Looking to buy semi-gaming laptop (laptops, desktops, RAM, high end)

[cdubs3201]

I bought a dell XPS (400 or 500 I think?) about 4 or 5 years ago that at the time was fairly high end, 3 Ghz Dual Core, 2 GB RAM (maxed RAM), decent vid card.

I'd like to buy a laptop instead. I don't do a TON of gaming on my computer, but when I do I'd like to have pretty good graphics and enough RAM to run multiple applications and switch in/out often. I play a lot of RTS's on my comp, and dabble once in a while on WoW.

Here's what I've looked at:

Dell Alienware - seems a little too high end for me, but maybe I'm wrong? I don't know if I'd utilize all the specs.

Dell XPS Laptops - I liked the XPS desktop, lasted me a long time and only crashed/restored once in like 5 years. Was good performance most of the way through.

Apple Laptops - I'm not as familiar with the apple's laptop product line, but I know people love it, and I have an iPhone 3GS and I love it. Is apple compatible with most games these days? I heard they at least didn't used to be...

I'm looking for any suggestions or recommendations on what laptop would be semi-high performance for gaming but would last a while and isn't TOO overpriced...

Thanks in advance.

[NHDave]

Apple's aren't even in the running for gaming unless you only plan on playing the limited selection of games that are available for them. Look at the games you want to play, get a list of the hardware requirements for those games, and get a laptop that exceeds those requirements.

[knoxgarden]

Check CyberpowerPC.com They build laptops as well as desktops.
A friend who is into gaming really likes the ones he's had them build for him.
They do semi-custom work. You can the basics and then up or down grade it.
CyberPower Inc. - UNLEASH THE POWER - Create the Custom Gaming PC and Laptop Computer of your dreams

[cdubs3201]

Originally Posted by knoxgarden

Check CyberpowerPC.com They build laptops as well as desktops.
A friend who is into gaming really likes the ones he's had them build for him.
They do semi-custom work. You can the basics and then up or down grade it.
CyberPower Inc. - UNLEASH THE POWER - Create the Custom Gaming PC and Laptop Computer of your dreams

Thanks!

[rubber_factory]

cyberpowerpc is bad news.

so is iBuyPower - which i suspect is run by the same people, since they have more or less the same website, and are located a few blocks away. Which, BTW, is a few blocks away from newegg, who is probably their supplier.

they are cheap and configurable, but both companies have very bad reputations, based on bad customer service, and a propensity for selling PC's that are DOA.

cyberpowerPC actually has an urban dictionary entry that describes what happens to people who buy their PC's.

[knoxgarden]

I'm sorry to hear that. They used to produce really nice computers but it has been awhile since I've talked to any major gamers about them.

[Tek_Freek]

Look through this list. Every laptop here has a dual core Intel CPU. Most should fit the bill, it's just a matter of how much you want to spend...

Newegg.com - PCs & Laptops,Laptops, Notebooks & Netbooks,Laptops / Notebooks,Intel Core 2 Duo

[collinsl]

I would recommend a Dell XPs M1530, but they recently stopped producing them. They were great for price/performance ratio, and for reliability etc. I am actually using one right now, and I can say that for about £750 (in a sale) I got enough of everything to run most major games very well.

Unfortunately, the XPS M1730 line are no where near as good on the price/performance ratio, and alienware is likely to be overkill.

One of the other things you have to look at is portability. Would you be lugging the laptop around all day, or would it be left in your house and used just there? This is a necessary consideration, because the higher spec laptops are likely to be a lot heavier than cheapo ones.

[skel1977]

Xps are still great gaming laptops

[Moonwalkr]

I had the opportunity to compare several bigger gaming brands (Dell, HP, Gateway, etc.) and found that if you have the cash, go with the XPS. I went with the best bang for my buck, which was a Gateway FX (7805u, not sure if they still make that anymore). It pretty much ran everything on high setting, without any overclocking, on a high res 17" screen. I bought it last year refurb'ed for $700, an equivalent Alienware was selling for $3000 new. The Gateway case design isn't as nice as Dells, but it really didn't justify a few thousands dollars extra to me.