Another Laptop Thread

[Stoke]

I'm in the market for a new laptop, the one I have is getting pretty long in the tooth and is starting to flake out on me. Since my desktop is so old, any laptop I get with even a hint of gaming ability will perform better so this computer will become my main gaming machine. As much as I'd like a new desktop it's just not feasible.

From previous threads I've seen that some knowledgeable people recommend Gateway's new machines. Specifically the P-7805u. (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172511&type=product&id=1218043606827) Has anyone actually had any hands on experience with this? This laptop will have to last me 2 years at minimum and I'm worried that with heavy use the thing just won't last. I'm thinking the heat it generates will lead to an early death. So has anyone who has experience with it or it's predecessor alleviate my worries? How is the heat?

[biosc1]

A little pricey, but quite sexy:

Asus W90

http://www9.ncix.com/lp1/asus-w90/ca/ (product page)

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37489 (purchase page)

[Stoke]

A little pricey, but quite sexy:

Asus W90

http://www9.ncix.com/lp1/asus-w90/ca/ (product page)

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37489 (purchase page)

Wow, that is really nice. Unfortunately, unless you're going to pitch in a couple grand I think I'm going to have to pass. ;)

[LiquidRain]

I'm a fan of the Dell Studio XPS 13, but you may be looking for something with more bite than a 9400m. (maybe the XPS 16?)

[cp#]

Get something that has at least nVidia 9300 graphics chipset

[cawblen]

i'd go with what you mentioned for the price...i also second the dell studio xps 1640 if you're willing to spend a bit more

[Lance Uppercut]

Get something that has at least nVidia 9300 graphics chipset

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220385

My brother is planning on getting this. It won't exactly run Crysis, but Source engine games should be ok.

[Nightfall]

Same price as the one you have picked out but:

Faster Core 2 Duo (2.53GHz vs 2.26GHz)
and
180GB more HDD space

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220404R

[Philonious]

I was looking at the Studio 15 Dells earlier and they look pretty sweet... At least compared to Mac (which are prettier but overpriced and/or underpowered).

[harle]

If you do not mind purchasing a refurbished version of the Gateway P-7805u FX, it is currently on sale for $699 + shipping.

Link (http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?afsrc=1&EdpNo=4610279&sku=S445-170012&cm_re=Homepage-_-Spot+03-_-CatId_12_S445-170012&SRCCODE=LSCMPUSA&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=lw9MynSeamY-bOyJxRybghNssAKn6JGnoQ)

[Stoke]

Same price as the one you have picked out but:

Faster Core 2 Duo (2.53GHz vs 2.26GHz)
and
180GB more HDD space

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220404R

Specs to price on that one and the other you linked are pretty good but I just can't stand the red on them. I know it's a silly thing but if I'm going to be looking at it for a few years I have to know I'll be happy with the colors. (The orange on the Gatway isn't spectacular either...)

The XPS 1640 looks nice and with the student discounts dell will give me it's about $150 less than the Gateway for comparable specs. Only things is lacks are a higher res screen and a beefier video card. Could bump up the screen to 1080P but that's overkill on a 16' laptop and would negate a lot of the benefit of the card. Not sure if the savings are worth the hit in power yet but it's definitely something to consider. Thanks for suggesting it!

EDIT:
If you do not mind purchasing a refurbished version of the Gateway P-7805u FX, it is currently on sale for $699 + shipping.

Link (http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?afsrc=1&EdpNo=4610279&sku=S445-170012&cm_re=Homepage-_-Spot+03-_-CatId_12_S445-170012&SRCCODE=LSCMPUSA&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=lw9MynSeamY-bOyJxRybghNssAKn6JGnoQ)

I've been burned on refurbished items in the past but that's a hell of a deal...

[total]

If you do not mind purchasing a refurbished version of the Gateway P-7805u FX, it is currently on sale for $699 + shipping.

Link (http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?afsrc=1&EdpNo=4610279&sku=S445-170012&cm_re=Homepage-_-Spot+03-_-CatId_12_S445-170012&SRCCODE=LSCMPUSA&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=lw9MynSeamY-bOyJxRybghNssAKn6JGnoQ)

Shit now I wish I had an extra $700. That is a steal.

[Grifter]

I just got this (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9173262&type=product&id=1218044029168) for a client and really liked it.
The speakers leave a bit to be desired but what laptop speakers don't on a sub $1K machine.

If you go with an XPS stay away from the 13 it looks great on paper but runs really slow in practice for it's specs and generates an insanely uncomfortable amount of heat. I haven't spent a lot of time with the 16 so my opinion on it is almost worthless but it couldn't be as bad as the 13.

[Adam Blue]

The Gateway P-series FX laptops are the bomb. I bought a P6860....it broke. Under warranty, Gateway gave me the newer P7808u. Quad-core and a 9800m 1GB. The thing is a motherfucking beast and stays nice and cool. I don't think it's necessarily worth the price...but get the 7805u if that's more your budget.

[cp#]

Pay attention to screen resolution. I have a 15" with 1440x900 and it is good. Lots of em are floating around today with 16" but only 1366x768

[Xerxes]

Toshiba qosmio X305-Q705 gaming laptop 774 BB YMMV (http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=1318249)

http://explore.toshiba.com/laptops/qosmio
http://www.gateway.com/systems/series/529598056.php

Voodoo is almost selling me on a Gateway.

[Xerxes]

I'm looking into getting a big ass laptop; DTR so I can duel monitor. Also a better graphics card, wireless n for my network, 1000 gigabit port for when I need it, maybe a few other things I can't think of just yet. Aside from the bigger monitor.

[Philonious]

Any point of getting 1920*1200 on a 15.6" laptop... Or is 1440*900 the way to go?

[Adam Blue]

Any point of getting 1920*1200 on a 15.6" laptop... Or is 1440*900 the way to go?

You won't see the difference of a high-res on a small screen.

[Xerxes]

I have a 15 in laptop and it's 1650 x 1050. I like it just fine.

[Khrymsyn]

Any point of getting 1920*1200 on a 15.6" laptop... Or is 1440*900 the way to go?

If you're planning on doing any gaming, the lower resolution = higher framerates (assuming everything else in the machine is the same, i.e. vid card, cpu). On a 15.6" screen, 1440*900 should be plenty of resolution.

[Narradisall]

I just picked up a Dell XPS Studio 16 recently. Decent enough so far, but I haven't really pushed it.