So i ultimately decided to buy one of these.
Hewlett-Packard Pavilion Notebook with Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology - Piano Black
Model: dv9035nr
Let me start off by saying that i did not have a good impression to start out with.
We bought it at the store on friday evening. So we took it home and I opened it as quick as a kid on christmas morning. Went to set everything up and do all the install crap. During this process I started to set up the network settings as well. After this was all done, i restarted the computer (normal shutdown and restart process) and it booted into this AWFUL screaming continuous beep. The only thing i could do was hold the power button for 5 seconds to reboot.
"windows has shut down incorrectly, pick yoru boot option.."
Picked safe mode..
no luck..
after a crap ton of other methods and a call to HP support, we have found ot that the hard drive has failed, and needs to be returned to the store..
So we have a new one now, and it has been playing World of Warcraft all night like a champ. I have a few other games i want to try on it , but so far its making me VERY happy, now that i have one that is working.
It is also VERY light. 7.9 lbs!! My 15.4 Toshiba is 9.9lbs so that is very nice and its very thin, and aesthetically pleasing. I am having a great time with a full keyboard again as well.
I will up date this thread aftere a few weeks, with more impressions.
I had this laptop and the Toshiba (which is a little more and slightly upgraded from these stats)
Hope this helps anyone else maybe looking for a new gaming laptop but cant afford teh alienware name.