Recommend my friend a good gaming laptop for college

[Schmollian220]

So one of my buddies asked me to find him a good gaming laptop for college. Money is basically not an issue (he can spend a little over $3000). The thing is, I am a desktop guy. I have built all of the desktop PCs that I have used over the years, yet I have no idea what to say to him when it comes to laptops.

Personally I said Alienware. But he says he is suspicious of Alienware. He says that he has heard of many that have had problems with the company.

So I am here to ask what would be the best brand to look at?

 

[ríomhaire]

If money really isn't an issue he should get a gaming desktop and a college laptop that is light and portable. Hauling a supercomputer around on your back is neither good for you nor fun.

 

[Escaep]

If money really isn't an issue he should get a gaming desktop and a college laptop that is light and portable. Hauling a supercomputer around on your back is neither good for you nor fun.

I'd do this if he had $3000 to spare. You can split it easily with around $2000 towards a desktop and $1000 towards a good performing laptop.

 

[Krynn72]

I hate how Alienware is the first thing that pops into people's heads when they think "gaming computer."

That said, I too am not familiar with gaming laptops, but i'll just say that I doubt he'd want a desktop, especially if he is just starting college and will be living in shitty dorms and whatnot.

 

[Yorick]

Personally I said Alienware. But he says he is suspicious of Alienware. He says that he has heard of many that have had problems with the company.

So I am here to ask what would be the best brand to look at?

Steer clear of the AlienWare. Not only is it a huge markup for the brand name, but their computers are not all that great.

If you want to just throw parts together where you'll pay a little more for the hassle of not ordering it all separately and putting it together, Ennui and I have both used http://ibuypower.com/ before, though on desktops.

If you're looking for something cheap that you want to just get already built, check out Dells or Compaqs.

 

[kazsymonds]

The trouble with this is that it's like asking someone where they would like to be stabbed. Gaming laptops aren't really a good idea in my opinion.

Gaming machines generate heat, laptops have less space to dissipate the heat. Therefore laptops are either;
1. Big
2. Hot
3. Not as powerful as their desktop counterparts

Unfortunately, the one I bought 3 years ago was a healthy balance of all 3.

Anyway, if he's adamant he wants one, I'd get the one with the best graphics card I could afford. It's always going to be the limiting factor with future games.

EDIT: Didn't fully read the question, sorry

I personally would go for a Dell xps or similar. Don't buy Alienware.

 

[unozero]

http://originpc.com/eon17-gaming-laptop-features.asp

thank me later

PC Gamer give one of their recent "lower" end models 93%

 

[kazsymonds]

http://originpc.com/eon17-gaming-laptop-features.asp

thank me later

PC Gamer give one of their recent "lower" end models 93%

It looks like it has some impressive hardware all right, but it looks big.

I guess it depends if OP's friend is happy to drag a cathedral around with him just to play a few games.