Laptop decisions...

[Filmmaster 35]

Hey guys, I'm planning on getting a new laptop soon, and I'm preferring Dell's Inspiron series. Just because of the price. Which one will be best for me? The Inspiron 15, 13z, 15R, or the 17R? Also, can you tell me what things I should customize onto it? Let me give you an example, you say I should get the 13z, what should I add so it can handle intense graphics better? Thank you for you time.

[Filmmaster 35]

I am thinking the 17R, because it includes everything by default, if you think I should get the 17R, what should I add?

[TheReesesMan 7]

Well get the best one and also Upgrade the RAM. You can always upgrade the stuff if it gets outdated.

[Filmmaster 35]

Well get the best one and also Upgrade the RAM. You can always upgrade the stuff if it gets outdated.

What are other ways to upgrade ram? Like upgrading to a bigger drive?

[TheReesesMan 7]

What are other ways to upgrade ram? Like upgrading to a bigger drive?

You buy it from a Store so they can see what RAM it takes, because it you get the wrong one, ur alptop get be messed up. and getting a Bigger Drive is good to because it means more Games your can put on your laptop and If you record with Fraps to make videos then it will help aswell with the file size.

[nahaz 132]

You need a "discrete" gfx in your laptop to be able to run arma2/dayz stable.

I have a Dell Latitude E6410 with nvidia graphics and it can't handle more than 15 fps max in Dayz, and that's out in the woods with no zombies.

[AssToast 0]

laptop arent made for gaming, u should get a desktop, desktop are easy to upgrade and clean

[entoc 2]

if you are going to get a laptop for gaming i suggest a sager i have a X8100 and i can play most games at a good frame rate (xoticpc.com) <--- they sell custom laptops i know my laptop is older now got it a few years back but its good but dude dont get a dell...

[TheReesesMan 7]

laptop arent made for gaming, u should get a desktop, desktop are easy to upgrade and clean

Laptops are made for Gaming for example Alienwares and xotic but not all Laptops are made for that.

[chunkeymonkey79 86]

Laptops are made for Gaming for example Alienwares and xotic but not all Laptops are made for that.

NEVER EVER buy an Alienware. It is an overpriced case with flashy lights. A 800$ custom PC could beat it out in benchmark tests.

If you can avoid it, don't get a laptop, buy parts and build a desktop.

[TheReesesMan 7]

NEVER EVER buy an Alienware. It is an overpriced case with flashy lights. A 800$ custom PC could beat it out in benchmark tests.

If you can avoid it, don't get a laptop, buy parts and build a desktop.

Well If you dont have any Interent Jack Ports in your house, then yea a Alienware Laptop is best you can go. So STFU because not everyone has a Interent Jack right next to them. Thats why some people dont get a Desktop. Please dont be a Fanboy about Desktops because theirs alot of Cons about it.

[nahaz 132]

Alienware are the worst of the worst when it comes to gaming laptops. Don't buy them.

Asus G-series or custom laptops like the ones from originpc.com or xoticpc.com will net you alot more perfomance for the same or less money. MSI has some good gaming laptops aswell.

But seriously, stay away from Alienware.

[Catatonick 3]

Well If you dont have any Interent Jack Ports in your house, then yea a Alienware Laptop is best you can go. So STFU because not everyone has a Interent Jack right next to them. Thats why some people dont get a Desktop. Please dont be a Fanboy about Desktops because theirs alot of Cons about it.

You do know you can get wireless cards for a desktop right?

Alienware is NOT Alienware anymore it is basically just Dell with a flashy case. You are getting ripped off if you buy one of them because there are much better, faster, and cheaper laptops out there.

If you can avoid it at all just don't buy a laptop for gaming. There may be some made "for" gaming but that doesn't really mean a lot. Battery life is terrible so you still end up with a "desktop" that has to be plugged into a wall nearly all the time but it is just easier to move because you can fold it up and relocate. If you aren't moving around a lot then it is pointless. Laptops have slower processors, slower graphics cards, and more issues with heat than any gaming desktop you would build ever will and they become outdated much faster because you are very limited as to what you can upgrade.

If you must have a laptop make sure it has good ventilation. This means bulk. Do NOT get a slim profile laptop. If you want to play games with it you have to give up a lot of portability or performance... there isn't much else you can do. It must have a discrete card. That means it needs a Radeon or an Nvidia card with its own RAM. Faster HDDs are good. You want to avoid a 5400rpm drive if you intend to game with it. You will probably want to get a 7200rpm hdd or a big ssd. I personally prefer a big hard drive for gaming to avoid issues with the SSD and price is ridiculous for them still but it is going down.

You can upgrade 2 things without voiding warranty... RAM and Hard Drive. That is it. They are easy to access and hard to mess up so do NOT pay a fortune to get them when you buy the laptop. It isn't worth it. Most manuals even show you how to do it.

Make sure you always research the CPU and the graphics card extensively, use youtube to find performance videos, find benchmarks... research research research. Do NOT fall for marketing. If you spend your money wisely the laptop will last longer. Don't buy a computer because it looks "pretty" or "cool" ever... you usually pay a premium for a flashy case. It also makes the laptop less of a target. A plain laptop lid makes it look like a cheaper/business computer while an Apple logo or Alienware logo reveals that the laptop is worth a lot of money.

If you want to build a desktop shoot me a PM with your budget and I will help you find parts that fit it for the most bang for your buck.

Edited July 22, 2012 by Catatonick