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

pinnacle2009

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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?
 
Solution
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.
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.
 
Solution

pinnacle2009

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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?
 

davewolfgang

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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

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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

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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

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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...... :sol:
 

pinnacle2009

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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

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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

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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.