Best Gaming Laptops - Notebooks

Best Core i7 Gaming Laptop

2010-03-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

Best Gaming Laptops - Core i7 Gaming Laptop

MSI unveiled the MSI GT660 core i7 gaming laptop with a 16" display at CeBIT in Hanover, see the video of the GT660 below. MSI's new G Series of gaming laptops is fitted with Intel's Arrandale, powerful Intel core processors, and top-of-the-range discrete graphics cards. Performance and 3D image processing have been greatly improved and these laptops come with SRS Premium Sound™ by Dynaudio for better video and audio. The GT 660 captured the spotlight when it was launched at CeBIT and is aimed squarely at the high-end luxury segment of the gaming laptop universe.

It is the next stage in the MSI G Series of gaming laptops, boasting world-class sound. To provide the high fidelity gamers insist upon, MSI worked with a leading sound system design company to raise the bar in laptop sound systems and give the GT660 sharper more faithful sound.

The GT660 is also equipped with LED technology that helps maximize your gaming experience.

Powerful hardware: The GT660 is equipped with the powerful Intel Core i7 720QM Quad Processor with nVIDIA® GeForce™ GTX 285M (1 GB GDDR3 display memory) and high end graphics cards to ensure clear, true to life, real time 3D game images and a world-class sound system. The CPU is paired with three DDR3 SO-DIMMs, which can support up to 4GB of memory slots and frequencies of 1066/1333MHz, as a result the GT660 can be fitted with up to 12GB of memory. It also has dual hard drive support, 16+ HD, HD+, Dynaudio Premium Sound and the Color Shine LED technology.

MSI GT660 core i7 gaming laptop video presentation at CEBIT

The inclusion of the NVIDIA GTX 285M graphics solution with 1GB of GDDR3 memory will ensure seamless performance for all your games.

The price of the GT660 is not cheap and will vary depending on the configuration, but will not go above $3,000 and will start around $2200 if you can live without a Blu-ray drive.

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Gaming Laptop Computers Toshiba Qosmio X505

2009-11-02T06:41:00.000-08:00

Best Gaming Laptops - Toshiba Qosmio X505 Q850

Looking for a good gaming laptop computer for Christmas ? Then checkout the new Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q850, Toshiba has always been a quality name in computing and the Qosmio X500 series is their foray into gaming laptops using the new mobile Intel Core i7 CPU and Nvidia's GeForce GTS 250M graphics card (not the absolute best but very close).

For $1899 you get a very big 18" 1080p display, a Blu-ray drive and a second solid-state hard drive, in today's gaming laptop market that is considered pretty high end. Toshiba says that the Blu-ray disc player wil provide brilliant HD movies—on the go and the 16:9 aspect ratio offers the best results available for widescreen entertainment. Some models offer 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Prices start at $1499 for which you get a 1.6GHz Intel Core i7 720QM processor, 6GB 1,066MHz DDR3 RAM, a 320GB 7,200rpm Hard drive, mobile Intel PM55 Express Chipset
Chipset, 1GB Nvidia GeForce GTS 250M Graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit).

Dimensions are 17.4x11.5", height 1.8", screen size (diagonal) 18.4", system weight / weight with AC adapter 10.4/11.8 pounds.

The Qosmio X505-Q850 comes with a full range of ports and connections, i.e. FireWire port, an 18" 1080p display.

CNET describe it as a "powerful, performance-oriented system" and the 1.6GHz Intel Core i7-720QM can handle practically any computing task but they say the X505 is a "capable performer", although for almost $2000 they expected more. In their tests they got nearly 60 frames per second from the Nvidia GeForce GTS 250M, the problem is that other gaming laptops such as the Alienware m17x use two GeForce GTX 208M GPUs, and get around 170 frames per second.

The battery lasts for almost two hours which is pretty good but usually gaming laptop computers of this type are plugged in to the mains anyway.

The Qosmio X505 comes with a one-year parts-and-labor warranty with the system, which is standard wihout being execptional. Support is available online or via a 24-7 toll-free phone line.

You want to see what the Toshiba Qosmio X500 series gaming laptop computers look like then it looks like - take a look at this video

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Gaming Laptops with Core i7 Processors

2009-10-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

Gaming Laptop Computers - What are Core i7 Quad Core Processors?

The best gaming laptops are now using the Intel Core i7 processors, so what is core i7? It is a series of Intel 64-bit x86-64 processors used in desktops and laptop computers. They are the first processors that use the Intel Nehalem microarchitecture and follow on from the Intel Core 2 family. For detailed technical info see - Wikipedia

The core i7 is described by Intel as being "brilliantly fast" that "applies processing power where it is needed most ... They are the best desktop processor family on the planet."

(Alienware M15x Gaming Laptop Computer)

You get maximum performance due to the combination of Intel® Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading technology.

Core i7 Data and Figures

3.06 GHz, 2.93 GHz, and 2.66 GHz core speed
Eight MB of Intel® Smart Cache
Eight processing threads with Intel® HT technology
Three channels of DDR3 1066 MHz memory

All current core i7 models are quad core processors.

The Lynnfield model uses hyperthreading and the Clarksfield is the mobile verson of the Lynnfield. Hyperthreading technology means that they can handle a maximum of 8 threads at the same time.

The i7 processor has been described as the biggest leap forward since 2006 and dual cores. If you are looking for gaming power you will still need a powrful graphics card.

Gaming laptops to look out for that use Core i7 are the MSI GT640 (15") and GT740 (17") both use the nVidia GeForce 250M GPU - see here - fastest gaming laptop computer - for further information on the MSI GT740.

Alienware m15x and m17x- Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q830 18.4-Inch Gaming Laptop Computer - Asus G60J and G51J and ASUS G51J-A1 15.6-Inch Gaming Laptop Computer
- Sager - NP8760

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Best Gaming Laptop Computer Specs

2009-10-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

Best Gaming Laptops - How to Choose the Best Laptops for Gaming

Laptop computers today are amazingly powrful, so naturally enough people want to play computer games on them. Gamers generally want the best gaming laptop computer they can afford, which means plenty of power and a large screen. For power in a gaming laptop you need to pay particular attention to the following - system RAM, cpu, video card.

RAM is a bit like money, you can never have too much, which at the moment means 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3. You can get 1GB but what's the point given that games are going to need ever more RAM, so why not be ready ? The large amount of RAM in your laptop will also ensure you can run multiple applications.

(Rock Xtreme 840 SLi Gaming laptop Computer)

CPUs in current gaming laptop computers are powerful - such as for example the Intel Core i7 920XM that runs at 2.0GHz - in the Alienware M15x - and they need to be powerful, they also need powerful fans and so can be a bit noisy. One tip is to not put your laptop on a blanket !

In addition to the CPU and the RAM don't forget the battery. Gaming laptop computers need good batteries too - such as 6-Cell Lithium-Ion battery - as you will often be using it on the move. Some laptops even have a second battery.

Last but least is the video card. A gaming laptop computer needs a good video card. An ordinary laptop can get by with an ordinary video card but a gaming laptop needs a quality video card such as the Graphics 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280M for the most up-to-date games.

Some people say you are actually far better off with a desktop than with a laptop and that for the same money you will get a much better desktop than gaming latop computer could ever be, but that is to miss the point. Some people want laptops for their portability, you can't lug a desktop around with you, so really comparing a desktop to a gaming laptop is not comparing like with like. Gaming laptop computers have their place - but if you've got enough money then get a desktop and a laptop !

Related posts : MSI GT740

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Gaming Laptop Computers MSI GT740

2009-10-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Best Gaming Laptops - MSI GT740 17"

Which is the best gaming laptop?

One serious contender for the fastest gaming laptop computer is the MSI GT740 17" which is the latest MSI gaming laptop to feature the Intel Calpella, the advanced Intel® Core™ i7 quad core processor plus Windows 7. The display is described as 17? cinema grade using a nVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M 3D discrete graphics card (DDR3 1GB VRAM) and 5 speakers with true SRS Premium Sound plus 4GB of DDR3 memory, 500GB hard drive, Blu-ray drive, 4-in-1 card reader, WiFi, 2 Megapixel webcam eSATA port, and HDMI port.

The GT740 also features an ultra-thin aluminum alloy frame with brushed metal highlights. MSI describe the laptop as the world's "strongest gaming notebook computer".

The GT740 offers the ultimate in processing power via Intel® Hyper-Threading technology. With the high performance video processing capabilities, of the nVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M 3D discrete graphics card this gaming laptop offers the ultimate high-speed performance!

As a result of the ultra-thin aluminum alloy frame the 17" GT740 weighs only 3.2 kg with the battery. The fiery red frame accents and polished metal detailing create a futuristic look, additional speakers on the right and left of the frame ensure that the GT740 offers a professional audio/video combat gaming experience.

MSI GT740 Gaming Laptop Specifications
Genuine Windows 7®Home Premium
Intel® Core™ i7 Processor
Chipset Intel® PM55
LCD 17" TFT-LCD Display
VGA Controller nVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M 3D Graphic Card
VRAM 1GB DDR3
Memory Type DDR3 1066/1333MHz
Maximum 4GB
Audio Speaker 4 Speakers + 1 Subwoofer
Webcam 2.0 M Webcam
LAN 10/100/1000 GB LAN
Bluetooth Optional
Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g/draft n
I / O HDMI 1
Card reader 4 in 1 (XD/SD/MMC/ MS)
Mic-in / Headphone out 1 / 1
USB 2.0 3
RJ11 / RJ45 1 / 1
D-Sub 1
E-SATA(USB Combo) 1
Express card 1
Storage HDD form factor 250/320/500GB SATA
Optical Drive Super-Multi / Blu-Ray
Battery 6/9 Cells
Keyboard 103 keys
Power AC Adapter 120W
Dimensions 395 x 278 x 33-39mm
Weight 3.2kg (Wtih Battery)

Related posts : Alienware M15x Gaming Laptop - Alienware M17x Gaming Laptop

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Gaming Laptop Computers Alienware M17X

2009-10-11T13:01:00.001-07:00

Best Gaming Laptops - Alienware M17X

The Alienware M17x gaming laptop computer is described as the most powerful gaming laptop in the universe ! Quite a claim. Take a look at it in this video by Sallymail (if you are wondering what sort of accent the guy has it is from the north-east of England - somewhere in or around Newcastle). The 10 minute video gives a good look at the M17x and the description is clear and easy to follow.

As gaming laptop computers go I think it is fair to say that the Alienware M17x is extremely impressive.

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Gaming Laptop Computers Alienware M15X

2009-10-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

Best Gaming Laptops Computers - the New Alienware M15X

Looking for the best gaming laptop computer with a 15" screen ? Aren't we all. One thing you can be sure of, unfortunately is that the best gaming laptop today will always be overtaken by the next new kid on the block. So you will be constantly upgrading and updating for the rest of your life ! So if you're a serious gamer then get yourself a job where they give you gaming machines for free ! That way you don't have to worry about finding affordable or the cheapest gaming laptop computers.

So, after that piece of wise advice, on to the so-called best most powerful 15" gaming laptop computer in the known universe - the Alienware M15x ! (Not the same thing as the Area-51 m15x btw, a previous Alienware model with significant style and specifications differences. Nor is it a scaled-down version of the M17x. The M15x Alienware is one of the first mobile gaming laptops to feature Intel’s Core-i7 architecture.)

How do we know that the Alienware M15x is the most powerful 15" gaming laptop around ? Because the nice people at Alienware have told us so. How nice of them. The reviews have been generally positive however, some have been genuinely effusive but there have been one or two negative. In particular one guy who said that the most powerful gaming laptop is in fact the Clevo 15.6" with a i7 and GTX280m. So we'll check that out later.

At the moment we are dealing with the Alienware M15X. This beasty has the acclaimed new mobile ID which saw the light of day with the M17x, so you get Alienware performance in a smaller package which make your gaming laptop instantly more portable. The M15x is the first Alienware laptop with a mobile Core i7 processor, and it also has a 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M GPU* and up to 8GB DDR3 1333MHz memory (which is very good).

How much will the Alienware M15x cost ? In the region of $1,500+ so not the cheapest gaming laptop around but also not the most expensive.

Given that the M15x is the most powerful 15" laptop or gaming laptop computer that Alienware has created they figured that it deserves the best graphics. So you get the option of the NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M graphics cards - that will keep you one step ahead of "them" (not sure who "they" but it's nice to know anyway) .

The Intel Core i7 Mobile Processor offers "Hyper-Threading Technology" "Turbo Boost Technology" to dynamically speed up the processor frequency for even faster performance, "Integrated Memory Controller" for low latency and high bandwidth (this improves performance when using data intensive applications), "8MB Shared Intel Smart Cache" which allocates shared cache to all four cores to guarantee you complete domination!

The design of the M15x’s case quickly dissipates system heat and looks good! But don't put it on a blanket ! That would be wet.

You also get the option of three colors - Metallic Red, Metallic Silver or Metallic Black.

As befits one of the best gaming laptops around it is fitted with a QuickTouch System Control Pad which uses touch-capacitive sensors to "access and manage power and volume controls, wireless connectivity and both Command Center and Stealth Mode launch functions. Illuminated by the dramatic AlienFX® lighting control system, QuickTouch renders mechanical buttons and control knobs obsolete."

Webcam — The 2.0MP webcam lets you broadcast across the web, and with the wireless capabilities you will stay up and running anytime, anywhere.

Personalized Plaque — the underside of your Alienware M15x features a laser-etched nameplate that lets the world know that your M15x is unique and belongs to you !

The Alienware Command Center gives access to a range of exclusive applications and controls, such as lighting effects and the power management system. Updates download directly into Command Center.

AlienSense facial recognition software uses the M15x’s webcam to verify biometric measurements to keep people out !

Alienware M15X Specifications

Microsoft Vista; Eligible for free upgrade to Windows 7
RAM Up to 8GB of DDR3 System Memory
Processor Intel Core i7 920XM (2.0GHz, up to 8MB Cache)
Graphics 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M
Display 15.6-inch 1920×1080 LED backlit display
Optical Drive Slot-loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Disc Combo
Hard Drive Up to 500GB 7200RPM SATA HD or a 256gB SSD
Battery 6-Cell Lithium-Ion battery
Audio/Visual High Definition speakers, headphone and mic jack, 2 audio out connectors, VGA DisplayPort
Wireless 802.11b/g WLAN
Expansion Slots 8-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader
Ports 3x USB 2,0, power connector, 1 eSATA port via USB, RJ-45/Ethernet
Weight 9 pounds +
Warranty Standard 1-Yr Parts and Labor, 1-Year Battery

Related Posts : Alienware M17
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Best Gaming Laptops Alienware m17

2009-03-27T13:43:00.000-07:00

Best Gaming Laptops - Alienware m17

If you are into online gaming then you are probably also into getting the best gaming laptops that are available. Online gaming and the latest games require a lot of power and as a result the best gaming laptop computers are generally extreme machines with specs like Arnie's pecs. So unfortunately the best gaming laptops are not gong to be the cheapest gaming laptops !

When looking for gaming laptops you need to bear in mind which features are essential. Gaming laptops are designed around fast CPUs and powerful graphics cards. It is also useful if they are not too heavy, gaming notebooks are supposed after all to be mobile, so you don't really want to be carrying around the equivalent of a desktop computer.

Laptops used for gaming are essentially souped up ordinary laptops for people who move around a lot. If you are using a laptop in the same room all the time you are probably better off getting a desktop for gaming.

A high performance gaming laptop computer needs a high performance graphics card and plenty of video memory i.e. 1GB. Extremely fast CPUs, they also need large heat sinks to combat the heat the laptop will generate.

Gaming laptops also like to look good, much like sportscars, but appearance is very much subjective and people have different tastes in this department

You will also want a large screen, the bigger the better in fact and a widescreen display with WUXGA resolution would be nice.

Gaming laptop technology is constantly evolving and improving - dual core, dual hard drives, dual graphics etc… .

Larger 19 and 20 inch screens are now available.

The essence of a gaming laptop is the graphics card so you need the most powerful graphics or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) you can get for ultimate performance. If you are looking to save a bit of money you can always take at look at the used laptops on sale here.

Well obviously, if one card is good, two must be twice as good ! Gaming systems now have twin or dual graphics with over 1 GB of memory. You also need something to handle this power so you need PCI-Express with SLI (Scalable Link Interface) systems.

A lot of gamers go for high-end GPUs such as ATI Mobility Radeon or NVIDIA GeForce Go series. Go for the highest number.

Memory is also very important for gaming laptops as RAM will to a large extent determine speed of performance. Go for the most RAM you can get especially video RAM.

High performance gaming laptop computers are now equipped with dual core processors, the most popular choice being Intel or AMD. Choose the largest SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) hard drive.

If it is ultimate the gaming laptop you want where money is no object you will probably look at Alienware (owned by Dell), Voodoo (owned by HP) and Rock Direct, a UK Company specializing in Laptops.

The only drawback is that you are sometimes getting style over substance as most companies use the same components from Taiwan.

But if you are going for power then you are going for the sportscar so looks matter.

Certainly one of the most powerful gaming laptops to consider is the Alienware m17, which pushes gaming performance to the limit without bankrupting you.

The M17 starts at around $1600 and includes a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (upgradable to Quad Core 2 Extreme), 3GB of DDR3 memory (upgradable to 4GB), dual ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870s, 1920x1200 high-definition LCD and 160GB storage (supports up to 1TB using two 500GB 7200rpm drives).

An 8x dual-layer burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW) is fitted as standard, but you can opt for a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc Reader (BD-ROM, DVD±RW, CD-RW) for an extra $200.

The Alienware M17 is powered by Intel’s Core 2 Extreme QX9300 the world’s first mobile quad-core processor and it is also Alienware’s first laptop to include dual Mobility Radeon HD 3870 cards.

The main reason the m17 is not overly expensive is because it uses ATI graphics cards rather than overpriced nVidia parts but it still has full DirectX 10.1 and ofers frame rates up to 80% higher than single GPU solutions.

The M17 is also high on style with either Alienware’s Ripley or Skullcap case designs. The Skullcap design reflecting the aggressive Alienware attitude, whereas the Ripley design is sleeker and more subtle.

The matte black, soft-touch Stealth finish is practically fingerprint-proof, and resists most minor scratches.

The M17 is also fitted with a s 2.0-Megapixel Webcam which records high-quality video and audio.

The AlienSense facial recognition software captures unique biometric data to confirm your identity, thus allowing you to log in quickly and securely.

Virtual Scrolling ensures vertical and horizontal scrolling with the slightest touch of your finger. In addition the built-in fingerprint reader ensures that private files remain private. Instant Access Media Buttons instantly launch your browser, e-mail program, Windows Media Player and Power DVD.

The M17 is fitted with three Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA/USB 2.0 Combo (2-in-1 port), ExpressCard Slot, IEEE 1394a (4-pin) port, Gigabit Ethernet, 7-in-1 media card reader (SD/MS/MSPRO/RS-MMC/MMC), auto-sensing headphone jack, auto-sensing microphone jack, and TOSlink digital audio out.

Plus a HDMI 1.3b connector and analogue VGA connector, but unfortunately there is no DVI port. Integrated Bluetooth 2.1 as standard, and s also 802.11a/b/g/n.

The M17 incorporates the performance of CrossFireX graphics and quad-core processing to deliver an impressive machine that won't cost the earth !

The M17 is made for serious gaming, you can either go for the standard and very affordable option or you can add-on every conceivable option and end up paying around $4000. Clearly gaming laptop computers can be expensive. And if you ain't impressed with all that then you ain't human - and in that case you probably don't need a gaming laptop !

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Best Gaming Laptop Rock Xtreme

2009-03-14T08:19:00.001-07:00

Best Gaming Laptops - Fastest Laptop in the World - the Rock Xtreme SL8

Undoubtedly one of the best gaming laptops currently available - the Rock Xtreme SL8 is claimed by Rock to be the "fastest laptop in the world" - it is also not just for the serious gamer – its Intel® Core™2 Quad processor and up to 1.5 terabyte RAID hard disk make it ideal for professional graphical artists.

The finish is a "stunning metallic gloss paint" with in addition Rock’s prominent protective metal lid. All Xtreme gaming laptops have High Quality, High Performance components - top performing processor and graphics cards and super fast Serial ATA 7200rpm Hard Drives. WiFi and Bluetooth.

The the inclusion of nVidia’s 9800M GTX graphics is a giant leap for the Rock Xtreme SL8. The PureVideo HD technology ensures the SL8 delivers unrivalled video quality with low power consumption so therefore longer battery life. The clarity of the images is generally described as "breathtaking" whether watching a DVD, Blu-Ray disc or an HD Video file.

Rock Xtreme SL8 Specifications

Up to 2x NVIDIA 9800M GTX 1GB GDDR3 High Performance SLi Graphics
Up to Intel® Core™2 Quad processor Q9550 2.83GHz, 12MB Cache, 1333MHz
Supports Up to 8GB DDR2 RAM (available up to 800MHz)
17" WUXGA X-Glass TFT Screen (1920 x 1200)
7200rpm Hard Drive as standard – 33% faster than 4200rpm drives
Optional Blu-ray or HD DVD Optical Drive
Up to 960GB 7200rpm RAID Hard Drive or 1.5 Terabyte 5400rpm RAID Hard Drive
RAID 0, 1 and 5 options for data integrity and additional performance
Optional TV Tuner
1 x IEEE1394 Firewire
Intel Pro 802.11a/b/g/n Integrated Wireless LAN
Gigabit 10/100/1000 LAN
4 x USB 2.0
Bluetooth
Express Card Slot
7 in 1 Card Reader( MS / MS Pro / MS Duo / SD / Mini-SD / MMC & RSMMC)
S-Video out, VGA & DVI Port
Webcam with video recording
Surround sound with 4 speakers
7.1 Surround Sound Output
Microsoft® Windows® Vista Home Premium
Cyberlink PowerDVD + Power2Go
Bullguard Internet Security Anti-Virus protection

Current cost for top spec Rock Xtreme SL8 gaming laptop computers is around £2935 - i.e. around $4100 - not cheap but well worth considering if you can afford it.

Best Gaming Laptop Specifications

2009-03-03T17:47:00.000-08:00

Best Gaming Laptops - Alienware Area-51 m17x

What is a gaming laptop computer?

A gaming laptop (sometimes called gaming notebook), on the most basic level is a small computer designed for playing computer games. Although any laptop can be used for gaming, gaming laptops differ from other models by the high-end hardware they contain. High-end high-performance hardware is a necessity in gaming laptops as you need to be able to operate the latest process-intensive games. As a result gaming laptop computers often cost much more than a basic laptop used for word processing and sending e-mails - in fact they can cost 2 or 3 times more.

Gaming laptops also have another particularity, they tend to be a bit more visually striking than traditional laptops. To appeal to the gaming community they often feature metallic finishes, bright colours, or prominent ridges to impart upon them a high-tech look.

The five main requirements of gaming laptop computers are :-
the operating system
screen size
processor
graphics card
RAM

The operating system is important as games tend to be released for a variety of different operating systems, so that if your gaming laptop has the wrong operating system installed you may not be able to play some games.

A large screen size is needed to allow you to see everything.

The processor is probably the single most important feature, as games are very process-intensive and require a lot of computing power and some games require a minimum processor type or processor speed.

The graphics card controls the graphics settings and the visual effects that can be enabled.

The RAM is important as you will need a lot of memory to play high-end games.

In addition to these you should also take into account RAM speed, battery life, and hard disk speed.

Any gaming laptop computer must also be able to accept peripherals such as a headset and a wireless mouse, usually via USB ports and Bluetooth cards

It must be able to connect to the internet and to LANs, generally through WiFi and Ethernet.

Cooling options such as better venting or more powerful fans are necessary, as the hardware in gaming laptop computers often generates a lot of heat.

Gaming laptops are not without their critics who say that they are inferior to desktop gaming computers, also referred to as gaming rigs. Their small size means that the components of a gaming laptop are generally less advanced and more expensive than the parts inside a desktop computer. They are also more difficult to upgrade due to space limitations. They are however portable which is the main advantage of a laptop in the first place.

Probable minimum requirements for a gaming laptop
2GB RAM
7200 RPM drive
best video card available

One suggested configuration

Alienware M9750
Windows Vista Home Premium
512MB Nvidia Geforce 8700M ($350 more for SLI hehe)
17" 1440x900 LCD
Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0Ghz 4MB Cache
120GB 7200RPM 8MB cache drive
1GB DDR2

Bear in mind also that the most important features are the processor, a dedicated graphics chip and plenty of system memory.

Dual core and quad cores are now available.

The main producers of dual-core chips are AMD and Intel. The Intel dual-core processor has hyperthreading (HT) - the two cores are divided into four virtual CPU units. Do you need all this if heavy graphics or gaming are your thing then probably.

One of the fastest gaming laptops currently available is the Alienware Area-51 m17x :

Specifications
CPU: Intel® Core® 2 Extreme X9000 2.8GHz (6MB Cache 800MHz FSB)
Memory: 4GB† Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 2048MB
Hard Drive: Hard Drive: 1TB in a high-speed RAID 0 configuration
Graphics: 512MB NVIDIA® Quadro® FX 3600M
OS: Windows Vista 64 bit,
Display: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD (1200p) with
Clearview Technology

Weight: 10.5 lbs

STOP PRESS UPDATE:
If you are looking for the fastest gaming laptop computer around at the moment (March 2009) then NVIDIA, at CeBIT, have just announced four new mobile GPUs.

The GeForce GTX 280M, is claimed to be "the fastest laptop GPU on the market, with up to 50% more performance than previous generation enthusiast laptop GPUs."

It's worth remembering that gaming laptop computers are generally not particularly cheap but prices seem to be coming down at the moment.

gaming laptops alienware area 51 m17x
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MSI Gaming Laptops

2009-02-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

Best Gaming Laptops - MSI GT627-216US

MSI Gaming Laptops

The GT627-216US from MSI is undoubtedly one of the best gaming laptops on the market at the moment

The MSI GT627-216US Gaming Laptop Specifications

Latest Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology
15.4" WXGA / Glare (1280 * 800) TFT-LCD Widescreen Display
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) Output
7.1 Channel Output Recognized and Approved by the Highest Standards of Dolby®
Built-in 2.0 Mega Pixel Webcam
802.11 b/g/n Wireless LAN with Bluetooth
320GB SATA 7200 rpm HDD
Genuine Vista® Home Premium
(upgrade to Windows Vista® Business recommended by MSI)
NVIDIA® Geforce 9800M GS 3D Graphic Card (Build-in DDR3 1GB VRAM)
90W (19V) Power Supply
Battery: 6-cell
Weight: 5.6lbs
Size: 14.09" x 10.24 " x 1.06"
According to CNET the GT627 is a "totally new experience" in gaming laptop computers. It uses aluminum for the exterior base with metallic threads for design, making it very stylish, which is all very nice but it's performance that we are interested in.

The colors from the GT627 give an "intense sense of levels". The images are presented as 3-D as it gets and the video quality is impeccable.

MSI’s latest 15” gaming notebook comes with a brushed metal finish and an "easy overclocking Turbo button". The graphics card is an NVIDIA 9800M GS with an Intel P8400 Core 2 Duo. This combination is powerful enough for any modern game. The competition for the GT627 gaming laptop is other low-cost gaming notebooks such as the Gateway P-series.

The MSI GT627 is a fast good-looking gaming laptop computer but the build quality could be improved. Gaming performance however is excellent and the GT627 is certainly one of the best gaming laptops around. The Turbo provides good results in certain gaming situations. So if you are looking for a gaming laptop with a low price an overclocking Turbo feature and a very fast hard drive then the MSI GT627-216US could be the one for you.

MSRP: $1,149

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Maingear Best Gaming Laptop EX-L

2009-02-26T09:02:00.000-08:00

Best Gaming Laptops - Maingear EX-L Gaming Laptop

Maingear Ex-L Gaming Notebook

The Maingear eX-L is one of the best gaming laptops (sometimes called gaming notebooks or gaming laptop computers) currently available. Its dual Radeon Mobility HD 3870 video cards and dual hard drives in raid ensure extreme performance. The processors powering it are Intel's new Mobile Core™2 Extreme and Core™2 Quad. As a gaming laptop computer in the words of Maingear "it has it all", including added biometric security and Blu-ray support.

Maingear EX-L Gaming Laptop Specifications
Intel Core 2 Quad Core/Extreme Processor Support
• MAINGEAR Redline (Overclock)
• Intel PM45/ICH9-M platform
• Up to 640GB of fast access storage
• Up to 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 Performance Memory
• Integrated N-Draft Wireless Support
• Optional RAID configurations (0-Stripe,1-Mirror)
• Blu-Ray Capable
• Blue Illuminated Keyboard and Numeric Pad
• Beautiful 17” 1200p HD WUXGA Display w/ Superview

Maingear’s eX-L gaming laptop is not cheap - costing in the range of $4,000 and it is not as stylish as Alienware’s gaming laptops - see Best Gaming Laptops. But those who prefer performance over style will like the fact that this gaming notebook is all about performance.

Using Intel’s Centrino 2 platform, the EX-L gaming laptop computer is powered by a 3GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme X9100 processor (overclocked to 3.33GHz), it can be fitted with 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 Performance Memory, and two 320GB hard drives in a RAID Level 0 configuration.

The main attraction however is the eX-L’s 3D performance. Its twin 512MB ATI Radeon HD 3870 GPUs, performed better than the Alienware Area-51 m17x in Computer Shopper's tests.

This system is built for performance, with portability being seen as secondary.

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The Best Gaming Laptops

2009-02-07T20:22:00.000-08:00

Best Gaming Laptops - Which are the Best Gaming Laptops

Which are the Best Laptops for Gaming?

According to Computer Shopper in May 2008 the best gaming laptops sometimes called gaming laptop computers are :

Alienware Area- 51 m15x
Maingear eX-L
Gateway P-7811FX
iBaypower Battalion 101 CZ-9 Ultra
Eurocom M57DTU Montebello

These gaming laptops are fitted with powerful desktop processors, high-resolution screens, powrful graphics chips, and plenty of memory, the best gaming laptops are of course powerful enough to let you play any game on the market.

Alienware Area-51 m15x
PROS
Unequalled performance; top-of-the-range components; Blu-ray playback; HDMI out; new power-saving options
CONS
Flimsy case, awkward controls and mouse
EDITOR SAYS
The Alienware Area-51 m15x is the fastest gaming laptop tested.

Processor: 2.8GHz Core 2 Extreme X9000
Storage: 200GB hard drive; 320GB removable hard drive
Memory: 4GB DDR2
Display: 15.4-inch TFT
Optical Drives: Blu-ray burner/DVD±RW
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
Graphics: nVidia GeForce 8800M GTX (512MB)

Another gaming laptop computer to be added to the list is the Rock Xtreme SL8

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