Gaming Notebooks

Gaming notebooks put 3D graphics performance above all else. That means a powerful GPU from ATI or Nvidia, of course, but also fast memory and storage subsystems. Gaming notebooks are typically equipped with a large, high-resolution display, as well as a good speaker system.

This notebook category is aimed at those who want the gaming power of a desktop in a design that is still somewhat portable. Expect to spend anywhere from $1,300 to well over $3,000 for this ability.

What Can You Expect From A Gaming Notebook?

• Processor: Gaming notebooks come with high-speed Core 2 Duo or even Core 2 Quad CPUs, but keep in mind that graphics cards are more important than CPU clock speeds when it comes to gaming.
  
  
• Graphics: Expect a high-powered discrete graphics card from ATI or Nvidia with at least 512MB of dedicated video memory (though 1GB is preferred). If you want even more power, opt for a dual graphics card with up to 2GB of video memory.
  
  
• RAM: Anticipate 4GB or more of DDR3 RAM at a minimum of 1066 MHz (a speed of 1333 MHz is preferred). A boost to 6 or 8GB of RAM may help, but it will cost you a pretty penny.
  
  
• Display: Expect a high-resolution 15- to 18-inch screen. The minimum resolution we recommend is 1440 x 900, but opt for 1920 x 1200 for the best high-def experience.
  
  
• Hard Drive: Many, but not all gaming notebooks come with two drive bays that allow you to double your storage with two hard drives, or combine a speedy SSD with a high-capacity storage drive.

Buying Tips for Gaming Notebooks

• Look at hardware requirements for games: If you play bleeding-edge 3D shooters, you’ll need all the power you can get. However, if you mostly play MMOs like World of Warcraft or City of Heroes, a $3,000 system is probably overkill.
  
  
• Design matters: If you’re going to spend over a grand on a gaming rig, you’ll want a design that will turn heads. Look for machines made with high-end materials like aluminum, as well as customizable lighting effects.
  
  
• Consider the importance of portability: If you plan to carry the system infrequently, you can live with something extremely heavy. However, if you attend LAN parties every weekend, you’ll want something under 10 pounds.
  
  
• Combine an SSD with a hard drive: Choose a notebook that supports two drives and configure it with one solid state drive and one hard drive. The SSD will provide a sizeable speed boost for your operating system and programs (including your games), but it probably won’t be large enough to hold your media files. That’s where the high-capacity hard drive comes in.