How long will the 650/750m be useful

If I get a laptop for college I want to be able to play some games along with the graphics work that I'll be doing. While big gaming laptops have better graphics card for someone who already has a decent sized laptop, it would be simply too much of a hassle dealing with the size. Most laptops that have a smaller footprint and still can handle graphic intensive programs are outfitted with a 650m soon 750m graphics card. I want to know if that will be able to last me through college, or at least till I can get an apartment and get a good gaming desktop setup?

 

If you mean 4 years through college, I'd say no, unless you stick with games released in the next year or so. Although laptops with top end GPU's only weigh about 7lbs and are 15" same footprint as others unless you're looking at 12-13" notebook.

 

The average is about two years for most mobile GPU's.

 

Two years @ native resolution and details more if not

 

When I say "footprint" I also imply thickness. I have a laptop that is about 1.4" thick at the most and 6 lbs and at times I find the size to be a bit of an inconvenience as I carry it around with my books at times. At the same time I still am going to require good hardware to get my work done.

 

Then consider buying a thinner laptop now and another in two years or so. Buying two at about $1000 each or one at $2000 to last you four years is about same cost.

 

Any ones around worth noting? I was originally looking at the UX51vz but that's $2000

 

Or you can compromise with the upcoming Clevo W230ST:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...fficial-clevo-w230st-sager-owners-lounge.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/705795-w230st-13-weve-been-waiting.html

13.3" 1080p
i7 quad core Haswell
GTX 765m
weight/size: not sure but probably about 1.5" thick and 5 lbs.

If you want power, you will have to deal with weight.

 

With a 13" with THESE specs? If I wanted an M14x before then OF COURSE I can deal with that!!!!! I never knew something like this existed!!!!!!

 

It doesn't... yet. Sometime in late June likely.

 

hopefully will ship before I go to school

 

Indeed. 750m should be fine at middle settings even next year.

 

I'm sure it will. All I can say is get your order in early!

 

My MSI GX640 with 5850M is 3 years old now, but i can still play most new games at 1080 and high details with great FPS since most games r just console ports anyway nothing new. When the new consoles come out i think most of todays graphics chips will get outdated really fast except for maybe the super high-end ones.

 

IS THIS?!!! HTWingNut, you showed me my dreams!! OMG, I want that machine!!! +REP

 

That depend in a number of factors, mainly screen resolution and games. If you are not very demanding gamer, mid range card could last you a long time.

 

..with the new "next gen" consoles coming out essentially being a middle-spec gaming pc. And nothing interesting going to happen on hardware. And very little push coming along for making more OpenCL specific designs (i.e., limiting the audience is bad). You're likely going to be good for several more years as long as you don't mind 720 resolutions and medium detail/low to no anti-aliasing, etc.

 

My ATI 5650m is starting to feel like a dinosaur, even at 1366x768.

 

I know that feeling bro

 

All these Lenovo Y500 deals are tempting, but I'm not ready/able to afford a new laptop just yet.

But certainly for anybody looking I don't think there is a better choice than Y500 - decent price, good GPU, option for SLI, 1080p, etc.

 

The 13" I indicated should be a great option. GTX 765m should be about same performance as 750m SLI. Pricing not disclosed yet but my guess with base unit, which is pretty well equipped, likely i7 quad, GTX 765m, 8GB DDR3 1600, 1080p screen, probably ~ $1200, maybe less.

 

Sure, that's a great option as well.

The Y500 has been on sale quite a bit lately for as low as $809, so for people not wanting to spend as much that's a strong option.

 

you forgot bad battery life I can't do 3 hrs or less

 

For a budget 15" gaming notebook absolutely a strong option with upgrade opportunity later to add another GPU for roughly 50-60% improvement. Although it's been hard to come by lately for less than $1000, not to mention with the SLI add-on will tack on another $250.

 

As I said, find a way to get more than 3 hrs under normal usage and it'll be a better choice

 

3hrs for Y500? I agree. But it doesn't have optimus so not likely unless they add a fat battery. The 13" I indicated should easily exceed 4 hours, likely 5-6.

 

Hitman absolution @1366x768 only produce less than 50 fps with medium setting.. @1920x1080 you get roughly 40% fps decrease.. I saw a new driving game Grid 2 benchmark, provided they are true.. i don't know how to produce solid driving gameplay experience with these cards @1920x1080

 

The Y500 is pretty horrible deal i tested one at the store with SLI and saw the micro sulttering right away. a lot better to just game on a single 650m but than again my 3 year old overclocked 5850m is just as fast as a single overclocked 650m or stock 660m.