NotebookForums.com › Forums › NotebookForums Gaming Community › PC Gaming Inquiry › gaming notebook ON a budget
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

gaming notebook ON a budget

post #1 of 10
7/13/07 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
I'm sure this is a redundant question but I'm currently travelling a couple days per week for work. I love world of warcraft, pretty much the only game I play. I'm looking for a mid level notebook that I can play on while on the road but remembering I have a pretty decent home rig I use as well. I stress this is on a budget! the Vostro 15 inch models from dell offer the 8600 as an option and run around $700 in that configuration. Is there a better value for the money? Specials? I've been told that the 8400 video is a big downgrade from 8600 and should at least shoot for that. So which models offer the 7900 or 8600 video at a low price?
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 10
7/13/07 at 8:21pm
Check companies such as cyberpowerpc.com and ibuypower.com
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 10
7/13/07 at 9:32pm
You may want to consider getting a used laptop. It will be hard to get a machine capable of running mid-end games well for that price new. Also, the 7900gtx is kinda overkill for WoW imo. If you are willing to get a 17 inch laptop then these cards will more than suffice:
6800go, 6800go ultra, 7800gtx, 7900gs.
If you want 15 inches, then maybe even a 7600go will suit your needs.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 10
7/14/07 at 11:08pm
Dell outlet, you cant go wrong.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 10
7/15/07 at 1:23am
I would expect to pay at least 1000 bucks for a entry level gaming notebook...
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 10
7/15/07 at 8:53am
WoW? It runs well smooth on my PC X700Pro 256MB DDR3 @ 1024x768. So i'm thinking 7600 will be the GPU for your laptop. Unless you want something really good, go for 7900GTX, 8400 is not that good, unless you want latest tech and performance, go for 8600. Watchout the price!

EDIT: Actually should consider about 7400 too.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 10
7/16/07 at 9:43am
Thread Starter 
Hopefully this isn't against forum rules but here is the configuration I was looking at:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...kc=&oc=bqdwkxj

or search under "bqdwkxj" on dell site which will give you a $599 15" screen with 8400gs card. The 8600gt option is a $169 adder on top of that. I'd be building under XP as I'm not sold on Vista yet. Hopefully the Core 2 T5470 is an acceptable processor.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 10
7/17/07 at 5:31pm
Get a Sager, they're extremely cost effective
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 10
7/23/07 at 2:44pm
Thread Starter 
So after doing a lot of reading I just don't think the vostro 1500+8600gt video can be matched for the price. My config would be:
-T7300 (not ideal but expensive to upgrade-may be a plug in upgrade later?)
-15" screen XGA w/truelife - Worthwhile to upgrade lcd? $50 or $100 upgrade cost
-1gb ram (system will be configured with XP so this should do for now - 2gb later)
-120g 5400rpm HDD
-8600gt nvidia video card

Only upgrade I added from the $599 model offered was the video card. Other upgrades I can do down the road as time and money allow. The screen upgrade is a question though. Is it necessary? Remember I'm operating on a tight budget. Only other option I've found that is even viable is an Inspiron 9300 with 6800 gpu that is used. I'd buy used if I can get a significantly better machine at my price point but I don't think I can.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 10
7/24/07 at 1:57am
Everex XT5000 if you can stomach 17 inch notebooks. Has a horrible keyboard but its a pretty nice bang for buck. You can find them at newegg or at a local Office Depot/Max
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: PC Gaming Inquiry
NotebookForums.com › Forums › NotebookForums Gaming Community › PC Gaming Inquiry › gaming notebook ON a budget