pc specs and a new lappy

[amica]

First of all, forgive me if this is on the wrong forum, and if it is could the mods please move this to the proper one?

Well here goes...I've been looking at the pc requirements that are needed for Aion, and although the requirements are pretty low for a game that has such a high quality graphics, figure that is time for me to get a new lappy for when this comes out (that and I treat the recommended specs as the minimum).

This is what I'm thinking of buying (something that I can hopefully use for the next 3 years or so):
Alienware Area-51 m15x high performance gaming notebook computer – Learn More

I am fully aware that in order for me to get the best out of an Alienware, that I need to be prepared to shell out loads of cash. But since I figure that I will be using it for 3 years or so, then I might as well get the most out of my money yes?

Basically my question is this: Obviously I'll be choosing a gaming lappy, though being the completely computer inept person that I am, have no idea what I should get (like what is necessary and which isn't). Or if I should just wait until Aion is released and then buy a lappy then. Any info or alternatives will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Please note that unlike most of you, I don't live in the US (SE Asia actually), and prices for a Desktop here that would be considered "average" in the US actually costs around $2k+ here (alienwares m9700 costs about $4k+ here and its just got basic stuff in it -.-), hence why I'm choosing to buy in the US and getting it shipped to me which would be so much cheaper.

[Aeterna]

Alienware is still overpriced though.

If you look around abit you can find some pretty neat systems for an actual good price.

Like; for example a M51SN-AP018C(European website though).

I can't find a 8800GTX card in a laptop instantly but I'm sure they're out there; and definatly cheaper than Alienware prices.

[Dez]

What I've heard is Alienware is way more brand then it is bang for the buck, don't take that as a 100% though.

[Fishy McFish]

Originally Posted by Dez

What I've heard is Alienware is way more brand then it is bang for the buck, don't take that as a 100% though.

Most likely seeing as how you can get the nearly the same specs as their PCs for a lot less if you're willing to build it yourself. For desktop PCs at least. It would be rare to actually build a laptop yourself.

[Zoned87]

I use an Everex Stepnote 1610, they only cost about $450 new.

Don't expect to be gaming on them, but for checking your email, browsing the web and playing dvds they work great...

Everex 15.4" StepNote NC1610 Laptop PC w/ Via C7-M Processor - Wal-Mart

Comes default with,

Via C7-M 1.6ghz cpu
1GB of Ram
Windows Vista Basic
S3 Chrome9 Integrated Graphics

Personally I don't game on a laptop, so I don't think alot of power is needed. I use it for browsing the web at my college, and take it with me on vacations.

If you want a Gaming laptop check out the Everex StepNote XT5000T

[Kalean]

Keep in mind, the minimum requirements will be low resolution gaming along with pretty much no eye candy...It won't look as good as these high quality screenshots.

Also, MMO's tend to be 1-4 generations behind in terms of graphical power, the rare case for Aion is it's using the FarCry engine..which is one reason why every can look so lush and beautiful. But if you are planning to buy a laptop..you'd have to spend a LOT..and I mean more then that 1500 price tag. I just configured one with 2 gigs of ram, 160 gb hard drive, 8800GT mobile, and a 2.6 ghz dual core (default is 1.6)...price is 2,700 before tax and shipping...I have to admit though I'm impressed with the resolution for a 15.4 inch display...defualt is 1440x900, but you can upgrade to 1920x1200 for 300 bucks...on a 15.4, that's a lot of tiny pixels..lol..(the one I configed was default)

You don't get a lot for your money out of laptops...especially when it comes to dell/alienware/etc. Why do you want a gaming laptop anyways?..Why not spend a much smaller amount of money on something that would perform better out of a laptop.

If you want to go custom desktop, you can literally build a a fantastic gaming system with 4 gigs of ram, a 8800 gt, a q6600, etc., all for less then 1400...and 1400 would be considered a lot if you plan to go crazy on hard drive space and a sound card...Literally...if you are just buying a laptop for the sake of buying a laptop, buy a really cheap one that has the specs to get you by, if you want to really game well, get a desktop...

If you do decide to go desktop, I can help you out on part selection and all that jazz..I'm up to date on all current and upcoming technologies...I also have a knack for giving lots of advice depending on your future plans for upgrading as well...Normally visit hardware sites where I give a thorough helping hand =P....Just drop a reply if you're interested.

[plasma06]

may i ask why you want alienware is it because its preity?

[Kalean]

My friend did that back in the day =(....I kept telling him to let me just build a rig for him, but he was dead set on getting an alienware serveral years back...This was during the Single core Athlon XP and Intel days...When the Athlon xp 2100 was the big daddy =P. He ended up paying almost 3 thousand for a 4600 TI, athlon XP 2100, 2 gigs of ram, and one hard drive. Literally...brand names are horrid, you're only paying for the name =P. But it depends, sometimes they have some great deals that make it worthwhile, but they are rare. You really should consider a good custom desktop, they perform better, and are far cheaper. You could even build yourself a kick *** gaming rig that would demolish that laptop, and still have money left over to buy a 1,000 dollar laptop...and it would still cost less then getting one of those alienwares you linked to that are configed well...that's how much they rip you off =(.

[amica]

Originally Posted by plasma06

may i ask why you want alienware is it because its preity?

well yes that was one of the reasons...i love pretty colors...^^

Originally Posted by Kalean

You don't get a lot for your money out of laptops...especially when it comes to dell/alienware/etc. Why do you want a gaming laptop anyways?..Why not spend a much smaller amount of money on something that would perform better out of a laptop.

If you want to go custom desktop, you can literally build a a fantastic gaming system with 4 gigs of ram, a 8800 gt, a q6600, etc., all for less then 1400...and 1400 would be considered a lot if you plan to go crazy on hard drive space and a sound card...Literally...if you are just buying a laptop for the sake of buying a laptop, buy a really cheap one that has the specs to get you by, if you want to really game well, get a desktop...

If you do decide to go desktop, I can help you out on part selection and all that jazz..I'm up to date on all current and upcoming technologies...I also have a knack for giving lots of advice depending on your future plans for upgrading as well...Normally visit hardware sites where I give a thorough helping hand =P....Just drop a reply if you're interested.

I was going for a gaming laptop as I do travel occasionally, and could be a desktop replacement; also because I needed something that should last me a couple of years before I needed to replace it. I guess I have to be specific in that I currently reside in the philippines, where unfortunately decent computer parts just have to be overpriced -.-. I have a friend that also thought that it's a waste of good money for the alienware, and also offered to build one for me, however, when we finally got to adding all the parts together, a new desktop would set me back around P129,000 (about $3,100), hence why I thought buying the laptop would be much better (i was prepared to pay between 5 to 7k for the alienware if i really have to -.-''). Even my brother, who lives in the US, and is gifted in everything related to computers, think I'm insane to be willing to pay that much, and has offered to build one for me.

But thank you for all your input, and I think I will wait until this game does come out before I decide on buying a new one, or at least until something comes out that would be cheaper for me in the long run.

[Yakuzan]

Check this website out:

iBUYPOWER -- Notebook Lobby

Way cheaper than Alienware. I wouldn't buy a laptop with less than 2gb of ram.

[Diablo]

I would, to get it for $300 cheaper and put the $60 worth of RAM in myself.

[Fishy McFish]

Originally Posted by amica

well yes that was one of the reasons...i love pretty colors...^^



I was going for a gaming laptop as I do travel occasionally, and could be a desktop replacement; also because I needed something that should last me a couple of years before I needed to replace it. I guess I have to be specific in that I currently reside in the philippines, where unfortunately decent computer parts just have to be overpriced -.-. I have a friend that also thought that it's a waste of good money for the alienware, and also offered to build one for me, however, when we finally got to adding all the parts together, a new desktop would set me back around P129,000 (about $3,100), hence why I thought buying the laptop would be much better (i was prepared to pay between 5 to 7k for the alienware if i really have to -.-''). Even my brother, who lives in the US, and is gifted in everything related to computers, think I'm insane to be willing to pay that much, and has offered to build one for me.

But thank you for all your input, and I think I will wait until this game does come out before I decide on buying a new one, or at least until something comes out that would be cheaper for me in the long run.

Thats ridiculous. x.x What were the specs you had with the custom build your friend was going to do for you?

[amica]

Originally Posted by Fishy McFish

Thats ridiculous. x.x What were the specs you had with the custom build your friend was going to do for you?

Do you want the basic overview or the full detailed list (which includes the currency conversions)? I could ask her to list the stuff again. I went shopping around for computer parts today, but cheapest I got was around $2,000 (after conversion) but that's without the OS, and only 2GB ram, and 1 512MB 8800GTS....

The $3k desk included everything else I wanted on the desktop, the OS, MS Office, liquid cooling, an extra 2GB Memory (to get it to 4GB), and an extra HDD.

I was looking at other gaming laptops and came up with Dell and was wondering if anyone knew if that would be a good desktop replacement? Seems cheaper for the same stuff Alienware provides...but then I'm clueless so I wouldn't know -.-.

[Mark]

You guys want good cheap laptops that can play games? Look at Sager notebooks, or Sager's resellers like PCTorque.

[Fishy McFish]

He lives in the Philippines though. Unless Sager is sold over there he's kinda stuck with I guess Alienware or Dell at this point unless we find out other brands.

As for the specs its okay. Don't want ya to go through the effort for something that's not too important. :P If Dell laptops are cheaper than Alienware though with the same specs I'd probably say to go for it. In my opinion all the extra cash your spending on Alienware PCs is just for the extra flash..