Mid-Range Gaming Laptop - Please Advise

It's been a while since I bought a PC so I'm a bit out-of-date when it comes to specs. I'm looking for a laptop that can handle current games and can play future games like crysis even if on mid-low settings. I know it's better to get a desktop for gaming and all but I've decided on a laptop. Anyways, my budget is around $1600...

I checked out some of the laptops available and the best I've seen is the HP dv9500t (17") at around $1500: Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0 GHz, 4MB L2), 2GB DDR2, 511MB Geforce 8600M GS, 160GB 5400 rpm HDD

Will this rig be able to meet my gaming needs? And what other companies have relatively good-priced, quality laptops that I should check out?

Thanks:)

I would encourage you to find a laptop with a 7200rpm hard drive, 5400 is pretty slow and causes alot of studdering in more demanding games.

Hmm.. What about the Dell Inspiron 1720? It has the same specs as the dv9500t but it's fitted with the 8600M GT for the exact same price. Would that be a better buy or are HPs generally better than Dells in quality?

Oh and just for curiousity, how exactly do Asus Barebone laptops work? Are they like desktops that you can build or what? and would building a good one be pricey?

Vostro 1500 smart value packagenohnaimer

Aren't Vostros made for business use?

Hmm.. What about the Dell Inspiron 1720? It has the same specs as the dv9500t but it's fitted with the 8600M GT for the exact same price. Would that be a better buy or are HPs generally better than Dells in quality?

Oh and just for curiousity, how exactly do Asus Barebone laptops work? Are they like desktops that you can build or what? and would building a good one be pricey?

el_diablo

Asus barebone notebooks just means that it doesn't come with all the extra Asus software pre-installed on the machine (i think) as opposed to Asus ensemble notebooks.

[QUOTE="el_diablo"]

Hmm.. What about the Dell Inspiron 1720? It has the same specs as the dv9500t but it's fitted with the 8600M GT for the exact same price. Would that be a better buy or are HPs generally better than Dells in quality?

Oh and just for curiousity, how exactly do Asus Barebone laptops work? Are they like desktops that you can build or what? and would building a good one be pricey?

Aznsilvrboy

Asus barebone notebooks just means that it doesn't come with all the extra Asus software pre-installed on the machine (i think) as opposed to Asus ensemble notebooks.

I looked up the C90 and I believe I'm right, it allows you to actually build em from parts u want (except a few that come pre-installed). I really like the idea of it and I'm planning on getting the C90S (15") with great specs at a good price soon.

[QUOTE="Aznsilvrboy"][QUOTE="el_diablo"]

Hmm.. What about the Dell Inspiron 1720? It has the same specs as the dv9500t but it's fitted with the 8600M GT for the exact same price. Would that be a better buy or are HPs generally better than Dells in quality?

Oh and just for curiousity, how exactly do Asus Barebone laptops work? Are they like desktops that you can build or what? and would building a good one be pricey?

el_diablo

Asus barebone notebooks just means that it doesn't come with all the extra Asus software pre-installed on the machine (i think) as opposed to Asus ensemble notebooks.

I looked up the C90 and I believe I'm right, it allows you to actually build em from parts u want (except a few that come pre-installed). I really like the idea of it and I'm planning on getting the C90S (15") with great specs at a good price soon.

Oh I see.