Want to use it mostly for gaming, also word docs and that sort of thing since im in college. Maybe around $800. Should I buy used? Craigslist? Frys? Any particular model? Or something specific I should look for?
You want a laptop to be good enough to handle this internet wave for the next three to four years, so buy something in the above middle range as far as performance. I would recommend the Inspiron 15Rs from Dell: http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15r-5521/pd?&~ck=mn just under 800 at $799.
ill sell you a laptop you little freak. You forgot that you will be buying it for extensive p*rn user and fapping also.
Not no, but hell no. If I were buying a new laptop today it would be either an ASUS or Samsung, but if you want to use it for gaming I'd get the laptop with the best specs you can get in that price range. You're looking for graphics card, CPU, memory and hard drive speed in that order. To play the best games, stay away from Intel integrated graphics, although the Intel 4000 Graphics can play most newer games on medium to low settings. But in your price range, you can easily get dedicate graphics. Another option is http://www.dell.com/outlet, and then obtaining a coupon code via the Slick Deals forum or http://twitter.com/delloutlet. Depending on their stock and deals, you can save several hundreds of dollars getting the same warranty as new systems.
for cheap gaming i would go with a: Lenovo y500 or y400 has option of getting 650m sli with the removable ultrabay
Not in his price range. The cheapest MacBook is the $999 MacBook Air which is FAR from a great gaming laptop. I may be a Microsoft Fanboy but I appreciate the quality and build of Macs. I can't however recommend them based upon their price. For what you pay for a $700-800 Windows laptop you'd need about $1700-2000 for a comparable Mac. For some people that premium is worth it, for most it's not. The build quality of recent ASUS and Samsung laptops (and now some Lenovos) also make it tougher and tougher to recommend Macs. The PC market has finally caught up to the well designed MacBooks. EDIT - I also forgot to mention to buy online. Feel free to visit Fry's and Best Buy to find the model you like, but buy online to save sales tax. Some Amazon Resellers and NewEgg will save you close to $100 on sales tax alone.
I think they still make barebones laptops right? I'm on an alienware m11x right now, but there were still made to order brands like clevo and msi that came with a pretty rugged gpu. I'm on my 3rd "gaming laptop" and to be honest it's a losing battle from the get go. I wanted to game on the go, and while I have graphics heavy games installed like Shogun 2, Skyrim and Dishonored, when I'm on battery I'm usually playing Torchlight 2 or League, which could be played on a laptop with integrated graphics.
Surface RT and a use the remainder to make a powerhouse desktop. That's what I do. Whenever I need power I virtual machine into my desktop, the rest of the time tablet goodness... If that isn't your style Asus has some damn good light weight but powerful laptops in your price range. Newegg is also a great place to start the search. ALSO! If you're a student with a student email Dell and HP have some killer pricing for students. Check online or at your university bookstore!
Well 800 is basically what I want to spend, but if someone can persuade me that spending the extra dough makes it worth it, $1500 or so would by my max. I do play a lot of computer games, but they're mostly older. Total War, etc... Good info here. Nobody suggesting I buy used?
I would not buy used, since the laptop specs might most likely be dated, and you might have problems with warranty.. etc. If you're locked in at 800, I'd get this: http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/laptop/ideapad/y-series/y400/ the 650m should be good enough for most games.
Have a Lenovo Y470 I bought for about 550. My first and only laptop. I like it. Grand Theft Auto 4 is about as much as I've tested it out game wise, but with the graphics card, and I'm smooth sailing. Would like to try GTA V on it.. That might push the limits.
Didn't want to create yet another laptop thread, so I'm bumping this one. I'm in the market for a new one. Looking to sell my old one as well. I saw on Groupon they had a couple of nice laptops that I was interested in and were manufacturer refurbished. Anyone have experience with purchasing one of those?
Been thinking of replacing mine as well. I think I want one with a Docking Station I figure the Dock and Laptop have to match [no 3rd party docking stations?] easier within the name brand. I think this will allow more screens as well. Rocket River
