New Laptop Advice

[47522]

Hi all!

It must be over a year since I last posted on the forum! I've been lurking though!

I was wondering if anyone would be so kind to advise me on a new laptop. My trusty XPS M1730 has just bitten the dust. It's probably not worth shelling out on repairs, so I think it's time to treat myself!
My budget is £1,350 which sadly has to go on a laptop as I have no room for a desktop in my studio flat!

I've been out of the hardware loop for so long I'm not sure whats what!

So far I've come across the Asus G74SX-91131x on asuslaptop.com - £1,346.40 and the Alienware M17X - £1,498.99
Which is better? I'm looking for something which will run RW at high settings with ease.

Do I have any other options? I'd be grateful for any advice and your suggestions!

Thanks!

[gmaskone]

Keep an eye out for the Asus G75VW as an alternative to the G74SX. It's hot off the press (availability is still sketchy), and it has updated mobile graphics and cpu. I think I'd be avoiding superseded laptops, given that I'm limited in upgrade options later.

I'm sort of struggling with a similar decision, though I'm procrastinating between purchasing a desktop or a laptop. My main dilemma with a laptop is the massive difference in graphics performance versus portability. In purchasing a laptop, my desire would be to reduce any performance gap as much as possible (both to get the best performance, and as an attempt to get a few extra years of use). The G75VW would be at the top of my list, except that Alienware has an option for a GTX 675M that I'd want. Alienware can be overpriced, but darn if they don't give you options. I'd probably look to stretch and save for the best laptop I could get.

Regardless, I'm still terrified that whatever I get still won't run WCML well

[47522]

Thank you for the reply. It is very difficult to decide!

I'm not a massive game player so the laptop would just be for RW, I'm also not fussed about portability, I don't plan on carrying the laptop around anywhere.

So the Asus is the way to go?

[gmaskone]

Thank you for the reply. It is very difficult to decide!

I'm not a massive game player so the laptop would just be for RW, I'm also not fussed about portability, I don't plan on carrying the laptop around anywhere.

So the Asus is the way to go?

I still feel weird recommending a laptop for gaming - you buy a beautiful new laptop, and you're already 12+ months behind current desktops. You're that much closer to seeing current games encountering hitches, when what you really want is buttery smooth awesome-ness for at least a couple of years

I figure the current route benchmark is Cologne - Dusseldorf, and that route recommends the GTX560. Compared to the GTX560, the GTX560M (mobile) version performs only at about 50%-ish of it's desktop brother, so the Asus G74 (built with a GTX560M) might be good but not great with that 'premium' route. Personally, I'd avoid the GTX5xxM series at this point, and aim for a GTX670M, or ideally the GTX675M. In fact, it's only once you get up to the GTX675 that you start outperforming the desktop GTX560!

So for me, if I were on a strict budget and I needed portability/space over performance, I'd avoid the G74 and seek out the G75. If I could save more, I'd probably spring for a custom built Alienware (or Origin) laptop with the intention of trying to get it spec'ed as high as I can go. Also, some of the G75 specs include a solid state drive which I'd seek out, and I'd probably keep space free on it for TS2012 to cut down on loading times.

I hope this helps, and isn't too much babble!