Looking for gaming laptop

[samrock67]

Ok, I should preface this post by saying that I am very much in love with the Toshiba Qosmio X505-8104X. It's difficult for me to settle knowing something better is out there, but I will elaborate after giving the specifics:

General Questions

1) What is your budget?
Up to $1800

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

e. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen

3) Where will you buying this notebook? You can select the flag of your country as an indicator.

USA

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

a. Like: Dell, Toshiba
b. Dislike: HP

5) Would you consider laptops that are refurbished/redistributed?

Leaning towards no, but if the price is right, perhaps.

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?

Mainly used for school, but I will be playing games in my spare time. I come from a line of mediocre graphics cards that couldn't play next year's games. I'm not going to be hardcore gaming but I want a laptop with a graphics card that will hold its own.

7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?

Will be walking around school with it, but it will be sitting on my desk in lecture most of the time

8) Will you be playing games on your notebook? If so, please state which games or types of games?

Yes- all sports games, and most probably some MMORPGs, FPSs, and other RPGs

9) How many hours of battery life do you need?

My laptop will always be plugged in, but the more the better.

10) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?

I don't need to see it in person, just need to be comfortable with the specs and the price.

11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista or Windows 7), Mac OS, Linux, etc.

Windows

Screen Specifics

12) From the choices below, what screen resolution(s) would you prefer?

Prefer max res

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?

doesn't matter? non-glossy I guess

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

To a certain degree, yes. This is why I really liked the Qosmio

15) When are you buying this laptop?

Between now and the end of May

16) How long do you want this laptop to last?

At least 2 years, preferably 4(or more, if possible).

Notebook Components

17) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 640GB? Do you want a SSD drive?

The Qosmio I was looking at comes with 2 500GB SATA HDDs and I was going to replace one of them with a SSD. So yes, I want a SSD and 300-500GB on a 2nd HD(if possible)

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

CDRW/DVD-ROM drive is fine. But yes, I need an optical drive.
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As I said, I have my eyes on this Qosmio. The price tag is worrying me a little bit. I do love the look of the laptop and its been tough even looking at other laptops that might be comparable. I hear very good things about having an SSD, so this laptop just made sense in that I would (hopefully) be able to replace one of the HDDs. I'm not a hardcore gamer, but I would like to play some graphic-intensive games, since I have never been able to. I will be going to med school in the fall and this laptop is going to be my "new toy" for the next couple of years. Thanks in advance for any help.

[saturnotaku]

I'd be more worried about the size than the price. If you're going to be carting it around at all, you might want to consider something smaller, such as a Sager NP8130 (15") or 8170 (17"). Still plenty of gaming chops and a 1920x1080 screen but would be more portable than the Toshiba.

[Abula]

If you like Dell and want a 17'' just go for Alienware M17X R3, starts at $1499, only laptop that offers the 6970 atm, still with in your budget, i would go this route and add the ssd later like OCZ Vertex 3, Curcial C300, Micron C400, Intel 510, most are are being released on april. I would probably try to get the 750gb hdd upgrade so when you buy your ssd use it as storage.

Other options to check Sager 8170 and G73SW-XA1 $1399 .

[samrock67]

Yea, Im considering going with a bare bones M17x, hopefully getting a discount(ordering over the phone) and upgrading. So, in that vein, what I am wondering is the following:

4 GB vs 8 GB RAM($120 upgrade on Dell)
1600 x 900 vs 1920 x 1080 res($150 upgrade on Dell)
HD selection- I hear really good things about an SSD- do I want 2 slots of HDDs so I can replace one later or just stick with one slot and replace it with a larger(and seemingly more expensive) SDD. 320GB 7200 RPM HDD is standard. I have the following options:
750 GB HDD- +$100
650 GB RAID(2 x 320 GB)- +$150*

* would replace one of these with an SDD(80-120GB) down the road)

Any of these options worth it? Can I get it cheaper elsewhere?

[alexUW]

I own a Qosmio and I very much love it, but be warned, it's a giant laptop. Not really made to be lugged around, considering it weighs 10+ lbs.


You can do what I plan on doing: using my Qosmio at home as a desktop and buying a cheap laptop [sub $500] as my take to class, commuter laptop.

Good luck

[samrock67]

I own a Qosmio and I very much love it, but be warned, it's a giant laptop. Not really made to be lugged around, considering it weighs 10+ lbs.


You can do what I plan on doing: using my Qosmio at home as a desktop and buying a cheap laptop [sub $500] as my take to class, commuter laptop.

Good luck

Yea, many have suggested it, or even building a desktop for much cheaper and getting a laptop for school, but I have nowhere at home to put a desktop. After some more research I'm actually leaning towards the M17x based on how much of a discount I can land myself. Just trying to figure out whether the 1920 x 1080 res upgrade is worth it and what kind of HD to get.

[samrock67]

The more I think about it, the more I am leaning towards getting a bare-bones M17x, upgrading to the GTX 460M for another $75, upgrading the RAM myself, and then I guess down the line, switching to an SSD. I've come to realize that the gaming I do is not enough to warrant so many bells and whistles. So only 2 questions left:

1) Is $150 for an upgrade to 1900 x 1080 worth it?
2) Stick with 320GB HDD and upgrade to SSD down the road or +$150 for 2 x 320GB HDDs and switch one for an SSD down the road

[Abula]

Imo with all the upgrades you planning on doping the G73SW I posted comes with most, and a lot cheaper, 1080p screen, a big storage drive with 750gb, 8 gb ram, the gtx 460, at $1400 you probably can get an ssd like a c300 and still be with in your budget.

[samrock67]

Not really a big fan of the look of the Asus, though...

I guess looks are more important than I thought...

[Hybrys]

Yea, Im considering going with a bare bones M17x, hopefully getting a discount(ordering over the phone) and upgrading. So, in that vein, what I am wondering is the following:

4 GB vs 8 GB RAM($120 upgrade on Dell)
1600 x 900 vs 1920 x 1080 res($150 upgrade on Dell)
HD selection- I hear really good things about an SSD- do I want 2 slots of HDDs so I can replace one later or just stick with one slot and replace it with a larger(and seemingly more expensive) SDD. 320GB 7200 RPM HDD is standard. I have the following options:
750 GB HDD- +$100
650 GB RAID(2 x 320 GB)- +$150*

* would replace one of these with an SDD(80-120GB) down the road)

Any of these options worth it? Can I get it cheaper elsewhere?

RAM = Not worth it
Screen = Worth it
HDD = not worth it (You can get a better performing 500gb for ~$70)

Here's another question; Do you actually see yourself using the optical drive? If not, you MIGHT be able to replace it with said 500gb HDD for a combined 820gb mechanical storage, and still an open slot for the SSD.