High End Vs. High Value

I was reading a thread on the x1600 vs. the 6800. Someone commented that the 6800 is a great value, and it got me thinking about high end/value systems.

Now I am looking to buy a Sager 5720 when the new intel duo core models arrive. However, what is the point of spending 2500-3500 on a laptop when I could purchase a solid gaming laptop for much less using older technology...

I guess my question for everyone is this:

What is a good system to buy, that will run recently released games, but not have the latest GPU's, ect...

Is it recommended (or should I say more intelligent/wise) to buy a slightly older laptop, or is buying the latest and greatest.

I plan to play WoW mostly, but would still like to be able to play upcoming/new releases such as FEAR.

 

WoW will run great on just about anything. You could get away with using an X1400 for games such as HL2/fear, though at medium settings. The X1600 would be a great bet if you wanted to be a little more future proof. I'm getting the X1400 for exactly the same reasons you'd be wanting a video card. I'm thinking that it will provide excellent value in that it will do everything I need it to without breaking the bank.

I don't believe we NEED to have the top-of-the-line cards to run games, and it seems that you're looking to find something that would work yet not break the bank. So, I would recommend the X1400, if you really want to have a bit more then the X1600 would be more-then appropriate.

 

Is there a laptop brand that you recommend?

I am thinking Sager.

Is the 6600 = x1400?

 

no, the 6600 will be a decent step up from the 6600 since the x1400 is akin to the x600 with a couple of extra features like SM3 (which the 6600 has).

 

i would say, either x700/6600 or a 6800/x1600 would fit you perfectly. F.E.A.R. is playable on the x700, as is WoW. WoW isnt very demanding, and will easily play with very nice settings.

i personally love ASUS..i would take a look into the upcoming W3J..14 inch, core duo, x1600,1gb ram..1800...ASUS has great build quality, and are very solid machines..they dont come loaded with bloatware, and they are pretty light too.

pb,out.

 

Right now they have the XPS with a 7800GTX for under $1400. That will last you quite some time, and is still an excellent bargain. I guess the choice between latest and greatest or value is a personal preference, but I think in the end it is probably smarter to just save the money and get a great system without a few of the bells and whistles

 

yeah, that is where I think I might be leaning.

We'll see though.

The next question I can think of is wheather or not a laptop with high end equipment pays for itself over a longer period of time vs. a high value laptop.

 

That's an interesting question.

The way I look at it, is that the laptop should last me three years. I don't think that three years is overly demanding as the games I play, I play for a long time. For example, I JUST left Diablo 2 to play WoW. Yes, I play Counter-Strike Source and Battlefield 2, so the laptop needs to play those games for me, and I want a certain level of performance for newer games.

So really, consider what your needs are. Ask yourself "what are the chances that within these three years will I be unhappy with my purchase"

To answer your question, I think that for me an X1400 with the specs in my sig would probably last me three years. After three years I intend to upgrade.

Do I believe that this laptop will be good in three years time, probably not. But at the same time, when considering that DX10 will be integrated into the market, none of the GPU's will be outstanding in three years time. Yet, in these three years, I believe the X1400, at least in my case will do extremely well for me.

Taking everything into consideration, I believe that extremely high performance will not pay for itself in the long run. Not when you consider that a lower priced laptop should last you just as long.

 

well said. thank you.

 

i would have to agree here, but a 7800gtx will last much longer then an x1400. it is the best card out right now, and as a flagship card..it will last longer then a mid range card. with more money, you get longevity...in most cases.

pb,out.

 

While this is generally true, I was referring to the release of DX10 which, should be within the next three years. I believe all of these laptops will have the same shelf life as DX10 games will not be compatible with DX9 videocards.

 

well DX10 is coming with Vista, and DX9 will be slowly phased out. while it will take some time to do this, a 7800gtx will provide you with the most longevity.

pb,out.

 

It's going to be next year, 2007, a lot less than three years. As stated, DX10 will only be avaliable for Windows Vista.

 

Perhaps I didn't explain what I meant very clearly (and reading over my post, it seems this is true). Over the next three years, dx9 should be phased out, making any laptop bought recently obsolete (at least for new games).