I need to replace my 4-year-old desktop machine with a gaming laptop for space reasons. I am happy with my desktop's performance so looking for something of similar or better capabilities. It's a Q9550, 8Gb RAM and a Radeon 4800 series (4870 I think).
1. What is your budget?
Not fixed, but I'm aware of diminishing returns at the high-end and don't want/need the best just for the sake of it. Was thinking around £1,200 - £1,500 but could go to £1,700 if there a compelling case for the extra £200.
2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
15" or 17". Am typing this on my wife's 14" screen which seems big enough, but there doesn't seem to be much price/performance diffrence between the 15" and 17" (I guess because the resolution is normally the same?)
3. What screen resolution do you want?
Not fussed. I have no minimumres in mind and am concious that a lower native resolution will allow better frame rates from a given card.
4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Desktop replacement. But would conider taking it on long train journeys if it's not absurdly heavy. 15" might make more sense for this, but it's not a dealbreaker.
5. How much battery life do you need?
Not important as will be plugged in 95%+ of the time.
6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
Yes - it's the main reason for the machine. I play a variety of games - most recently LA Noire, GTA IV, Assassins Creed 2, Civ 5, Fifa. Would prefer high settings, if only because a card that struggles now is only going to get worse wth future games.
7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
A bit of photo editing (PSP Elements and Lightroom).
8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
I have a separate NAS for music, movies etc so only really need space for OS and a few games. Was thinking of an SSD for faster access, but wasn't sure how much pace I'll need. Can I get away with a ~200Gb SSD and not bother with a traditional HDD?
9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
Preferred suppliers in the past for desktop components were Overclockers UK and Dabs;
www.overclockers.co.uk
www.dabs.co.uk
But will consider other reputable suppliers (I've heard good things about Scan)
10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
My usual PC cycle is about 4-5 years, but I suppose I may need to revise that with a laptop. At least 2 years though.
11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
Standard DVD is fine. I don't own anything on Blu-Ray.
12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
This is my first laptop, so no preferences at all. Would like to avoid anything that screams "teenager" (i.e. Alienware). I'm 33 and a dad!
13. What country do you live in?
UK
14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.
GFX: the 7970M card looks best value for money (compared to say the 680M) but I've heard of problems with the Enduro system. The internet seems to go quite on this issue around Nov 2012 - did it get resolved or have people just given up complaining?
1. What is your budget?
Not fixed, but I'm aware of diminishing returns at the high-end and don't want/need the best just for the sake of it. Was thinking around £1,200 - £1,500 but could go to £1,700 if there a compelling case for the extra £200.
2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
15" or 17". Am typing this on my wife's 14" screen which seems big enough, but there doesn't seem to be much price/performance diffrence between the 15" and 17" (I guess because the resolution is normally the same?)
3. What screen resolution do you want?
Not fussed. I have no minimumres in mind and am concious that a lower native resolution will allow better frame rates from a given card.
4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Desktop replacement. But would conider taking it on long train journeys if it's not absurdly heavy. 15" might make more sense for this, but it's not a dealbreaker.
5. How much battery life do you need?
Not important as will be plugged in 95%+ of the time.
6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
Yes - it's the main reason for the machine. I play a variety of games - most recently LA Noire, GTA IV, Assassins Creed 2, Civ 5, Fifa. Would prefer high settings, if only because a card that struggles now is only going to get worse wth future games.
7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
A bit of photo editing (PSP Elements and Lightroom).
8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
I have a separate NAS for music, movies etc so only really need space for OS and a few games. Was thinking of an SSD for faster access, but wasn't sure how much pace I'll need. Can I get away with a ~200Gb SSD and not bother with a traditional HDD?
9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
Preferred suppliers in the past for desktop components were Overclockers UK and Dabs;
www.overclockers.co.uk
www.dabs.co.uk
But will consider other reputable suppliers (I've heard good things about Scan)
10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
My usual PC cycle is about 4-5 years, but I suppose I may need to revise that with a laptop. At least 2 years though.
11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
Standard DVD is fine. I don't own anything on Blu-Ray.
12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
This is my first laptop, so no preferences at all. Would like to avoid anything that screams "teenager" (i.e. Alienware). I'm 33 and a dad!
13. What country do you live in?
UK
14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.
GFX: the 7970M card looks best value for money (compared to say the 680M) but I've heard of problems with the Enduro system. The internet seems to go quite on this issue around Nov 2012 - did it get resolved or have people just given up complaining?