Help me buy... a new laptop!

[Taxious]

I'm looking for a "gaming" laptop that will have no problem running some of the newer games out there. I would like one with windows 7 64-bit but I wouldn't be apposed to windowsXP 64-bit as well.

This is the one I'm thinking about so far:
SONY VAIO Z Series VGN-Z750D/B

I'm a little worried about the graphics card on it and was hoping for something a little cheaper. I'm also not a big fan of Sony as a company and would prefer to not support them whenever I get the chance. However, reading some of the reviews makes me want to get it.

What do ya'll think?

[Fallakin Kuvari]

ASUS G Series G71Gx-X2

[Taxious]

Yes, that's what I'm talking about - thanks Fall. I'm wondering how I missed that in my initial browse of newegg...

Everything is better than (or pretty close) that shitty Sony laptop except for the weight, but that's something I'm really not too worried about. That video card does much better on tests/reviews. It's even cheaper... wtf?

The only thing I couldn't find was if the vid card has any type of video output: HDMI, VGA, or DVI - I'm not picky, but I'd like at least one...

[Fallakin Kuvari]

No Problem. Also, from that laptops page: Video Port 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI

[Taxious]

Weird, that wasn't on the page when I posted. I did a ctrl+f for all vga/hdmi/dvi and nothing came up. Oh well, thanks again - I'll probably order this tonight unless I find something better before then.

[Falundir X`Viento]

Give me your price range and I'll come up with a nice custom for you.

[Taxious]

<= $2500

[Falundir X`Viento]

If you seriously want to spend that much you might as well go for the new i7 Sager, nothing touches it.

15.6 - http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np8690-bui ... -2659.html
17.3 - http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np8760-bui ... -2660.html

If you have never heard of Sager, read the following article and it will explain everything. Summary is only 5 companies actually make laptops. So large companies like HP, Dell ect submit their orders to a whitebook manufacturer to have notebooks custom made to their own specs. Consider this cutting out the middle man and getting an Alienware for half the cost.

http://www.xoticpc.com/really-makes-lap ... -a-47.html

[Falundir X`Viento]

Also - Great forums to read and learn from http://forum.notebookreview.com/

Link to Sager forums directly - http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1017

Do note that the above laptops contain the Nvidia 280m, which is currently the fastest chip when paired with an i7.

[Freecare Spiritwise]

Agreed about Sony. They're crap. Wife demanded a Vaio a few years ago becuase it was cutsie and it was just a piece of total garbage. One of the few laptops that I actually threw in the trash can. And pretty much everything Sony in my house has crapped out too. We're down to just the home entertainment receiver that still works, and it powers on and off pretty much randomly. Fuck Sony electronics.

I really like Acer laptops. I've had great luck with them, though I don't use them for gaming. My year and a half old Acer 5920 runs EQ2 just fine though (ok so I still give Sony money, but not for anything electronic).

I have heard good things about the Asus too, and I've always liked the Toshibas.

[Falundir X`Viento]

I have heard good things about the Asus too, and I've always liked the Toshibas.

Actually the Toshiba Tecra line is pretty decent but their consumer line has trailed off over the past few years.


Asus is a good bang for the buck laptop with the high point being the extensive warranty (some have 3 year warranties!), but they are horrible at their thermals. You will need a laptop cooler to run any game or you will do some nice damage to your lap/desk.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b331/ ... Xtreme.jpg (90c is kinda hot...)

[Garrdor]

Fuck yo laptop. BUY ME A PEE CEE A-HOLE

[Taxious]

I had a Toshiba laptop before this one and feel pretty iffy about it. I've had a few problems with it, but while it was under warranty, they DID end up taking care of things pretty quickly. I'm happy to get rid of it though, I decided to go with Fallakin's Asus.

Sounds like I'll need a cooling pad for it now though...

[Fallakin Kuvari]

Sounds like I'll need a cooling pad for it now though...

I'd always get a cooling pad for a laptop thats intended for gaming.

[Taxious]

Sounds like I'll need a cooling pad for it now though...

I'd always get a cooling pad for a laptop thats intended for gaming.

I've never had a "gaming" laptop before, but I can imagine it getting pretty warm. Even if I just launch open office on my current laptop, it starts getting really hot and slow. I've also never owned a cooling pad, do you guys have one of those (or even a brand/style of them) that you would recommend?

[Select]

Tax, if Fal is warning about Asus cooling, you might want to consider another brand. Alienware had awful cooling and no cooling pad could save mine from melting itself over and over again. Maybe cooling pads are better than four years ago, but I would not risk it.

I've always heard Acer, Sager, and Asus were the best, with Acer and Sager at the top. When I can afford one, I will consider those two brands. Toshibas are pretty good, too, now that I think about the word of mouth.

P.S. How's your Roomba? I've seen a few deals on them lately, but still can't drop the money.

[Ddrak]

The biggest complaint I've heard of ASUS is they are "too glossy".

Dd

[Select]

What does that mean? Like the case is too shiny? Or the features are too fancy?

[Ddrak]

The LCD screen has a glossy finish rather than a matte finish on the newer models. Some people dislike it.

Dd

[Select]

Ew. I would dislike it.