Soo.. hi.. (new)

hello.. I'm new here..

I'm saving up for a laptop (no surprise I guess) and I am looking for all the help I can get with a laptop..

Granted I'm quite a ways off from actually buying one (going to wait till after xmas for multiple reasons).. so the stuff is BOUND to change by the time I actually manage to get one.

Right now I'm aiming for an acer.. or from Ibuypower..

I read the huge faq and comparison on cards (at least the first 2 or 3 post).. and I'm curious.. I have been told laptops lack the power to play oblivion/fear and the like well..

So how well do they actually play? I mean.. I read the post and it said they *can* play them.. but, *can* and *can do it well* are two different subjects entirly.. and while the graphics card may be up to par.. the ghz might lack or some other problem.

And is it possible to get a good laptop capable of playing oblivion/fear with most setting max/at least high for under 1,500 us dollars? I will have about 1200 dollars saved up and I might get another 300 or so around xmas..

Anyway.. sorry if this has already been asked a million times or something of that nature? x.x

 

I actually have the Compal HEL80 which you've probably read about in the forums. With the 7600go that it comes with and 2gb of ram, I can say that FEAR is definitely playable at highest settings except for AA being off and AF set to x4. I get approximately 35-40 fps with lag when there is a big gunfight. With only 1 gb of ram, I think my fps was pretty much the same (maybe 5 fps lower).

As far as oblivion goes, I don't know because I haven't played it.

I think you have to tell people whats the most important thing to you:
is it strictly performance? or does build quality/looks make up a significant factor in your choice? what about size?? Because depending upon your answer, you will have a several laptops to choose from.

 

Size is irrelevent... I mean as long as my laptop looks semi respectable I don't care one way or another.. I mean its going to be primarly for gaming.. (if it can game.. it can do pretty much anything I want it to)...

But, I mean as long as it doesn't look goofy I don't give a flying flip.. I just want it too look respectable if you know what I mean... I don't care much for vanity.. I just prefer it to be something that when in public and others see it.. they don't think 'Man what was that guy thinkin.. no way in hell I'd use a laptop like that!'

 

In the past, yes, the lack of video cards did make laptops a very unimpressive choice for gaming.

But with recent notebooks, from the past years, its been a huge upgrade.

The Compal HEL80, as boogie mentioned, as well as the ASUS Z96j are both good sub $1500 options with the x1600 video card. If you are willing to bump up the size, the 17" Dell e1705 is a monster, able for a 7900GS card IIRC.

 

Hmm I like the look of the hel-80 I will definitly consider it .. as far as dell goes.. I'm not really a fan of dell.. I have known alot of people to have problems with them..

 

Just keep in mind that mobile GPUs will always be weaker than their desktop counterparts. That said, there are some very powerful mobile GPUs available.

I'd say as long as you get a go 7600/x1600, you'll be able to game with good settings. If you really want to max out gaming capability, then you will need to get a 17" laptop--and with your budget the Dell e1705 will be your only choice.

When it gets closer to your time to decide, fill out an FAQ in the "What to buy" forum and get some specific suggestions.

Right now the HEL80 and S96J are great choices to consider.

 

yeah for now.. the stationary will be stronger.. but, I think in the future it may be irrelevent.. anyway thanks for the faq link.. I'll remember it when the time comes nearer...

and so far I like the look of the Comapl HEL-80

I saw one for like 600 dollars on one website 0.o

is that a scam or something?

 

At 600 dollars I wouldn't be too trusting.

Laptops these days do have the ability for high level gaming, be it the mid range 7600's and X1600s to play current games on high settings, or it the 7900s for maxed out gaming...but don't forget, laptops are not good asconstant desktop replacements for gaming. Ventilation in laptops can be good but never as good as a desktop. They are more likely to break or start failing as a result of too much intensive usage gaming wise.

If you plan using a laptop as a total desktop replacement and for alot of gaming, I'd reconsider.

 

Fear is probably going to be the most taxing game I'm going to play on it..

I might play a little bit of oblivion but, thats because i would like to see it (a little bit) in the graphics it was ment to be played in....

I might play fear a few hours a day on it until I beat it..

But, after fear.. is done.. any gaming I Play will mostly be small non taxing games.. conquer online/silk road.. maybe enemy territor..

and I want a laptop because we have 2 desktops at my house.. .

I want my own computer.. and since i"m going to college.. I want something I can bring to class and take notes with... I figure if it can game.. it can do anythign else i will need.. maybe watch some movies

so.. it will be a multipurpse computer..

But, I don't plan on playing anything that would tax it for more then maybe a hour or two a day..

the requirements for conquer/enemy territory/ silk road are all like nil

So would playing fear an hour or two a day be that big of a deal?

 

Well, if you need a laptop that you want to take to class with you comfortably, then I would suggest an Asus/Compal. They're fairly inexpensive and typically come with an x1600/7600. But if gaming were going to be a big thing, I would also suggest the E1705. The 7900GS is a beast. And I wouldn't discount it because you know people who've had problems with Dells. The Dells of the past are nowhere near what Dell laptops are these days. They've come a long way in the past year or so. I've never had good experiences with HP/Compaq, but that seems to be pretty rare if you read around on these forums and consider that HP is currently outselling Dell.

But if you're looking for an all-around performer that will still be good for taking to class, I'm gonna suggest the Compal HGL30. 14" with Go7600 and Core 2 Duo, and starts at ~$1100. I would suggest the Asus W3J, but it's a little out of your price range.

EDIT: The HGL30 isn't available from powernotebooks with a Core 2 Duo right now, but will be by October.

 

Meh... I *might* consider dell... but, do you think the hel80 would be good? it seems to have what I"m looking for..

 

The HEL80 is a great system. It took me a while to decide what to replace my e1705 with and I ended up with this one. If this is what you decide on, you will be happy with it.

 

Hmm the other user said extensive gaming would weaken it...

would playing fear on it for an hour or two hurt it too much?

 

Of course nothing lasts forever. But they wouldn't sell gaming laptops and we wouldn't buy them if they were doomed from the start.

Heat and usage are the main things that can weaken components and gaming does generate heat. But a good cooling system helps in this department and you don't buy something to not use it. I don't think there's anything to worry about gaming with your new notebook.

 

I don't think that gaming, even hardcore gaming, is gonna kill a computer. Not within an unreasonable amount of time anyway. I think it's things like overclocking and whatnot that's gonna take away from the lifesapan. But if you're just leaving it where it's at and trying to keep the system clean and don't let it overheat, you should have at least two or more years of happy gaming on a laptop, depending on the brand and build that is.

the Compal HEL80 is a great system, it's basically an Asus S96J. The only reason I suggest the HGL30 is because it's got the same amount of power, but in a nicer 14" form factor. I have a 17" because I wanted a high-end graphics solution, but had I been willing to go with an x1600/Go7600, I would have gone with a 14". Believe me, while a 15.4" is not necessarily huge, when it comes to laptops in college, 14" is still better. That's why I still have my old 14" C640. The desks are just tiny at most universities, and if you can have the same power at pretty close to the same price, why not? Just my thoughts. Of course, a 14" with a Go7600 is going to be much more prone to overheating, but just make sure you game on a flat surface like a desk and you should be fine.

Here is a link to the HGL30 from powernotebooks: http://www.powernotebooks.com/product.php?itemId=1561.

 

I think I am going to go for a 15.4 inch it seems to be more common..

and in all reality I can sit on the floor if I have to.. or manage with a bigger one..

I don't want my laptop overheating fast >.<

Also does it come with anything to warn me how hot its gettign? I mean it would be nice if there was a way I could tell how hot it is... or when It would be a good idea to turn it off.

 

for under 1500$, your only option really is the e1705 (if you want gaming proformance) the 7900 is far better then an x1600/7600. Dell's quality has gone up over the years, i would really consider it, especially for gaming, from what you said, it sounds like you will be disapointed with an x1600/7600.

 

uhhh, as long as all the vents are getting air it shouldn't overheat, unless they are clogged with dust. When an engineer designs a computer they make it so it will be able to be constantly used, a laptop won't overheat unless somthing is wrong, no matter how hard a game its playing. The dells are made with the 7900gs in mind, so its fine, play all you want. i am using my 17 inch laptop on the floor right now, and that is where i play most of my games.

 

e1705 with GF7900GS in it runs surprisingly cool for a system of its caliber. It also has a fairly low price. I have e1705 and have no complaints about physical build quality...

 

No, playing it for an hour or two a day is perfectly fine! Only really applicable if you're a hardcore gamer, playing for 4/5 hours a day online....

 

I have gone through many notebooks. Every one was pushed to it's limits.

I've played FEAR on my lap from start to finish on my current notebook, and it didn't even get hot. I have only had problems related to heat with older notebooks.

I have used my z96js as a counter strike source listen server, and kept it on for over a week. The notebook was no more warm than it was an hour after I set the server up.

 

I can say that Compals (either HGL30 or HEL80) have excellent cooling systems. You will not have to worry about overheating--even under heavy loads. Perhaps overclocking may make it run a little hotter but I don't think you'll get into danger zones unless you tweak your settings fan/GPU/CPU too much.

I hear that the ASUS systems also have great cooling systems as well.

 

you guys are really selling me on the hel80 x.x

and yes alot of the games I play are online.. but, not like online fps.. just small stuff..

 

You'll be pretty happy with any Asus (which includes Compal and Crown etc. since most of them are made by Asus). Asus makes fantastic machines. I'm pretty excited that Asus is contracted to make a 14" laptop for Dell next year.