Solved! Looking for a gaming laptop (budget of $1500)

[pinnacle2009]

So, I put together a gaming desktop on Newegg, and thought a bit. I already having a desktop that can run my games just fine (well, its broken atm, going to be fixed soon), so why not get a laptop capable of gaming?

I have been looking at the Asus G74, but I don't know much about laptops at all and things to look for for gaming (especially cooling, my biggest fear). Are there any other laptops I could compare to the G74? I don't want to keep my eyes focused on the G74 if there is something just as good or better for the same price.

Also, what are some good cooling pads? Like I said, my biggest concern for a gaming laptop is the cooling. Both my friends laptops are constantly overheating (although, both do not use a cooling pad or a laptop meant for much gaming), but that still worries me.

And screen size.. I am fine with a 17" screen, but if I am at home, I would like to be able to use a larger screen. Laptops are able to connect to other monitors, correct?

 

[WR2]

Hello pinnacle2009;

Laptops can easily connect with another monitor. Use it as a second monitor or as a clone of the laptop screen, no problem.

Besides the Asus G74 you might want to look over a couple of the MSI and Toshiba Qosmio options.

Beyond that - you can work with one of the boutique custom laptop builders like www.xoticpc.com/.
They do custom builds with Asus, MSI and Sager/Clevo. You'll see options for GTX 560M/570M/580M and Radeon HD 6990M GPUs.

 

[WR2]

For laptop cooler pads look at : Targus Chill Mat XC or Cooler Master Notepal X2 Notebook Cooler

For a non-powered laptop cooler I like this Cooler Master NotePal U2 without fans, for it's aluminum mesh and raised bed. I'm just not sure it fits the G74s with are a bit larger than many 17"'s.

 

[pinnacle2009]

I do like the Qosmio. Cheaper than the others with, from what I can tell, similar performance.

How does the Qosmio stack up to the others? If I were to go with that, I'd still have an extra $200 which would be very nice to have for a couple of accessories.

Any suggestions on a cooling pad?

 

[pinnacle2009]

Missed some posts while typing that last one. I think I am at a toss up between the G74 and the Qosmio lol

 

[davewolfgang]

I was really looking at the ASUS myself, but since I have a bud that works at HP, I got a great price on a Pavilion dv7t-6100.

i5-2410m
6GB RAM
1920x1080p 17.3" LED
Radeon 6770M 2GB
9-cell battery - can get 8+ hours of general use, 3 hours gaming.

I only got the 500GB drive, but then I added a 2nd 500GB 7200rpm and installed it, it was cheaper than getting it pre-installed.

The fingerprint reader is also great for logging in - one swipe and it logs you in. You can even record more than one finger on each hand.

http/www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/store_access.do?template_type=series_detail&category=notebooks&series_name=dv7t_series&jumpid=oc_R1002_USENC-001_HP%20Pavilion%20dv7t-6100%20CTO%20Entertainment%20Notebook%20PC&lang=en&cc=us

 

[pinnacle2009]

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/ASUS+-+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i7+Processor+/+17.3%22+Display+/+8GB+Memory+/+1TB+Hard+Drive+-+Black/2712579.p?id=1218346639131&skuId=2712579

$1100. It is stated as being a washed down version. But, I think that it is still all I need. One review was actually written under the same situation I'd be using it for. That made me feel pretty good.

So what makes this version $400-800 cheaper than the other versions? It still has the i7 and the GTX 560 gpu.

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

I was really looking at the ASUS myself, but since I have a bud that works at HP, I got a great price on a Pavilion dv7t-6100.

i5-2410m
6GB RAM
1920x1080p 17.3" LED
Radeon 6770M 2GB
9-cell battery - can get 8+ hours of general use, 3 hours gaming.

I only got the 500GB drive, but then I added a 2nd 500GB 7200rpm and installed it, it was cheaper than getting it pre-installed.

The fingerprint reader is also great for logging in - one swipe and it logs you in. You can even record more than one finger on each hand.

http/www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/store_access.do?template_type=series_detail&category=notebooks&series_name=dv7t_series&jumpid=oc_R1002_USENC-001_HP%20Pavilion%20dv7t-6100%20CTO%20Entertainment%20Notebook%20PC&lang=en&cc=us

This ISN'T a *gaming* laptop. I thought that the OP was looking for one...

@soldier37 - I just wanted to say that this is a hell of a nice setup you've got there, I'm damn jealous =) I know that my rig runs every game maxed out just fine, but seeing this... wow... just... nice. Everything is neat and shiny Have to ask, what speakers are those? And the tower... I always wanted a Phantom but these things are just waaay too overpriced over here.

 

[davewolfgang]

This ISN'T a *gaming* laptop. I thought that the OP was looking for one...

Hahahhahahaha

So it can't be a "gaming" laptop unless it's has a certain brand name on it, or somehow has "Gaming" in the description?

Because I didn't waste $500 EXTRA to get the same guts in a case with a different name on it and "Gaming" in the description, doesn't mean I don't have a gaming laptop.

Hint: some of us don't need glowing neon colors to play games......

 

[pinnacle2009]

Come on guys. We aren't arguing what laptops are considered gaming laptops or not. At this point, all I am asking would be which G74 model would be best for me? I'm not even really sure how many different versions there are.

 

[davewolfgang]

Just go to the ASUS website and click on the 17" laptop section to see how many versions there are. But from what I can remember when looking, even each "version" can have many variations by customizing it with different hardware.

I know the local MicroCenter has at least 4 different version in that same body style, all with the same outer case, ranging in price form $1399 to $1799.

 

[pinnacle2009]

As far as I have been able to find, I am choosing between the G74 XA1 and the XT1.

 

[pinnacle2009]

Well just purchased the G74sx-XA1. Thanks guys!

 

[pinnacle2009]

double post. sorry

 

[WR2]

Let us know how it's working out for you after you've had it a few weeks.

 

[pinnacle2009]

Will do. From what I can tell, I don't think I made a terrible choice. I got pretty anxious and went ahead and spent the extra cash for 1 day shipping!

 

[WR2]

No, I think you made a good choice. And I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the heck out of it.

 

[pinnacle2009]

Ok, so I love the G74! Runs everything much smoother than my desktop did. I have not had a single heating issue yet, and I haven't even used a cooling pad (this is running 3 clients of Eve Online as well as music and firefox). Eve plays on high detail without a single problem.

The spaced out keyboard is also amazing. VERY easy to adjust to.