Would you game on a gaming laptop?

iv-tecman · 22 Oct 2012 at 11:08

Kobi said:
Exactly, the way I see it, if I'm happy to game on the xbox(very rarely), then I'd be happy with gaming on low settings.

Yes.. If you ever play a PS3 version of Batman Arkham City or F1 2011 and then play the same games on decent laptop, even on my now aging Dell Studio... Even at 1280 x 720, 2 x AA and high details both these games run above 30fps and not a single screen tear to be seen..

Know which one i'd prefer to game on truth told.. Samsung 700G obliterates the PS3, I never even bother with the PS3 anymore unless it’s a PS3 exclusive or only available on 360 /PS3.

Some are hung up on must have 120fps, MAX everything..!!

HarryPainful · 22 Oct 2012 at 11:48

I'm glad I made the switch, wife has stopped moaning AND I can plug my Xbox or ps3 in to the HDMI in on my m17x and play on them

marc1024 · 22 Oct 2012 at 12:07

In my personal opinion, i would only game on a laptop if i was always on the move. But at home, i would stick to desktop. Mainly because if a game comes out and my graphics card is struggling i would upgrade. If a laptop was struggling in your favourite games, 9/10 times you cant upgrade your GPU.

Kobi · 22 Oct 2012 at 12:09

I didn't even know you could do that!! This is sounding better and better!!!(on about plugging in a console)

HarryPainful · 22 Oct 2012 at 12:49

marc1024 said:
In my personal opinion, i would only game on a laptop if i was always on the move. But at home, i would stick to desktop. Mainly because if a game comes out and my graphics card is struggling i would upgrade. If a laptop was struggling in your favourite games, 9/10 times you cant upgrade your GPU.

That's why you buy one that you can upgrade.

james_2k · 22 Oct 2012 at 12:54

i had a gaming laptop for a year and played on that no problems, only just sold it because i just dont use it anymore after upgrading the desktop. (and getting an ipad for on the move)

it was an m17xr3 120hz with 580m, nice machine

iv-tecman · 22 Oct 2012 at 13:05

Kobi said:
I didn't even know you could do that!! This is sounding better and better!!!(on about plugging in a console)

Yes the Alienware laptops have a HDMI in port as well as HDMI out port, quite a handy feature if you intend to use your laptops built in display with your games console or external blu ray player if the laptop doesn’t have an internal blu ray.

Laptops are also upgradable if they have an MXM style GPU, but I’d always recommend buying the quickest GPU you can afford at the time of buying a laptop.

Alienware laptops are really expensive for stuff like SSD and HD’s etc… My advice is to skip and get a base Alienware M17x with a 680M or 7970M with a 500GB drive, and lowest spec memory and upgrade the memory and slap SSD and bigger harddisk in using off the shelf components from overclockers or something..

badcompany · 22 Oct 2012 at 13:29

plug your ps3 into the laptop hmm that's quite handy can you do that with the Samsung one ocuk sell?

iv-tecman · 22 Oct 2012 at 13:54

badcompany said:
plug your ps3 into the laptop hmm that's quite handy can you do that with the Samsung one ocuk sell?

Its a feature of Alienware only I think.. My 700G doesn't have this feature, which is a shame, as I'd use it if I had it... Think thats another reason I don't play my PS3... Missus always got junk on the telly..

I tell ya.. Women have a lot to answer for when it comes to dedicated gamers... They ruin all the fun

Kobi · 22 Oct 2012 at 13:55

iv-tecman said:
Yes the Alienware laptops have a HDMI in port as well as HDMI out port, quite a handy feature if you intend to use your laptops built in display with your games console or external blu ray player if the laptop doesn’t have an internal blu ray.

Laptops are also upgradable if they have an MXM style GPU, but I’d always recommend buying the quickest GPU you can afford at the time of buying a laptop.

Alienware laptops are really expensive for stuff like SSD and HD’s etc… My advice is to skip and get a base Alienware M17x with a 680M or 7970M with a 500GB drive, and lowest spec memory and upgrade the memory and slap SSD and bigger harddisk in using off the shelf components from overclockers or something..

That's great advice, cheers. I did wonder this so that's saved me pestering people by asking questions. Would I be right in thinking warranty would void if I open the laptop up though?

Scythian · 22 Oct 2012 at 14:30

Kobi said:
That's great advice, cheers. I did wonder this so that's saved me pestering people by asking questions. Would I be right in thinking warranty would void if I open the laptop up though?

iirc it depends, some manufacturers allow for them to be opened up but only so much. Some should have a sticker which you would need to remove to gain further access, but would void the warranty.

Kobi · 22 Oct 2012 at 14:57

I've opened up an older Alienware laptop before and that didn't have a sticker. Was just unsure if the newer ones had something like this. Wouldn't think they would. Got a feeling I might order a new laptop tonight haha

Pestilence · 22 Oct 2012 at 15:07

Still waiting on mine being built. Eight working days so far. Becoming impatient!!!

thedinks · 22 Oct 2012 at 15:09

Kobi said:
That's great advice, cheers. I did wonder this so that's saved me pestering people by asking questions. Would I be right in thinking warranty would void if I open the laptop up though?

Dell/alienware have no problem with you opening up the laptop and having a play, if you damage something obviously you cant claim it on warranty though.

iv-tecman · 22 Oct 2012 at 15:10

Kobi said:
I've opened up an older Alienware laptop before and that didn't have a sticker. Was just unsure if the newer ones had something like this. Wouldn't think they would. Got a feeling I might order a new laptop tonight haha

ensure you search for the 10% off vouchers + free shipping in google, D M X you need to type into google to get the coupons, worth getting.

Just buy a M17x if thats what you want with a 500GB HD, add a SSD + MSATA later on... Apparently the 7970M is pretty good in the M17x and a lot cheaper then a 680M.

Kobi · 22 Oct 2012 at 15:33

Yeah that's why I think I should see about ordering tonight. £205 off plus 10% then the shipping too.

I'll need to have a good look tonight, as on one Page The m17 only had 2 nvidia cards, but the other had loads more. But from what I've been reading the 7970M isn't far off a 680m, plus the new driver ers are meant to make it better?

Cheers for the confirmation dinks!

iv-tecman · 22 Oct 2012 at 15:46

Kobi said:
Yeah that's why I think I should see about ordering tonight. £205 off plus 10% then the shipping too.

I'll need to have a good look tonight, as on one Page The m17 only had 2 nvidia cards, but the other had loads more. But from what I've been reading the 7970M isn't far off a 680m, plus the new driver ers are meant to make it better?

Cheers for the confirmation dinks!

The Alienware didn't suffer the performance issues as much as others using a 7970M as with the Alienware you can turn the power features off, meaning it doesn't suffer if I got this right. However there is now a driver fix to the enduro issues.

the 680M is a lot of money, thedinks has gone all out with 680M SLI which is a dream laptop, me I'd perhaps now go for a 7970M...

Kobi · 22 Oct 2012 at 17:40

Just looking, the 680m is only £50 more than they 7970 with the deal they have on at the moment. Isnt too bad?

EDIT: forgot to add the 1080p screen to the 7970.

7970 £1558.99
680m £1549

Its cheaper!

badcompany · 22 Oct 2012 at 18:27

dont like the styling on those alienware laptops, the Samsung one is ok but was released in Jan so could I expect a newer model anytime soon?

almoststew1990 · 22 Oct 2012 at 18:43

I have my desktop which is sometimes under my desk with a 24" monitor and sometimes next to my tv. Big Picture mode has helped me greatly with my lazy sofa and bed gaming on the 32" tv! It has replaced my laptop. That said, I have a 14" laptop with a 2GHz pentium and a 5470 in it. It somehow can play games like Just Cause 2, MW2, Skyrim... I did use it a lot but I would relish being able to use my 24" monitor. I fully understand why people don't like gaming laptops- mouse and keyboard, heat, noise, small screen, distractions. But Now I just use Big Picture mode and don't need a laptop.