Laptop with external display

[Fates-grim-batol]

Hi all,

I currently play WoW Retail on a late 2017 MacBook Pro 13" with:

Intel Core i5 2.3GHz
8GB 2133 MHz
SSD
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 1536 MB

I use this computer only for WoW and general use (Web, Emails etc…)
WoW runs OK on 3 graphic settings and I can get 40 FPS stable

However, I now want to build a desk and start playing on a bigger monitor.

I feel like the answer would be to replace my MacBook with a more 'Gaming machine) capable of better graphic settings and smoother playing.

I am open to replacing, but I am unsure of what laptop to go for?

I love the screen clarity on the MacBook and the backlit keyboard.

Are there any use cases for laptop for up to £1000 (I am from the UK).

I have found these, thoughts?

Predator Helios 300 PH315-52-74V2 - 15.6" - Core i7 9750H -
Processor Intel Core i7 (9th Gen) 9750H / 2.6 GHz (4.5 GHz) / 12 MB Cache
Memory 8 GB DDR4 (2 x 4 GB)
Display 15.6" LED backlight 1920 x 1080 / Full HD
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM

Dell G3 15 3590 - 15.6" - Core i7 9750H -
Processor Intel Core i7 (9th Gen) 9750H / 2.6 GHz (4.5 GHz) / 12 MB Cache
Memory 8 GB DDR4 (2 x 4 GB)
Display 15.6" LED backlight 1920 x 1080 / Full HD
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM

Thanks for any help.

[Eighjan-terokkar (Eighjan)]

Biggest (potential) problem with a laptop is for heat ramp-up; if the machine is rested on a solid surface with (good) airflow under the machine, then good.

My personal recommendation would be to look into a pre-owned desktop for a similar budget; research involved may be a bit more intensive, but the gaming experience reward will be commensurate… umm; worth the effort.

EDIT:
If either of the two systems you listed has a reasonable option to take it to 16GB, it’d be worth it - Windows 10 + WoW can easily get you close to 8GB in use.

[Fates-grim-batol]

Thanks for the reply. I figured heat would be a problem, I do play on a solid surface most of the time and usually no more then 1-2 hours so nothing extensive.

Currently the MacBook does get hot but I’m comfortable with that.

Definitely agree about a desktop being a better experience, I just prefer to have that portability when I need it will deffo look at the 16GB thanks for the tip

[Bigkeg-twisting-nether (Bigkeg)]

The key is to check credible reviews like on notebookcheck - they cover thermals and potential throttling capabilities. You find something at a good price and then go to check the review.

1660 Ti based laptops will be quite efficient at 1080p gaming. From previous generation GTX 1050 Ti at the entry level and GTX 1060 as sweet spot at good price could be an option too.

There will be black Friday offers. Lenovo likes to discount stuff. MSI also. You can also check Clevo based laptops (pcspecialist and few other UK shops offter them) which you “configure” as you buy allowing you to select good storage, ram and components instead relying on weird default configs - like the two listed above have 8GB of RAM which is ok-ish, but 16GB would be golden. They don’t list storage (where as you really don’t want a HDD when even 1 TB SATA SSD is super cheap while being much better)

[Fates-grim-batol]

Thanks for the detailed response, very helpful and I will deffo take your advice

I see on the Razer Blade 15 it has GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q - Are these outdated now? I’ve found someone selling the Razer for a good price, which is tempting me. i7 16GB & SSD

I assume any of these will give me better performance then my MacBook currently does?

[Bigkeg-twisting-nether (Bigkeg)]

1070 max-q is above 1060 and if it won’t be thermally limited then it will be really good at gaming. Check the reviews of that specific razer model (they have few and usually arent cheap). Also i7 can be anything from dual core older U series and up.