Hey guys, I am a computer technical noob. I am looking to buy a poker laptop, and these are the criteria:

1. Hook up a 30 inch monitor
2. I want it to be fast-ish
3. Probably spend no more than 2k

I basically don't do anything fancy besides playing poker on a 30 inch monitor, but I also want a really nice laptop that will be fast and last for a decent amount of time.

A friend recommended a MacBook Pro. Since I don't want to use a Mac, I can install Windows on it, right? Is a MacBook Pro fine by my (minor) requirements?

Are you going to carry it around?

For 2000 you can get a really powerful laptop.

The specs you're looking for:
i7 (i5 will do, but you got plenty of budget)
6gb+RAM (4 should do, but 6 will future proof a bit and you got budget room)
SSD for hard drive (critical for fast poker)
Displayport or DVI port. (need this to drive a 30" monitor)

Everything else is basically a question of how big of a laptop you want to carry.

If weight's not an issue (aka you don't really carry it around too much) I'd recommend the Dell Studio 1749 with the 1080p screen and then buy an 80gb SSD from Newegg for ~200.

It's honestly a bit of an overkill, but the great thing about Studio 17s is you get two Hard Drive bays so you can get an SSD (for speed) and a traditional HD (for storage).

Hey, thanks a lot for the response.

I guess I should have mentioned that I will be travelling quite a bit, and don't want a very heavy laptop.

I also said 2k was a limit, but I would obviously like to spend less if possible.

Would you still recommend the Dell Studio 1749? SSD and Displayport are essential, right?

No, I wouldn't recommend the 1749 if you gotta travel a lot, the laptop and the cables add up to well over 10 pounds. It's like carrying around a small baby.

The Alienware M15X and Studio XPS 16 (make sure you get 1080p screen or poker tables won't look very good if you play more than 2 tables) will probably suit your needs better and are actually cheaper. (Studio 15 doesn't have displayport)

Another draw back, for me, is just it will only house one HD so you might have to shell out 400 for a 160gb HD instead of getting away with just an 80gb one.

Of course you could always get an 80gb SSD and use one of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-477-_-Product << they are the size of iPods.

Thanks again grizy. I have pretty much decided on a MacBook Pro. You said that the 2 essential things were a DisplayPort and a SSD for hard drive. 3 questions -

Here is the tech specs page I am looking at

1. It says that MacBook Pro has a mini DisplayPort. Would I need to do anything with this?

2. Also, I cannot seem to find SSD anywhere on the techs page.

3. You said 6GB RAM is nice, but 4GB would do. Where on the page does it say how much RAM a MacBook Pro has?

1. Just make sure you have the correct cables and it will be fine.

2. You have to custom configure it in and Apple tries to rip you off. (ctrl+f configure to find the configure link on the bottom right of the page)

3. Same thing, you gotta custom configure it.

Apple charges a huge premium for equivalent parts and keep in mind you will not be able to run HEM natively on a MacBook Pro.

Okay, so I am now deciding between a MacBook Pro and a Studio XPS 16.

From what I gather, the MacBook Pro is way more expensive to get the addons, when compared to the Dell.

What does running HEM natively mean? What are the disadvantages of not being able to do so?

I should add that if I am using a MacBook Pro, I will be using only Windows. Does that still mean that I won't be able to run HEM natively on it?

No. But you'll be paying like 20% premium for the same hardware and worse warranty.

Honestly I'd do it if Apple ran Windows just because their computers look sexy. But there is just something very awkward about running Windows on a Mac.

this thread wasn't made by me, but I was also interested in a poker laptop. just wanted to stop in and say thanks grizy, you were very helpful.

i just want to say to OP as you sound pretty new to the computer world. if that is the case, i really don't see why you want all the hassle of dealing with a MBP and windows. besides that you will be paying a huge premium, it just doesn't make sense for someone who isn't tech savvy to bother having to deal with windows on their mac and doing too many things custom made.. you are basically going end up paying a lot extra for a MBP and that money won't equal better performance, but more likely more hassle.

So I just talked to a poker player who uses a MBP and windows. He said windows on a MBP = windows on any other laptop. There is a program called bootcamp that lets you install it easily. Is there something I am missing in what you guys are saying that it will be awkward and a hassle using windows on a MBP?

So someone else told me that running Windows on a Mac takes away from the speed of a Mac. True?

After reading some forums, it seems like Bootcamp allows the MBP to run Windows without losing any performance on the MBP. Seems good.

Bootcamp is wonderful. My girlfriend runs it on her macbook air.

The awkwardness comes from girls asking how much you like your Mac and you say you're running Windows.

If you want to shell out the money for a good looking computer, there is nothing wrong with a MBP.

I am not just saying this either... because I shelled out the money for a Sony Z, which is almost as overpriced as Macs.