Notebook computer for gaming

[meb51]

I'm hoping to buy a notebook computer for Christmas that will be used for gaming (among other things). After buying a Dell desktop a few years ago, I found out that we had to substantially upgrade the computer's memory and graphics in order for the kids to play the games they wanted to play. I don't want to make the same mistake with the notbook.

My DD and DS have some pretty graphics intensive games (e.g. SIMS) that they would want to play on the computer. There's an incredible price range for notbooks out there now. I don't want to pay a lot of money for one at the upper end if there is a mid-price computer that will give us what we want. Any suggestions would be really appreciated!!!

 

[Pete's Mom]

The one thing that I would caution you on is that notebooks get VERY hot if you use them for an extended period of time, especially if you are using them for gaming. I do IT for our company, and I have had over a dozen Dells that the fans finally went out on and are now using a cool pads because the guys literally used them as desktop computers and left them running all the time.

I would go with a souped up desktop. Dell has some awesome deals on them.

http://www.dealcatcher.com/dell-sb-coupons

 

[meb51]

Thanks Pete's mom. I didn't realize that the laptops got that hot. Certainly something to consider. Maybe we'll reconsider and get another desktop.

 

[Chattyaholic]

Wow, I didn't really think about the laptop getting that hot but when I sit on the couch and play SIMS or surf the net it does get a bit uncomfortable, so most of the time I just use it at a desk.

What is this "cool pad?"

In answer to the OP's question, I just got a new laptop about a month ago. It's an HP, with 1024MB system memory, 100GB hard drive with an NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 graphics with up to 128MB shared video memory.

I had no idea what I really needed, but they helped me pick one out after asking what I intended on using it for (playing SIMS2 and the internet basically). I paid $900 for it.

Whatever you end up getting, make sure you have a good video card. I just assumed having a lot of memory, etc. would be enough but it isn't. In game playing the video card is most important.

 

[themarquis]

I'm about to leave, so I'll post again when I get back. Short answer -- I bought a laptop for gaming a couple years back so I looked at a lot of info ...

Basically, with the more inexpensive laptops, the graphics card is going to be the biggest problem. (with everything else -- memory, processor, etc, its pretty easy to find systems that will support gaming) Most laptops (and desktops) today have integrated graphics. Integrated graphics include the intel extreme, the gma 900 and 950, the geforce go that another poster mentioned, and some others (I can get you a list later). You can usually tell a notebook has integrated graphics when it says "shared video memory"

Integrated graphics will allow you to play *some* games currently on the market (the sims2 is fine with my gf's gma 950 laptop), but I'd strongly warn you to stay away from them. You will not be able to play most games that come out on the market a couple of years from now. There are even current games that will not work or will play very very poorly on these graphics cards, as well. Integrated graphics are *not* made for gamers -- they're meant to handle common applications and some graphics applications that normal users run, not video-intensive games. (keep in mind also that it is a pain in the butt to get some games to run properly with integrated graphics -- you sometimes have to tweak your system or fiddle with third-party video graphics -- usually beyond the capacity of most computer users)

So, when you eliminate laptops without integrated graphics, you are left with fewer choices, and most will be in the higher-end price. I'm sure there are some in the moderate price range. I will come back later and look around for you for a decently priced system -- they are out there, they are just a bit hard to find.

 

[meb51]

Wow! Thanks. I appreciate the info. It's amazing how my computer literacy skills have eroded over the last few years!

 

[azgal81]

My boyfriend has adell laptop I don't know which one it is it has red lights on it. He uses it for his excessive gaming addiction! It was a couple of thousand dollars but he got it free his work paid for it.

 

[Johnfish]

meb51,

Depending on your budget this one might be just what you are looking for....

HP dv 9030 laptop

It has an intel core duo processor.
2 100 gig hard drives
2 gig of ram
256mb dedicated video memory with nvidia 7600 graphics
lightscribe dvd burner
17 inch monitor
web cam
wireless g networking
media remote control that slides into the expansion slot
windows xp media center with HDMI out (to hook up to an HDTV)
and a free upgrade to windows vista when it becomes available

all for less than 1500 dollars.



I picked this up recently and it has played everything I have thrown at it include half life 2 which is a very graphics intensive game. None of the manufacturers come close to these specs at this price. It is a great laptop and is really well built. I recomend it highly and this comes from a seasoned computer builder of over 10 years.

If it is in your price range it is probabaly the best choice out there for a serious gamer.

Good luck

John

 

[Crankyshank]

I just bought a Dell e1505 for under $1000 that I not only play the sims with, but also EQ2 which is even more memory and graphics intensive and it's excellent . Here's the main specs:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T5500 (2MB Cache/1.66GHz/667MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Inspiron E1505 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T5500 (2MB Cache/1.66GHz/667MHz FSB)

LCD Panel 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™

Memory 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM

Video Card 256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory™

Hard Drive 120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive

 

[meb51]

Thanks for all of these suggestions. I will certainly look into each of them. Who better to recommend computer systems than those people who are already using them? I'm not averse to paying $1500 for a notebook computer if it is one that is going to do what I want it to do now and is not going to be obsolete in a couple of years.

 

[Johnfish]

Unfortunately most computers are obsolete the day they are built LOL. Seriously to become truly future proof for a couple years you would have to buy the absolute top of the line (prolly 4 to 5 thousand). Having said that the desktop I have at home I built 3 years ago is still quite serviceable and the only things I have added to that over the years are memory and harddrives. You should be good to go with the HP for many years. I know I would not have spent that kind of money if I thought it would be quickly obsolete. Good luck with what ever you decide!


John

 

[themarquis]

Okay, I'm back. Here's what I've come up with:

DELL: any of the XPS notebooks look good. THe cheapest ones start at 1199 (but note at this price point, they have 12-inch screens -- not ideal for gaming.) Note the XPS's do have integrated video (geforce go cards), but I did a little searching around and found that these cards are pretty decent. The better XPS notebooks (with bigger screens) are in the 2200 dollar range (not sure if that would break your budget).

another option from dell is the inspiron e1705, starting around 1300. They have radeon x1400 video cards (also decent). This system looks like a good deal -- reasonable priced, and lots of bells and whistles.

HP: the pavilion9000s look good -- they have the higher end geforce go cards. They start around 900-1100 (very nice price) and have large beautiful 17-inch displays. I agree with the other posters who indicated the pavilion9000s are decent gaming rigs -- I love their price, as well.

GATEWAY: the NX 860s are good and almost identical to hp pavillion9000s.


Some assorted comments: keep an eye on the HP,Dell, etc. websites for a few weeks if possible - they often have great deals that will save you a lot of money, but you never know when the deals will come up, so keep an eye on them till the prices/deals seem best.

Don't forget about other features that might be useful to you. For gaming, I recommend a larger hard drive (120gigs or up), a large screen (15 inches and up), at least 1 gig of memory, and of course make sure you have a cd/dvd r/w drive. So when you do price comparisons, see what additional features each model comes with and/or how much it would cost to add these features.

definitely don't forget about a warantee. Notebooks are more fragile and more prone to problems than desktops. I always try to get the maximum warantee plus "accident protection" (esp. if you plan to let your kids play on the notebook!!!) -- for some manufacturers, this can cost a lot, and for others, it is relatively cheap. So factor this into your price comparisons. SOme will also have "deals" periodically where they give you a warantee upgrade or free accident protection.

When you've located a notebook or two that look really good to you, do a search for reviews online. I always check zdnet's reviews -- they will give you the real scoop, and also look at things like how the notebook is designed, how its keyboard feels, how durable it seems, etc, that you won't be able to look at yourself if you get your notebook online.

good luck -- I'm happpy to do more research or chat with you more about the laptop -- pm me or post on this thread!

 

[CoolMickster1995]

I'm the OP posting under my son's log in (because I can't seem to switch to my log in). Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I feel I have a much better idea of what systems to look at!

MEB51

 

[Pete's Mom]

What is this "cool pad?"

My bad, it is actually called a chillpad. Office Max has them on sale for $ 19.98. The falls sucks the hot air from the bottom off your laptop and blows it out the back. It runs on USB power. They work very well.

I don't play SIMS, but I do play Disney's Toontown Online and it is a graphics hog.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Alienware is still known for their gaming computers.

www.notebookforums.com