Buying a new gaming laptop

[bladefd]

Hey, I was searching for a new laptop and I wanted to spend around $1500 bucks. I will be playing a lot of the latest games on it and I need something decent. I don't care if the cpu is from intel/AMD or GPU from nvidia/ati - performance is more important here. I will only be using it when going to places where I can't carry my desktop. I don't have an EXACT fixed budget but I don't want to spend TOO much over $1500 - I am sure you all can understand. I would like atleast a 15" monitor. If its 17", it would be even better. For the resolution, I like 1280x1024 but again, its not a big deal if I have to use a little lower resolution. The monitor doesn't matter if its widescreen or not but I prefer that it not be widescreen.

Second, is there ANY way that laptops can be upgraded(like GPUs)? I don't think its possible but I am not 100% sure. I don't feel like spending another $1500 and buying a whole new laptop in 2-3 years just so I can run a couple new games well. Thanks.

 

[HomeyFoos]

Bang for buck, I say e1705 with the 7900GS. It's a 17" wide-screen and you can upgrade the screen to 1920x1200 or not. Regardless, you can probably configure to keep your price down but make sure you get the 7900GS. I recently got Madden and I run it on my laptop at 1600x1200 with all the eye candy turned up through the program. Runs pretty darn well and looks incredible. 100% playable and the only time the system slows down is during the pre-loaded movies and that is barely noticable.

Anyway, I bought it with the screen upgrade and the GPU upgrade and it was a little over $1600 in July. You should be able to get it cheaper now with a Core 2 Duo.

As for upgrading, I woulnd't count on it. Even if you can find a laptop gpu to put in it and the machine will allow you to, there may not be sufficient heat dissipation. So when making your purchase, get as much video card as you can get for your money.

Good luck.

 

[alimoalem]

i just configured the following off dell for the e1705:

CPU: Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0GHz +$175
Screen: 17" XGA+ Display
RAM: 1gb Dual Channel 533MHz
HDD: 80 GB 5400rpm SATA
Optical: DVD burner +$35
Video: 7900GS +$299
Battery: 9-cell +$99

Total: $1487 before tax/shipping. there's a 30% off inspiron purchase floating around. if you use it though, the automatic $150 will be taken off so it'll be $1637-30% = $1145.90. seems like an extremely good deal, especially for that CPU and GPU combo.

if you need the coupon, check out dealsea.com.
gottadeal.com should have it too

if you feel you haven't spent "enough," you can add a second gig for like $180 i think. you'll be around $1430 shipped with the 2gb of ram

 

[andrewbabcock]

Thats a great deal. The screen will be great as well as the speakers. You will be extremely satisfied with it i predict. Just don't knock it around too much when on the go