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Best New PC Gaming Laptops 2011 - 2012

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Updated 7-28-2011 Our choice for the Top Gaming Laptop 2011: ASUS G73SW-A1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Front View

If you are a serious gamer, then you need to be able to have a machine that can handle anything that the video game manufacturer's throw your way. For this reason most of us build our own custom gaming computers. Ideally we could lug our full-towers anywhere, but it's just not feasible. Portability becomes essential when you are on a lightly packed trip or simply don't want to carry your rig to your LAN party. Also, gaming on a laptop allows you to multifunction through socializing, watching tv, and killing your opponents all at the same time. What more could you ask for?

Processor - If you're going to spend a good chunk of money and purchase a laptop try to stick with the latest technology. This year that's Intel's second generation of "i" series processors or "sandy bridge". One of the better available is the i7-2630QM.

Graphics Card

A dedicated graphics card is perhaps the most important thing to take into consideration when purchasing a gaming laptop. Consider using videocardbenchmark.net to compare various laptop graphics cards.

Ram

If you'll be playing the latest games, then try to find a gaming laptop that has at least 8GB of ram or is upgradeable to 8GB.

Top Ten Best New Gaming Laptops 2011-2012

1.ASUS G73SW-A1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black)
Bang for your buck it's hard to beat the A1 or the XA1. Specifications include Sandy Bridge i7-2630QM, 8GB DDR3 1333MHz (up to 16GB), Nvidia GTX 460M Graphics with 1.5GB GDDR5, 1TB Hybrid HDD/SSD (2x 500GB 7200RPM/4GB SSD), Blue-Ray Combo Drive; Illuminated Keyboard; 1x USB 3.0 + 3x USB 2.0 Ports; 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth; 8-in-1 Card Reader; Gigabit LAN, and a 1 year limited warranty.
Amazon Price: $2,514.99
List Price: $1,849.00
2.ASUS G73SW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black)
Intel Core i7-2630QM (2.0 GHz Quad-Core with Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz), 8GB DDR3 1333MHz (4 x 2GB SODIMM Sockets, up to 16GB),Nvidia GTX 460M Graphics with 1.5GB GDDR5, 17.3-Inch Full HD (1920x1080) LED Display; 2.0M Webcam, 1TB Hybrid HDD/SSD (2x 500GB 7200RPM/4GB SSD), Blue-Ray Combo Drive; Illuminated Keyboard; 1x USB 3.0 + 3x USB 2.0 Ports; 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth; 8-in-1 Card Reader; Gigabit LAN, Gaming Backpack and Mouse included. 1 Year Limited Warranty.
Amazon Price: $1,619.90
List Price: $1,449.99
3.Qosmio X505-Q8104 18.4-Inch Gaming Laptop (Omega Black)
Processor and Graphics - Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM Processoro 2.0 GHz (2.9 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology), 6MB L3 Cache with Mobile Intel® HM65 Express Chipset and NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 460M with 1.5GB GDDR5 discrete graphics memory Memory - CConfigured with 8GB DDR3 1333MHz (max 8GB) and 2 main memory slots. Both slots occupied. Storage Drive - 500GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard disk drive/500GB (7200 RPM) Hybrid 4G Serial ATA hard disk drive/TOSHIBA Hard Drive Impact Sensor (3D sensor) Fixed Optical Disk Drive7 - Blu-Ray Disc® (BD-ROM) and DVD SuperMulti drive with Labelflash® supporting 12 formats Sound, Built-in harman/kardon® stereo speakers, and Dolby® Home Theater®
Amazon Price: $1,733.33
List Price: $1,899.99
4.HP ENVY 17-2090NR Notebook - Silver
Here's another great newly released gaming laptop from HP, the Envy. Specifications include 2nd generation Intel Core i7-2630QM Processor 2.00GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.90GHz, 8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM), 1500GB Dual Hard Drive (2x750GB 5400RPM), Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Radeon HD 6850M Graphics with 1024MB GDDR5 and up to 4083MB total graphics memory.
Amazon Price: $1,349.98
List Price: $1,699.99
5.Alienware m17x10-1847DSB 17‐Inch Gaming Laptop (Space Black)
Intel Core i7-740QM 1.73GHz, 2.93GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache, 6GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (2 DIMMs); USB 2.0 (4) eSATA/USB 2.0 Combo (2-in-1 Port) with PowerShare DisplayPort, HDMI?, VGA Audio-out Connectors (3) Audio-in/Microphone Jack Built-in Front Speakers (2) Gigabit Ethernet, 500GB (7200 RPM) Hard Drive; 8x Slot-Loading CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW), CrossFireX 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 Graphics; 17"(1440 x 900)Widescreen, McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 6 Months; and Steam gaming portal.
Amazon Price: $2,300.00
List Price: $2,399.99
6.Alienware m15x-472CSB 15-Inch Gaming Laptop (Cosmic Black)
Amazon Price: $1,799.99
7.ASUS G73JW-ROG Limited Edition Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Black
Amazon Price: $2,299.00
8.MSI GX640-260 15.4-Inch Gaming Laptop - Black/Red
Amazon Price: $1,099.99
9.Alienware AM11x-826CSB Gaming Laptop (Cosmic Black)
Amazon Price: $849.99
List Price: $899.99
10.ASUS G73JW-A1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black)
Amazon Price: $1,799.00

Laptop Manufacturers

ASUS and Alienware have a stronghold on the gaming laptop niche category. Each new model is eagerly anticipated. While we've seen some worthwhile competitors elsewhere, we like ASUS' dedication in bringing new and exciting technology to laptops each and every year for the price that gamer's are really looking for. Toshiba's new Qosmio series as well as HP's Envy series are also beginning to make a push.

3D Laptops to the Mainstream?

This year is the year when the 3d laptop finally makes a breakthrough. So far, there have been very few uses for 3d capable laptops, but as 3d has hit the mainstream we expect that gamer's desire to have the technology that allows a more immersive experience into their gaming world will increase.

About:

Although there is no real "best gaming laptop" there may be a laptop that is perfect for your gaming needs. MMORPG fans probably don't need the highest end laptop on the market and conversely gamer's that like to play performance intense online games can expect to have a high budget.

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If you didn't find what you were looking for, then check out this updated list of the best gaming laptops for 2011.


Reader Feedback and News

Hisham Hossain 14 months ago

I think, Asus G73JW 3de laptop is the best! Really it is amazing 3d laptop :-)

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