially.

The one major different between the M11X and the other laptops being mentioned is size. The M11X is a sub 12" laptop, making it easy to carry around, especially for gamers on the go. Downside: Smaller screen. Your choice.
Click to expand...

I used to have a 12 inch widescreen dell xps m1210. Had decent hardware inside but it was just too small to game on. It worked fine for schoolwork but I cant imagine doing gaming on an 11 inch. Its personal preference of course, but in my experience anything less than 15'' is too small for gaming, video and photo editing, etc.

My suggestion if you buy the m11x is to have a 22 or 24 inch monitor in places that you spend a lot of time, so you dont have to squint when you play your games.

-Blue
 
Surprised nobody mentioned ASUS. They have a few available right in your price range with larger screens if you prefer. I'm getting an M11x myself but not particularly for gaming, love its looks, performance, specs, and mainly - the size. Yea Korg just got the i7 version, just be sure to not get the 160gb HDD as its 5400rpm and the 250+ gb are 7200rpm. Just a sample below, this is the 17" ... dont know where the 15.6" went .

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+...lack/9556125.p?id=1218124208054&skuId=9556125

This one has the i7 and the 15.6" , $1200 though
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220700
 
Last edited:
runo said:
Uh... wow, yeah, that M11X looks quite boss and is actually really perfect for the price range I'm eying. I think I'll order one!




Here is what I've got specs-wise, and it's just right on my budget. Have I got everything I need/want for a laptop (I've got a mouse :>)? What do I need to know in general about laptops, specifically the M11X? I've never touched one before.

Specs:
Total Price: $1084.99
Software & Services
Genuine Windows? 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Intel? Core? i7 640UM (4M Cache, 1.2 GHZ with 2.266 GHz Max Turbo Frequency) - Overclockable
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 800MHz
250GB SATAII 7,200RPM
Dell External 12.7 Tray Super Multi Drive
No Internal WWAN Antenna Installed
Personalize
1 Year Basic Plan
McAfee SecurityCenter, 30-Day Trial
My Software & Accessories
Alienware M11x, Soft Touch Stealth Black
Personalized Nameplate
Terra Green
Steam and Portal? Factory Installed
My Accessories
Also Includes
1GB NVIDIA? GeForce? GT 335M
11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p) WLED
Internal High-Definition Surround Sound Audio (5.1)
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Alienware M11x 90W A/C Adapter
Integrated 10/100 Network Interface Card
Automatic Updates: On
1.3MP Web Cam
Thank you for Purchasing Alienware
Alienware M11x a/b/g/n 2x2 MIMO
Click to expand...

Those specs look really good. I know you won't be disappointed if you buy it.

They have some larger screen versions, but I figure if someone is looking for a laptop, they're probably looking small, else they'd just take their desktop with them.

But yeah, check out the thread from the other guy who just bought one if you're looking for FPS for games.
 
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