Best Gaming Laptop?

[Scott Shelby]

As many of you know, I don't know very much about computers. I only recently got into the PC gaming world, and loved what I submerged myself into.

Now that I've graduated high school and am headed to college, I've been debating whether or not to bring my desktop along with me. After much contemplation, I've decided I'm going to just buy a new gaming laptop. Desktops just aren't as convenient, obviously.

Here comes my problem- I have no idea what I'm looking for. I'm trying to shop around, but I'm making relatively no progress. Specifically, I'd like the best gaming laptop that I could get for no more than $4000 (ideally in the 3500-4000 range). Since you guys know a lot more than I do, I was hoping you could help me out. I'm not really looking for flashy features (i.e. supplemental Bluray or HDDVD drive). I just want the fastest, most powerful rig for my budget.

I probobly won't get my laptop until the end of the summer (as better computers come out all the time... I want to prolong this), so feel free to take those upcoming laptops into consideration.

Any suggestions? And thanks in advance for the help!

[Wyocaster]

my advice, GET A XP ASAP!!!!!

their not going to be selling them much more after this summer and all they'll have is crummy vista

unless you want to wait for ages for vista to work properly to play Halo 2 on it, get an xp, it will run more games than vista atm and they arent going to around much longer! get xp professional, thats the best

[Scott Shelby]

                                     ***************UPDATE*************

Okay, so far I've decided to get an HP laptop, essentially eiminating any opportunity to use an operating system other than Vista. My mother works for HP, and gets discounts in the range of 15%-20%. It's just a lot easier (and cheaper) if I go through HP. The only alternative to this would be a Sony laptop. My college has ties and deals with Sony. Thus, I'll probobly be able to save on their laptops.

Right now, the HP computers seem to be good for entertainment purposes, but only boast (from what I understand at least) mid range (performance) videocards. I'm not complaining though...If worst comes to worst I can deal with them. Here are two laptops I have my eye on....one older, and one soon to be released.

1.) HP Pavillion HDX-  (If you can call this beast a laptop)
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2007/mobilitysummit/ds_hdx.pdf
It looks cool and has functionality, but the 400GB 4200 RPM hardrive is a putoff (at least in my mom's, the computer programmer's, eyes. This laptop will be introduced at summer's end with a starting tag of 2,999 (about 4,500 maxed out-which I'd probobly try to get)

2.) Hp Pavillion dv9500t- (a little bit older laptop...but its okay)
IT INCLUDES:

Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/4MB L2Cache)
17.0" WXGA+ Ultra BrightView Widescreen (1440x900)
4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader +Webcam
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network w/Bluetooth
200GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (100GB x 2)
HD DVD ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
......and some other stuff.....
After the employee discount, it all comes to $3000, which isn't bad

Again, from what I've been told these are mid ranged setups for games, but are decent entertainment setups  (specifically the HDX)

As it stands right now, Nvidia is releasing a 8800M series of chips for the laptops. They should be released by the end of the summer. Hopefully the 9500t can upgrade to the 8800, white the HDX upgrades from the ATI Radeon 2600XT to the 2900XT. Otherwise... I hope a new model comes out (Again, I have no clue what I'm talking about. I'm just spitting back what I gathered from a couple google searches  over the past few days )


To be honest, I'm still longing for a decent gaming setup. I'd like to play some current hits like Farcry, FEAR, Doom 3, etc. on my laptop..........here's a big question that I can't answer at this point:

As it stands right now, what games will I be able to play? At what settings? At what FPS roughly?

Also, is waiting for a setup with the 8800M series cards a good idea? Keep in mind I need to buy this buy sometime in August. (meaning the cards may not come in time).

Comments and answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!