Gaming Laptop - Who BuildsDa Best?

[JerryGarcia]

I've searched this forum for my question and the responses I've found are either from 2007 or fail into troll/rich kid discussions with no real answer so I'm looking for some two-fold help.

1). I'm wanting to buy a custom gaming laptop, I want to be able to change out parts to keep up with technology down the road. My budget is 4k +/-. Right now I'd be using it for standard WOW/LOTRO but will for sure be playing the new Darkfall and Camelot (if it ever comes out) and whatever else that I fancy at the moment but probably all MMO/PvP type. I'll also use it for managing my business, website, and some small scale graphics so I want Office, Photoshop, Lighroom Etc on it also.

2). My desktop is from the days of the orig Darkfall and in serious need of updating or replacing. This is not so much the priority unless I'm replacing it. If I do replace it I'd like the same company to spit out my laptop and desktop, I hear I might get a free t-shirt that way! ....I joke

I've read reviews on ResellerRatings until my eyes crossed and am leaning towards Origin with their new Shock n Awesome, EON17-SLX. Thoughts? If you were to buy that laptop for my needs how would you spec it?

My techie skills are limited to dust & remove/replace so please don't tell me to build my own desktop.

I want a great warranty, quality products under the hood and customer service that will not only not hose me for every dollar I'm putting into this but will also sing me into a safe place of comfort with lullabies if I'm ever stressing out at having to ship my stuff back to them to fix, at their expense, of course. Not really, but I'm sure you all catch my drift. Is Origin the company I'm looking for? Is there someone better out there or someone equally great but less spendy (they actually seem pretty reasonable)? I've caught the ibuypower sux message in other threads on here so they're off the list but anyone else I should avoid like the plague?

Thanks very much for any help/advice. I haven't played in a long time and been a bit out of touch but ready to jump back in.

 

[i7Baby]

For $4000 you should get a good choice. Asus and MSI seem to be the way to go for top end laptops. A quad core Intel CPU (4800) and a 770M or better GPU plus 8GB RAM, an OS SSD and say a 1 TB HDD would be nice. You could try something like: MSI - http/www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1538_1539&products_id=27135 or Asus - http/www.msy.com.au/vic/mitcham/home/12765-asus-g750jh-t4133h-i7-4700hq32gb512gb-ssd256gbx2-raid0173fhdblu-ray-writerwin8-64bit.html

Sorry they're from Aus. But that's where I am.

 

[Matrix890]

For 4k you can get an Overkill Msi
http/www.msimobile.com/level3_productpage.aspx?cid=6&id=446

 

[JerryGarcia]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I looked at the ASUS G750JZ and that was my top pick for a minute, then I realized I'm stuck with it just as it arrives on my doorstep. If I want to switch up the graphics card in 3yrs, for example, it's a no go. I figure if I'm throwing good cash at a laptop I want it to last as long as possible. I'm looking at it like a long term purchase and what's going to serve me well in 5yrs. My desktop I'm not worried about so much b/c we're not talking that big of a chunk 'o change and they're much easier to keep updated.

I liked the Origin due to the 2 game card slots, I can start with the M880 and then just stick another newer one in, in 2-3yrs or have someone local help me change things up as necessary. I'm digging the ME I that you linked but I'm not seeing a big difference between that and the ASUS, but then again...a techie I am not so maybe I'm missing something? The ASUS is definitely easier on the funds so is the MSI worth it? Will either still be rocking the fps in games coming out 3+yrs down the road?

 

[JerryGarcia]

*MSI...Stupid auto-correct

 

[JerryGarcia]

So, I'm now a week out from buying and I'm taking Construkt's advice and have settled on the ASUS G750JZ.

Is the XS72 worth the extra $500 over the DS71? The differences I see are 32gb DDR3 vs 24gb but the slot is there so I can add that myself? Is that correct? The other difference is a BluRay writer vs just a player and DVD writer.

Also if I compare NewEgg to Amazon it looks like there's some differences for about the same price but if ASUS makes the machine it should be the same no matter who I buy it from or am I wrong?
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231644 lists 4gb DDR5 dedicated graphics memory
http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IAACXMU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3ARV8DXZLSFZ9#productDetails lists 4096 mb graphics card ram size...are these two different? Meaning is dedicated graphics memory different from graphics card ram size?

Also the Amazon lists Win 8.1 but I can't find if it's the 32 or 64? I haven't bought a new pc or laptop in years so I'm sure these are noob questions but I don't want to hit the buy button until I'm clear on knowing what I'm buying, so thanks for any patient help from the noob

Also has there been anything new in the last couple months that I'm not seeing? I can only see a newer rig that's coming along in August and I still like the ASUS. So unless there's something monumental out there that I've missed the ASUS is still my best bet? Thanks again for any help.