Back again with a what should I buy, configure something for me!

[shadejedi]

Through a very unfortunate series of events that led to the return of 2 laptops (1 MSI 683DXR - massive keyboard flex; 1 8150/xoticpc - terrible service and no issued refund due to me) I've picked somewhat what I want. I just need someone to narrow it down and/or pick something for me.

Buying in the USA, from Custom Laptops by PowerNotebooks.com™ - Custom Built Gaming Laptop Computers or alienware (if I could find a 3-400 dollar off coupon, haha). I do NOT want an ASUS.

Budget is about 1750, but could be stretched to 2k over a month (if needed).

I NEED a 15" chassis, 1920x1080 screen, upgraded color gamut, 1102/1103 Killer wireless card, and at least 8 gigs of ram.

I prefer dual hard drive bays, for a ssd/hdd config, but not necessarily necessary (especially w/ msata now becoming standard). Another option is to put a HDD in the optical bay instead. Anyone have any experience with this? Do you find yourself missing/needing that disc drive? It just seems like it'd be odd without one built in? Opinions?

I have a desktop (very high end - overclocked Sandy cpu and a 7970), but I need something mobile that can play many of my games if I'm away, those games include: SW: tOR, Guild Wars 2, Diablo 3, Mass Effect 3, Deus Ex HR, Skyrim, The Witcher 2, and some BF3. Again, I have a great desktop, but need something mobile. Smooth playability at 1920x1080 at LEAST medium settings.

I need to decide on a video card (670, 675, or 7970m), and on a hdd/ssd configuration. Since I have such a powerful desktop, I don't know if I should spend so much on a gaming laptop for something that I'll actually play demanding games on about once a month. No, lugging my desktop around is not an option. Serious advice only, please, I really can't decide, and I need help.

Configured machines would be welcome. Thanks everyone.

[Curs3]

If you are gonna be carrying it and are not really keen on the best GPU then get the Lotus P150EM from Malibal (seems like you are not a fan of Xoticpc). This laptop has the GTX670m which should take care of your gaming needs.
This laptop is a 15" and has only 1 HDD bay.

Get the i7-3610QM. Do not get any thing better as it makes no sense for gaming.

Get the 8gb minimum ram available i.e 16000Mhz.

Get the 750GB HDD as a 20$ upgrade s worth it from the 500GB.

Chk the laptop here.

Lotus P150EM - MALIBAL

Lotus P150EM (P150EM)
View printer-friendly version
Customizations:
Display: 15.6" 1920 x 1080 FHD LED Backlit Matte Display
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-3610QM, 6MB L3 Cache, 2.3-3.3GHz
Memory: (8GB) 8192MB, PC3-12800/1600MHz DDR3 - 2 SO-DIMM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 670M (Fermi) 1.5GB GDDR5
Hard Drive: 750GB 7200rpm 2.5" SATA 300
Optical Drive Bay: 8X Multi DVD+/-R/RW RAM Dual-Layer Drive
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium; 64-bit
Wireless: Internal 802.11B/G/N LAN and Bluetooth Card
Cooling: Stock OEM Thermal Compound, CPU & GPU
Keyboard: English: US & Canada
Power Cord: US & Canada
AC Adapter: Full Range AC-in 100~240V, 50~60Hz, 120W AC Adapter, DC output 20V, 6A
Branding: MALIBAL
Build Time: 5-7 Business Days (Estimated Time)
Warranty: LIFETIME Ltd. Labor and 1 Year Parts Warranty with 24/7 Support (USA)
Extras: Standard Black Carrying Case
Extras: Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Web Camera
Extras: Integrated 9 in 1 Card Reader
Extras: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
Extras: MALIBAL Software & Drivers Disc
Extras: Microsoft Windows 7 DVD-ROM

Total : 1269$ with OS

In case you feel the GTX670m wont be enough(I see no reason why) you can get the Lotus P150EM SE which has GPU upgrade options to the GTX675m and or the AMD7970m.

Chk it out here.

Lotus P150EM SE - MALIBAL

If you feel 1 HDD bay is not gonna be enough and you want to have a SSD and a 7200rpm HDD then get the Lotus P170EM which is a 17" laptop but with 2 HDD bays.

Chk it out here.

Lotus P170EM

This is the same configured with the AMD7970m and a SSD-HDD dual HDD setup.

Satori P170EM (P170EM)
View printer-friendly version
Customizations:
Promotions: $50 OFF Configurations Over $1500
Display: 17.3" 1920 x 1080 FHD LED Backlit Glossy Display
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-3610QM, 6MB L3 Cache, 2.3-3.3GHz
Memory: (8GB) 8192MB, PC3-12800/1600MHz DDR3 - 2 SO-DIMM
Graphics Card: AMD® Radeon HD 7970M 2GB GDDR5
Hard Drive: 120GB Intel® (520) SATA III 6Gb/s SSD2 Drive
Hard Drive 2: 750GB 7200rpm 2.5" SATA 300
Optical Drive Bay: 8X Multi DVD+/-R/RW RAM Dual-Layer Drive
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium; 64-bit
Wireless: Internal 802.11B/G/N LAN and Bluetooth Card
Cooling: IC Diamond 7 Thermal Compound, CPU & GPU
Keyboard: English: US & Canada
Power Cord: US & Canada
Branding: MALIBAL
Build Time: 5-7 Business Days (Estimated Time)
Warranty: LIFETIME Ltd. Labor and 1 Year Parts Warranty with 24/7 Support (USA)
Extras: Standard Black Carrying Case
Extras: Full Size Backlit Keyboard (7 User Switchable Colors)
Extras: Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Web Camera
Extras: Integrated 9 in 1 Card Reader
Extras: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
Extras: MALIBAL Software & Drivers Disc
Extras: Microsoft Windows 7 DVD-ROM

Total : 1939$ without the 50$ discount

You can of course replace the 7979m with a GTX675m is case you feel you do not need so much power. But the 7970m is worth every penny invested. Its up to you though.

Also do check out the variants of these laptops available at other resellers such as Powernotebooks, LPC Digital, GentechPc etc.

[shadejedi]

Thanks for the reply Curs3. Honestly I'm not 100% sure I need the 7970, but I'd rather have too much GPU power, than not enough. And I don't feel comfy modding a laptop innards so as to install a 7970m later.

I have a few other questions, such as:

- Is paying for the screen upgrade, 95% gamut, worth it? I currently have a u2410 desktop monitor, and it looks awesome, I'd love a good screen, but does that upgrade make a big difference, as the 15" upgrade is 95$ and the 17" (90% gamut) upgrade is 185$?
- Is it worth paying for better thermal paste @35$?
- Is ordering the "no dead pixels for 30 days" for 60$ worth it?

[RiddlelddiR]

If you play BF3 or the Witcher 2 regularly, the 7970M is very worthwhile. The 7970m should max BF3 with good frames, for instance, whereas the 675M could not. The 7970M is just more bang for your buck all around, and is by far more future proof. I'd recommend you go for it.

[Curs3]

Thanks for the reply Curs3. Honestly I'm not 100% sure I need the 7970, but I'd rather have too much GPU power, than not enough. And I don't feel comfy modding a laptop innards so as to install a 7970m later.

I have a few other questions, such as:

- Is paying for the screen upgrade, 95% gamut, worth it? I currently have a u2410 desktop monitor, and it looks awesome, I'd love a good screen, but does that upgrade make a big difference, as the 15" upgrade is 95$ and the 17" (90% gamut) upgrade is 185$?
- Is it worth paying for better thermal paste @35$?
- Is ordering the "no dead pixels for 30 days" for 60$ worth it?

The cooling on the Sager is extremely good. It really is not necessary. The IC diamond does help reduce temps by around 5-10C. If you are getting the 7970m you can probably get it to be safe.

The no dead pixel warranty as the name suggests is in case you end up having issues with your display. I really dont see it as necessary. it mainly might help in cases where the laptop is shipped to far away places where the probability of the display being damaged is more.

[maverick1989]

- Is paying for the screen upgrade, 95% gamut, worth it? I currently have a u2410 desktop monitor, and it looks awesome, I'd love a good screen, but does that upgrade make a big difference, as the 15" upgrade is 95$ and the 17" (90% gamut) upgrade is 185$?

I had this question as well. How much of a difference does this make? What about a 72% (not offered on Sager but I believe Malibal and exoticpc offer that option). I'm sure it makes a noticeable difference. I (and I believe shadejedi) are wondering whether it is worth the extra couple hundred if it is only going to be used for gaming.

[shadejedi]

I had this question as well. How much of a difference does this make? What about a 72% (not offered on Sager but I believe Malibal and exoticpc offer that option). I'm sure it makes a noticeable difference. I (and I believe shadejedi) are wondering whether it is worth the extra couple hundred if it is only going to be used for gaming.

Couldn't have said it better myself, and apparently I didn't...but yes, what are your opinions?

[Karamazovmm]

Sincerely for me there are 3 I/O devices on pcs, screen, keyboard, touchpad/mouse. For me all of them have to be on great level.

Touchpad, it doesnt exist besides apple, and I dont like the nipple
Screen, there are good and bad screens, I like the former ones
keyboard, so far I like the ones in the thinkpad and mbp keyboards, so far the others have failed me in that area

Since the np9150 can be had with that GREAT screen get it

[maverick1989]

Couldn't have said it better myself, and apparently I didn't...but yes, what are your opinions?

This thread has some members talking about their experience with the upgraded screens. I am still unsure whether the upgrade is worth the extra greens

[shadejedi]

Thanks for the link maverick, I read the info in there and as you said, I'm not really sure it's worth it. I see MM's point about it being one of the most important parts, but at the same time I see how it may not be all it's cracked up to be. A lot of contradicting info out there, and it makes it harder to decide. :/ Have you decided yet?