laptop Suggestions?

[jbell1981]

I'm going to be purchasing a laptop for my son's B-day this weekend and am looking for suggestions.

He wants to use it primarily for gaming (WOW, Elder Scrolls and the like). He does NOT want a touch screen. Looking at a max price tag of $800.

He originally wanted and Alienware but after I looked the prices of these I told him he s.o.l. So now he want a Dell (Who makes Alienware) but I could probably convince him of something else if it makes sense.

Any suggestions or tips of what to look for so I don't seem like a complete moron at the stores?

[Kidd]

I see I'm a little late and assuming you have not yet purchased something.

What's his age? If he has a four or five years to go before college then I would simply buy him a gaming machine that connects to the internet via the TV. Something like the WII or whatever (obviously I'm not a gamer so they may all connect in that way). Otherwise if college is right around the corner than get him a laptop with a word processor, presentation graphics and a statistical package. Better yet just have them load up the current version of MS Office Products.

I am running a Dell INSPIRON that's about 4 yrs old with MS Office and it has performed great so I would not hesitate recommending one.

[upnorth]

If you going gaming, fast processor, lots of RAM and a high end video card. I am not a gamer, but most gamers I know go that route.

[jbell1981]

Thanks, but the purchases were made last Friday so we are set.