My first gaming laptop - please help!

[ntrain96]

Thanks. I wasn't aware you could get Alienware's there. Hmmm...I may have to cancel my MSI. I'm playing around with Alienware M18x builds, and I think i can get a one with dual 580 Ms (with bare bones on RAM, etc for now) for around the same price, possibly even a pinch less (since the price of my MSI went up to around 2750 ish with an SSD).

Now if I have dual GTX 580M Graphics cards, do I need a better processor than Intel 2670? I can save more money if I stay with this one.

You will not notice a difference in performance between any of the i7 processors. The important thing is that you get an i7, thats all that matters. Trust me, if you cancel out your current order and pick up an m18x or Sager equivalent with dual cards you will come back to this thread thanking me. The laptops with the dual video cards are TRUE desktop replacement powerhouses, especially for games.

Again the important thing is the muscle in the system. 2 MXM slots means serious gaming performance now, and it means your laptop will remain a serious performer for alot longer as well. Your dollar goes so much farther literally.

[ntrain96]

Also, M18x have a glossy screen, right? I prefer glossy type screens.

Yep the m18x's come stock with a VERY NICE 1080p screen that calibrates VERY WELL.

[MCJD4ever]

Hmmm...I'm seriously considering going the Alienware M18x route. I'm just hoping what you said is true and that I can get a further discount for being a member of this forum, as that is what I'm counting on brining the price VERY close to the MSI I had configured.

[ntrain96]

Hmmm...I'm seriously considering going the Alienware M18x route. I'm just hoping what you said is true and that I can get a further discount for being a member of this forum, as that is what I'm counting on brining the price VERY close to the MSI I had configured.

Just call up and talk with a rep there.

Like I said earlier, your spending $2500 on your Mustang, so why not make sure it has the V8 option under the hood.

The 580m and 6990m are both great cards, but alone they give you that "tease"........powerful enough to play pretty much all games at high settings, but not quite powerful enough to be maxed out in reality. I played with them both for about a week, always found myself tweaking settings to keep gameplay around 60fps without the occasiaonal sttering and slowdown from heavy draw scenes. On SC2 and WOW for me it was most annoying which is why in the end I went with a pair of laptops with dual card setups.

[MCJD4ever]

I dunno. I know Alienware is considered the best in gaming laptops...but something about their style is sort of...off putting for me. Like, I would be embarrassed to ever take it anywhere outside my apartment (as if the M18x wouldn't already give me a hernia). I think I like MSI's styles better.

I think I may go with my original MSI config, but calm down some of the specs to save more money. I dont need anything too crazy. I work, attend graduate school part time, and have a gf/friends/family (not implying anyone here does not, just making a point), I don't even game as much as I used to when I was in college and younger. I feel like I wouldn't "get my money's worth" if I really went crazy and got top of the line specs with two 580Ms. I know I won't get silkly smooth performance on all games with just one 580M, but I'll take what it can give me, which is sure to to satisfy me

Will let you guys know what I utlimately decide. Thank you all for your input. You've all been very helpful, and I've learned a lot in a short period of time.

[ntrain96]

I dunno. I know Alienware is considered the best in gaming laptops...but something about their style is sort of...off putting for me. Like, I would be embarrassed to ever take it anywhere outside my apartment (as if the M18x wouldn't already give me a hernia). I think I like MSI's styles better.

I think I may go with my original MSI config, but calm down some of the specs to save more money. I dont need anything too crazy. I work, attend graduate school part time, and have a gf/friends/family (not implying anyone here does not, just making a point), I don't even game as much as I used to when I was in college and younger. I feel like I wouldn't "get my money's worth" if I really went crazy and got top of the line specs with two 580Ms. I know I won't get silkly smooth performance on all games with just one 580M, but I'll take what it can give me, which is sure to to satisfy me

Will let you guys know what I utlimately decide. Thank you all for your input. You've all been very helpful, and I've learned a lot in a short period of time.

You do realize that MSI you looked at/ordered is nothing but a knockoff off the Alienware laptops in design with some corners cut?(One fan cooling both the gpu and cpu instead of dedicated fans and heatsinks per core) The Alienware m18x is built well, better built and designed than the MSI counterpart IMO, especially the cooling system.

Bypassing the programmable backlit keyboard and led lighting accents both have the M18x is just a better performance laptop, by a large margin over the MSI for the same money. I've got experience with both, the m18x is just a nicer rig period. I was originally going to get my wife the MSI that you were looking at, and played with 2 of them for about a week on and off(but were not overly impressed with the gaming performance offered by the 580m), but after getting my hands on the 18x the choice for me and her was simple and made instantly as she wanted something as capable as my P180hm. And like I said, its not necessarily the up front "now" performance, but how it will ultimately perform in a few years time. The dual card m18x will without question last you a few years longer, so in the long run, your actually spending less in reality.

But anyway, good luck with your decision or purchase either way.

[wtferrell]

Seriously, the GT780/GT783 is a knockoff of an Alienware in Design?

If you seriously played around with one, then you can't possibly say that. They look nothing like the Alienware computers. The only similarities are:

A) They're a notebook computer
B) They have keyboards that light up

Therein lies the similarities in the aesthetic department.

The main reason I went with the MSI is for the styling. I had a M15x before, and could not stand the styling of it, so I got rid of it quickly. If you are going into any sort of business meeting, the last thing I want is to pull out some gaudy looking laptop, which is where I would put the Alienware laptops.

The MSI is extremely sleek, you can turn off the multicolored keyboard to make it white or blue, and you couldn't tell that it's a gaming laptop. There's nothing that says "HEY! Look at me! I'm a gaming laptop!"

To people who want to enjoy their games, without the "Hey look at me" looks, then go with Sager or MSI. Now the MSI 15" series is another story, with the orange lights all over it. I couldn't handle that one.

"Knockoff off the Alienware laptops in design with some corners cut?" That's absolutely ridiculous. I'll concede the fans, but my 580M hasn't reached temperatures close enough for me to worry it. You can say that you think the Alienware looks better, but to each their own. I wouldn't be caught dead with one again. Back in my teens and early twenties, sure... but no longer.

[MCJD4ever]

Ntrain, I'm sorry, but I definitely don't see how the MSI 783 looks like the M18X. I'm already getting a laptop that's a little bigger than what I originally wanted. The M18x isn't THAT much bigger, but for me, it's just a little too big.

For me, the M18X is something that just screams "I'm a gaming nerd," like errel alluded to. I totally AM a gaming nerd (have been all my life, ain't nothing wrong with that), but I'm almost 28, and I need something that's a little more flexible and subtle looking. I really like the MSI 783's style, in that regard.

I know I could get an M18X with two 580M cards for around/just under 3K, but when I start adding features/specs (even if I do it on my own), everything will start to really add up. It's my personal preference to have almost everything right out of the box, and not have to make a million upgrades on my own just to save a little money.

I may not be able to max out every single game that comes along with just one 580M, but it's enough for what I need. As long as the games I want to play run nicely enough (and I know they will), that's good for me.

[ntrain96]

Seriously, the GT780/GT783 is a knockoff of an Alienware in Design?

If you seriously played around with one, then you can't possibly say that. They look nothing like the Alienware computers. The only similarities are:

A) They're a notebook computer
B) They have keyboards that light up

Therein lies the similarities in the aesthetic department.

The main reason I went with the MSI is for the styling. I had a M15x before, and could not stand the styling of it, so I got rid of it quickly. If you are going into any sort of business meeting, the last thing I want is to pull out some gaudy looking laptop, which is where I would put the Alienware laptops.

The MSI is extremely sleek, you can turn off the multicolored keyboard to make it white or blue, and you couldn't tell that it's a gaming laptop. There's nothing that says "HEY! Look at me! I'm a gaming laptop!"

To people who want to enjoy their games, without the "Hey look at me" looks, then go with Sager or MSI. Now the MSI 15" series is another story, with the orange lights all over it. I couldn't handle that one.

"Knockoff off the Alienware laptops in design with some corners cut?" That's absolutely ridiculous. I'll concede the fans, but my 580M hasn't reached temperatures close enough for me to worry it. You can say that you think the Alienware looks better, but to each their own. I wouldn't be caught dead with one again. Back in my teens and early twenties, sure... but no longer.

No the "Alienware knockoff", "clone" or whatever you want to call it is my opinion having had a few of em in hand and for direct comparison. It is what it is, and there are without question a few corners cut in the gaming chassis of the MSI, sorry man, its just not built as robustly and for the price, I personally do expect a bit more. The cooling system on the MSI is without question kinda of cheesy, especially for a $2k plus laptop. So sorry man, Im entitled to my opinion RIGHT? And your aware that the lights(all 9 zones)on the M18x can also be taken care of as well if you need to tone down the looks right? Just like the MSI.

[ntrain96]

Ntrain, I'm sorry, but I definitely don't see how the MSI 783 looks like the M18X. I'm already getting a laptop that's a little bigger than what I originally wanted. The M18x isn't THAT much bigger, but for me, it's just a little too big.

For me, the M18X is something that just screams "I'm a gaming nerd," like errel alluded to. I totally AM a gaming nerd (have been all my life, ain't nothing wrong with that), but I'm almost 28, and I need something that's a little more flexible and subtle looking. I really like the MSI 783's style, in that regard.

I know I could get an M18X with two 580M cards for around/just under 3K, but when I start adding features/specs (even if I do it on my own), everything will start to really add up. It's my personal preference to have almost everything right out of the box, and not have to make a million upgrades on my own just to save a little money.

I may not be able to max out every single game that comes along with just one 580M, but it's enough for what I need. As long as the games I want to play run nicely enough (and I know they will), that's good for me.

All I can say is, if you had an M18x in front of you, then you would change your opinion real quick. $2500 is alot for a "performance" laptop that already is a little long in the tooth is how I see it. But hey if the MSI works for you, then thats all that matters. Just knowing the games you want to play(The Witcher 2 especially)your going to find settings are going to be dropped well below max after spending $2500. Thats alot of coin to drop those settings for specific games........and we got a whole crop of new DX11 games coming out within the next year that are really gonna tax that GPU just like Witcher 2. Anyway man good luck enjoy.