Laptop to replace desktop

traveyb · 15 Aug 2013 at 15:38

Hi,
Currently running a desktop with the below specs, mainly play FSX, BF3, Bioshock etc (and this them all really well).

Intel i5-3570K
Gigabyte Z77-D3H
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB PC3-12800C9
GeForce GTX 560Ti 448 Edition 1280MB
Crucial M4 128GB SSD
Several 1TB drives

I am looking to downsize to a laptop for heat and power reasons.

Been looking at the following:
Alienware 14 (1920x1080 screen, GeForce GTX 765M 2GB) - £1,348
MSI GE40 2OC-038UK

Budget is around £1500, are there any recommendations?

tereu5 · 15 Aug 2013 at 16:11

Could try 17 inch R4 version of AW out of the outlet.
Also OcUK range of Clevo's might be an option - the budget will get you probably 780 even

although I am a fan of AW and their look/quality (apart from pricing when getting brand new from Dell - killer

)

traveyb · 16 Aug 2013 at 08:12

Thanks will take a look at the Dell Outlet. Not really fussed on screen size as I will be using an external monitor for the moment, in the future though I might not be so will take that into consideration.
I just like the Dell warranty's (we use them at work), saves unexpected costs when you accidently drop it for example!

oweneades · 16 Aug 2013 at 09:03

For basically the same money as the M14 you could have this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=LT-021-OE&groupid=959&catid=1828

- 15.6" 1080p matte screen
- i7 4700MQ (can upgrade to higher if you want)
- HD8970M 4GB
- 8GB DDR3
- 240GB Samsung 840 SSD (you can run more than one drive)
- DVD-RW etc
- Win 8

£1,375

Overall size wise this is pretty much equal to the M14 despite the larger screen.

(I don't have anything against the Alienware range. The M14 however is a bit of a joke price wise).

The Dell outlet is a good place to get a potential bargin but the choices lately have been a bit rubbish.

A 780M is do-able in your budget of £1,500 (MSI GT70 based but significantly cheaper). GPU wise the 780M is top of the pile but it does come at a hefty premium. It is worth it if you need it as you basically can't go faster unless you look at CF/SLI.

traveyb · 16 Aug 2013 at 09:07

Very nice spec'd laptop, I don't require an OS so that's something I can remove and can reuse my SSD.
Ideally would prefer Nvidia, this work's much better with FSX

oweneades · 16 Aug 2013 at 09:40

traveyb said:
Very nice spec'd laptop, I don't require an OS so that's something I can remove and can reuse my SSD.
Ideally would prefer Nvidia, this work's much better with FSX

Ah in that case you could go for the 4700MQ/780M "minimum" spec and just chuck in/on your SSD/OS.

If you don't want to spend quite as much the 770M is a good choice. Slower than the 780M and HD8970 but isn't that far behind the latter.