Alienware's gaming laptop range has consistently set the benchmark, winning our award for best gaming laptop of the year in 2009 and 2010. The M17x has now been updated with a new design, Intel Sandy Bridge technology and full 3D functionality.
Gaming power is just as impressive. While our review sample failed to match the level of graphical performance of the original M17x – due to its use of a single Nvidia graphics card rather than a dual- GPU configuration – there's enough power for fast and smooth 3D gaming.
Read our full Alienware M17x review
The world's smallest gaming laptop offers a unique blend of graphical power and portability, and its recent update means that the Alienware M11x continues to be a gaming giant in a tiny case.
A dedicated Nvidia GeForce GT 335M graphics card has been used – featuring 1024MB of video memory – and proved stunningly powerful in our benchmark tests. A 256GB Solid State Drive provides ample space for your content, as well as very fast access to your data. 802.11n Wi-Fi is included and connectivity is comprehensive with VGA, HDMI and a DisplayPort connection all in evidence.We are seriously impressed by the Alienware M11x. Not only is it the first of its type, but it succeeds in combining great 3D performance with everyday portability and usability at a competitive price.
Read our full review of the Alienware M11x
HP has updated its Envy 17 laptop to include AMD's latest 3D technology, a direct competitor to Nvidia's 3D Vision, and the result is a desirable media machine that's perfect for keeping the family fully entertained.
AMD has used the same stereoscopic system as Nvidia's 3D Vision, with glasses that use active shutters to produce the 3D image. There's no external dongle to clutter your USB ports, as the 3D technology is built into the chassis.
AMD's technology is currently not as widely supported as Nvidia's, with just over a dozen games currently compatible, including major titles such as Modern Warfare 2 andWorld of Warcraft. We suffered no discomfort wearing the glasses for extended periods, although they're not flattering.However, we were highly impressed watching 3D video – the picture is a lot brighter than with Nvidia's technology, as well as pleasingly crisp.
Read our full HP Envy 17 3D review
The MSI GX660R is the Taiwanese company's latest gaming machine and it's a great laptop that boasts serious performance and a host of useful features at a competitive price.
Build quality is excellent, and the tough materials make this a laptop that will survive regular travel. At 3.5kg, it's surprisingly light for a gaming laptop, and a decent battery life added to that makes this a surprisingly portable option.
The MSI GX660R's 15.6-inch screen – boasting a full high definition 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution – is both highly detailed and bright. Test images proved crisp and clear, and Blu-rays (played on the laptop's integrated Blu-ray optical drive) looked fantastic.As expected, the quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (combined with 8192MB of DDR3 memory) provides formidable everyday performance, and you'll have no problems running multimedia heavy applications such as music or HD video editing software when not gaming.
The MSI GX660R also features MSI's Turbo Drive Engine, which overclocks the Core i7 past even it's Turbo Boost speed and gives you an impressive increase in power when you need it.
Graphically, the MSI GX660R is extremely capable, with a powerful AMD graphics card on board for excellent gaming performance. Audio specialist Dynaudio has built the laptop's speaker system and the quality is actually very impressive.
Read our full MSI GX660R review
TThe first thing that strikes you as you unpack the Asus G53Jw is its stunning design. As with the larger 17.3-inch Asus G73, the G53Jw's chassis has been inspired by the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Bomber and its aggressively sharp lines and matt finish create a truly unique, high-end look that you won't find anywhere outside of Asus' gaming range.
Activated and deactivated by a hotkey above the keyboard, the 3D Vision technology synchronises easily with the supplied 3D glasses for an immersive experience when viewing photos or videos and playing games.
As with all Nvidia 3D Vision and ATI HD3D-based machines, the 3D effect is created through the use of active-shutter glasses. This works by opening and closing the lens covering each eye in turn, in time with the refresh rate of the Asus G53Jw's screen.
The quad-core Intel Core i7 processor powers the most resource-consuming software with ease and ensures that light work is made of even complex multitasking. The 8GB of memory adds to this performance – applications open and respond quickly and even the largest files can be quickly loaded into your software of choice.
Graphics are just as capable, with Nvidia's DirectX 11-compatible GeForce GTX 460M graphics card running the latest games with aplomb.
Read our full Asus G53JH review
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