Gaming Laptop

[holland11]

1) What is your budget?

up to 4g

2) What size notebook would you prefer?
a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen <-----
3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in. canada

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like? doesn't matter
5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook? fps gaming
6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk? taking it but it won't be used on the road, it will be used on a desk.

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games? css cod4/5 wow (and upcomming games)

8) How many hours of battery life do you need? not many. all of usage will be sitting down near power source/internet

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person? no thats cool

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc. windowx xp only.

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen? standard if possible but really doesn't matter

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? (more details below)
Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.

really doesn't matter ( cheaper = better)

Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.

again, cheaper = better

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen? (Read below on differences)

whatever is cheaper

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? no

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last? buying within 3 months, want it to be gameable for at least 5 years

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB? at least 120gb no more than 300gb

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?

dvd burner at least

[Anewbus]

Hi Holland11,
Here are some machine and config ideas to start you off. Of course, any of these configs can be changed as many ways as you want or if you like one as it is, that’s ok too. Just giving you something to play with while staying within your requests. I must say, with that budget of yours you have a lot of room, but I kept things in perspective.
There are a few machines that have multiple HDDs, but I did not list them as you indicated you really need one HDD no more than 300GB. On that note, you’ll see I included 320GB HDDs because I think they are better value for dollar and there’s nothing wrong with a bit of extra room.
You’ll also see that most of the machines come with 4GB of RAM even though you want Windows XP, which will only recognize up to 3GB. (There is one machine here – The FORCE 3751 - I listed that offers the 3GB RAM, but I opted for the low latency 2GB instead, just my opinion). I look at it this way, having the 4GB of RAM sets you up for future. You may not use it all for now, but at least you have it for later when you may need it. For example, if you decide to go to a 64bit OS or something.
Just to note, glossy screens are better than matte in most cases as they offer better contrast, sharper image and deeper color. If you where mostly under bright florescent lights or sun light a great deal then a matte screen would be better in that case.
Also, the resolution of 1680X1050 is actually a little better for gaming (especially fps) as it can be adjusted all the way down to 800X600 if need be. Also, the higher 1900X1200 resolutions and the like tend to have issues as most games don’t really operate well at that rate without turning a lot of the settings down several notches. With a 1680X1050 max res screen you should be able to run the games at least on medium-high settings or better.
(I have a Force 3298 – see my specs in my signature – and I can run MoH and CoD with nearly all the settings on high). With the stronger GPUs in these machines and configured correctly your results will be even a better than that).

In my opinion, I like the first two machines listed here the best, but that’s just my opinion. Take a look at whatever you want and change anything you want and all. Also take a look at the warranties, they are really great and choose the one that would fit you the most. I would recommend looking at the warranty section of the website to see how it works with Canada or perhaps you can call the folks at XoticPC and they can educate you on that.

Good luck and have fun hunting for your lappy.:)

Sager NP5797 Custom Notebook (Built on Clevo M570TU) (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2540%7B76%7D1883%7B18 7%7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2541%7B88%7D2419%7B186 %7D734%7B93%7D2431%7B193%7D657%7B112%7D2032%7B98%7 D1295%7B96%7D2434%7B168%7D1453%7B116%7D1416%7B117% 7D705%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D2426%7B169%7D1449%7B119% 7D1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107%7D689%7B106% 7D1696%7B12%20)
- 17" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® Q9100 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Quad 2.26GHz w/12MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB
- nVidia GeForce 9800M GTX 1,024MB PCI-Express DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- None Standard
- ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires Vista 64-Bit to recognize Full 4GB)
- None Standard
- NP579x Orange Frame Trim Color
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 320GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
- None Standard
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- None Standard
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- ~Windows XP Home SP2 with Drivers and Utilities CD
- 3 Year Parts & Labor Warranty 24/7 Tech Support

TOTAL = $3221.37 with cash discount


Sager NP5796 Custom Notebook (Built on Clevo M570TU) (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2415%7B76%7D1883%7B18 7%7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2424%7B88%7D2419%7B186 %7D734%7B93%7D2431%7B193%7D657%7B112%7D2032%7B98%7 D1295%7B96%7D2434%7B168%7D1453%7B116%7D1416%7B117% 7D705%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D2426%7B169%7D1449%7B119% 7D1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107%7D689%7B106% 7D1696%7B12%20)
- 17" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® P9500 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- nVidia GeForce 9800M GTX 1,024MB PCI-Express DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- None Standard
- ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires Vista 64-Bit to recognize Full 4GB)
- None Standard
- NP579x Orange Frame Trim Color
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 320GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
- None Standard
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- None Standard
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- ~Windows XP Home SP2 with Drivers and Utilities CD
- 3 Year Parts & Labor Warranty 24/7 Tech Support

TOTAL = $2605.42 with cash discount


ASUS X71VN-B1 (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2544%7B161%7D1411%7B7 6%7D1670%7B187%7D1757%7B94%7D1903%7B92%7D2447%7B88 %7D1993%7B186%7D734%7B93%7D1645%7B112%7D656%7B98%7 D1797%7B96%7D1471%7B168%7D1453%7B116%7D1416%7B117% 7D1915%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D2486%7B169%7D1449%7B119 %7D1678%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107%7D689%7B106 %7D1696%7B1%20)
- !! FREE !! UPS GROUND SHIPPING (Use Coupon Code FREESHIP in Checkout)
- 17" WXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1440x900)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- ASUS Zero Bright Dot (ZBD) Pixel Guarantee
- -Intel® P9500 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- nVidia GeForce 9650M GT 1,024MB PCI-Express DDR2 DX10
- None Standard
- ~ 4,096MB DDR2 800 (2 SODIMMS) Dual Channel Memory -
- Standard Finish
- - 2X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- - 320GB SATA 150 5400RPM Hard Drive - Asus Default Hard Drive
- Internal 8-in-1 Card Reader: MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory Stick/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5100 802.11 a/g/n
- None Standard
- Built in 1.3Megapixel Camera
- None Standard
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- Asus USB Optical Mouse
- None Standard
- -Windows XP Home SP2 with Drivers and Utilities CD
- 2 Year ASUS GLOBAL Warranty, 24/7 Tech Support, 1 Year Accidental Damage Coverage & 2-Way Pre-Paid Overnight Shipping for Repairs

TOTAL = $1920.60 with cash discount


FORCE 3751 (Built on MSI-1722) (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2500%7B76%7D1280%7B18 7%7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2447%7B88%7D2463%7B186 %7D734%7B93%7D2490%7B193%7D657%7B112%7D656%7B98%7D 1799%7B96%7D2461%7B168%7D1453%7B116%7D1416%7B117%7 D1478%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D2426%7B169%7D1449%7B119% 7D1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107%7D1539%7B106 %7D1691%7B1%20)
- 17" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- -Intel® P9500 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- nVidia GeForce 9600M GT 512MB PCI-Express DDR3 DX10
- None Standard
- - 2,048MB DDR2 800MHz KINGSTON HyperX Matched Kit - Low Latency CL5 (2 SODIMMs) Dual Channel Memory SPECIAL!
- None Standard
- Standard Finish
- - Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X DVDRW Drive w/ Software
- - 320GB 7200RPM WD or Seagate (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)
- Internal 5-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/ xD-P)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
- None Standard
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- None Standard
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carrying Case Optional (Select if desired)
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
- -Windows XP Home SP2 with Drivers and Utilities CD
- 3 Year Complete Care Full Parts / Labor Warranty - Next Business Day Shipping both ways - Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Telephone Tech Support

TOTAL = $1762.49 with cash discount

[jonbrout]

NP9262 if you really want a top notch gaming pc. That's just imo. Can get it pretty much fully decked out with 9800M gtx's in SLI (2gigs video ram) and they are built with desktop processors which Romp mobile processor in performance for around 3.5k. Last time i purchased a laptop (gateway lol) I didn't spend a little more than the minimum and I ended up regretting it. My NP9262 is in Phase 2 now and i can't wait to get it--I didn't skimp out on anythng with it this time. =p

Anywho...Just my 2 cent =]

[miseryindeath]

Well, if in fact you go for the highest end laptop you can buy, I'm selling mine for under your 4k budget. =]

http://www.xoticpcforums.com/showthread.php?t=3610

[powerpack]

One I don't see mentioned is OCZ Force Extreme 840.

[ahmed_p800]

go with the asus g50vt-a1 has really great performance/price ratio with its 9800GS i saw a video of it playing cod4 at highest at 60fps

total price stock 1599

good luck

[Woody]

I'm surprised Anewbus didn't mention the NP9262 in his list. In the following configuration for less money it's a more powerful gaming system than anything listed above. It's a little heavier and lacks an HDMI port (DVI only) but has the same footprint size as the 57xx series and fits into the same standard 17" notebook carrying bags. It also has the option for adding two additional internal hard drives and configuring it with dual graphics cards in SLI (for an extra $745).


http://www.xoticpc.com/images/imagecache/92632.jpg (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2273%7B76%7D1883%7B18 7%7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2406%7B88%7D2419%7B186 %7D734%7B93%7D2044%7B112%7D656%7B98%7D1295%7B96%7D 2434%7B97%7D1943%7B192%7D1943%7B104%7D674%7B168%7D 1453%7B116%7D1416%7B117%7D705%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D 2426%7B169%7D1449%7B119%7D1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7 D1441%7B107%7D689%7B106%7D1695%7B108%7D710%7B109%7 D711%7B170%7D1492%7B173%7D1175%7B167%7D1452%7B103% 7D687%7B113%7D1413%7B111%7D1414%7B69%7D714) SAGER NP9262 Ultimate Custom Laptop (Built on Clevo D900C / D901C) (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2273%7B76%7D1883%7B18 7%7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2406%7B88%7D2419%7B186 %7D734%7B93%7D2044%7B112%7D656%7B98%7D1295%7B96%7D 2434%7B97%7D1943%7B192%7D1943%7B104%7D674%7B168%7D 1453%7B116%7D1416%7B117%7D705%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D 2426%7B169%7D1449%7B119%7D1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7 D1441%7B107%7D689%7B106%7D1695%7B108%7D710%7B109%7 D711%7B170%7D1492%7B173%7D1175%7B167%7D1452%7B103% 7D687%7B113%7D1413%7B111%7D1414%7B69%7D714)
- 17" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel Core 2 QUAD Q9550 2.83GHz w/ 12MB L2 Cache - 1333MHz FSB
- nVidia GeForce 9800M GTX 1,024MB PCI-Express DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- ~ 4,096MB DDR2 800 (2 SODIMMS) Dual Channel Memory (Requires Vista 64-Bit to recognize Full 4GB)
- Standard Finish
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 320GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
- HDD Raid Settings - OFF
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (12 Cell)
- ~Windows XP Home SP2 with Drivers and Utilities CD
- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Based Toll Free Telephone Tech Support
(Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)

TOTAL = $2630.64 with cash discount
TOTAL with dual 9800M GTX in SLI = $3353.29 with cash discount
based on current quotes from XoticPC's online store
This is the most powerful 17" gaming notebook you can buy anywhere. This machine in SLI will play any game out there at high resolution and high settings without compromise. It would be roughly equivalent in performance to a desktop gaming computer equipped with a Core 2 Quad and an NVidia GTX260 (192).

Another thing about any of these Sager models is they have the option to purchase without an Operating System so you can install whatever you want. If you already own a retail copy of WindowsXP you can install it yourself and save the cost of buying another copy. If you prefer to use Linux you can save the cost of paying for an unused operating system altogether. This to me is one of the most important factors in my decision to buy a Sager. I like to set up my systems myself and create my own Windows install disk.

[Anewbus]

Your right Woody, normally I would have listed the 9262 (beast of the Sager line), but I interpreted his listing of what HDD he wants as being of "one" HDD, so I did not list any of the multi HDD machines. I was thinking like you were though in that "well there would be room for more should one want to add later", but then I also thought why get a machine like the 9262 if your not going all the way. Then again, perhaps I may have misinterpreted Holland's HDD requirements. Oh well, you took care of that either way - thanks.:)