Best Laptop for the Money that will run Skyrim well?

[Dk853]

First post ever, wanted to ask you guys what you think would be the best laptop to run Skyrim WELL, not on ultra, but with pretty good graphics and good fps. I know everyone is going to say get a desktop- it's cheaper, runs better, lasts longer, etc I KNOW, but I'm 100% going to get a laptop.

 

I don't want anything crazy expensive, like 1,500 dollars would definitely be pushing it. I've heard alienware is overpriced and quality as suffered since dell took over, I've heard Asus are good ones, also Sager. I'm not asking anyone to do any research haha, just any knowledge you know off the top of your head?

 

Thanks.

 

BTW sorry if this is in the wrong forum or something - new to the site.

[Rennn]

Alienware is definitely overpriced. They make good stuff, but it's too expensive generally considering the components.

Maybe a Dell? If you could find a model that lets you replace your video card, it'd no doubt last a lot longer.

[xxcomrad3xx]

Look into building your own laptop. much more worth building your own computers then buying them

[Staind716]

I have a Toshiba Qosmio lappy that I use for everything including gaming. It not only looks extremely bad*** but has really good gaming performance. I play on ultra with high shadows and use well over 100 mods including ENB with no lag at all. Mine is also almost 2 years old so the newer models are even better. After having this one I would never buy anything else. It's worth checking it out anyway. Good luck. Here's a link to Toshiba's Qosmio site. http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/qosmio/

[xlcr]

I'm happy with the performance of the 1+ year old ASUS G73SW-A1 ($1300 in NYC last year),

Skyrim detected/set graphics at very high (1920x1080, 17.3" screen) older nvidia geforce gtx 460m GPU runs smoothly & cool.

It's big and more of a desktop gamers replacement than an everyday portable laptop, I've seen the latest popular G74 series in the same price range if you can find one.

If you get one, first thing you'll need to do is carefully get rid of all the bloatware and/or reinstall windows yourself.

 

here's a trusted website for reviews & user discussion of all laptop brands:

http://www.notebookreview.com/

[Dk853]

I have a Toshiba Qosmio lappy that I use for everything including gaming. It not only looks extremely bad*** but has really good gaming performance. I play on ultra with high shadows and use well over 100 mods including ENB with no lag at all. Mine is also almost 2 years old so the newer models are even better. After having this one I would never buy anything else. It's worth checking it out anyway. Good luck. Here's a link to Toshiba's Qosmio site. http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/qosmio/

 

 

That is pretty bad***. I just wish it wasn't loaded up with 3-d and all the other stuff I don't care about, it might be a little bit cheaper that way. Thanks, I'll definitely put this on my list to look into further.

[Dk853]

I'm happy with the performance of the 1+ year old ASUS G73SW-A1 ($1300 in NYC last year),

Skyrim detected/set graphics at very high (1920x1080, 17.3" screen) older nvidia geforce gtx 460m GPU runs smoothly & cool.

It's big and more of a desktop gamers replacement than an everyday portable laptop, I've seen the latest popular G74 series in the same price range if you can find one.

If you get one, first thing you'll need to do is carefully get rid of all the bloatware and/or reinstall windows yourself.

 

here's a trusted website for reviews & user discussion of all laptop brands:

http://www.notebookreview.com/

 

 

I've looked at the g series Asus already, good to know yours has always worked well for you, thanks for the reply.

[Staind716]

I have a Toshiba Qosmio lappy that I use for everything including gaming. It not only looks extremely bad*** but has really good gaming performance. I play on ultra with high shadows and use well over 100 mods including ENB with no lag at all. Mine is also almost 2 years old so the newer models are even better. After having this one I would never buy anything else. It's worth checking it out anyway. Good luck. Here's a link to Toshiba's Qosmio site. http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/qosmio/

 

 

That is pretty bad***. I just wish it wasn't loaded up with 3-d and all the other stuff I don't care about, it might be a little bit cheaper that way. Thanks, I'll definitely put this on my list to look into further.

Yeah, this is also more of a desktop replacer than just an average laptop. After I got this I gave my daughter my desktop and haven't used it since. They may still have some of the slightly older versions without some of the extra bells and whistles you are not interested in but I'm not positive how to check that out. Good luck and I hope you find one you are happy with.

[ProjectVRD]

I have a Toshiba Qosmio lappy that I use for everything including gaming. It not only looks extremely bad*** but has really good gaming performance. I play on ultra with high shadows and use well over 100 mods including ENB with no lag at all. Mine is also almost 2 years old so the newer models are even better. After having this one I would never buy anything else. It's worth checking it out anyway. Good luck. Here's a link to Toshiba's Qosmio site. http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/qosmio/

 

 

That is pretty bad***. I just wish it wasn't loaded up with 3-d and all the other stuff I don't care about, it might be a little bit cheaper that way. Thanks, I'll definitely put this on my list to look into further.

Yeah, this is also more of a desktop replacer than just an average laptop. After I got this I gave my daughter my desktop and haven't used it since. They may still have some of the slightly older versions without some of the extra bells and whistles you are not interested in but I'm not positive how to check that out. Good luck and I hope you find one you are happy with.

 

As this guy says, it is a desktop replacer. It is basically the Bughatti Veyron class of the ready-made laptop world, the original plans were more impressive... they were going to chuck in a Cell BE Processor to handle the real-time graphics communication with video card, allowing the processor to soley deal with what it is best at. The prototype subsequently outpeformed every ready-made PC Desktop on the market with relative ease, it is essence the most powerful gaming laptop ever built... probably still able to deliver a brute blow to todays top of range of the gaming laptops including current Qosmio's.

 

You would do well getting something from this model range, because it will last you a long time before needing an upgrade. Just a shame they decided not to stick with the plan to throw in a Cell BE as well.

Edited February 14, 2012 by ProjectVRD

[Malakai88]

Frankly an extremely graphics intensive game is going to give most any laptop a hard time. Even a big powerful gaming laptop is going to get damn hot.

 

I prefer to play gfx heavy sys taxing games like skyrim on a big desktop with lots of cooling. Even a cheap desktop built with the right budget components can run skyrim flawlessly. My system is an enthusiast budget box (building my pc's since around 2000) from 2yrs ago and it runs skyrim without a hitch, albeit with medium shadows, everything else maxed, at 1680x1050. Vid card cost 99 dollars 2yrs ago.

 

A lappy that will play this well at the same res is going to cost 2000+. Desktop to do it, half that or less, even with a 22-24" monitor.