| For years, the idea of a proper gaming computer | | | | technology reviews, and they list several models |
| has conjured up the image of a hulking desktop | | | | as the best options for laptop gaming. |
| system, one that towers over the player and | | | | - Dell XPS M1710 - Dell's XPS laptop line was |
| hums with the sound of the fans required to cool | | | | designed specifically for high-end gaming, and the |
| its powerful components. Notebook computers | | | | M1710 model is testament to that fact. The XPS |
| were always seen as the "little brothers" of their | | | | M1710, when configured to the highest degree, |
| desktop counterparts: great for general | | | | carries such lofty specifications as a 2.13GHz |
| computing, word processing, and web browsing on | | | | dual-core Intel processor, 2GB of RAM, and a |
| the go, but nowhere near powerful enough to run | | | | 512MB mobile nVidia video card. Dell even takes |
| the same software as your desktop. | | | | the unheard-of step of including an internal |
| Much of this perception has changed in recent | | | | subwoofer to the mix. In terms of raw power, |
| years due to the overwhelming advances in | | | | this is one of the most powerful gaming laptops |
| micro-computer technology. Notebook computers | | | | on the market today--and one of the most |
| have grown more and more powerful and | | | | expensive, clocking it at just over $4000 fully |
| advanced even as their size and cost has been | | | | configured. |
| reduced. Today, the idea of a true gaming laptop | | | | - Toshiba Satellite P105-S921 - Toshiba's offering |
| is a feasible one, and plenty of companies have | | | | into the laptop gaming fray is priced considerably |
| offered their units onto the marketplace as proof | | | | lower than the Dell XPS, but its performance is |
| of this. While it may not be as convenient as | | | | nonetheless admirable. At just about $2000, the |
| gaming on a dedicated desktop computer, it is | | | | S921 includes such features as a 1.83GHz |
| now possible to enjoy the latest computer game | | | | dual-core Intel processor, 1GB of RAM, and a |
| releases on a portable system. | | | | 256MB mobile video processor. While the S921's |
| What are some Benefits of Gaming Laptops? | | | | performance pales in comparison to the Dell |
| Why, you ask, should you bother with notebooks | | | | M1710's, it has more than enough power to run |
| for gaming when desktop systems are so readily | | | | the latest games at medium to medium-high |
| available? Gaming laptops do have their decided | | | | graphical settings, and it represents a substantial |
| advantages. Obviously, their reduced size can be a | | | | value at $2000 less than the Dell. |
| huge plus for gamers. By the time you factor in a | | | | - Alienware m7700 - Though this Alienware model |
| computer case, monitor, keyboard and mouse, | | | | is not listed on CNET.com, and though Alienware |
| speakers, printer, and other peripherals, a | | | | itself was recently acquired by Dell, its name has |
| standard-size desktop computer system can fill up | | | | long been synonymous with high-quality gaming |
| an entire desk or table surface. Laptops today | | | | hardware. This notebook model is no exception. |
| have become so advanced that they can | | | | For roughly the same price as the Dell model, you |
| realistically be seen as desktop replacements. As | | | | can take advantage of such features as a 64-bit |
| everything from speakers to keyboard is | | | | dual-core AMD processor, 2GB of RAM, and a |
| incorporated into the body of a notebook | | | | 256MB nVidia mobile graphics card. Moreover, the |
| computer, the space required for it in your home | | | | external casing of Alienware models is generally |
| is comparatively minimal. In fact, a dedicated | | | | quite a bit more interesting than most companies' |
| computer desk becomes largely unnecessary | | | | offerings. As with the Dell M1710, you will be able |
| when talking about a system as small as a laptop; | | | | to run most games at their highest graphical |
| any table or surface will do. | | | | settings. |
| The smaller size of laptops also lends itself to their | | | | So, What's the Catch with Gaming Laptops? |
| portability, which is another of their obvious | | | | Surely there are some drawbacks to gaming on |
| advantages. There is something to be said about | | | | laptop computers, right? As you have undoubtedly |
| having the ability to use your computer in any | | | | noticed above, the cost associated with a |
| location that you like. Laptops allow you to work | | | | high-quality gaming notebook is generally quite a |
| or browse the web wherever you like, and | | | | bit more than a corresponding desktop. For as |
| gaming laptops take that idea even further by | | | | much as it costs for the Dell M1710, you could |
| allowing you to play the latest games wherever is | | | | purchase a monstrous, dual graphics |
| convenient. After all, Unreal Tournament is | | | | card-powered gaming powerhouse. And in most |
| probably a more worthwhile distraction for many | | | | cases, you can easily find a suitable desktop |
| people than Hearts. Moreover, the portability of | | | | gaming rig for under $1000. |
| laptops makes them ideally suited for community | | | | Another detriment of including such advanced |
| gaming. As anybody who has ever dragged their | | | | technology in such a small package is that gaming |
| desktop system to a LAN party can attest, | | | | laptops tend to be quite a bit heavier than their |
| gaming with other people locally is not always the | | | | non-gaming counterparts, and their battery life is |
| easiest or most convenient thing to accomplish. | | | | generally nowhere near as long. It's not unheard |
| Having a smaller-scale, self-contained gaming | | | | of for gaming notebook systems to clock in at |
| system makes this process exponentially easier. | | | | eight pounds or more, and when you're toting this |
| In addition, the wireless capabilities of many | | | | weight around for significant amounts of time, it |
| laptops make connecting to other systems locally | | | | can be prohibitive. Additionally, it is rare for the |
| or online a cinch. | | | | battery in a dedicated gaming laptop to last for |
| Which Gaming Laptops are Best? | | | | more than a couple of hours; the technology |
| Given the advantages of gaming notebook | | | | inside puts such a drain on the battery that it |
| systems, then, what are some of the more | | | | usually goes dead within a short amount of time. |
| successful entries into the marketplace? Upon first | | | | If you plan on using a gaming laptop specifically as |
| glancing at a laptop's specifications, it is not always | | | | a desktop replacement, this ceases to be an |
| immediately evident whether or not it is suited for | | | | issue. However, anybody who plans on using their |
| gaming. CNET (cnet.com) is widely considered to | | | | laptop exclusively on the go might find the |
| be an industry leader in terms of computer and | | | | reduced battery life slightly off-putting. |