Gaming Laptop

Ok, so I've decided that I would like to ditch my Desktop for a Laptop recently because I tend to move around a bit and a Desktop is just a pain to have. I play games regularly, and need a Laptop that will allow me to continue gaming with great graphics. I generally play some of the new online games relased such as World of Warcraft for example, and may wish to try some of the newer ones as they are released.

Right now the Desktop I'm using has these specs:

Corsair 1GB Dual Channel PC3200 Kit
Sapphire X700Pro PCI Express 256MB Video Card
Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz 800FSB Processor

Those are the 3 components I'm used to looking for when I buy a computer. I'm not really techy when it comes to computer parts, so most of the time big numbers are what catch my eye.

Basically I'm looking for a Laptop that can compete with my Desktop so I can keep the performance level I currently have with my games. I'm also trying to stay under $1800.00 Canadian, with a preferred price of under $1600.00. I've been doing a little browsing and the best I could come up with on my own was a Dell machine that costs under $1400.00 and is running with these specs:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5600 (1.83GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
2GB of RAM
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7300 GS

I don't really know which video cards and processors are the best to be looking for in Laptops, I'm not familiar with them at all. This will be the first Laptop I've ever had.

So I'm currently looking for suggestions on what I should look for. Whether that be a certain processor or card, or a certain brand. Would be a plus if I didn't have to buy it online as well.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide.

I currently play World of Warcraft, with a possibility of playing Warhammer Online when it's released. Basically any of the later online games could be up for grabs.

The 7300 is also the only model that seems to be offered with what I was looking at. It's the Inspiron 6400 Dual Core model Laptop.

Also, I'm not exactly set on Dell or anything. It's just the only spot I could find with a decent price on a Laptop that seemed decent to me. The video card has the same memory as my desktop's, so it sounded like a good one.

I'd be just as happy buying a Laptop elsewhere if the price is right. Actually I would prefer to just head over to a Future Shop or something and buy one than to buy one online. Something tells me that isn't going to happen however. But like I said, the options are not limited to Dell.

I don't see the Dell E1705 model listed under the laptops they have. And I know the memory isn't all that matters, but like I said I'm not real techy so it generally my best guess for comparison purposes when I'm on my own... but that's why I'm here. :P

My desktop's specs currently run WoW perfectly, so a laptop that can equal its performance or go beyond is basically what I'm looking for.

At this point I think the best thing you guys could do for me is to list the key parts I should be watching for, and I can just try and have one built somewhere based on prices and recommendations.

1) Any particular brands to watch for? Be they good or bad. I see Dell and HP get mentioned a lot, Asus here and there as well. Not sure what kind of difference the brand could make, if any.

2) Processor. I've seen Intel® Core™ 2 Duo, Intel® Core™ Duo, AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Mobile technology TL-56, and AMD Sempron™ Processor 3200+ with PowerNow!™ Technology. There were others as well but I don't remember them. Which processor should I be looking for? And what would be a recommended speed to go for? Try and stick with minimums so I know where my ground level is and I can just upgrade from there until I reach my budget limit.

3) Video Card. All kinds of NVidia and ATI video cards mentioned. Where should I begin looking? Apparently the 7300 listed above isn't going to cut it, so what are some bare minimums I should watch for?

4) Other. I've seen some things that I'm not so familiar with that I can choose to have with my laptop, such as various Bluetooth technology things. I'm not familiar with this at all so if there's anything I should watch for let me know.


I already intend to get 2GB of RAM if at all possible with a bare minimum of 1GB if I'm left with no alternatives.


I figure if you guys can give me a rundown of suggestions based on that list I can probably work out the rest on my own.

Thanks again guys.

Side thought I just had:
Which processor (and other features if they matter) should I go for to compliment a 15.4' screen laptop using either a Nvidia GeForce Go7700 (512MB) or a ATI Mobility Radeon X1700 (512MB)? I don't want to bottleneck anything, and I don't want to waste money on unecessary speeds.

After that's taken care of... Where might I find such a computer? Which brands could supply me with these specs at a decent rate (Canadian remember :P)? Dell? Asus? etc.

I would of course be trying to get that 2GB of RAM as well.

Wow that really does look like the laptop I've been looking for lol. After reading what you've all said I'm pretty much set on an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, likely at the 1.83GHz mark due to budget reasons. Then either the Nvidia GeForce Go7700 (512MB) or ATI Mobility Radeon X1700 (512MB) for a video card. Then whatever RAM I can afford after that. I think I'd actually prefer a 15.4' screen over the 17 if possible as well. So now I just need to find a laptop that I can buy here in Canada for under $1600.00 if at all possible, though I can probably go as high as $1800.00 if the deal is right. Thanks again guys, and if anyone can suggest brands, or places to buy such a laptop please do so.