Half decent gaming laptop?

[Nova.]

looking for a half decent cheap ish (up to $1k ish) laptop for gaming, nothing too hard core just want to know whats out there, know f/a about computers
any ideas??

[Gremlin]

Need to know what sort of games you'd want to play. Gaming is basically the sole reason for constantly needing to upgrade a machine to cope with new games.

Generally, if you're after gaming, a desktop would be better than a laptop as there's better cooling, more flexibility around graphics card etc. Laptops are very restrictive due to the compact chassis.

[SMOKEU]

Laptops and gaming should not go in the same sentence. While some high end laptops costing $3,000+ are quite powerful, you'll be looking at spending around double the total price for a gaming laptop compared to a desktop for similar gaming performance. While some of the newer laptops with the i7 CPUs are more than sufficient in terms of CPU power, the vast majority of laptops lack the GPU power for anything more than very basic or very old games, particularly at higher resolutions. Laptops frequently overheat as well when subjected to heavy loads for prolonged periods of time, and you really want a nice full HD screen at least 22" in size for a truly enjoyable experience.

Buy a desktop with a midrange i5, midrange GPU like a 7870 etc and you'll have a much nicer experience. Chuck in a SSD (they're cheap now) and you'll be set. A nice 24" full HD monitor is under $300 as well.

[Madmax]

i have on of these
ASUS G75VW-DS71

[BoristheBiter]

Laptops and gaming should not go in the same sentence. While some high end laptops costing $3,000+ are quite powerful, you'll be looking at spending around double the total price for a gaming laptop compared to a desktop for similar gaming performance. While some of the newer laptops with the i7 CPUs are more than sufficient in terms of CPU power, the vast majority of laptops lack the GPU power for anything more than very basic or very old games, particularly at higher resolutions. Laptops frequently overheat as well when subjected to heavy loads for prolonged periods of time, and you really want a nice full HD screen at least 22" in size for a truly enjoyable experience.

Buy a desktop with a midrange i5, midrange GPU like a 7870 etc and you'll have a much nicer experience. Chuck in a SSD (they're cheap now) and you'll be set. A nice 24" full HD monitor is under $300 as well.

It takes a lot more than just a good CPU to make a gaming computer.

Nothing wrong with my laptop as a gaming unit (but i prefer PS3) in fact my 3 year old laptop is still faster than most out now just needs a better graphics card.

for under 1k I think Nova is pissing in the wind.

[SMOKEU]

It takes a lot more than just a good CPU to make a gaming computer.

That's what I said before, that the majority of laptops lack the GPU power for anything more than light gaming at low resolutions.

[Scuba_Steve]

Get a PS3 get the Hori LCD screen best you're gonna do for a gaming laptop under 1k. Only 11.6" & it won't be portable as such i.e. it'll need power (tho so do all laptops when running games). But it'll be under 1k, it'll play games & it's in a laptop like form factor.
If you're wanting a sub 1k laptop running windows to play "modern games" your best bet would be to blow it all on instant kiwi & hope for a win

[Nova.]

nah already have a ps3, it doesnt have to be a gaming laptop just something decent

[bogan]

nah already have a ps3, it doesnt have to be a gaming laptop just something decent

Do you have 1k to spend on gaming? or 1k to spend on a laptop?

If its a gaming PC, 1k or thereabouts would get you something neat. I priced out some stuff for myself recently...

Ivy Bridge 3450 CPU for $262
Asus GeForce GTX650 Graphics for $217
Asus P8Z77-V Pro Motherboard for $305

RAM, case, PSU, hard drive for another 300 odd, plug it into your TV, or get a screen for another few hundy.

[Akzle]

spend more. buy alienware. else some of the IBM/toshibvas can be pushed quite hard.
cooling is key.

[SMOKEU]

spend more. buy alienware. else some of the IBM/toshibvas can be pushed quite hard.
cooling is key.

Alienware is ridiculously overpriced for what it is. I've seen that some Asus laptops with a decent GPU are much cheaper for the same sort of specs.

[Scuba_Steve]

A quick pricespy search says Here! It's under 1k, will play 3-4yr old games reasonably (best you can sorta expect for sub 1.5k) you may get by with a few newer games even (tho most will probably require min gfx to get decent framerate)
Other than that it's a 2.5Ghz i5 (you don't want i3 & price doesn't allow i7), 4GB RAM, 1GB ATI HD7610M GFX, 640GB HDD & 15.6" screen.

[Nova.]

or this? http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/l...-520994839.htm


i could spend more then 1k on a laptop but its not important enough for me to justify the cost haha, call me a jew.

[Madmax]

Do you have 1k to spend on gaming? or 1k to spend on a laptop?

If its a gaming PC, 1k or thereabouts would get you something neat. I priced out some stuff for myself recently...

Ivy Bridge 3450 CPU for $262
Asus GeForce GTX650 Graphics for $217
Asus P8Z77-V Pro Motherboard for $305

RAM, case, PSU, hard drive for another 300 odd, plug it into your TV, or get a screen for another few hundy.

can you carrie it on a bus and still play a game

[Scuba_Steve]

or this? http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/l...-520994839.htm


i could spend more then 1k on a laptop but its not important enough for me to justify the cost haha, call me a jew.

You'd be better off with the one I gave you, cheaper & better spec'd

...ya jew

can you carrie it on a bus and still play a game

Yes but you'll also need a car batt or 2 & an inverter... might want a pram or old lady wheel bag to help carry it too