Good Gaming Laptop?

J

jdunk90

New Member
I want a decent gaming laptop that can last me for 3 or 4 years. I don't do any hardcore gaming, but I do like playing games like Ages of Empires 3 and World in Conflict. What is the cheapest laptop I could get that would let me play games like that and ones like it that will come out in the near future? I don't have to play the games on the highest settings, i just want the game not freeze up.

Is the GMA 3100 okay for integrated graphics? I also see a few models with a GeForce 7150M.
 
Those game won't run on integrated graphics, you would need at least a mid-ranged dedicated card for those games. I have the GMA X3100 in my laptop and I can barely play CS 1.6 on low settings.
 
Dell XPS M1530's start at $999 and can be configured to have an Nvidia Geforce Go 8600m GT. A laptop with an 8 series graphics card will be good. If you want it to last 4 years, you should really think about getting something more expensive. Like around $2000 for a gaming laptop can last 3-4 years. Don't get the 7150 either.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html
As you can see, the 7150 is rated 87th in graphics cards for laptops. With the new 9 series, it is probably around the 90's. The 8600 that comes with an upgraded xps is in the mid 20's. If you really want a good gaming notebook, you can get one with the Nvidia 8800 or one with dual 8700's for around $2-2.5k.

This dell xps notebook is $1499, and has a big hard drive, good graphics card, and all the ram you will ever need. It will last 4 years, but it will not play new games for 4 years. You really need to spend over 2000 for a laptop to play games that long. I'd say this dell will play good games for around 2 years.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DYDWHF1&s=dhs
 
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what would be the best option then for around $1000? I have found one or two computers with the 8600 which should do me fine.

I don't want to spend any more than that because I'm not a hard core gamer. If the game will work without freezing it is fine. I usually just play strategy type games they don't have on consoles so I'm not too concerned with graphics. If I want killer graphics I will just play my PS3 on my HDTV.
 
I know the 8600 is good for a casual gamer, but he specifically wants a computer that will last and game for 4 years. Since you can't usually upgrade the graphics, I just doubt an 8600 would last until 2012... if you do archive.org back 4 years, you get laptops with 128mb graphics tops - that's like a 512mb graphics card today, so he's looking at a laptop today with a 64mb graphics card.

In all honesty, I don't think a computer with an 8600m gt graphics card will last more than 2.5 years with games.. Just my opinion.

This link that daisy sent
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....#productdetail
for $1250, you get a great laptop. The only thing slow about it is the processor, but that won't affect the games you listed. The graphics on this will last 4 years in my opinion. If you are willing to spend $250 more, you can get a name brand computer with one of the best graphics cards.
 
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Sir Travis D said:
I know the 8600 is good for a casual gamer, but he specifically wants a computer that will last and game for 4 years. Since you can't usually upgrade the graphics, I just doubt an 8600 would last until 2012... if you do archive.org back 4 years, you get laptops with 128mb graphics tops - that's like a 512mb graphics card today, so he's looking at a laptop today with a 64mb graphics card.

In all honesty, I don't think a computer with an 8600m gt graphics card will last more than 2.5 years with games.. Just my opinion.

This link that daisy sent
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....#productdetail
for $1250, you get a great laptop. The only thing slow about it is the processor, but that won't affect the games you listed. The graphics on this will last 4 years in my opinion. If you are willing to spend $250 more, you can get a name brand computer with one of the best graphics cards.
Click to expand...
8600M GT 512mb will certainly last more than 4 years, did you know still lots of gamers are using the ATI x800 256mb and are waiting two more years to upgrade;)
 
[-0MEGA-];954456 said:
Those game won't run on integrated graphics, you would need at least a mid-ranged dedicated card for those games. I have the GMA X3100 in my laptop and I can barely play CS 1.6 on low settings.
Click to expand...

lol i agree with you except i can play cs 1.6 on high settings but then when u turn on the flash light it lags like crazy.
 
For the money you would spend for a decent laptop to play games you might as well buy a prebuilt or build a desktop! Do not get a dell if you get a laptop though (most will agree). I recommend HP, Gateway, Acer or something like that.
 
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