Gaming laptops? Under 1k? For Skyrim?

• Justin1221 wrote on 2012-12-11 20:53
  I'd rather not get a laptop yet since the only major use I would have it would be for college which is still nearly a year away, but my parents are willing to buy me a laptop for Christmas real soon. Thing is, they want to get this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+Inspiron+17.3%22+Laptop+-+8GB+Memory+-+1TB+Hard+Drive+-+Black/6697664.p?id=1218782849014&skuId=6697664
  
  Now, I don't know much about computers, but usually every time in the past I've let my parents get me a computer, it ends up being a generic pre-built one from Wal-Mart or something that can only run most games on low settings. Not that I'm not grateful for it, but I did get this really terrible one that was a Vista one time. I absolutely hated that comp to the bitter end. I've also read that Windows 8 isn't any good, and it doesn't look that great to me. The laptop looks cool and I haven't read anything too bad about it, but I'm still skeptical and I don't know much about this kind of thing, unfortunately.
  
  So, I decided to google "gaming laptop" and I found this: http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n56dpdh11-p-4979.html
  
  It sounds good, but again, I'm not so sure because I can't tell when I'm looking at a terrible computer or a good one. I just feel a bit unsure about it and the website. I can't even be sure what price is going to be what, but it seems to be roughly the price of this Dell laptop.
  
  And of course, there could very well be things that I'm missing or forgetting that someone here sees or knows. Any kind of help or advice, any kind at all, would be very welcomed. Is anyone here an expert with computers, games, computer games and game computers? Do you think it might be able to run RaiderZ, TERA or Skyrim without it either crashing or making everything look muddy, saturated and dull?
• Yanm wrote on 2012-12-11 21:09

  Quote from Justin1221;996631:

  I'd rather not get a laptop yet since the only major use I would have it would be for college which is still nearly a year away, but my parents are willing to buy me a laptop for Christmas real soon. Thing is, they want to get this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+Inspiron+17.3%22+Laptop+-+8GB+Memory+-+1TB+Hard+Drive+-+Black/6697664.p?id=1218782849014&skuId=6697664
  
  Now, I don't know much about computers, but usually every time in the past I've let my parents get me a computer, it ends up being a generic pre-built one from Wal-Mart or something that can only run most games on low settings. Not that I'm not grateful for it, but I did get this really crappy one that was a Vista one time, and I absolutely hated that comp to the bitter end. I've also read that Windows 8 isn't any good, and it doesn't look that great to me. The laptop looks cool and I haven't read anything too bad about it, but I'm still skeptical and I don't know much about this kind of thing, unfortunately.
  
  So, I decided to google "gaming laptop" and I found this: http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n56dpdh11-p-4979.html
  
  It sounds good, but again, I'm not so sure because I can't tell when I'm looking at a crappy computer or a good one. I just feel a bit unsure about it and the website. I can't even be sure what price is going to be what, but it seems to be roughly the price of this Dell laptop.
  
  And of course, there's could very well be things that I'm missing or forgetting that someone here sees or knows. Any kind of help or advice, any kind at all, would be very welcomed. Anyone here an expert with computers, games, computer games and game computers? Do you think it might be able to run RaiderZ or TERA or Dragon Age or Skyrim without it either crashing or making everything look muddy, saturated and dull?

  
  
  What types of graphic settings are we talking about? Everyone has their own preferences for what looks muddy, dull and what not. The one from Best Buy has an Nvidia GT 650M, which is based off last years GTX 560M. It's a good mid-range card, able to play those games on high settings, though not at the highest possible. Look at this link here, and scroll down to see what settings that card can play games on: http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-650M.71887.0.html
  
  Second, Xoticpc is trustworthy. I got my friend a laptop from their and it's really nice. The Dell is more powerful than the Asus, but I would recommend you to search around that website. Off the top of my head, the Sager 6165 has a GT650M, like the Dell, along with the MSI GE60, though the MSI is at the very limit of your $1k budget. Another option would be The MSI 16F3, with the GTX 670M. This card isn't made with the new Kepler technology, so it's not as energy efficient, nor will it run as cool as the others, but it's much stronger than the GT 650M: http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-670M.72197.0.html You'll also get the superb sound quality from MSI's Dynaudio speakers. Do you prefer a 15.6 inch or a 17.3 inch? Does weight matter to you? What about resolution (I personally recommend Full HD regardless).
• Justin1221 wrote on 2012-12-11 22:05
  I'm usually satisfied with some-what low-to-mid level settings, but I always dreamed of playing games with the graphics turned all the way up or even in HD, but I don't NEED that. I just hate how games like Rift and RaiderZ force me to use some special low-quality graphics setting that removes nearly all of the lighting effects, dumbs down the texture quality, greatly tones down the special effects, and just make the game look...horrible. So, you're saying that both laptops can prevent that?
  
  I usually don't like having a tiny screen, but I'm talking about on those really old computers with the small screen and big monitor, and I'm perfectly comfortable with a PSP and DS screen, so I'm sure the screen size of these laptops won't be an issue. I also never cared about resolution. I even play most games at 800x600 when I can simply because it reduces lag and not much visual quality is lost, IMO.
  
  I prefer a laptop that isn't too heavy. Besides issues with trying to carry the thing around a campus or something and the possibility of a heavy laptop falling off some surfaces or possibly being easier to damage(?), I can't think of any reasons why weight would matter.
  
  From what I've read, I think for the sake of simplicity on my parents part, I might just get the laptop from Best Buy, though my mom told me that Dell is no good. I can't remember why, though. Some issue we had with Dell computers before in the past. Is there anything wrong with Dell?
• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2012-12-11 22:21
  When it comes to computers, Dell cheaps out on the build quality
  especially laptops
  can't suggest you a laptop since it varies a lot.
• Valkyrio wrote on 2012-12-11 22:32

  Gaming Laptop

  
  
  This is an oxymoron.
• Niuu wrote on 2012-12-11 22:35
  2gb ram, too low need 4 atleast
  
  the graphic card is good though, better than mine
• Yanm wrote on 2012-12-11 22:38

  Quote from Valkyrio;996661:

  This is an oxymoron.

  
  
  I wouldn't consider a gaming laptop an oxymoron in this day and age anymore.
• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2012-12-11 22:40

  Quote from Yanm;996666:

  I wouldn't consider a gaming laptop an oxymoron in this day and age anymore.

  
  
  gaming laptops are competent enough to run games
  just that it's a premium price and you end up running less than 60fps at maximum settings
  and that laptops have short lives
• Yanm wrote on 2012-12-11 22:45

  Quote from BobYoMeowMeow;996667:

  gaming laptops are competent enough to run games
  just that it's a premium price and you end up running less than 60fps at maximum settings
  and that laptops have short lives

  
  
  There are some that you can upgrade down the line. Also, for a lot of games, there isn't a HUGE difference between Maximum settings and Very High/High Settings, aside from the fact that your FPS is cut in half. You can get a laptop with the strongest mobile GPU today for $1400 at the cheapest if you go with Radeon, around $1600 if you go with Nvidia (Since they price a premium for their stuff).
• Marimaster wrote on 2012-12-11 23:11
  I saw ASUS I'm like why are you not buying that! #1 Gaming laptop there xD. But a true gaming laptop is in the specs. 16 gigs of RAM (Idk the Video Card Settings) I7 Processor Quad Core. you know high stuff. That 16 can be easily changed to 8. But go with 16 cuz big is cool
• Justin1221 wrote on 2012-12-12 00:03
  The main reason I'm going with the Dell laptop from Best Buy is because my parents most likely will think Xoticpc is some scam because they may run into some issue trying to order from them, lack of information about the company or something.
• Evaris wrote on 2012-12-12 00:43
  First off, xotic PC is a great retailer. I suggest having your parents do some research instead of passing it off.
  Second, I would recommend this Sager over the Asus, as it's a better PC all-around, though the price for the OS has to be added to it. http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np6165-clevo-w150er-p-4344.html
  Third, I have to recommend against Dell anything. They have very low build quality.
  Fourth, given that you're not concerned with maximizing graphics quality, you might want to consider an AMD A-series APU based laptop, which will be slightly cheaper, and you can get a PC from a better brand, like Lenovo or Toshiba. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-+15.6%22+IdeaPad+Notebook+-+6+GB+Memory+-+1+TB+Hard+Drive/1304924764.p?id=mp1304924764&skuId=1304924764
  On the high end should you be unable to convince your parents on the Sager or another laptop from xoticpc, you can do slightly better than that dell in specs;
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834310660
  Or if you're willing to buy a refurbished laptop, there are some good deals available on Asus.
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230799
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230580
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230454
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230791
• Aubog007 wrote on 2012-12-12 11:36
  Gaming labtops are an oxymoron because the control schemes are awful and battery life is hilariously short.
• Justin1221 wrote on 2012-12-12 16:17
  Yeah, I never was a fan of the feel of playing games on a laptop, but I can get use to it, and I think I'll have it plugged up most of the time anyways.
  
  I'll see what I can do as far as convincing them to try ordering a laptop online, but these kind of things always fall through for some reason. If I can't, I might still be satisfied with the Dell laptop from Best Buy, but I'm a bit concerned about the build quality.
• Evaris wrote on 2012-12-12 16:48
  Newegg has a number of TV commercials and has a great standing overall, with excellent customer service and support.
  http://www.epinions.com/Newegg_com_Online_Stores_Services/sec_~opinion_list/display_~reviews/pp_~37/sort_~prdrt/sort_dir_~des?sb=1
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newegg
  http://www.newegg.com/Info/Awards.aspx
  
  If they can't trust newegg, then they can't trust Amazon. At which point I would facepalm. I've been using Newegg for years without a problem. (from them at least. I have bad luck with Coolermaster Products for whatever reason)