http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/razer-blade

Ultraportable notebook with external high powered GPU that you can leave at home. Only snag: The external GPU isn't available yet. But the idea is nice. 

It's this one: http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/razer-blade-stealth 

I have a laptop that I can easily play many games on I still stick to less demanding games because everytime I don't shit gets really hot. I don't mind the temperature but I believe it reduces the lifetime of the parts (capacitators and such).

I've never seen a laptop that doesn't have the problem since they all are so tightly packed. 

Meh. Alienware laptop, 2014 I think? Anyway, cool as a cucumber 100% of the time. Never breaks a sweat. Mind, the heaviest thing I play on it is Skyrim. 

And if so, why did you go for a laptop? 

That is interesting, there is already a version of that by another manufacturer out I think.

Still, 12" screen as default (and presumably tiny KB to match), means you're going to need a monitor for actual gaming, as well as the kb and seperate GB, suddenly it's all seeming a bit desktop sized!! 

 

As others stated, laptops especially running today's games can get rather hot. I am a bit biased with my full tower I suppose ;).

Regardless if I move into a one room apartment, I'd always make room for the desktop/monitor.

Good luck! 

I've had laptops for a few years now and I now have a full desktop. I can't see myself going back to the laptop any time soon. 

Kinn Is That Ur Normal Rig?

Yes.

And if so, why did you go for a laptop?

I am fairly mobile and need to be able to work from anywhere.

However, even I didn't need to be mobile, I would still have gone for a laptop because it takes up much less room, and it's nice to work in the kitchen sometimes - the bedroom other times....etc. 

They can run a bit hot and have all the obvious detriments, but there is no real mystery to the concept?? 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EVGA-GeForce-Superclocked-Cooling-Graphics/dp/B00NSXYEQW/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1456915903&sr=1-3&keywords=gtx+970

Could throw that video card into your current i3 and see a pretty decent step-up. Your current CPU could bottleneck so that's a consideration as well.

The major thing I dislike about laptop gaming is the lack of upgrade functionality so if you do opt for the laptop, you should pay the pretty price to get the best parts inside the mobile rig in my opinion. 

I switched from desktop to laptop 8 years ago and have never looked back! I find a laptop useful because I move/travel a lot and don't want to carry around a large amount of equipment anymore. I just stick my laptop in my backpack and I am ready to go.

There are a couple of things you can upgrade with laptops, like memory (8Gb) and HD (250Gb). The rest of the laptop is just a blob and impossible to upgrade. I have been using solid states drives for 5 years, but never ever buy an intel SSD, they are worthless trash and will crash all the time.

I highly recommend you get some kind of warranty, things to do break and go wrong. Make sure you find a laptop with a good hard case that can withstand some knocks, accidents do happen.

Make sure you get a laptop with plenty of ports, a couple of USB, a SD card reader (for cameras), HDMI/VGA for ext monitor/tv and dvd drive for installation. When you get the laptop, always create your software install disks (there is an option), you never know when you might have to re-install windows again!

Even though its called a laptop, only a fool would actually use it on their lap/legs! The heat from any laptop will easily cook most skin, I just use the laptop on a table or even on the sofa.

I can run plenty of games, probably not cutting edge stuff, but I also have 2 consoles for other titles (some exclusive) so its not like I am never playing games. You can also plug your laptop into most TV sets or even get a special monitor/keyboard if you want.

Laptops are damn good hardware nowadays and most people change their computers every 4-5 years anyway. The upgrading thing is just a fools game, I know, I did it for 15 years! 

The moment when I switched from laptop to desktop was the biggest mistake in my life. I supposed that I would stop moving a lot back then. I can say that moving full tower from city to city sucks. Will switch back to laptop as main workstation in future. 

10/10 A+++ would read again.

So as expensive as they are, the best advice is go even more expensive to make them futureproof as they can't be upgraded. Fair enough.

And nah this wouldn't be on legs ... 

On the other hand, PCs no longer have to be big. My home server would fit in a 12" cube with room to spare. It holds five 3.5" drives. The PC in my lab is attached to the back of the monitor. It cost less than $200 to build. Neither are gaming machines, but it's certainly possible to build a small machine for gaming these days, if that's what you need.

Laptops/notebooks are pretty much the only choice if you absolutely have to go mobile, but have a lot of limitations/drawbacks because of that requirement. 

But I'm liking the idea of true portability.

Although, thinking of future-proofing, laptops with GTX 980M cards don't come cheap at all :O

OTOH, desktop 980 cards are �420 on their own... 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/MSI-GT80S-6QE-Titan-002-HID4/dp/B017XJAVBS/ref=sr_1_19?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1456999048&sr=1-19&keywords=msi+laptop+980m

Pretty sure I've seen an old 2nd hand rolls royce on Autotrader for cheaper...

One thing though, keyboard position on those titans is where it's at. 

That is one kicking machine. If you got the funds and want the best of the best in mobile gaming...there it be.

If you don't want the max of every game to come out, you could always go a little lower...like a single gpu or an i5 cpu as opposed to an i7. If you are just gaming, I don't see the need for an i7 personally.

Another thing to consider is 18.4" required? Since you are in the mindset of mobility 18.4" is a pretty large portable laptop! Even going 17" would see a decrease in price and a lot more friendly to move device.

Again, just poking from all sides! 

The only thing I really see the personal benefit of for that is the keyboard position.

Looking at Amazon, I can't see getting a decent machine WITHOUT getting an i7. And yeah 17" display is much more sensible.

It seems the main sticking point is getting a GTX980m in without crazy ��� - that's the most future-proofing aspect. 

That is probably right in terms of the i7 thing. Since those laptops are marketed as gaming premium, they tote the i7. It's just a bit overkill but i7 is certainly good stuff!

I think 980m is a good call since I am pretty certain that Maxwell cards support DX12 which is the "future proof" you are desiring. Good luck with whatever you pick, I don't think you will be disappointed either way! 

A shame there has not been a proper effort for standardized external GPU options for laptops.

USB3 isnt good enough for external GPU either apparently.


On a side note towers are pretty cool nowadays with virtualisation and PCI passthrough :D
Ludicrous CPU cores and RAM these days make a reasonable priced system perfectly good for running 2 PC's from one tower, just need 2 GPU's and your good to go. 

...will currently be nothing at those prices, but it's useful to get ideas. 

I've actually gotten tired of computers in general. Both Windows and Mac OS are no longer user friendly. I'm finding that Android is very usable and with a tablet I don't need to bother with all the extra accessories one needs for even a laptop. I have the one device and I'm set. Adding a portable Bluetooth speaker for movies or music cures the problem of usually weak built-in speakers. 

Can you map on a tablet? What about Photoshop, 3D modelling, etc?