Gaming Laptop Advice?

[sbrylski]

I want a 14" or smaller laptop. That's non-negotiable.

 

Second requirement, I want it to run games like Civ V and COD more than capably, and export video to my 24" desktop monitor.

 

I realize those two requirements aren't very compatible. I'll just have to do the best I can do.

 

I was looking at the HP Envy 14 and the Alienware M11x. But my "problem" here is that both these computers have been around for over 9 months I believe, at least. So my question is, does anyone know of anything else on the market (or soon to be released) that would be comparable or better than these two computers?

[nate82]

What are you looking to spend price wise?

[endaround]

The next Alienware laptop is supposed to be out next month:

http://www.tested.com/new...-with-sandy-bridge/2030/

 

But yeah getting something under 14 inches with enough power to do 24 inches is a difficult thing. For example the Alienware display is 1366x768, great on 11 in, not so much at 24. Are you just using the 24 inches for display an not playing games? Then you might have a shot.

 

Most real powerful laptops have a 15 in. For example:

http://www.ibuypower.com/...01_W150HNQ_Gaming_Laptop

[1992casey]

You definitely want to run the 24 inch monitor at its native resolution, which I bet would be 1920x1080 (1080p) or 1920x1200 (the 16:10 equivalent of 1080p). I looked up the models Sam was interested in, but I couldn't find anything about supported external resolutions.

[endaround]

If its a TV/Monitor panel (which if a newer panel is likely) it might do fine with upscaling from a 720p type resolution but text will still have issues

[nate82]

Shouldn't be an issue if the output is HDMI.

[1992casey]

DisplayPort (or Mini DisplayPort) should be good, too.

 

What you're trying to do may make a difference, though. For instance, on my MacBook Pro, if I want to "mirror" my notebook display (show exactly the same thing on both monitors), the external monitor will display at the same resolution as the notebook's native resolution. I don't ever do that. With "dual display," I can spread my work across both monitors, and each will display at its native resolution.

 

Getting the proper cables at a good price shouldn't be an issue. I have an older computer hooked up to my HDTV with a DVI to HDMI cable. I hook my notebook up to my desktop monitor with a Mini DisplayPort to DVI cable. Each of those cables was comfortably under $10.

 

Bottom line? Ask a lot of questions, and be sure that the person answering them isn't a moron.

[sbrylski]

Thanks guys.

 

For my price range I would say about $1,200 or so, and preferably below a grand, but I'd rather buy what I actually want than something I settle for to save a few bucks.

 

What's frustrating is it seems like some new machines are going to be coming out, but I can't find good information on them. For example, Dell pulled it's 14" XPS a few months ago and is supposedly replacing it with something better, but that's all I can find. Dell's Alienware might be coming out with a 14" laptop as well at the same time they refresh the M11x.

 

I loved the HP Envy back in September when I was going to buy a machine back then, but it seems like it's now the "wrong" time to buy it. Everything I can find today has GPU's in the "mid-range" of the following chart, a.k.a. next's month's "low-range". The good news is I can wait all the way until the end of the summer before purchasing, so I'll probably just monitor the market until something perfect is released.

 

Comparison of Laptop Graphics Cards

[sbrylski]

Or am I being silly and this will work plenty good:

 

Intel® Core i7-740QM Quad Core processor (1.73GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz

1GB DDR3 ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 graphics [HDMI] - For Quad Core Processors

8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)

[1992casey]

1GB DDR3 ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5650 graphics [HDMI] - For Quad Core Processors

 

ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5700 & HD 5600 Series

 

I don't know about the gaming aspect, but it'll certainly drive your 24" monitor and any monitor you might be buying in the next two or three years (up to 2560x1600 using DisplayPort or dual-link DVI).

 

From what I can tell, the CPU isn't from the new Sandy Bridge line. I don't know if that matters to you or not.

 

Which computer is this?

[sbrylski]

Those are customized specs on an HP Envy.

[sbrylski]

New front-runner: Sony Vaio S

 

13.3" VAIO Display with LED backlight (1366 x 768)

Intel® Core™ i7-2620M processor (2.70GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 3.40GHz

AMD Radeon™ HD 6630M (1GB VRAM)

8GB (4GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1333

 

Cons: I'd have to go over my budget by close to $300. Also, while that graphics card will probably be fine for today, I don't think it will hold up well a year or two down the road.

 

(Side note... apologies for airing a "first world" problem. Sorry to annoy anyone if I did.)

[endaround]

Given that you can't expect more then 3 years from laptop its hould be more than fine, especailly if you're willing to use a the 1336x768 size as your main gaming output.

[pitchleague]

I'm beginning a search for a new gaming rig. I've got an Alienware laptop that rocks but it's 3 years old now, so any new games won't run very well (they're fine on the lowest graphics settings but if you're playing with those, then what's the point?)

 

Anyway, I've started looking on Newegg at their gaming PCs. Cyberpower I know is almost like a scam so I'm staying away from them, but I believe Ibuypower and Asus are good companies. I'm not going the Alienware avenue again--just too much money.

 

I am looking at a desktop system, though, rather than another laptop. Can anybody steer me towards/away from any particular company/website to do more looking/research?

 

 

To the original poster: I do love my Alienware laptop but this is my second one after the first kept crapping out. Only got this new one due to their lemon policy. I've had zero problems with this newer one. It was an M17x or whatever from about three years ago (pre- HDMI output days and pre-lighted keyboards).

[nate82]

Rather pricey like Alienware but I have never had a problem with this company when I have bought from them. http://www.falcon-nw.com/

[endaround]

One, Milwauke PC is insanely expensive. I have no clue how they maintain so many stores. Depending on how anal you are about memory and motherboards you can find decent deals on computers at Costco.com for say zt Systems. You would likely have to swap in a better power supply when you put in a graphics card if your comfortable doing that. The ibuypower website basically is like a screwdriver shop that doesn't gouge you if you know what components are important to you.