Gaming Machines

Serious gamers will e'er lean more than toward desktop computers for their flexibility when information technology comes to upgrading and the sheer power of their components. If being mobile is a priority, even so, there are some solid choices in this category. Intel'due south Core i7 processors are recommended for gaming, likewise every bit a superlative-of-the-line discrete graphics bill of fare from ATI or Nvidia, 4GB to 8GB of RAM, and up to a terabyte worth of storage chapters.

Similar to desktop replacements, near gaming laptops are large, heavy and ordinarily lack in battery life. There are a number of specialized brands and boutique shops that will let you customize their products with all the latest components and fifty-fifty tailor their looks to your taste -- but they'll besides charge a dainty premium for information technology.


Sager NP7280 (Built on the Clevo X7200)

If you don't mind stretching your budget to well over $2,000 for a few extra perks and tiptop quality personalized service, there are a number of boutique PC shops waiting to take your order. Over at XoticPC, for a hefty $2,800 we were able to configure a 17-inch gaming beast with not i, but two of Nvidia's GeForce GTX 460M in SLI mode plus a desktop-class Intel Core i7 950 CPU running at 3.06GHz.

Our configuration too included a speedy 160GB Intel X25-Yard SSD, a pair of 320GB hard drives for storage, 6GB DDR3 1066MHz memory, and a 3.0-megapixel webcam. You lot besides get plenty of connectivity, including SuperSpeed USB 3.0, and while you lot're no doubtfulness paying a premium, this includes a three-year labor, 1-yr parts warranty and lifetime 24/vii phone support. That'south but scratching the surface of what you can put into this system. Design-wise the NP7280 is rather beefy, but that's to be expected with these types of machines. Bottom line is, if yous can afford it, the NP7280 is the ultimate mobile rig for demanding enthusiasts and extreme gamers.

Additional views:

Quick specs | Full specs Starting price: $2,109 ($2,810 every bit configured)
Processor: Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz Graphics: 2x Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M one.5GB (3GB total)
Memory: 6GB DDR3-1333 (3 DIMMs) Storage: 160GB SSD, 2x 320GB vii,200RPM HDD
Display size: 17.3" (1920x1080) Optical: DVD burner
Weight: 12.5 lbs (12-cell) Battery: 12-cell (~ii.5 hours)


Asus G73JW-A1

The G73JW-A1 is nearly identical to the G73Jh-A2 stealth fighter-inspired gaming notebook featured in our concluding guide, merely this time around Asus has included a faster Intel Core i7 740QM processor, a more powerful Nvidia GTX 460M graphics chip, and a USB iii.0 port for adept mensurate. The updated version likewise sports a Blu-ray reader and DVD-burner combo drive to savor newer high-definition movies, though it's however missing an eSATA port.

Pricing for this model starts a little higher at around $1,700, and you'll get the same 8GB of DDR3 retention, a beautiful 17.3-inch display with total Hard disk 1920x1080 resolution, and a whopping terabyte of storage. Too, bundled with the G73Jw is 3DTV Play from Nvidia, which projects the loftier definition graphics of this notebook onto any compatible 3DTV via HDMI 1.4. This includes 3D video, games and photos. If you're afterwards a powerful mobile gaming solution this one should definitely be about the acme of your list.

Additional views:

Quick specs | Total specs Starting price: $ane,700
Processor: Intel Core i7 740QM 1.73GHz (quad-core) Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB
Retentivity: 8GB DDR3-1333 Storage: 2x 500GB seven,200RPM HDD
Display size: 17.3" (1920×1080) Optical: Blu-ray / DVD-RW combo
Weight: 8.5 lbs (eight-cell) Battery: 8-jail cell (~2 hours)


Alienware M11x R2

Usually when you lot think of gaming laptops, an 11-inch screen is non the first affair that comes to mind. But at that place's certainly value in having a gaming-capable machine that yous tin hands have on the go, peculiarly for frequent travelers or LAN party-goers. The Alienware M11x R2 combines the same 'Stealth Black' looks of its bigger brothers, the 15-inch M15x and 17-inch M17x, with a soft rubbery matte finish. Virtually importantly, it offers an overclockable Core i5 or i7 low-voltage processor, and Nvidia GeForce GT 335M graphics with Optimus technology.

Given its size constraints and somewhat modest price tag (for its intended marketplace, anyway) you can't wait the M11x R2 to outperform a full-fledged gaming machine like the Asus G73JW-A1 or Sager NP7280. But you tin can all the same accomplish playable frame rates in most electric current games using medium and in some cases loftier graphics settings. The panel'south 1366x768 resolution is disappointing, just gaming at 1600x900 would tax the GT 335M even further and it's merely an 11-inch machine afterwards all. Connectivity-wise, the M11x R2 lacks a VGA-out port, USB 3.0 and eSATA, merely gets HDMI and DisplayPort, as well every bit 3 USB two.0 ports, FireWire, a three-in-ane media card slot and Ethernet. Every bit you tin encounter this Alienware gaming laptop isn't without its limitations, but if yous're looking for something small to game while on the route, it'due south one of the virtually compelling options bachelor.

Additional views:

Quick specs | Total specs Starting price: $799 ($i,244 with specs listed below)
Processor: Intel Core i7 640UM one.2GHz Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 335M 1GB
Memory: 4GB DDR3-800 (2 DIMMs) Storage: 320GB 7,200RPM HDD
Display size: 11.6" (1366×768) Optical: none
Weight: four.4 lbs (viii-cell) Bombardment: 8-jail cell (~vi hours)