Best Gaming Laptop when price is a consideration?

[Plotnus]

What do you feel is the best gaming laptop when any price is ok, but price is still a consideration?

In essence, all things considered, what is your number 1 pick

 

[AznGOD]

budget?

 

[Plotnus]

There is no budget. But, this doesn't mean the most expensive laptop is the best choice, or the worst choice. This is just to see what people believe to be the best purchase with all things considered. So, you may have all the money in the world but think a low end laptop is the best choice, or not have much money but consider splurging on a nice laptop worthwhile.

It's about what YOU feel is the most worthwhile purchase. A purchase you would be happy to make many times over.

I hope to see laptops for several price ranges come out of this discussion, and a good deal of variety.

 

[iBUYPOWER - Jason]

For me, it would be the GS60 Ghost because of its high performance and lightweight/slim factor. It doesn't cost as much as the Razor Blade and it offers similiar, if not better technical components.

I like slim laptops and I play some games on the daily so the GS60 Ghost makes sense to me!

 

[jaguarskx]

I bought a refurbished Dell Latitude 3540 for about $475 - $500. It has a Core i5-4200u and a Radeon HD 8850m (roughly similar to the nVidia GT 755m / 845m). It does not have a SSD so I cannot figure out how it can boot up from a cold start and get to the metro screen within 5 seconds. It only came with 4GB of RAM, but that's an easy fix.

It's a business laptop with capable enough GPU for games. Most importantly it does not have a glossy screen. I hate it when light reflects off of the screen.

Forgot to mention that it has a 1080p resolution screen.

 

[dasulman]

sager 7338 configed with an SSD - about $1000. But dat 13'' 1080p IPS screen with a gtx 860M for $1100 (with my own config)? that's some tasty laptop.

 

[AznGOD]

http/www.xoticpc.com/force-16f4-87034-880m-msi-gt60-dominatorpro-barebones-p-7102.html

Even has the Gtx 880m and i7, great value for $1560

 

[doctoordave77]

Your best option, without a doubt, is to shop the Lenovo Outlet online storehttp://outlet.lenovo.com/outlet_us/laptops/#/?page-index=1&sort-criteria=1. I spent many months searching for the best and cheapest laptop option for my daughter. Her criteria was relatively simple - it had to be able to play Sims 3 and especially Sims 4.

Sims 4 requires that you have some type of basic graphics card. Here's what I eventually purchased about 4 months ago;

Total Cost was a simply amazing $303.00 including free shipping. Refurbished, but with a free 1 year warranty that can be extended for 2 more years (total 3 years). The refurbished laptop that we received was indistinguishable from a "new" laptop.

Specifications

Lenovo G505 series laptop

Screen size: 15.6 inches
Operating System: Windows 8

CPU: AMD A10-5750 2.5 ghz
Memory: 6 GB DDR3 on two sticks, 1 x 4 GB and 1 x 2 GB (it's vital to have dual channel memory for the graphics card to work properly)

Hard Drive: 1 TB (5400 rpm)
Optical Drive: DVD R/RW

Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 8650G (no dedicated memory, therefore dual channel main memory is critical)

Weighs just over 5 lbs

I'm not employed by Lenovo - this is just the best deal around. Here's a link to the site that will show you the currently available laptops;

http/outlet.lenovo.com/outlet_us/laptops/#/?page-index=1&sort-criteria=1

I recommend going there on Monday mornings at around 7 - 8 am EST because that appears to be the time that they post most of the "open-box" and "returned" systems that are the best deals. This is important because the systems like the one that I purchased above go very quickly.

Good luck with your shopping! .... Dave

 

[Anencephalus]

Best gaming laptops start at $4k, $3k minimum. There's no point in getting a gaming laptop unless you game while you travel.

It's much cheaper to build a rig equivalant to a $4k laptop (if not better) for $1-2k and then spend a couple hundred bucks on a laptop.

 

[doctoordave77]

Best gaming laptops start at $4k, $3k minimum. There's no point in getting a gaming laptop unless you game while you travel.

It's much cheaper to build a rig equivalant to a $4k laptop (if not better) for $1-2k and then spend a couple hundred bucks on a laptop.

 

[doctoordave77]

It all depends on what games you want to play, doesn't it? If, like my daughter, you want to play Sims 4, and nothing more complex, then the system that I specified for just $303 is perfect.

And not only does this $303 laptop play Sims 4 perfectly, it can also do quite well when playing the following games;

MineCraft;

https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=85yR7Z2fUMQ

[u]Crysis 2 Maximum Edition Demo;[/u]

https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwirurnbQ-w

FIFA 14 FPS Test;

https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsHIIuGJfzU

Leagues of Legends FPS Test;

https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3zcAxfUme0

And many, many more! You can play games on a $303 laptop. You just need to know what you want to play, and then make sure that it can be played on the system that you are going to purchase.

Dave

http/outlet.lenovo.com/outlet_us/laptops/#/?page-index=1&sort-criteria=1

I recommend going there on Monday mornings at around 7 - 8 am EST because that appears to be the time that they post most of the "open-box" and "returned" systems that are the best deals. This is important because the systems like the one that I purchased above go very quickly.

 

[Anencephalus]

It does very much depend on what games you want to play. If you're looking to play Far Cry 4 on ultra, most laptops can't handle this and you'd have to throw down $4k on it (rather than the desktop equivalant of around $1500).

Then you have the $2.5k to either customize the desktop further, get a sweet sound system, cool gadgets like headsets, mice, keyboards, perhaps multiple monitors.

There really is no use in getting a gaming laptop unless you are rich which in that case I would probably spoil myself with a sweet gaming laptop as well.

 

[blcskate]

It does very much depend on what games you want to play. If you're looking to play Far Cry 4 on ultra, most laptops can't handle this and you'd have to throw down $4k on it (rather than the desktop equivalant of around $1500).

Then you have the $2.5k to either customize the desktop further, get a sweet sound system, cool gadgets like headsets, mice, keyboards, perhaps multiple monitors.

There really is no use in getting a gaming laptop unless you are rich which in that case I would probably spoil myself with a sweet gaming laptop as well.

4k may be overstating things a bit (ok a lot). Really you can get a very good gaming laptop for $1,800. Check out the Sager 8651. It will be coming with a 980m soon too. Some sites already have it up. The 1080p screen is not amazing (does offer a 4k), but for gaming its totally fine (not so much for photography). With a 980m you can play any current titles. Even a 970m will play all current titles with maybe a little scaling back on the super heavy ones.

There are lots of machines in the 2k space that can all game very well. Auros X7, MSI GS60, Gigabyte P35x V3 are some thinner lighter ones. Then there are the bulky ones that cool better and are a bit cheaper (similar specs).

I travel for a living so I have a gaming desktop at home and use a good laptop on the road. Best of both worlds. I don't consider spending 2k on something rich, but I can see for some people that would be a problem.

 

[blcskate]

As for my personal best performance vs value that I have seen on the market. I would say this is up there with the best spec vs price ratio.

http/www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Fangbook_Edge_Gaming_Laptop

They are based on the MSI GS60 however there are some notable upgrades and the price is actually a bit lower.
1) Processor is 4870 vs the standard 4710. About 20% better according to cpuboss.
2) Pick your path free game is not offered everywhere with the GS60s
3) $12 upgrade to a 256gb SSD (limited time of course). Very good for budget hunters

The only thing that holds me back is not knowing much about cyberpower. I know they have been around for a very long time, but I have never purchased from them and their web site support people seem to be very hit or miss. I always ask for deep technical stuff before I buy. Like what screen is used and exact specs, RGB ratings, refresh rates, etc...