Alienware Graphics Amplifier: Will It Replace a Desktop?

And with each passing week, more choices to consider.
See:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/9080/asus-republic-of-gamers-announces-new-gaming-laptops

 

I knew about the G501, thanks for letting me know that it'll be way outside my budget (with unknown battery ratings).

 

Outside your budget? With $3K available? Okay.

(From previous link provided).


And you know, you don't need to only consider the G501, right?

 

Well I considered the other 2 but there were some issues with them that were less than ideal. Also in regards to the "budget" allow me to quote myself:

 

I'm pretty sure that with regards to your budget there is no saving money when your workloads and expected performance goals of both platforms are high.

A ~$2K notebook with a ~$1K desktop is the minimum for each to be performance oriented. And both capable of gaming. If anything, your budget will increase, not decrease with the expectations you place on them.

 

I know about how much the desktop will cost me, and as I stated before the laptop will be replacing my AW 17 spec for spec. Because my current laptop costs ~1500 when I bought it, I don't expect my next laptop to cost more than that.

 

Past purchase amounts are an indication of current/future ones? Nah...

 

It is a baseline. For reference here's exactly what I'm looking for and please tell me if I have to spend more than that to get what I am looking for:

- i7 - 4710mq or better
- 15-17" 1920x1080 screen or better
- 850m GPU or better
- 4+ hours of battery life (Normal Use)
- ~1" thick or less

 

No, not even a baseline. Just a data point from an older platform to another.

I would say that if you want a premium notebook with the spec's as stated $2K is not out of line (when we add 16GB RAM and a capable SSD to that setup for a balanced platform). $1.5K would certainly be a great deal but I don't see that possible with the goals you've set.

See:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc...nd-netbooks/gigabyte-p35k-v3-1286196/review/2

Even the notebook you've indicated as the best contender is not living up to your standards, imo (see link above).

When the battery life doesn't last as long as you need when brand new, you know it won't last anywhere close to your requirements with a few charge/discharge cycles down the road... Not to mention the dual drive (with puny SSD) setup I've mentioned as deficient before and the review above agrees with.

 

See there are many conflicting reviews concerning the battery:
http://www.digitalversus.com/laptop/gigabyte-p35k-p18460/test.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Gigabyte-P35W-v2-Notebook-Review.121197.0.html
http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews...d-netbooks/gigabyte-p35w-v2-1242150/review/21

I have a backup HDD so I am not too concerned with the ssd. It should be said that I don't need a "premium" laptop if it's going to cost well over $1500. Maybe $100-200 over, but 2k would most certainly be out of the question.

 

The battery tests vary too much to be compared to each other. I would believe the link with the lowest time, myself.

The backup HDD cannot make up for performance shortcomings of the O/S drive. A small/toy-like SSD is worse than a HDD in many situations. Unless all you value is fast boot up and shut down times.

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/an-interesting-read-about-ssd-endurance.772892/#post-9955135

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ioning-on-my-840-evo-ssd.741422/#post-9512253

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/raid0-setup-m-2-vs-hd-ssd.772705/page-2#post-9953447

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/raid0-setup-m-2-vs-hd-ssd.772705/#post-9951929


While $2K may be over your budget for the notebook side of the equation, it is a more realistic amount than an arbitrary amount from a previous purchase and would get you more towards achieving the expectations of this future system over a longer time period too. I am assuming that this will not be replaced or upgraded within 3 years or longer.


Keep in mind that I'm not simply trying to get you to spend $$$$ needlessly. Rather, I want you to spend the right amount... once.

 

Ok. For me the 128gb ssd would be negligible, but I understand the point you are making. Needless to say that personally don't think that it'll be impossible for me to find what I am looking for without spending a great deal of money (at least more than I intend on spending).

 

Don't understand what you mean by the 128GB SSD would be negligible?

I guess we are on opposite sides of how much you will receive with how much you will pay to get it. NP.

I read reviews like I read marketing materials: for my benefit and with a healthy dose of cynicism until I'm able to test the item in question myself (at no charge of course, via return/refunds).

I wish you luck on finding that balance. At this time, I certainly don't see how you'll achieve it.

 

I say its negligible because I don't use an SDD as of now. Maybe later on after I had the computer for a while, but not as soon as I get it. From my perspective as the person doing the purchase. Surely I'll be able to find something that works for me.

 

Then you are greatly underestimating how limiting that capacity SSD is (especially from a performance standpoint).

You may as well stick to a large capacity 7200RPM HDD instead and save your money and frustration.

(And I see you didn't really read the links either).

 

This is what my backup 2.5" HDD is for. I ran 3 750gb HDD in my main system and the 3rd one I moved to being a backup drive that I can use for whatever. I'll just install the OS on that using the HD caddy and use the sad for caching or ditch it (this is all hypothetical).

 

That is all fine and good, but...

You're stilling paying a premium for an SSD (you won't even use).

 

Don't most laptops over $1000 come w. SSDs now especially small form factor ones?

 

No, not necessarily. And the 'default' SSD offered is the throw away kind like in this example.

 

Don't forget to factor in tax, too - I remember configuring a ~$1,800 machine, and then realizing the additional tax pushed it to just over $2k.