Topic: Gaming Laptop Recommendations

I'm looking to buy a good gaming laptop soon, as I'm revving to delve into the world of PC gaming.

So, I was wondering if anyone knew any good gaming laptops/notebooks? The reliable ones with good graphics output, fast processing speeds (at least over 2.0 GHz lowest, preferably quad-core processors), good sound and all the like for the whole gaming experience. I think I'm more preferential to ones with Core i5 or i7 too. So far I've seen the Sony F-series and the Asus G73SW, but I'm looking at all the options before choosing.

Oh, and options with cost-effective prices would be appreciated. I don't exactly want to break the bank.

How soon do you want it?
Intel is going to be releasing their Ivy Bridge processors soon so it might be best holding off for a while.
If you have the money may I recommend AlienWare, if thats too expensive try looking at some Dell inspiron 17R's or Dell XPS', I have a 17R with a dedicated Nvidia GTM 525 Graphics card, serves me well.

But if you want value for money look at some Gaming desktop PC's as the components tend to be cheaper and more powerful.

One thing I should note that mobile Nvidia GPU's have a technology called "optimus", what this means is the card won't be used unless specified to save power.
This causes problems in games such as Sonic generations where it would only find and use the integrated graphics.

If you're looking to enter the PC gaming world, I urge you to look to desktop computers for your gaming needs.

When a laptop (gaming or otherwise) breaks down, more often than not, you have to get a new laptop.

Saying that, I never had a gaming laptop (Toshiba Satellite), but in my experience, something broke down, and I had to pay £300 to replace the motherboard/CPU/Graphics/RAM. I chose to sell off the laptop for £30 (the sum total worth of the remaining functioning components) and bought a desktop computer.

And now I'm in the process of building one from the ground up. It seems daunting, but there are plenty of guides online.

But good luck in finding options for laptops, because they are much more portable.

If you want to have a better gaming with your current laptop, I suggest having vidock tool, it is relevantly cheap and you can put any graphics card you want.

Building a computer from the ground up is also a good choice.
You can select components you want/need and you don't have to deal with all the junkWare that comes with OEM built PC's.

On the graphics card front try to stick with nVidia, they are best for gaming. (Debatable but let's not)
With processors don't settle for anything that's not SandyBridge, you might think that the socket number is lower than others it might not be as good... this is not the case.
As I said before you might want to wait for IvyBridge processors.
With motherboards my recommendations are Gigabyte or Asus. (Make sure your processor socket is compatible, you can use filter options they have on their website to help)

I know your not getting it for the aesthetics but don't get alienware. If you support ugly design that makes you part of the problem.

@JarvanZheitk: Well, I'll have to buy it around the first quarter of 2012. I'm pretty sure the Ivy Bridge processors are going to be pretty expensive when first launched, and I can't hold off too long for a price-drop, so I'll just go with current tech.

The reason I can't get a desktop is because I won't just need a computer for gaming, I'll need it for my school work and other necessities too, so I need it portable and light for me to carry around. If it was my choice, it'd be desktop all the way.

AlienWare's rather expensive, and a little irky in design if you ask me, lol. Though, I did find a good Dell Inspiron Q15R as well as an Acer Aspire 5755G, both with excellent specs (though they have an Intel HD 3000 graphics card... a bit iffy, but I'll settle for it. It has excellent memory though on both though.) I think between the two of them, I might go for one of these.

Thank you all for your help.

Do they have a dedicated card along side those integrated graphics?
You can't do a lot with integrated graphics now days (Assuming games like Sims 3, Skyrim, etc...)
edit: never mind
That acer laptop looks and sounds fabulous!

This is what I use (Click on the Detailed Specs). It's a Toshiba Satellite A505 with a GT230M graphics chip. It's a year or two old but and I wouldn't necessarily call it a GAMING laptop but it does the job for me. My wife and I both got one so we could play Guild Wars (on max settings) together. I'm not sure how it plays games that come out today. I'm always surprised when I go to the "Can My Computer Run It" web site and check on a game and this laptop does just fine versus the spec requirements.

Edit: Just checked a few current games such as Diablo 3 and Skyrim and I fall right between the "Required" and "Recommended" sections. Arkham City and COD: Karkand require a 2.4ghz processor and this has a 2.2 so I failed those two. Still, it's a pretty virgin laptop with no additional RAM added or overclocking.

Save your money, and read what I wrote in my last post.

I highly recommend looking at Asus laptops for gaming needs, but if your wanting it for gaming purposes, then you need to go with a desktop. In the desktop world, Alienware does make good desktops that are easily modified when you need to upgrade. Most people that don't know PC gaming don't realize that laptops can't be upgraded, but for the most part it's true and if you do, it's crazy expensive.

@Magi: That sounds pretty good. If I can't go with my foremost options, that looks an okay last resort.

@Azooooz: I don't have a laptop currently, it's a PC. And I doubt the vidock tool would work, seeing as how this PC is over a decade old, with all specs outdated.

@Slapshot: I would go for Asus, except those are proving to be rather expensive right now. Plus, I'm fine with the fact that laptops can't be upgraded. So long as I get one that's powerful compared to current gaming specs, I'm good for a rather long while. If I do find the need for a new one, I can always sell it, and save up a tad more money for it.

I stated my reason for going for a laptop specifically in my last post, so really, I'm at peace with all the pros and cons.

Any reason why Alienware makes their Laptops look so un-user friendly. Maybe its because I've studying Design or Beenlooking at two many Apple products.

That I here the Companies quality has dropped since the Dell Takeover.

I recommend going with Alienware if you are looking for a good gameing laptop.

I picked this one up for my girl http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m11x-r3/pd about a year ago and she loves it. Its handles all her school needs, picture needs and gaming needs as well. I am not a big fan of gaming laptops but if I had to get one that one would be it.

How is that considered portable at all?

it looks like a brick.

Lol actually it is very portable it may not look like it in the picture but it is lighter than her old laptop. If I wanted too I could tuck it under my arm and carry it with one hand.

Maybe its just the angle or i'm thinking of Ultraportable in context of a laptop.

Was looking at the new Vaio Z that comes with the external GPU. But i'm going to wait until Ivy Bridge and the first USB3 laptops and when the industry gets the Thunderbolt port the same across all platforms.

Whoa, just looked at it. Looks pretty darn good. Might go for that, except I can't seem to find a UK store that has it in stock. Unless maybe I can order from Dell directly in the UK. Then, that'd be swell.

Edit: Gah, but it looks a bit expensive with a few things added on top. D:

I would never order a desktop from Alienware. The prices for their desktops are incredulous. Heard decent things about their laptops though.
Not to mention the terrible service some people have received.

@Ravage From all my PC gaming friends that spend thousands to keep their PC's at peak performance, they literally hate Alienware laptops, but then again, they hate all gaming laptops though.

If you really want a great gaming PC, then you honestly need to custom build it. My brother just built his own...again: Asus motherboard, 2GB Radeon graphics card, etc. for around $1500. He also uses the Asus Stealth to game on-the-go, but he can't stand the lower resolution screens on a laptop — 1920x1080 is enough for him.