Portable gaming laptops

[mithcol]

Im trying trade in my macbook and desktop for a good gaming laptop. Looking to spend up to $2,000 but would prefer to spend under $1,500 (the cheaper the better).

I would prefer a bigger screen but it will be hooked up to a 1080p monitor most of the time so its not a big deal if its smaller. Also I dont need alot of space as I play one game at a time anyway, also dont need an optical drive.

By order of importance:
heating issues
performance
portability
build quality
screen quality

Some games I may be playing: call of duty, hearthstone, path of exile, final fantasy14, diablo 3

Ive been suggested the MSI Stealth GS70?

 

[lakedude]

First of all you can't beat a desktop for gaming performance.

Newegg has that GS70 in a couple different configs. If you get the 128GB SSD, 750GB HD and 16GB RAM the price is $1549.

I've got a bigger MSI which I like fairly well, except it is too big and heavy and lacks the SSD.

That GS70 is thinner and lighter and has an SSD which sounds just about right.

The screen on mine is a decent matte TN panel which was a huge improvement over my previous laptop but nowhere near as nice as the screens they use in Macs.

You are most likey spoiled by your Mac. I suggest going to a brick and mortar store and checking out the screens in person.

 

[homebrew2ny]

I am a bit biased but having been the owner of an ASUS G73, G75, and now a G750, I can only recommend this for consideration.

 

[KentState]

I like my MSI and it does a good job on games. Can play pretty much anything today on higher quality without issues. Right not I get above 60FPS on Ultra settings in BF4 with MSAA off.

 

[stateofmind]

what is portable for you? how much battery do you need?
will you take a 14.0" laptop?

 

[mithcol]

changed my mind on portability, looking for more of a desktop replacement with a 17" screen. Battery life doesnt matter.

 

[stateofmind]

changed my mind on portability, looking for more of a desktop replacement with a 17" screen. Battery life doesnt matter.

Can you install your own OS? would you consider a smaller laptop + big desktop screen?

 

[ascalice]

If you can afford $2300...the Razer Blade Pro 14" is really good!

 

[Beavermatic]

I am currently selling this:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2370787

That's about as highend of a gaming laptop as you're going to get. Huge 18inch 1080p IPS screen. 32GB of ddr3 1600mhz RAM, (2) SSD's, (1) HDD, i7 4800qm cpu with hyperthreading that can do boosts upto near 3.7ghz, It's SLI'd dual nvidia 780m's with 4GB's of vram each, and a ton of accessories with a year warranty... It will literally murder any game you throw at it. Can't say the same for the single-gpu gaming laptops... I had a alienware 17 with a single 770m prior, and it struggled to run things like crysis 3 at max detail, and you couldn't use AA.

$2500 to you sir. And you can look anywhere else... and you'll be hard pressed to find it under $3000. I know it's a bit above your price range... but I took a hit on price to sell it fast, only because I need the cash, lol. My loss... your gain.