Print    Email     Bookmark     Share

Top 5 gaming notebooks

By Darius Chang
February 20, 2009
What are the two most important things for first-person shooters (also commonly known as FPS games)? Great gameplay and immersive environments. Though the former is entirely the domain of the game design team, hot-blooded gamers want, nay, need the latest and most powerful hardware. After all, how else can we run the newest gaming titles with mind-numbing frames per second at near-impossible resolutions?

However, immersive graphics comes at a price. For the hardcore gamers, only dual-GPU laptops like the Dell XPS M1730 and Asus G70 will do. Those on a smaller budget can still opt for single-GPU notebooks which can handle almost any game but at a more modest frame rate. The return of Gateway to Asia was great news for gamers on a budget. For less than S$3,000, you can get a top-of-the-line 1GB Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTS graphics card with a performance that trumps other single-GPU gaming notebooks out there. We take a look at the latest mobile gaming machines with high-end GPUs you'll want to get for your next frag fest.

Top 5 gaming notebooks | Performance chart


Click here for a feature comparison table.
1.  Asus G70 (Core 2 Duo T9500 Processor 2.6GHz, 4GB RAM)
 
First take

Gamers rejoice. There is another desktop replacement other than the Dell XPS M1730 to come equipped with dual graphics cards. Those on a budget will still probably go for the latter as it has a much lower starting price at S$3,299 compared with the S$4,998 G70. However, Asus' latest gaming rig combines powerful performance with gamer-friendly features to give it a serious edge over its competitors.

Graphics card: Dual Nvidia Geforce 8700M GT
3DMark06 score: 9,019

First take | See full specs | Rate this
2.  Gateway P7804G (Core 2 Duo P8600 Processor 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM)   
 
CNET Asia rating: 7.9 out of 10
The good: Attractive understated design; great gaming performance; inexpensive.
The bad: No Blu-ray drive option; no subwoofer; only three USB ports.
The bottom line: One of the most affordable gaming rigs in town, the Gateway P7804G offers an excellent gaming experience with a nice, understated design.

Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTS
3DMark06 score: 8,912

See full specs | Rate this
3.  Dell XPS M1730 (Core 2 Extreme T7700 Processor 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM)       
 
CNET Asia rating: 8.4 out of 10
The good: Excellent gaming performance; inexpensive for a high-end dual graphics card system; options for Intel Core 2 Extreme processor and Blu-ray drive; backlit keyboard; GamePanel LCD as a secondary data display; high-resolution 1,920x1,200 panel.
The bad: Barely portable; no HDMI or VGA output; no subwoofer; lacks TV tuner; noisy, particularly when running full load.
The bottom line: Where most desktops replacements tend to target power users or entertainment seekers, the Dell XPS M1730 makes no bones about being a gaming machine. At under S$4,000 for the base configuration with dual graphics cards, it offers great value for the gaming community.

Graphics card: Dual Nvidia Geforce 8700M GT with 512MB discrete memory
3DMark06 score: 7,989

Review | See full specs | Rate this
4.  Toshiba Qosmio X300 (Core 2 Duo T9400 Processor 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM)
 
CNET Asia rating: 8.3 out of 10
The good: Good graphics and audio performance; cool fiery design; dual harddisk bays; sleep-and-charge USB and eSATA/USB combo ports.
The bad: Glossy keyboard picks up fingerprints; no TV tuner; lacks Blu-ray optical drive; display not full-HD.
The bottom line: Doing more than just putting in a high-end graphics card, the Qosmio X300 adds an excellent sound system and other features to the mix.

Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce 9700M GTS
3DMark06 score: 7,062

Review | See full specs | Rate this
5.  Asus G50 (Core 2 Duo T9400 Processor 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM)
 
CNET Asia rating: 7.8 out of 10
The good: Eye-catching design; generous storage; excellent graphics performance for a midsized laptop; ExpressGate software; discrete numeric pad.
The bad: No full-HD panel option; poor battery life; no subwoofer.
The bottom line: With its attention-grabbing design and fast graphics performance, the Asus G50 is a tough competitor to other midsized gaming machines in the market.

Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce 9700M GT
3DMark06 score: 4,915

Review | See full specs | Rate this
Performance chart »

More Resources From CNET Asia

How to upgrade Windows XP to Windows Vista

Find out what you'll need to upgrade your current files and software to Windows Vista.

Notebook online auction buying guide

Looking for a good notebook deal online? We give you a few tips on how to spot a bargain and avoid common con techniques.

Fast fixes for 10 common Wi-Fi problems

If wireless network problems are leaving you befuddled, these valuable tips can help you make a better connection.

OS X vs Vista

What better way to end the age-old OS X vs Vista debate than to set the two up for a traditional Elizabethan duel? Prepare yourselves for one of the bloodiest battles your eyes hath ever seen...

advertisement
 

CNET Asia Buying Guides

Before heading to the stores,
CNET fills you in on what
you need to know to find the
perfect product match.


 


Sign up for updates!

Every fortnight, we'll teach you the latest tricks in notebooks. View sample »