Replacing a Desktop with a Laptop - what do I need?

[Deleted]

My current Core 2 Duo PC will need replacing soon, as will my Laptop.

So I was wondering, instead of getting two separate systems again, why not get one for both? The Deskop I used mostly for gaming and web-surfing while the Laptop was used for working and traveling as well as watching movies. Now I don't see myself traveling quite as much as I used to in the future so I wouldn't mind a slightly heavier laptop suitable for gaming.

I already have a dedicated 24" 1080p monitor that I would like to use on my desktop as well as a "proper" keyboard and mouse for gaming purposes.

Now I was wondering, aside from the actual Laptop, what other components to I need in order to replace a Desktop PC with a Laptop. Obviously the Lappy needs decent hardware and power to manage 1080p at a decent FPS, but other than that, what should I look for?

Do I need adapters to add more USB connections? Do I need an HDMI output or will a DVI-D suffice? Anything else I should look out for?

[Saithes]

HDMI and DVI are the same aside from the fact HDMI can provide audio passthrough. You'll definitely want a SANDYBRIDGE based Processor for your laptop since those perform quite well and even compete with many current desktop processors. Other than that I'd recommend getting a fair bit of RAM and a decent Graphics Processor(Not Intel HD).

[BicycleMafioso]

HDMI on laptops of any kind of value are more common than not. DVI are usually infrequent on laptops in favour of VGA (because most projectors are VGA, and having a laptop for projectors is very important business/schoolwise).

A G74SX should be roughly what you need, or, if you want to have more control of what you build (recommended) http://www.deviltech.de is a great site. If they don't offer Win7 in your language, buy it seperate (usually cheaper anyway).

I have a laptop purely for surfing/chatting/movies. Everything else (ie, hardly anything) I have the desktop for.

---------- Post added 2011-07-05 at 01:24 AM ----------

HDMI and DVI are the same aside from the fact HDMI can provide audio passthrough. You'll definitely want a SANDYBRIDGE based Processor for your laptop since those perform quite well and even compete with many current desktop processors. Other than that I'd recommend getting a fair bit of RAM and a decent Graphics Processor(Not Intel HD).

*grumble* I love my Intel HD-graphics. It together with nVIDIA Optimus makes me save so much batterytime. (my discrete card is a GT550M)

[Saithes]

*grumble* I love my Intel HD-graphics. It together with nVIDIA Optimus makes me save so much batterytime. (my discrete card is a GT550M)

lol Was more saying don't get an Intel HD discretely :P

[Deleted]

What about doking stations? I guess I'll need one of those too. Are they "1 size fits all" or are they manufacturer/laptop specific?

[BicycleMafioso]

What about doking stations? I guess I'll need one of those too. Are they "1 size fits all" or are they manufacturer/laptop specific?

I've only seen docking-stations in relation to some HP-machines. I wouldn't count on any regular laptop actually having one. (unless there are other kinds).
It makes things easier if you move them only between a set few places, but I'd rather just move the peripherals with me. Not that I use much peripherals with my current laptop. Even its inbuilt touchpad is better than the only spare I have (Nagaew)

[Cows For Life]

I've only seen docking-stations in relation to some HP-machines. I wouldn't count on any regular laptop actually having one. (unless there are other kinds).
It makes things easier if you move them only between a set few places, but I'd rather just move the peripherals with me. Not that I use much peripherals with my current laptop. Even its inbuilt touchpad is better than the only spare I have (Nagaew)

I've seen lots of docking stations.... but only in corporate environments. Lots of Dell and IBM docks for easy in and out for office workers. I don't think they even make docking stations for consumer laptops anymore.