New Gaming Laptop in 3 months

I'm looking at buying a gaming laptop with the following minimum specs within the next 3 months.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz (2.4GHz preferably)
RAM: 3gb DDR2 800MHz (I've only seen laptops with DDR2 667MHz modules)
HDD: 200GB 7200RPM (most are 5400RPM)
Graphics Card: GeForce 8700M 512MB (hopefully nVidia releases an 8800 by then though)
Screen Resolution: 1680x1050 (or higher)
Screen Size: 15.4inch or 17inch, I don't mind

Can any one offer suggestions or recommendations... I don't need a TV tuner, camera, microphone, wireless or any of that other crap that just adds to the price. I've had a look around and haven't found many laptops that match what I'm after at the moment, however my hope is that by Christmas something close will be released. If not, does anyone have a recommendation on something that I should consider instead?

 

Best advice would be save a bit of money here and then, after 3 months see whats out then post here again if your not sure which one to choose.


There is no point in deciding which one to buy right now since new systems will be available in 3 months, such as the 8800M which according to some sources is due late November.


Also next time post in the "What Notebook Should I Buy" forum following its rules and answering its questions since those questions ask information about each specific part of laptop you might want to get, this gives other users here a better idea of what exactly your after and what options are there that fit your needs.

 

If you don't even need wireless, why even buy a laptop? Clearly you have no intention of using it as a portable machine, so you might as well just buy a desktop. You can get much better performance for the same price in a desktop, so that may be a better option for you.

If you're intent on a laptop then you're probably going to want something like the XPS M1730. There's no way you're finding an 8700M or higher in anything short of a 17" laptop.

 

The Sager 9261 has 8700M GT SLI and the 5791 has 8700M GT it it (with a possible 8800M GTX or SLI in the 9261 once it will be released).

 

The reason I don't need a TV Tuner is because if I wanted to watch TV I would watch my TV. The reason I don't need wireless is because I already have an external wireless card. But you're right, I don't intend on using it as a portable machine - but then again with the size, weight and power use of most gaming machines, which ones are truly portable?

The main reason I need a laptop rather than a desktop is because I am going to be traveling overseas and its much cheaper and easier transporting a laptop with me than a big arse tower, keyboard, mouse, speakers and monitor.

I was just hoping someone had heard rumors or had some news on new laptops coming out soon that had similar specs to what I'm after. Cheers.

 

i'm waiting for the asus c90p barebone notebook myself, you can put desktop conroe cpu's in it giving it a lot of power compared to regular notebook cpu's. hopefully the 8800m will be available for it this year as well (but i wouldn't hold my breath)

 

A 8800M will not fit any 15" notebook.

 

Having some experience at traveling around constantly, I can sympathize; I worked on cruise ships for several years. You would be hard pressed to find a laptop without at the very least wireless as a standard option these days unless you go barebones.

If you are looking for a laptop that you can upgrade the video card, then you should look for a laptop that can accept MXM cards.

You would probably not be able to find a machine that can accept a 8800M at the moment without a Motherboard upgrade anyways because of the unknown power requirements.

But for the most part a Sager 5791 would probably meet your needs.
I just ordered one yesterday, so you can take it for what it is.

 

Thanks Mark, just curious, how much did the Sager 5791 (with the configuration in your sig) set you back?

 

Check www.xoticpc.com for pricing. They have a nice deal now (with big discounts).

 

I'll have a review of the Sager NP5791 coming up in a week or so, it would be a good idea to wait for that if you are interested in it.

 

Wireless is pretty much standard now. You'd spend more effort looking for something without wireless than with it, and probably wouldn't be any cheaper anyways.