College Gaming Notebook

[VGologist]

I'm looking for a portable laptop that I can take to classes with me and be used for high-end gaming. I've looked at dozens of other forums about people with similar questions, so I'll do my best to be as specific as possible. I don't want a gaming desktop, with a cheap portable laptop. I do not want a Mac. The laptop needs to be 15.4" and light enough that I can carry it with me without too much trouble, however I'm most concerned about specs and battery life. After those, I'd like to take into consideration cost, size, weight, heat, design, sound, tech support of company, and warranty (not in that order).

I've been looking at various notebooks for a few months now, and had until recently decided upon the Asus G1S-B1. That was until a friend showed me the Dell XPS m1530, which caused me to no longer be sure about my past choice. I was hoping someone with a little more knowledge about these products could advise me on which direction to go. If you would like to suggest an alternate product, please do. I'm by no means wedded to these two.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I'm very familiar with Dell, and am actually typing this out on a Dell desktop. However, I hadn't heard about Asus until I started researching, and have heard mixed reviews about them. Especially concerning their customer support and the sound capabilities. But then I've heard the same about Dell, even though I've never had a problem with their tech support. I also prefer the unique look of the Asus laptop over the Dell, but then I haven't seen the Dell in person yet. I also don't mind Vista.

Edit: Added more specifics.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

While Asus has a much better base warranty then Dell, they're batterylife often falls short.

www.notebookreview.com you will reviews and many, many opinions on both.

 

[TheStu]

I know you said that you don't want a Mac, and I know that I have said that I think it is silly for a person to buy a mac and not use OS X...

But, the MacBook Pro is a killer machine if you want power, portability, gaming oomph (considering its size), reliability and a good warranty.

Plus, when the penryns hit, they may get a graphics update. Some are saying the 9500m GT, which is apparently practically identical to the 8600m GT, except slightly cooler running, DX10.1, and some other enhancements. Others are saying that they will switch back to ATi for the mobile 3600.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: VGologist
I'm looking for a portable laptop that I can take to classes with me and be used for high-end gaming... The laptop needs to be 15.4' and light enough that I can carry it with me without too much trouble, however I'm most concerned about specs and battery life.

So, you want a medium sized notebook that is light weight and with great battery life... but capable of high end gaming? Unless you "settle" for a midrange GPU, you're not going to get anywhere close to where you want to be, and battery life will still be a disappointment.

"High end gaming" means a high end GPU, and that means Geforce Go 8800 series. That also means low battery life and a large notebook with 17" screen since I haven't seen any smaller notebooks with such graphics.

 

[Rankor]

The only 8800m that I've heard about that's in a 15" would be the Area 51 m15x.

Kinda pricey, though and I'm sure battery life isn't great.

I have a g1s-a1 (2.2 C2D, 160GB 5400). The 8600m gt is a joke for high end gaming; ok for moderate gaming. I can play Crysis at 800x600 at low and the playability is bearable (for me, at least).

You'll need an 8800-class gpu for decent gaming.

 

[Throckmorton]

The Asus G1s is BIG. The width is aboutt he same as any other 15.4" notebook, but it has a lot of material above and below the screen. It's also very ugly. If you think neons in your computer case are cool you might like it, but everyone is going to know you're a huge nerd when you pull it out in class.

You can't get an LED backlight in the Asus.

 

[Rottie]

high end gaming notebook with 15.4 notebook? Like everyone said you might have hard time finding high end grapic card for this notebook size. I assume you are playing Crysis and Battlefield 2150 or BioShock those are hardcore games might needs a powerful graphic card.

 

[VGologist]

You can't get an LED backlight in the Asus.

Does the m1530 now come with LED? If not, what laptop would you recommend Throckmorton?

Originally posted by: Rottie
high end gaming notebook with 15.4 notebook? Like everyone said you might have hard time finding high end grapic card for this notebook size. I assume you are playing Crysis and Battlefield 2150 or BioShock those are hardcore games might needs a powerful graphic card.

I realize that my options for gaming are limited due to the 15.4" size. However, I would still like to find a laptop that would give me the most for my gaming needs. It seems that that means I'll have to settle for a 8600, however that doesn't help me on choosing a laptop as both the Dell and the Asus have the 8600. And as concerning battery life, I'll have to manage with what I can find.

 

[Throckmorton]

Yes you can get LED in the M1530. That's why it's the only laptop I'd buy now. There is one other PC that has LED, Panasonic or something. And also Macbooks.

 

[VGologist]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Yes you can get LED in the M1530. That's why it's the only laptop I'd buy now. There is one other PC that has LED, Panasonic or something. And also Macbooks.

Where does it say that the m1530 comes with LED? I can only find the LCD versions, even on the Dell website does it say LCD.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: VGologist
Where does it say that the m1530 comes with LED? I can only find the LCD versions, even on the Dell website does it say LCD.

Odd, I bought my m1530 maybe a month ago and LED back-lit LCD was certainly NOT an option. To my knowledge, only the m1330 has the LED back-lit LCD option.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: VGologist

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Yes you can get LED in the M1530. That's why it's the only laptop I'd buy now. There is one other PC that has LED, Panasonic or something. And also Macbooks.

Where does it say that the m1530 comes with LED? I can only find the LCD versions, even on the Dell website does it say LCD.

To clarify, it is still an LCD panel, but is LED backlit, as opposed to the older method, CCFL.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

How big is the Gateway FX? Is that an option?

 

[VGologist]

Originally posted by: BlueAcolyte
How big is the Gateway FX? Is that an option?

Isn't the Gateway FX a desktop?

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: VGologist

Originally posted by: BlueAcolyte
How big is the Gateway FX? Is that an option?

Isn't the Gateway FX a desktop?

notebook PC replacement

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Just go fo the Alienware m15x with an 8800m GTX. Everyone will think you're tits and the card will hold up pretty well in the future.

If gaming really is a concern of yours, you will be disappointed by the 8600m GT.