Need a new gaming laptop quickly

[Big Daddy Bling Bling]

I need to get a laptop for my business in the next week or so. I plan to use it for gaming too, so it needs enough horsepower to run all current games well(and it should handle future games too).

 

Not sure what I need as far as specs like RAM, CPU, and video card go, but it needs to have a firewire port and DVD-CDR drive(doesn't need DVD-r). It also needs to have whatever is needed to hook up to a cable modem with a cat-5 cable (networking/ethernet card?).

 

I'm looking for a really cheap ass deal on a sick setup. Something that is great for gaming, but also has the peripherals that I need for my business. I'm looking to spend $1,200 max. Cheaper would be better, but I'd also go over $1,200 if the bang for the buck was really good.

[Romier S]

You can take a look here:

 

AMD:

 

http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/configurator.aspx?mid=126#header

 

INTEL:

 

http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/configurator.aspx?mid=85

 

Since you have a certain amount you want to spend, I'd definitely recommend the AMD system. I went through some configuration for the notebook. From the base setup, I would recommend:

 

-Grab the Mobile 3000+ chip instead of the 2.8

-Changing the RAM manufacturer to Corsair/Kingston

-Move to a 60-80gig HD for more space

 

You can also move up to a combo DVD-R/CD-R drive for an extra 90 bucks if you so choose. At the end of the day you should pay about 1300-1400 with shipping. If you keep it base or downgrade some parts you can get it cheaper of course. Most of the stuff you are looking for comes already installed (NIC/Wireless etc.). I've used ibuypower before and find them to be dependable and thier systems are pretty nice.

[Big Daddy Bling Bling]

Edit: I decided to go with the Uniwill 258KAO (the AMD version of what you posted). I just have to figure out where to order it from now, as well as how to configure it. I'm looking at ibuypower, cyberpower, and viciouspc.....they all seem to have similarly mixed reviews though.

 

Any thoughts on RAM or processer speed requirements for running current games well?

[Romier S]

Any thoughts on RAM or processer speed requirements for running current games well?

 

Anything in the 3000+ region should do you fine. It depends on how "up to date" you want to be. If you want to go with faster, feel free too. I would personally stick with 3000/3200+. That should run just about any game out there (as well as whats coming) without a problem and save you some scratch instead of going into the higher processor speeds.

 

As far as RAM is concerned, it depends on the money you want to spend. 512 should do you just fine but 1gig is always better. You'll notice great improvement in games like Half-Life 2 and Doom 3 along with many of the newer memory intensive engine on the way. If I were in your position and didn't mind spending a little more, I would go with a full gig and be done with it. If you want to conserve, go with 512 and upgrade later.

 

As far as the retailers are concerned, let me say again that I have ordered four computers from ibuypower and have had nothing but good service. The systems appeared quickly on thier tracking page and any calls to CS were handled quickly. Can't say much for the others on your list as I have no experience with them.

[Big Daddy Bling Bling]

Thanks for the info. I think ibuypower and cyberpower may actually be the same company. I'm going to grab the extra RAM since it seems like it will make a difference. The difference between a 2800 and a 3400 is only a $100, so I'll probably grab the faster processor too. Only other thing I'm unsure of now is if the difference between "major brand" RAM and Kingston is worth $25. I really need to learn all this PC stuff, but I've been too busy getting ready for the CPA exam.

 

Free Half Life 2 is definately nice.

[Romier S]

Only other thing I'm unsure of now is if the difference between "major brand" RAM and Kingston is worth $25

 

One thing I've learned over the years is not to skimp out on RAM. If you can get high quality RAM from Corsair or Kingston than do it. I've spent money on cheapie RAM in the past and it's come back to bite me in the ass. If I were in your shoes, I'd shell out the extra cash.

[Big Daddy Bling Bling]

Got everything set up. It ended up at $1500.66 shipped. I went to look around at Best Buy and there was nothing even in the same ballpark. Even the $2000+ laptops had lesser video cards. I'm pretty satisfied, but now I have to play the waiting game. Thanks for the advice. I was leaning towards this laptop/seller and it helped to get an opinion from someone I've known for a while.

 

 

Battalion 101 S-Turbo [AMD]-1

 

Flash Media Reader/Writer ( Build-in 3-in-i Media Card Reader/Writer [Notebook] )

Case ( Battalion-101 S-Turbo[AMD] Series 15.4" 16:10 Wide Screen WXGA 1280x800 LCD TFT Notebook w/Li-Ion Battery, Universal AC Power Adapter, Deluxe Carrying Original Metallic Silver Color )

Operation System ( MS Windows XP Home Edition )

Processor ( Mobile AMD? Athlon-64 3400+ CPU )

Free Software/Game ( Free Napster Download Coupon Free Napster download coupon with purchase of AMD-64 based systems )

Free Software/Game ( Free Half Life 2 Download Coupon Free Half Life 2 download coupon with purchase of AMD-64 based systems )

USB Port ( Build-in 3x USB 2.0 Ports [Notebook] )

IEEE-1394 Fire Wire Card ( Build-in 1x IEEE-1394 Firewire Port [Notebook] )

TV Tuner ( None )

Memory ( 1024MB [512MB X2] DDR-400 PC-3200 [Notebook Memory] Corsair )

Video Card ( Mobility 128MB ATI Radeon 9700 Pro 256-bit 3D Video )

Video Camera ( None )

Headset ( None )

Hard Drive ( 60 GB 5400rpm ATA-100 Super Slim Notebook Hard Drive )

CD-RW/DVD-RW Drive ( 8x DVD-ROM & 24X16X24 CD-RW Combo Drive [s-Series] )

Sound Card ( 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard )

Fax Modem ( Build-in 56K V.90 Fax Modem [Notebook] )

Network Card ( Build-in 10/100 Network LAN [Notebook] )

Wireless Network Adapter ( [FREE] Wireless LAN Wi-Fi 802.11g 54Mbps Mini-PCI Module )

[Romier S]

Looks excellent Bling :tu Glad I could help.

[Big Daddy Bling Bling]

Well, if you think that looks excellent, then take a look at what I just ordered instead:

 

Sager NP9860-S1

17" WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050) Active Matrix Wide Screen Display (Glossy Screen)

3.4 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 HT (PLGA775) Processor w/ 1MB cache

256MB GDDR3 nVIDIA? GeForce? Go 6800 Graphics Card / 16x PCI-Express

60 GB Hard Drive (7200 RPM)

1024 MB DDR SDRAM (533 MHz, PC-4200, Dual Channel) (2 x 512 MB)

External USB Floppy Drive

Internal 8X DVD / 24X CDRW / 24X CD-ROM Combo Drive w/ Software

HDD RAID Settings - Off

Built in 56k V.90 Modem

Built in 10/100/1000 Fast Ethernet / LAN Network Card

FREE! - Wireless (Wi-Fi) Lan Card 802.11g (54 Mbps)

Smart Lithium Ion Battery (12 Cells)

TV-Tuner with Multi-Function Remote (NTSC & Multi-Pal)

Integrated Video Camera / 7-in-1 Card Reader / Internal Subwoofer Module

Auto-switching AC Adapter (150W; 100-250V)

Free Carry Case

Microsoft Windows XP-Home Installed, recovery CD included

Factory 1-yr parts & labor warranty w/ lifetime technical support

 

I felt like the other laptop was already a bit outdated, whereas this one is definately ahead of the curve and is upgradeable as well. The video card in it just came out this week. This thing will run Doom 3 smoothly with max settings.

 

Oddly enough, my wife was not concerned when I tried to explain the raw power of the graphics card to her. It was the TV tuner, glossy screen, and video camera that won her over(WTF is with women and their eccentric tastes??). I told her that I would give up getting a PSP to help offset the cost, but she said I'd been looking forward the PSP for a long time and I could get it anyway. Best....Wife.....Ever.

 

Two words describe this system: Bling Bling!

 

:rock :rock :rock :rock