| So you want to buy a gaming laptop.But not just any | | | | a 17 inch WideUXGA |
| old gaming laptop, you want to buy the best | | | | 1920x1200 LCD Display and 4 dedicated SO-DIMM |
| gaming machine on the planet, the best gaming | | | | slots for |
| machine money can | | | | Dual-Channel DDR2 Memory. Warranties can be |
| buy -- the fastest, the most powerful, the ultimate | | | | purchased for up |
| kick-ass, | | | | to 4 years.The Alienware Area-51m 7700's base |
| take no prisoners, meanest motherboard of all | | | | price starts at around |
| gaming laptops.Well, there's some good news for | | | | $2000 but if you want to max out this system, be |
| you, things have really changed | | | | prepared |
| in the laptop world. No doubt you are probably | | | | to double that amount. High price for high |
| aware there have been | | | | performance. |
| some major developments in laptop construction and | | | | Runs quiet and cool. This one is dressed to |
| technology | | | | kill.Rockdirect LaptopsNext, we go across the pond, |
| in the last year or so. Technology that puts the | | | | for a company that produces some |
| gaming laptop | | | | high priced yet powerful gaming machines. |
| on par or near par with its main rival, the desktop | | | | Rockdirect gaming notebooks |
| PC.Recent changes in technology have really brought | | | | are another group of machines that many gamers |
| gaming laptops | | | | should consider. |
| into the spotlight with a whole list of new | | | | Rockdirect, formerly known as Rock, is a British |
| Technologies: | | | | company that's |
| PCI Express, Sonoma Chipset, SLI, Hyper-Threading, | | | | on the cutting edge of notebook technology. They |
| Dual Graphics, | | | | have had a long |
| Better RAM, and now Dual Core gaming laptops. | | | | history of making high quality laptops for business |
| Gaming notebooks are | | | | and gaming. |
| just now entering the specs and performance arena | | | | Rockdirect laptops are expensive, there's no way to |
| which was exclusively | | | | get around |
| reserved for the bulky yet much more powerful | | | | that fact.Rockdirect's Xtreme 64 is one of the |
| desktop PC.Just in case you have had your head | | | | world's first dual core |
| buried in term papers and study | | | | notebooks using AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ |
| sheets lately -- hey, it happens! Here's a brief | | | | processors and twin |
| rundown of these | | | | 100GB 7,200RPM hard drives. With NVIDIAGeForce |
| new technologies that will give you the fastest | | | | Go 7800 GTX |
| gaming laptop:Graphics Cards: these are the real heart | | | | graphics and a 17 inch WSXGA+ (1680x1050) display |
| of any gaming machine. They | | | | with X-Glass |
| are getting faster and more powerful. We also see | | | | for better viewing. Around 2,300 pounds or $4,000 |
| the use of dual | | | | USD. |
| graphics cards and better transfer of data with new | | | | Three Year Collect and Return Warranty.Dell |
| pipelines | | | | LaptopsHey dude, this can't be a DEll?Dell with the |
| and buses.PCI Express: is a new standard for | | | | introduction of its XPS second generation gaming |
| expansion cards that comes in | | | | laptops has to be considered by the serious gamer. |
| different versions. Presently, we have the x16 and | | | | Don't laugh! |
| x1 lanes, they | | | | With the introduction of the XPS Gen2 laptops, Dell |
| offer increased bandwidth. For example, x1 lane | | | | entered the |
| offers 500MB/sec | | | | gaming market for real. A lot of people stood up |
| instead of just 133MB/sec for PCI.NVIDIA SLI: SLI | | | | and took notice.Even more people stood up when |
| stands for Scalable Link Interface, technology | | | | Dell introduced the XPS Renegade 600 |
| that lets you use a couple of GeForce 6800 graphics | | | | desktop gaming system with 4 NVIDIA 7800GTX |
| cards together | | | | GPUs at the |
| with PCI Express X16. Basically, SLI will speed up | | | | CES this year. Now that's putting SLI to some good |
| graphics on a single | | | | use!Dell's top Notebook Model is the XPS M170 |
| monitor by deploying two graphics cards. It also lets | | | | powered by |
| you combine | | | | Intel Pentium M Processor 780 (2.26 GHz/2MB Cache |
| 4 GPUs in one system for the fastest graphics | | | | 533MHz FSB) |
| yet.An alternative system would be ATI's CrossFire | | | | and 2GB1 Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 |
| which | | | | Dimm Memory on |
| is a SLI-like configuration using 'Master' and 'Slave' | | | | a 100GB 7200rpm Hard Drive. It uses 256MB NVIDIA |
| cards to combine two Radeon GPUs for improved | | | | GeForce |
| and faster | | | | Go 7800 GTX and has a 17 inch UltraSharp Wide |
| graphics.Hyper-Threading: Gives processors better | | | | Screen UXGA |
| performance | | | | Display. Priced at around $3,896 with a two year |
| especially when combined with dual-core processors, | | | | warranty |
| capable of handling four software threads which will | | | | and longer warranties may be purchased.Show me |
| put | | | | the Facts!Anyone can pick a top gaming notebook |
| a smile on any gamer's face.Better RAM: DDR3 | | | | and say its the fastest |
| SDRAM (Double Data Rate Three Synchronous | | | | in the world. However, you have to prove it or back |
| Dynamic Random Access Memory) this new DDR | | | | it up. |
| memory standard | | | | That's where benchmark testing enters the picture, |
| will use 40% less power and run at speeds up to | | | | these are |
| 800 MHz. | | | | standard tests that rate the performance level of |
| Don't confuse this with GDDR3 (in Graphics Cards) | | | | your |
| which is | | | | gaming laptop. Hey, tests are good for |
| a totally different technology.Dual Core: just as the | | | | something!One good site that has performed a whole |
| name says, you put two CPUs into | | | | slue of tests on |
| a laptop for more power and faster computing. | | | | the gaming laptops mentioned above is |
| Rockdirect's | | | | You can see the different Benchmark tests here: |
| Xtreme 64 was one of the world's first dual core | | | | for memory bandwidth and latency, picfast, |
| notebooks to | | | | cryptography, raytracing, realistic render, encoding |
| hit the market.Also be on the lookout for Intel's Dual | | | | and |
| Core Notebook | | | | so on. The dual core Rock XTreme 64 showed |
| Chip dubbed Yonah, it will be somewhat different in | | | | impressive |
| that | | | | numbers, even beating out an Athlon 4000+ |
| this notebook chip will not only have two cores but | | | | Desktop in |
| these | | | | many areas.WildCard Entry: M-TECH!There's another |
| cores will share a 2MB cache which will greatly boost | | | | laptop maker many novice gamers don't consider |
| performance.In most cases, keeping ahead of all | | | | when buying their ultimate gaming machine. It may |
| these developments and | | | | not be as |
| improvements can be a pleasurable chore for most | | | | well known as the ones above but the real wildcard |
| gamers but | | | | entry is |
| it can sure eat into your gaming time. And as the | | | | M-TECH. This is basically the American equivalent of |
| notebook | | | | Rockdirect, |
| technology evolves, the gaming laptop will get even | | | | although the companies are in no way connected. |
| more smaller | | | | They just have a |
| and more powerful, offering a real alternative to the | | | | similar philosophy of working with and using |
| gaming | | | | cutting-edge technology |
| desktop PC even for the most die-hard Power | | | | and firms to produce some superior gaming |
| Junkies.Serious gamers will also know laptop or | | | | machines.M-TECH, a Michigan company, started in |
| notebook gaming technology | | | | 1995 and has close |
| is constantly evolving and mutating. Therefore, most | | | | strategic partnerships with Tech firms in Silicon |
| gamers will | | | | Valley. It |
| only purchase a fully upgradeable open architecture | | | | is favorably reviewed by many industry magazines |
| notebook, they | | | | such as |
| look for a laptop design which can be easily | | | | Laptops, Mobile Computing, CNET, PC TODAY and |
| upgraded with the newest | | | | others.M-TECH produces some powerful low priced |
| and latest technology, if at all possible.Despite this | | | | (relatively speaking) |
| option, as laptop gaming technology steadily | | | | gaming laptops such as the D900K and the |
| improves, | | | | D900T:You can configure your D900T with two |
| gamers are still left with the choice of which gaming | | | | 100GB (7200RPM) SATA HDD |
| system to buy. | | | | Hard Drives with Pentium 4 3.8GHz 2MB L2Cache |
| Just in case you have be hibernating for last five | | | | with a RAID setup. |
| years -- hey, it | | | | With Nvidia GeForce Go 7800 GTX w/256MB DDR3 |
| happens. Here's a quick rundown of the different | | | | and a 17 inch TFT WSXGA+ |
| systems on the market | | | | Glassview LCD display for around $3500 USD. One |
| ...Voodoo, Alienware, Mayhem, Vigor, Sager, ASUS, | | | | year warranty, |
| Rockdirect, | | | | longer warranties may be purchased.When buying |
| M-Tech, Dell...Despite the fancy lapels, serious | | | | your laptop, keep in mind, just because a gaming |
| gamers know that most laptops are | | | | laptop has a lot of style doesn't mean it has |
| made by the same two or three companies in | | | | sacrificed performance. |
| Taiwan! The same components | | | | It is not a matter of style over substance, it just |
| and mainframes are assembled under different brand | | | | means |
| names and marketed | | | | you have to pay highly for all that style/advertising |
| to the public.Not to get too cynical, but sometimes | | | | packaging. |
| it's the laptop with | | | | If you can afford it, go for a higher priced gaming |
| the better paint job or the better advertising that | | | | laptop. |
| will | | | | People buy Ferraries don't they? There's no |
| win your purchasing dollar. Not that savvy gamers | | | | accounting for how |
| are easily | | | | people spend their money, if you want one of these |
| fooled, perish the thought, but packaging may rule | | | | dual core |
| the day, | | | | laptops from Rockdirect and you can take a little bit |
| performance may be the same or negligible in | | | | of heat |
| gaming | | | | and noise with your games, go for a Rockdirect |
| machines with basically all the same components and | | | | Xtreme 64 or |
| specs.Regardless of this sober reality, gamers are still | | | | the older Xtreme Ti.If you want a dressed to kill |
| left with the | | | | Alienware laptop, go for the |
| choice of which gaming manufacturer has tweaked | | | | Area-51m 7700. If you're on a budget, look closely |
| these components | | | | at the Dell |
| into the best gaming laptop on the market. There | | | | XPS M170 or the other XPS systems and watch for |
| are numerous gaming | | | | special Dell |
| specialists that make high quality machines well | | | | coupons and discounts. Dell is known for giving some |
| worth your | | | | great |
| consideration but because of limited space here we | | | | discounts so keep your eyes peeled. And if you |
| will only examine | | | | really want to |
| three major gaming manufacturers, sometimes for | | | | go against the mainstream, why not check out |
| entirely different reasons.These three are Alienware, | | | | M-TECH. Especially |
| Rockdirect and Dell. All produce serious | | | | the M-TECH D900K or the D900T, ultimate |
| contenders for the ultimate gaming laptop. Here's a | | | | performance at a good price.No matter which gaming |
| brief rundown on | | | | system you go with, try to pick one |
| all three makers and their gaming laptops which may | | | | that has a fully upgradeable open architecture |
| be of some help | | | | structure so |
| to anyone looking to purchase a high-end gaming | | | | you can easily upgrade when the time comes. Keep |
| monster.Alienware LaptopsFirst, we will start with the | | | | in mind, |
| most distinctive looking gaming | | | | laptop technology is changing so fast by the time |
| laptops on the market. Those coming from | | | | your |
| Alienware, a company | | | | dream machine is configured, it is probably already |
| founded by two avid gamers, Nelson Gonzalez and | | | | out of date. |
| Alex Aguila, in | | | | Sobering thought but more true than any of us |
| 1996. It has become one of the leading producers of | | | | would like to |
| revolutionary | | | | believe.Finding the fastest gaming laptop may be an |
| gaming PCs and Notebooks. It has also won raves | | | | on-going process |
| and rewards from such | | | | of outfitting your dream machine with the latest |
| top industry publications as CNET, PC Gamer, | | | | technologies |
| Computer Games and | | | | and hardware as they come on stream. Hey, |
| many more.Their flagship model is the Area-51m | | | | nobody said life would |
| 7700. This scary monster | | | | be simple.Just wondering how you can fit Quad SLI |
| can be outfitted with an Intel Pentium 4 Processor | | | | with 4 GPUs |
| with | | | | into a laptop. Hey, it can happen and probably will!For |
| Hyper-Threading Technology - (2.8GHz - 3.8GHz, | | | | more on the best gaming laptops click here: Gaming |
| 800MHz FSB, | | | | Laptops. For information on upgrading your gaming |
| 1MB Cache, Socket 775) Intel 915P + ICH6 chipset | | | | laptop click here: |
| with NVIDIA | | | | Laptop Memory Upgrade. |
| GeForce GO 6800 ULTRA with 256MB DDR3. It has | | | | |