New Laptop Recommendations?

[Shirokumo]

Hello all! Currently I'm using a 15" Macbook pro for my school and portable gaming needs. While I love the laptop, I realize I paid about a grand in apple-tax, and the idea to sell it and use the money to buy a technologically superior laptop has got me wondering what I could do with it.

I'm not computer illiterate, but I'm in no way a tech guru like I know some of our members are, so I'm turning to you guys for suggestions on what models to look in to.

What I like about my current laptop: I love the aesthetics and reliability of apple products. The keyboard and trackpad work amazingly, are incredibly comfortable, and don't give me any issues. My last laptop was an Everex that had the typical windows issues, along with several of it's own. It's video driver seemed to give me problems every time I closed the laptop without going into sleep mode first, the track pad was badly designed and the keys were always sticking, prompting me to remove them and clean them often: something I have yet to do in the year of owning my macbook.

That being said, I'm not an apple fanboy, and actually prefer the superior compatibility of windows, which is why I've always had a bootcamp partition. I'm looking for a laptop with similar exterior hardware, and superior interior hardware. I like the apple-style keyboard, but I'm seeing them on more and more laptops. I like the 15" screen, but I'm willing to go as high as 17" or as low as 13", but I'm not looking for a netbook.

I've heard a lot of buzz about the new alienware laptops and I'm interested to hear what you guys think about them. Ideally I'm looking to spend around $1,000. I think I can get between 1,300 and 1,600 for mine on eBay or craigslist, even used.

Summary/ TL;DR:
I'm looking for a laptop around $1,000. Portability is important because it's primary use is still school, but I would like it to be a decent gaming option too. I have a primary desktop that I game on, but I find myself at friends' a lot and would like to be able to game on the go as well. I look to you guys for suggestions because of the huge level of tech-knowledge I've seen displayed by this guild collectively. (Duh, look at our member screening process.) I'm not super partial to any brand, nor do I see anything as a huge deal breaker. I just want to see what you guys like and value in today's computer market and I'll make my decision based on all features offered compared to what I already have.

I'd really appreciate any wisdom you guys can offer, it's been a while since I've bought a computer, laptop or desktop.

[Tbone]

Win = This:

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Holiday_CZ-11_Gaming_Laptop

In terms of a laptop route, don't choose Apple for a gaming rig. Like you said, compatibility.

The link I've given you is IBUYPOWER's CZ-11

Stats:

-15.6" Full HD 1920x1080 LCD
-Intel Core i7-740QM Processor
-8GB DDR3-1333 Memory
-ATI Radeon 5650 1GB
-500 GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
-8x DVD-RW Drive
-802.11N Wireless Mini Card
-3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard
-Windows 7 Home Premium

Price: $949

Warning, though. I'm pretty sure this is a part of their Cyber Monday special. You have about 8 hours to choose this laptop before it goes up to $1209. A very good deal!

Analysis:

In terms of bang for your buck, I think this is it. Granted, I love IBUYPOWER, but this is the reason why. The monitor gets 1920x1080 at HD - very good or a laptop. Intel Core i7 is a superior processor. 8 gigs of DDR Ram means you'll be hard pressed to make the thing slow down. 3D Surround Sound and Windows 7 sweeten the pot.

For a gaming laptop, this is EXTREMELY cheap. Probably the best I've seen for under the $1000 mark. Get it while it's hot!

[Subb]

That is definitely cheap and pretty awesome.

DON'T buy Alienware (granted, they're good when they work).

[Shirokumo]

F****** Christ, dude. I stumbled across that site while googling and passed it up because the url sounded too Chinese lol. I may just jump on this before I find a buyer for mine. That deal's too good to waste.

[Shirokumo]

Any thoughts on the touch screen? Its $100 bucks more... and I've never messed with one before. Sounds kinda nifty.

[Tbone]

No man, I bought my desktop from IBUYPOWER almost two years ago, and it is sick. I've never had a problem with it and it can take everything I've thrown at it so far.

Broin just bought his PC from them as well: http://thefuriousangels.com/index.php?msg=100304

And a review of the company itself: http://gear.ign.com/articles/973/973692p1.html

Edit: No clue about the touch screen. What programs actually take advantage of a touch screen?

[Shirokumo]

No idea. I had kinda hoped it was just like a mouse replacement. Instead of pointing and clicking you just touch the screen where you want to click? Sounds a little wonky, I hate having fingerprints on my screen, encouraging my friends to touch it is probably the worst possible idea.

My girlfriend picked up my MBP by the screen once and I could not but shout some profanities and mindlessly gesture in her direction. Screen touching is probably a no go.

At any rate, bomb deal. I'm going to think about it for a few hours and possibly jump on it today. Even if I don't when I do get around to buying my laptop I'm going to go there first. My only reservation is the battery life. A laptop with that much awesome hardware has to be a power sucker, and when I have 5 hours of classes I want to be able to internet surf without worrying about a dying battery. Sounds like that rig would be beast plugged in though, definitely considering pawning most of my worldly possessions and selling my dignity.

On a similar note, anyone want a 15" Macbook Pro? It's shiny...

Edit: "You sold your dignity when you bought Apple!" Beat you to it.

[Tbone]

Yeah, battery life is going to be your main concern. Windows 7 should have a power conservation control panel, though, that allows you to slim down when you're just using it for school.

[Ghisteslwchlohm]

Windows 7 should have a power conservation control panel, though

Don't you have windows 7? (it does have one, and is pretty helpful for laptops)


I just purchased a desktop from ibuypower.com, so here's to hoping they are actually good! The only experience I've had with buying laptops is from my friend purchasing a laptop from Sager. They have good laptops, but not necessarily good prices lol. The warranty and customer service, though, I know are pretty good. My friend has sent his computer in to be fixed at least twice, and he never had trouble dealing with what Subb had to deal with. It went smoothly for him. And as for battery life, they have extended batteries for super-duper battery life. It's gotten to the point that my buddy isn't used to needing computers plugged in (so he freaking leaves mine unplugged all the time)

[ArchNemesis]

Feels like Deja vu in here. lol.

In any case, just research whatever is recommended. You just have to remember that no laptop is perfect so when searching for info the most likely thing to pop up is people having problems with it. As I've mentioned numerous times, I'd personally go for AW just not the 11x. Sager is good if you're not fond of the design / lights of aw. Asus is ok, but I wouldn't recommend it. Hear too many problems with overheating which is a huge concern considering you're looking for something that will be used for gaming.

[Tbone]

Windows 7 should have a power conservation control panel, though

Don't you have windows 7? (it does have one, and is pretty helpful for laptops)

No, I'm still on Vista.

[Shirokumo]

Windows 7 should have a power conservation control panel, though

Don't you have windows 7? (it does have one, and is pretty helpful for laptops)

No, I'm still on Vista.

Oh, wow.

To be honest, I love the way the Alienware's look, but as several people have said, I'm looking to sell my Macbook because I could get something technologically superior for less than I'll sell mine for because of apple tax. It looks like Alienware's are in a similar boat, since the 15x would cost me about 2 grand for what the laptop T showed me has in it. Even when not on sale, that laptop is 1,200.

Basically my decision is whether or not to spend the extra couple grand and take a small hit in performance for the bomb ass lights and cool aesthetics. Selling my shiny apple because the shiny-ness and apple-ness cost me an extra grand only to turn around and spend an extra 800 on lights and an alienware logo seems to defeat the purpose.

I'm still seriously considering that laptop from ibuypower. Honestly if they had the average battery life on the site and it was anything over 5 hours I would have already jumped on it. I noticed that the customization options have a 9 cell battery for 100 more, which I will definitely jump on if I go this route. My google quest for this laptop's battery life continues!

[Anamodiel]

You've been spoiled by Apple batteries. I love my Macbook's battery.

[Shirokumo]

Right? At school right now and got another 5 hours of battery life. Win!

[ArchNemesis]

Clearly and laptop that is useful for only basic things will have a long battery life

If you want something with more under the hood, you're gonna have to sacrifice some battery life.  This is with any laptop that can game.

Although the 11x has some good battery life for a decent gaming lappy, i wouldn't recommend it with the recent problems that subb has had and defective hinge design =/