Need Expert Advice with Gaming Laptops

[Derrty]

Hey all!

I'm about to purchase a new gaming laptop in the next week. I'm not a hardcore gamer, but not a casual gamer, either. I'm somewhere in between. I don't game online at all. I much prefer the single-player campaigns (like Halo) and role-playing/adventure games (like Skyrim). I know that may seem a little bland to a lot of people, but I grew up playing Zelda and Final Fantasy on SNES and that's stuck with me. With that in mind, I've more or less narrowed my choices down to a couple of rigs that I'd like to get your feedback on.

MSI GT70 Dominator-895:
http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IMTQ6I6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IMTQ6I6&linkCode=as2&tag=laplis-20&linkId=PJUE6QRVU4ZIMIAU

MSI GE62:
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152876

MSI GE60 Apache Pro-867:
http/www.amazon.com/GE60-Apache-Pro-867-i7-4720HQ-Computer/dp/B00TUEOO2C/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1434810328&sr=8-9&keywords=MSI+GE60

Ideally, I'm trying to stay under $1k. With the GT70, my thoughts were to add a SSD and still remain around $1k if I purchase the rig refurbished or used. Looking at all the benchmarks from GPUBoss and other sites, the Nvidia 870m still posts better marks than the 960m and the 965m, except for wattage. Would you say that the 870m is still a relevant card and a good buy? The GE62 is tempting, though.

What do you all think? Also, if you can recommend an alternative, please feel free to do so. I'm not opposed to anything, I've just heard really good things about MSI.

Thanks for the input!

~Derrty

 

[1shado1]

Can't give you expert advice, only personal experience regarding one of your choices. The GT70 is a very sturdily built laptop, with an excellent (though not IPS) display. The keyboard is also first rate. Speakers are also good for laptop speakers. The only downside is the fact that it weighs a ton. Well, 8.6 pounds, plus over a pound for the adapter. So if you plan on lugging it everywhere, go for one of your other 2 choices. The fan on the GT70 can also get quite loud under heavy load. If the 870m out benchmarks the two newer cards, then yes, I would say it is still relevant. I believe the 780m, 880m, 970m, and 980m are the only mobile Nvidia cards which are faster (not counting various SLI configurations).

 

[grefun]

I would go to MSI GE62 Q2 apache pro -002
its with 965m and you will get more of this one than 960m
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152711&cm_re=MSI_GE62-_-34-152-711-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=11552995&PID=7247212&SID=