Need a Gaming Laptop for around $1000

[corruption]

I'm in the need of a new laptop. My present laptop (Acer Aspire 5050) is anything but a gaming machine and a gaming machine is what I presently need. I've had to leave Canada while some paperwork is being processed, which means that I've had to leave my desktop (see specs in sig) in Halifax while I'm home in Bermuda. I've gotten the bug to start gaming and my Acer isn't cutting it.

My brother is flying to New York for a few days and has agreed to bring a machine back with him. I'm looking for something relatively close to the performance of my desktop as I find it perfectly capable of playing anything that I throw at it. I'd like to stick with an Asus laptop due to their global warranty, and I'd like to stay as close to $1000 as I can.

I've been eying this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220700) laptop, but it's going to be about $1600 by the time it makes it to Bermuda. (22.25% tax on incoming electronics purchased abroad) I'm okay with paying that, but if you guys have any better deals that you're aware of I'd rather know now instead of after I make my purchase.

Other options I've been considering are: Option 2 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220692) and Option 3 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220696)

Now that I'm looking at it, option 3 is really catching my eye.....this is where I need help from you guys, my "overclocking extremist family." ;) I have to order this by tomorrow so that it gets to my brother's apartment by Friday of next week at the ABSOLUTE LATEST!! Any input is greatly appreciated!:grouphug:

[UnseenMenace]

most companies use gaming laptop as a marketing term meaning same laptop as our business models with a nice graphic card.

I've owned a large number of 'gaming laptops' and nothing at all comes close imho to Alienware in terms of performance or support.

[Nechen]

I WAS looking at the M11X but that thing has an absolutely horrid CPU in it

SU4100 @ 1.3Ghz *crys*

[corruption]

most companies use gaming laptop as a marketing term meaning same laptop as our business models with a nice graphic card.

I've owned a large number of 'gaming laptops' and nothing at all comes close imho to Alienware in terms of performance or support.


The cheapest 15" Alienware laptop that I can find is just over $1,600, has a lower end gfx card than what I've linked, and is more than I'm willing to spend. I also don't know if Alienware will deal with warranty service if I'm in Bermuda, but Asus will. :(

The one thing that I liked about the third option that I linked is that it doesn't look like a "kid's computer." A lot of the Alienware laptops remind me of the late 90's/early 2000's when blue and red (read pink) cold cathode illuminated cases were desired. I'm not as much of a fan of that look...I prefer more of a "sleeper" look. Like a car that has 500hp, but the body of a family sedan. ;)

Thank you very much for your input, but unfortunately it's a tad more than I'm willing to and able to spend at this point in time. :(

[corruption]

Well, another wrench thrown in. I don't have an American-issued credit card linked to an American address so I can't place my order through New Egg. Any other retailers that you guys recommend?