Gaming capable laptops, under $1000 after tax/other fees

[xeoreg]

I did a search and some results came up but they were a bit outdated. I want to upgrade to a new laptop by the end of summer, looking for a reliable, gaming capable laptop for under $1000 after tax, enviro and shipping fees. Looking for some recommendations.

Here are some of my requirements:

14" or 15". Screen resolution doesn't matter too much to me as long as it is 1366x768 or better.
intel i7 processor 2nd or 3rd generation.
8gb ram, either from factory or self-upgrade.
dedicated graphics card. Something that will run Diablo 3 on medium or higher settings.
English US keyboard. Hate the frenchie keyboards with a passion. Must come with Eng US keyboard or can be replaced with one.
Battery life should last 4 hours on lowest brightness for internet browsing & office
Good product service (i.e. can find all product drivers from manufacturer site easily)

Here are some additional things to know:
HDD size/speed is not too important, will be swapping in an SSD as primary disk in near future.
Does not need blu-ray drive, will be swapping out optical drive for an HDD caddy.


I currently have an HP, and I hate it. It has terrible ergonomics and as far as I can see, the newer HP's still have this problem and so I will not consider anything from HP. I know staples had a $500 HP laptop recently but I did not get it because it was an HP. Currently the Lenovo Y480 series appeal to me as it fits my requirements, but want other recommendations as well.

[DavidY]

I did a search and some results came up but they were a bit outdated. I want to upgrade to a new laptop by the end of summer, looking for a reliable, gaming capable laptop for under $1000 after tax, enviro and shipping fees. Looking for some recommendations.

Here are some of my requirements:

14" or 15". Screen resolution doesn't matter too much to me as long as it is 1366x768 or better.
intel i7 processor 2nd or 3rd generation.
8gb ram, either from factory or self-upgrade.
dedicated graphics card. Something that will run Diablo 3 on medium or higher settings.
English US keyboard. Hate the frenchie keyboards with a passion. Must come with Eng US keyboard or can be replaced with one.
Battery life should last 4 hours on lowest brightness for internet browsing & office
Good product service (i.e. can find all product drivers from manufacturer site easily)

Here are some additional things to know:
HDD size/speed is not too important, will be swapping in an SSD as primary disk in near future.
Does not need blu-ray drive, will be swapping out optical drive for an HDD caddy.


I currently have an HP, and I hate it. It has terrible ergonomics and as far as I can see, the newer HP's still have this problem and so I will not consider anything from HP. I know staples had a $500 HP laptop recently but I did not get it because it was an HP. Currently the Lenovo Y480 series appeal to me as it fits my requirements, but want other recommendations as well.

US keyboard requirement makes it tough. Lenovo would be my pick. I have a Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420...but it's a not a gamer....I wish it was now with the recent D3 release.

Dave

[cloakster]

Lenovo Y570 would be the best series for those requirements: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=68125&vpn=086266U&manufacture=Lenovo

They also have a version that comes with a 64GB SSD installed: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=68127&vpn=08626KU&manufacture=Lenovo

[DavidY]

Lenovo Y570 would be the best series for those requirements: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=68125&vpn=086266U&manufacture=Lenovo

They also have a version that comes with a 64GB SSD installed: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=68127&vpn=08626KU&manufacture=Lenovo

Doesn't Lenovo cripple their GT 555M? There was a Hot Deals thread that discussed a related issue....with a GT 640M that was crippled to perform like a GT 555M or the like.

Dave

[cloakster]

Yes they did, but a crippled GT 555m is still better than a GT 540m and GT630m that you usually find at that price range.

[spena]

ASUS laptops are capable for gaming. Their RoG lineup exceeds your budgets but if you look at any of their sub $1000 laptops with atleast 6GB Ram and dedicated vid card should be good enough for D3

[xeoreg]

Thanks for the feedback everybody. The Y570 is another laptop I have been considering as well. Many people have also recommended ASUS, but I don't know which specific models to look at.

I'm not really educated on graphics cards, are there any specific models I should be looking for? (and ones I should avoid?)

Thanks once again.

[cloakster]

This Asus would be it: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=65187&vpn=K53SV-DH71&manufacture=ASUS but i believe it is on backorder since they are coming out with their ivy bridge laptops soon.

[DavidY]

This Asus would be it: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=65187&vpn=K53SV-DH71&manufacture=ASUS but i believe it is on backorder since they are coming out with their ivy bridge laptops soon.

Asus laptops are top rated. Not sure if you can order an Asus laptop with a US keyboard? GT 540M are on laptops that are much cheaper ($500-$800). GT 540M is very common among laptops with dedicated graphics....an entry level graphics for gaming. Not sure what at rez...reports of medium and high for D3. As Cloakster has said, GT 555M is better than GT 540M.

Dave

[Janefu]

This Asus would be it: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=65187&vpn=K53SV-DH71&manufacture=ASUS but i believe it is on backorder since they are coming out with their ivy bridge laptops soon.
I don't think this is the best choice, As my search, GTX 660M is the best graphic card of all gaming laptops under $1000, I recommend ASUS N53SM-ES72, it's better then ASUS N53SV-EH71, you can see their comparison here (http://gaminglaptopsunder1000.net/)

[cloakster]

I don't think this is the best choice, As my search, GTX 660M is the best graphic card of all gaming laptops under $1000, I recommend ASUS N53SM-ES72, it's better then ASUS N53SV-EH71, you can see their comparison here (http://gaminglaptopsunder1000.net/)

omg, look at the dates...there was no laptop out yet in Canada with the GTX 660m in the middle of may. The Lenovo Y580 just came out and the Asus laptop you mentioned is not out yet.

[DavidY]

omg, look at the dates...there was no laptop out yet in Canada with the GTX 660m in the middle of may. The Lenovo Y580 just came out and the Asus laptop you mentioned is not out yet.

Janefu's Asus recommendation only has a GT 630M which is basically on par with the GT 540M. GTX 660M is much faster for gaming.

Dave

[Janefu]

Janefu's Asus recommendation only has a GT 630M which is basically on par with the GT 540M. GTX 660M is much faster for gaming.

Dave
Sorry, my mistake, I am wrong, GT 630M is the best graphic card of all gaming laptops under $1000 currently. :razz:

[DavidY]

Sorry, my mistake, I am wrong, GT 630M is the best graphic card of all gaming laptops under $1000 currently. :razz:

Lenovo Ideapad Y580 has an i7-3610QM and a GTX 660M which is $849 or less....GTX 660M is likely one of the fastest graphics card in the sub $1000 laptop category.

Dave