Gaming Laptop ~ $1,200

[donovands]

As in the title, I've been looking around for a suitable desktop replacement at around $1,200. So far I've found this as my best bet:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5270805&CatId=4938

Nobody else seems to be offering a GPU this good for this price. It has a relatively low screen resolution but that can be solved by either hooking it up to my existing monitor or if it REALLY bugs me upgrading the screen later. Also, the processor isn't tops but it's not lazy either. Anyone can suggest better/equivalent options I may be overlooking?

Cheers

 

[Maziar]

That looks a solid deal,the only thing i can recommend instead of that is ASUS G51jx

 

[donovands]

That looks a solid deal,the only thing i can recommend instead of that is ASUS G51jx

The G51jx-A1 is a solid machine. It has a better processor, 2 more GB or RAM and a 1920 x 1080 screen vs. the Gateway. The gateway still has a better GPU though. I've looked online for the G51JX and the prices have been around $1,400 though, which is out of the budget range unfortunately. Oh how I wish the Gateway's screen was 1920 x 1080! This makes me a sad panda.

 

[donovands]

Ok found a G51JX-X2 for $1,229. On the upside it runs an i7-720qm processor. It has an only slightly inferior GPU to the Gateway and the monitor is 1920 x 1080. However, the screen size is 15.6" vs gateway's 17" and the HDD is 320GB vs gateway's 500gb. This is a tough call. I'm wondering how big an impact that extra 1.4" of screen makes?

 

[Maziar]

wait wait,you said the Gateway model has a better GPU,i think both laptops have
GTX 260M.
Well G51J has a noticeably faster CPU and about 15 vs 17,well it depends on you but 15 is more portable whereas 17 is more like a desktop replacement

 

[Dakotasmith]

yeah i would go with the 17 " gateway

 

[donovands]

wait wait,you said the Gateway model has a better GPU,i think both laptops have
GTX 260M.
Well G51J has a noticeably faster CPU and about 15 vs 17,well it depends on you but 15 is more portable whereas 17 is more like a desktop replacement

The GPU on the ASUS is a 360M I believe.

 

[Maziar]

Yes and GTX 260M is faster since it has 112 Stream Processors compared to 96 of GTS 360M.
GTX 260M:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-260M.14559.0.html
GTS 360M:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTS-360M.24058.0.html

 

[cunger]

Just wondering how well these laptops would run games like Mass Effect 2 ect?? Where can i see benchmarks on these and other affordable gaming laptops?

 

[Cronoc]

The best I found in this price range is Toshiba's qosmio x505

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114796&cm_re=qosmio_x505-_-34-114-796-_-Product

huge screen, and smaller than 1080p resolution is a plus for gaming anyway.

 

[Cronoc]

Plus, if you're going to get that Gateway you may as well get an Asus brand for $200+ less...

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-G71GX-RX05-17-1-Inch-Refurbished-Laptop/dp/B002RTL32Q/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

I still prefer the qosmio for the better CPU and screen. It doesn't seem that the GTX 260 is all that much better than the 360M, so I'm willing to take a small hit there for some other things.

 

[donovands]

Plus, if you're going to get that Gateway you may as well get an Asus brand for $200+ less...

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-G71GX-RX05-17-1-Inch-Refurbished-Laptop/dp/B002RTL32Q/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

I still prefer the qosmio for the better CPU and screen. It doesn't seem that the GTX 260 is all that much better than the 360M, so I'm willing to take a small hit there for some other things.

Nice find on the ASUS Cronoc. I'm not sure how much better the 260 is than the 360.