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I've always been a console gamer, with my laptop choices being merely mainstream functional models. I jumped into to premium laptops, last year, with an HP Spectre ultrabook. That beautiful brushed aluminum piece featured an amazing IPS screen (glossy). I first breached PC gaming on this model, playing some AAA games on low settings. This year, I invested further in an Alienware 14, which is absolutely my most favorite piece of tech that I have ever owned. It took the HP IPS screen to the next level, with its matte finish display (at work the HP's glossy IPS was basically a mirror under the flourescent lights). So the 14 has served as my gateway drug into seeking even heavier gaming applications. Unfortunately now, I'm completely conflicted with the options Alienware has given me/us. The 17 would be my first choice, as I enjoy playing games in bed or on the sofa (laptop on chest/stomach on cm storm-15 cooling pad). As we all know, the screen options are so disappointing. The matte, which I would prefer, is a low quality mainstream TN screen. The 3D option is the mirror like glossy variety and is only a slightly better TN screen. My other option would be the 18, which though glossy, has a IPS like display. The issue with that model is my lack of funds needed to buy the 880 sli model. You guy's opinions on AMD have spooked me on the middle option of the r9 m290x crossfire edition. The 860 sli would be the model that I would go with, but games that don't have sli profiles or have issues would have me possibly
playing with a single 860 (far lesser than the 17's 880). So as you can see, I really want to get my second Alienware laptop but the options all come with sacrifices. I've almost have been tempted by the MSI GT60 3K model, due to the IPS high res. I know I wouldn't be as happy, though, due to its really cheap plastic aesthetics. I know this is a little "too long, didn't read" but you guys are my only resource to find a happy conclusion to this conundrum. Any assistance with the questions below would be super beneficial.
- How jarring will the dropoff from the 14's awesome matte IPS screen would be to the 17's two display options be?
- I have a three year old HP Pavilion with a TN screen, and it feels like I often have to readjust the screen to avoid that dreaded color inversion. Are the 17's screens similar to this, making it hard to gain consistent color uniformity? Do they exhibit the screen door effect?
- Would the 18 with the 860m sli be a waste of a great machine, if I'm forced to play with a single card or even with both on high graphic demanding games?
- How is the 18's screen in comparison to the 14's (other than the glossy/matte difference)?
- Should I just go with the cheap and mildly tacky MSI gt60 dominator 3k just for the screen alone (880m)?
Thank you so much for any input. You guys rock!
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Come on guys, 48 views and no help
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So conflicted on my next Alienware addition. Assistance is much appreciated.
Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by zachary77, Jul 17, 2014.
