Advice on buying a new laptop

[Timilon]

I'm looking for a new gaming laptop to replace my current Dell Inspiron 1720 that has a Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 @2.2GHz, 2GB RAM, and the main reason I am replacing it is the Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT 256mb graphics card which is starting to be too low tier to run brand new games plus it can overheat if I run it hard.

I technically don't have any price limit but I'd rather buy a $1000 laptop now and a new $1000 laptop in 3-4 years then buy a $2000 laptop that I will still end up replacing in 4-6 years from now.

What I am looking for in a laptop is as follows:

17" or larger screen size

i3 equivalent or better

At least a 1gb video card like the 360 GTS or the ati 5650

At least 4gb of ram

Hard drive size doesn't really matter but at least 250gb preferably 500gb or larger

I don't need a OS or any software to come with it

Currently I am leaning towards buying this laptop: http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Qosmio-X505-Q885-TruBrite-18-4-Inch/dp/B003N17BRI/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

I've looked at some performance benchmarks of the i5-450M versus the i7-740M and there is quite a difference. So my biggest question is for gaming am I likely to be hindered by the nvidia 360 GTS before the i5 processor? Or would the upgrading to the i7 be worth it? (http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Qosmio-X505-Q887-TruBrite-18-4-Inch/dp/B003N17BR8/ref=dp_cp_ob_pc_title_1) Also would it be worth upgrading the RAM to 6 or even 8 GB? I'm only concerned about gaming on the laptop. There is also a even higher end version of that laptop shown here but I don't think it's worth the $700 extra. http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Qosmio-X505-Q890-TruBrite-18-4-Inch/dp/B003N7O3EG/ref=pd_cp_pc_2

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to reading your recommendations and suggestions. Also I'm not set on buying a Toshiba Qosmio it just seems to fit exactly what I am looking for but if you have another laptop that is similar or better or better priced by all means please suggest it.

Other laptops I am currently considering include:

Saves me $150 but downgrades the graphics card to a 330 GT, screen size to 17.1" and processor to a i5-430 from 450. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+-+Red/Black/9728443.p?id=1218161511080&skuId=9728443

Saves me $100 but downgrades screen size to 16" (probably 15.6" i assume) also video card is a ati 5730 but it has a i7 processor. http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0327048

Saves me $250 but downgrades screen size to 15.6", video card to ati 5650. http://www.xoticpc.com/force-nblb2-built-compal-nblb2-p-2813.html

There was also this sony that i was contemplating but think I've found better bang for my buck elsewhere. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834127206

[zipper]

I just wonder if you can stand a £1000 laptop more than 2 years - I couldn't as the tech progress is pretty fast.

[Timilon]

I just wonder if you can stand a £1000 laptop more than 2 years - I couldn't as the tech progress is pretty fast.

Tech is still progressing quite fast but I'd say system requirements on games seems to be slowing down. Just look at the system requirements at Crysis a 3 year old game and compare it to any new game. Pretty much every game still has minimum system requirements set at a 256mb video card or lower (though crysis 2 will probably bump that up to 512mb) I'm pretty sure a 360 GTS + i5 processor would easily last me 3-4years for gaming. But I'm mainly here to find out in 3-4 years what is more likely:

A ) Me needing to upgrade to a better laptop because my 360 GTS isn't good enough for the latest games.

B ) My i5 processor isn't good enough for the latest games.

C ) My 4 GB of RAM isn't enough for the latest games.

If possible listing the order such as A, C, B. Would be very much appreciated.

Edited August 26, 2010 by Timilon

[Timilon]

Also the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M can't make use of directx 11 can it, only 10.1? How much of an issue is that? Would I be better off going with an ati 5650 even though it's slower, it's maybe more capable? Or am I just simply not understanding this chart, and its really just what directx version was used during the tests or something. http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

Also I noticed the ATI 5650 and 5730 both don't support GDDR5. Which the NVIDIA 360M GTS does support. Is this important?

Edited August 26, 2010 by Timilon

[zipper]

I'd consider the significance of DX11 pretty small still for a couple of years. At least with medium range hardware like my GTX 260M I don't miss it a bit. But next time I'll update my laptop it's a different situation.