Two Years Later: Xbox One vs PS4

Posted on 29/03/2016 by Gadget Review

It’s been a couple years since the PS4 and Xbox One were released – and man, have the consoles evolved since then. Let’s take a look at where they stand now, who has the better games, and which is more worthwhile for you to buy in our PS4 vs Xbox One comparison.

Price and Availability

Sony tends to have better third-party accessories than Xbox.

When the Xbox One first came out, the price alone caused many to favor the PS4: That price has since dropped dramatically as Microsoft untethered the Kinect and made some drastic marketing modifications. As a result, you can now find both the Xbox One and PS4 bundles for around $350 – price no longer has to be a deciding factor!

In terms of availability, don’t worry about finding either console, either online or in stores (the exception here is the Xbox Elite version with improved hardware, which has had a more limited release). From a global perspective, the PS4 has sold far more than the Xbox One – estimates put Sony about 16 million sales ahead for now – but both consoles remain easy to find, at least for now.

Games

Exclusives, cross-platforms and indie games give you a lot of choices here.

When it comes to games, there are three important factors: Exclusives, exclusive offerings, and indie titles. Exclusives refer to the games that are only available on one console, at least for the first several years. The PS4 traditionally has Uncharted, The Last Guardian, The Last of Us, and Bloodborne. The Xbox One has franchises like Halo, Gears of War, the Forza racing games, Mass Effect, and Quantum Break. Xbox tends more toward shooters, while PS4 tends more toward platforming and RPGs – although both consoles have seen a great amount of diversification in recent years.

Exclusive offerings mean that a game is released on both platforms, but gets more content on one console than the other. Examples of this include Destiny, which had more content on PlayStation, and the Elder Scrolls games, which has switched exclusive offerings between consoles throughout the life of the franchise.

Finally, indie games are lighter, innovative offerings from small-time developers with big dreams. PS4 has more of these indie games, but Xbox generally tries a bit more to guarantee indie title quality. Both have plenty of exclusives and unique launches.

Hardware

Pricing is now too close to call.

On standard consoles, the PS4 continues to have an edge over the Xbox One with several specs. It has a more effective GPU, a better class of RAM altogether, and is generally faster overall. The Xbox, however has better compatibility with external devices like hard drives. Not much has changed here over two years, although both consoles have more advanced versions out – The Xbox One Elite model in particular comes with a faster hybrid SSD and more storage. That said, there are rumors of upgraded 4K gaming capable consoles from both Sony and Microsoft in the works.

Unique Features

The PS4 continues to provide the power, while the Xbox offers an informative interface.

Microsoft has been adding new features to the Xbox One over time – notably, free backwards compatibility with a growing roster of old games, support for apps like Sling TV and many others, and a new initiative to make multiplayer games compatible with players on other platforms. This is in addition to the cable/TV/receiver controls that the Xbox One already had, making it formidable when it comes to overall entertainment. The PS4 hasn’t changed nearly as much, but it does have one very interesting addition – PlayStation Vue, the streaming TV service that can replace your cable if you’re willing to pay for.

Watch Films Like You’re at the Movies with These 70 Inch TVs

Posted on 24/03/2016 by Gadget Review

Sometimes a small TV just isn’t enough. With today’s advances in 4K resolution and additional clarity, picking a larger screen comes with even more advantages, especially if you like to feel like you are in the middle of the action. Those ultra high definition pixels will look even better if you use the best 70-inch TVs to watch them on. Bigger, in this case, really is better.

With this in mind, let’s skip right over the 50 and 60-inch TV options and head right to the top with great 70-inch TVs that will give you everything you wanted…as long as you can fit them in your living room. You may also be surprised at just how affordable these TVs are: After a certain point, adding more screen real estate becomes nicely economical (still, get some friends to help you move these monsters around).

LG 70UF7700 – $2,500

LG’s 4K model gives you plenty of screen, but not a lot of sound.

This LG model not only offers an extra-thin design and brilliant 4K resolution, but it manages to avoid the pitfalls of larger TVs, like the largely useless curved screen fad that is hitting so many smaller screens. The TV also has notably good color accuracy, which can sometimes become a problem when screens get extra-large. However, I suggest you add some well-rated speakers with this TV instead of relying on the somewhat tinny internal speakers.

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Vizio M70-C3 – $2,000

Vizio’s model provides a great screen at a low price.

This Vizio model is not only a great 4K TV, but also a great option for larger entertainment systems where you need to juggle many different connections. There are 5 HDMI ports for you to play with here, as well as one USB port. Like our other picks, Vizio keeps the price on this model low by being scare on features and add-ons, but if you already have plenty of entertainment devices that probably won’t matter to you.

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Sharp Aquos LC-70LE660U – $1,700

Looking for a cheap TV and don’t care much about 4K? This Aquos could be what you’re looking for.

Here the 4K resolution is dropped in favor of an even cheaper price on this Sharp TV. If 4K really isn’t that important to you and you traditionally don’t care much about resolution numbers, then why not go for the most affordable option?

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Can’t Decide on Hulu Plus or Netflix? Try our Guide

Posted on 24/03/2016 by Gadget Review

Netflix and Hulu Plus: You can find them everywhere, but when it comes down to choices, most people pick one or the other. If you have to make the big decision, it’s best to make it based on what you prefer to stream…but let’s compare Hulu Plus vs Netflix and see how these two ultra-popular streaming services break out…

Netflix and Hulu have different priorities…which lines up with your needs?

Price

How much are you willing to pay monthly for your streaming service? Frankly, it doesn’t really matter, because Netflix and Hulu remain neck-and-neck when it comes to their pricing models, which vary from $8 to $12 based on the features you pick. The most important factor may be when you sign up: If you don’t already have a Netflix account, you can actually expect to pay around $10 instead of $8, because Netflix is edging prices up for new users. These prices are more worth comparing to other services, like the $15 per month HBO Now.

Content

Content is really where streaming TV/movie services have to prove themselves, and here Netflix and Hulu show why they are and will remain competitors. Netflix specializes in a large movie catalogue with plenty of focus on the long tail of niche genres. It gets plenty of TV shows too, especially the popular ones, but you usually have to wait a year or so after a season has aired to watch it.

Hulu, meanwhile, is almost the opposite. It offers plenty of movies, but not as many nor as popular as the Netflix offerings. Instead, Hulu spends its time getting as many TV shows as possible to viewers, typically only a day or two after they air. This lets you watch seasons in real time while worrying far less about spoilers.

When it comes to original content, it’s important to note that Netflix has been working on its own shows and even movies for much longer than Hulu. It has created a very impressive series of Netflix-sponsored and produced TV shows, many of them award-winners and common topics during lunch hours, from Daredevil and Jessica Jones to Orange is the New Black and House of Cards. Hulu, by contrast, is just starting to produce its new content, which tends to be more quirky and indie than Netflix’s highly professional outings. Hulu is likely to increase its original content over time, so you can expect some more direct competition here in the future.

Streaming Quality

Both streamers offer HD content with no problem – and allow you to turn down the resolution to save your data limits, which is a very underrated feature. However, when it comes to 4K, only Netflix currently offers 4K content – and then only for some shows and movies. However, this point has a limited lifespan: Eventually 4K will become more of the norm for all shows and movies (as well as devices and TVs), and both services will probably end up offering regular ultra HD content.

Extra Features

Here is where we note that the Hulu, even Hulu Plus, comes with commercials, unless you are willing to pay the full $12 – and even then there are still some commercials, especially for the popular shows. Netflix has no ads or commercials, period, which makes it hard for Hulu to compete here. As far as other services like parental controls, login options, and so on, both services are largely equal.

The Three Best Point and Shoot Cameras Money Can Buy

Posted on 22/03/2016 by Gadget Review

Compact digital cameras occupy an interesting market niche these days. While they have been giving ground to the world of smartphones, these pocketable digital cameras are far from dead. They’ve just become more refined, and more specialized in the capabilities that they’ve always been best at.

If you want a much better picture than you can get from smartphone selfies, but really don’t have the time, interest, space or money for one of the complex DSLRs available today, a compact point and shoot camera is just the thing for your next outing. Today’s compacts are chocked full of interesting tech and high-quality image specs, so let’s look at a few of the very best point and shoot cameras you can buy.

Nikon Coolpix L840 – $194

If you are looking to tread as closely as you can to the DSLR market without worrying about lens management, this powerful Nikon camera is a great choice. It offers an impressive 38x optical zoom lens, a 16-megapixel image sensor, and a 3-inch LCD screen that you can move and tilt to prevent glare problems. The camera also comes with Wi-Fi and NFC for quickly transferring or posting images, a feature that’s become increasingly necessary in today’s social atmosphere. You can also switch to a 1080p video mode. The downside to this relatively affordable point and shoot camera is that it’s not going to fit easily in your pocket or purse, making it harder to take with you on every journey.

$599

The Powershot is a slim, pricey model that packs in top-notch features.

This PowerShot is a much slimmer model that’s also, as you probably noticed, much more expensive than our Nikon camera. Most of that expense is tied up in making this camera as lightweight and slim as possible, so that you can take it everywhere. However, this also means that some specs are less impressive – the optical zoom is only at 4.2x. However, the more powerful 20.2-megapixel image processor helps make up for that. The camera also includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, a 3-inch adjustable LCD touchscreen, and 1080p video capabilities.

$348

This rugged camera can follow you everywhere – even underwater.

This Olympus model is somewhere between our first two picks in terms of price and features. It offers a 4x optical zoom, a 16-megapixel sensor, and 1080p video capabilities. However, the real reason to get this point and shoot camera is the ruggedized design – it has resistance from being dropped, crushed, submerged in water up to 50 feet, or frozen. If you want a camera that you can truly take anywhere, this is the one. Wi-Fi capabilities are also included.

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3 of the Best Bluetooth Headphones for Exercise

Posted on 16/03/2016 by Gadget Review

If you’ve been looking for the best wireless headphones for your exercises and workouts, we can sympathize with your frustration. It’s surprisingly difficult to find headphones that actually fit your ears, stay on during a jog or rep, continue to stay in when you get sweaty, don’t literally shock you – and last more than a couple months without getting lost or shorting out. That’s a high price to pay for no tangled wires…which is why we dived in and found the best Bluetooth headphones for exercise that are worth your time.

Check out these best workout headphones and see what features these models include that truly benefit your exercise regimen: Even if you end up picking a different Bluetooth headphone option, you’ll at least learn what kind of options are out there, and what a good pair of gym headphones looks like!

Plantronics BackBeat Fit – $77

Plantronics provides a minimalistic design and sweat-proof coating.

The BackBeat Fit has a durable, simple design that’s super easy to take on and off, and will last longer than many headphone models thrust into the workout world. The sound is surprisingly good for earbuds, but what you’ll probably appreciate most is the coating that protects the headphones against sweat and water. Battery life is around 8 hours, a common spec for these types of Bluetooth headphones. The main downside? While they were created to be flexible as possible, the headband and ear tips may not fit all people – a perennial Catch-22 of buying workout headphones.

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JayBird X2 – $150

These JayBirds know how to sing.

If you prefer the feel of more traditional earbuds, then the JayBird X2 may be the exercise headphones for you. The ear fit gets a big boost with a selection of memory foam ear tips and silicone tips, so you can find out which material works best for you. The audio was designed for listening to music while outdoors (even very noisy areas), and the battery lasts for around 8 hours. There’s also a lifetime sweatproof warranty if the earbuds decide to short out on you. Not many negatives are here, although the ear support/hooking is a little limited, so they may have a tendency to fall out over time.

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Jabra Sport Pace – $92

Jabra does nearly everything right with these extra-secure, sports-compatible headphones.

If you have had trouble with ear fit in the past and distrust most earbuds, try out these Sport Pace Bluetooth headphones. They come with complete ear hooks and gel tips that are flexible enough to work for almost everyone. This is in addition to a sweeping variety of exercise features, including rain, sweat, shock and dust resistances, rapid charging right before workouts, reflective cables for night-time runs, and integration with the Sports Life app.

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2 Office Chairs That Will Help Save Your Back

Posted on 04/03/2016 by Gadget Review

If you want to improve your posture and ward off any back problems, purchasing the best office chair with good ergonomics is key, especially if your job is sedentary. Many office chairs try to advertise their ergonomics: but what chairs actually work if you have real needs to address? There are a select few chairs that consistently receive high ratings when it comes to ergonomics and over healthy sitting – and we have a couple prime examples for you. But first, let’s talk about the features to look for in the best office chairs.

What to Look for in Healthy Office Chairs

One of the biggest factors in a quality, good-for-your-back chair is adjustability. You need a chair that allows you to adjust the back rest, seat depth, and more. Of course, you also need to spend some time making these adjustments, but that’s a strictly after-purchase step!

Next, the chair should easily meet basic ergonomic requirements. This means there should an inch or so of space between the chair and the back of your knees when sitting, and that your feet should rest easily against the floor and your legs should form a 90-degree angle around your knees. The back should follow the curve of your spine while providing solid support.

You’ll notice that our top chair picks – and related office chairs out on the market – have a certain look to them, a shape that looks molded to the human body. Here, it’s okay to trust your eyes: This is a good sign because it’s more likely that you naturally fit in the chair without striking awkward poses or hunches.

Herman Miller Aeron – $940

Herman Miller is a byname in the ergonomic chair world, and is often tipped as the best-of-the-best for those suffering from back problems. There’s good reason to recommend Miller models, and our favorite is the highly accessible Aeron (other Miller chairs tend to look a little… weird).

The Aeron comes in three different sizes, plus adjustable everything. The tilt mechanism and suspension are popular marketing points – and take note of that flowing seat, how it is designed to both hold you in place and pour your legs down toward the floor. This is supposed to keep your body alert and ready to go, no matter how long the day.

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Steelcase Leap Chair – $919

The Leap is designed to be flexible – literally. The chair’s materials will bend and give to your body’s movements, ensuring that there’s no sore spots no matter how long you sit. The armrests are telescoping, sliding in and out and nearly every other direction depending on how you prefer to use (or ignore) them. Steelcase also gets points for creating an eco-friendly chair that is made of up to 30% recycled materials and is almost entirely recyclable in its own right.

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3 of the Best Sounding Bluetooth Speakers

Posted on 03/03/2016 by Gadget Review

Ready to take your sound on the go? Today’s best Bluetooth speakers are ultra portable, designed to withstand all kinds of elements, and packed with features that make parties, parks, beaches, and hiking trails much, much more fun. Let us help you pick the best Bluetooth speaker for you needs with our top suggestions for sound quality and durability: Check out a few of the best Bluetooth speakers available this year to see what fits!

Key Features to Look for:

Long battery life: look for a bluetooth speaker with at least 8 hours of battery life
Rugged Build: The speaker should be able to with stand minor drops, some water and perhaps event sand/dush
Sound Quality: This is quite subjective, but Bluetooth speakers these days don’t need to compromise entirely on sound quality in favor of portability. So that in mind, look for one that has some range.

Logitech UE Boom 2 – $200

The Boom series offers excellent party speakers designed to be taken on the road. This model is both water- and stain- resistant, making it an ideal speaker to take to the poolside with you. In addition to high-quality Logitech sound, the Boom 2 comes with the ability to link to another speaker – perfect for extra sound outdoors or at a party. Perhaps best of all, it comes with a 15-hour battery life, which is a great spec for this speaker size.

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Bose SoundLink III – $300

This Bluetooth speaker isn’t as great at traveling – feel free to take it outside, but only for short periods of time. Indoors is where this speaker really shines, because you get the full effect of that famous Bose sound. Fidelity and clarity are both notably high in this model. Battery life is also high at 14 hours on one charge. This speaker is ideal as both a party and work-oriented device, depending on where it is needed.

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Fugoo Sport Speaker – $170

If the first two speakers were a little too flimsy for you, you’ll love this Fugoo model, which is designed for much rougher handling. It’s waterproof, mudproof, snowproof, and shockproof (that’s for sudden drops and bumps, not electricity): You can take it just about anywhere you want, for any sport. Much focus was also placed on battery life, which lasts up to 40 hours! That makes this model great to take on camping trips, too. It also has a mic for Siri or Google Now commands and phone conversations as well.

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Get Healthier with These 2 Standing Desks

Posted on 02/03/2016 by Gadget Review

Standing desks have grown to become the symbol of a modern office where people would rather stand up and keep moving than sit in a chair all day – and fall victim to the slew of associated sedentary health problems.

The world of standing desks, however, is a colorful and sometimes confusing place. These desks come in so many shapes, sizes, and feature-rich models that picking the best can be a challenge. That’s why we keep up on standing desk models and find the greatest options for your home or office. Check out the two best standing desks on the market – and what makes them worth buying.

Key Factors to a Best Standing Desk:

Stability: A wobbly desk is an unusable desk. Especially since you’ll likely lean on it.
Lifts: You don’t always need a powered standing desk as there are hydraulic and crank based options. Plus you’ll save money. But one that raises at the push of a button does make life easier.

NextDesk Terra – $1,500

nextdesk-terra-adjustable-desk

NextDesk is known for making some of the best – albeit very expensive – standing desks around. The Terra model is one of their best pieces. You can choose from many different materials, but the bamboo looks the best. Underneath, the desk is powered by an electrical lifting system that can memorize different heights for different users. The base is steady enough to support nearly anything you want, too. Like all good standing desks, the Terra comes with many different customization features, from a footrest bar to health monitoring devices to help you get healthier while you are working. Prices start at $1,500 and go up as you add features, so make sure you budget for this one.

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Jarvis Bamboo – $750

jarvis-bamboo-desk

Jarvis is an excellent choice if you looked at the Terra and thought, “That style is great, but much too expensive for me!” This bamboo desk has many of the same features, but starts at only $750. You can specify features like handsets, casters, pencil trays, CPU holders and more, essentially building a desk that fits your job perfectly. The desk is also electronically adjustable, although it does not have as much stability as the Terra model, so it’s more useful for a smaller, less intense workspace.

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Interested in more types of standing desks for a variety of purposes and budgets? Check out our list of the best standing desks for 2016 to learn about your options.

3 Frag-certified Gaming Headsets

Posted on 01/03/2016 by Gadget Review

Are you looking for a pair of amazing gaming headphones that will do more than just sit on your head? The best headsets can actually add points to your kill score with great surround sound, high fidelity, fast chat options, and other features you never knew you needed. Luckily, we’ve tested out a bunch of the latest PC and console gaming headsets to find out which ones made our shooting all the sweeter – and you can benefit from the results. Check out important features below, and then take a look at a few of the best gaming headsets 2016 currently on the market!

Features to Look For

Wired or Wireless: Wireless headphones are great for some spaces, but tend to be more finicky and less responsive than wired headphones.

Frequency Range: Frequency is measured by both range and response. Pay particular attention to response, because an accurate response is key to high fidelity and generally allows you to push up the volume without sacrificing clarity.

Sensitivity: High-sensitivity headphones will respond more to volume changes. This isn’t always a good thing – it can get a little annoying – but if you like really loud sound, look for high sensitivity.

Surround Sound: You want to know where those sniper shots are coming from, right? Virtual surround sound can help you here – look for this feature on any gaming headphones that you buy.

Mic Quality: You want a great mic that allows you to communicate quickly and without any annoying interference. Mic quality varies a lot between models: Consider whether or not you want a retractable mic before you buy.

Sound Latency: The longer the latency, the longer it takes sound to reach your ears. If a gaming headset is getting bad marks when it comes to latency, avoid it like the plague: The last thing you want is a sound delay in the middle of the action.

Controls: Where do you prefer controls? On-the-ear controls allow for faster adjustments…as long as you are used to the configuration. Some headphones may even have apps or remote controls for changing the volume and other settings.

Logitech G35 – $93

This best gaming headset has nearly everything you could want for the most intense gaming sessions of your life. It comes with 7.1-channel virtual surround sound so you can get a read on your environment, as well as three customizable buttons that allow you to control chat windows, music, and more. When it comes to comfort, the G35 headphones come with three different headbands so you can find the kind that work before for you. The mic is both easily adjustable and noise blocking to reduce background noise and cut out static. Plus, the price is extra-affordable.

The downside is that these headphones were designed specifically for Windows computers, which does limit your playing options.

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Beyerdynamic MMX 300 – $399

Notice that big price jump? That’s because these headphones are state of the art, with one of the best frequency responses around. If you are playing FPSs with a lot of noise and activity, these headphones will help you parse out exactly what’s going on, moment by moment. They are also pleasantly light and won’t give you a headache after a few hours of playing.

The internal sound card is also a great feature, and a major reason for the high cost: It helps prevent latency and keeps sounds authentic no matter what system you are playing on – plus it allows for some serious customization. We also have to give props to just how authentic these headphones – based on real cockpit designs – actually look.

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Turtle Beach Ear Force XO Seven Premium – $110

While our first two examples were intended primarily for PC, let’s turn to a console option for our next model. These Turtle Beach headphones are designed for Xbox One gaming, which means all your Gears, Halo and Destiny battles will get a major upgrade once you try this headset out. Major benefits include replaceable ear cups to make sure you get the perfect fit and can replace any malfunctions, as well as full compatibility with Xbox chat. The speakers are noticeable for their strong bass sound, too. These headphones have a lot of padding if you like some extra ear protection, but they’re not going to do a Fatality on your head if you wear them too long.

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Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 – $80

This is a more traditional Logitech model, but still has plenty of great features – plus a PS4 focus, so if you’re a Sony fan you’ll love these headphones (and their price). Features include 7.1 surround sound, an auto-muting mic, and three programmable on-ear buttons. To fuel these features, the headset uses a rechargeable battery that lasts around 10 hours, so have a USB port handy to recharge if necessary.

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Game Anywhere with These Awesome Gaming Laptops

Posted on 26/02/2016 by Gadget Review

Are you in need of a new gaming laptop? You’re in luck: There are some exciting things happening in the gaming laptop world, and the newer models are more powerful, more compact, and more feature-rich than ever before. But just because you’ve chosen a great time to buy doesn’t mean that picking the right gaming machine is going to be easy.

Out of the hundreds of different models available, we’ve narrowed your choices down to two of the very best gaming laptops. Take a look at what these laptops have to offer, and check out a full list of the best gaming laptops around to find out more about your choices.

Important Features to Watch For

Processor Power: Unless you are planning on overclocking, looking for a processor that can be easily boosted to high speeds. When comparing Core numbers, remember that higher core divisions – like i7 – may not be as focused on gaming as something like an i5.

RAM: Gaming laptops needs LOTS of RAM compared to other laptops. Look for specs above 16GB if you can find them.

Screen and Resolution: An HD resolution is perfectly suitable for most games these days – any game that really needs 4K resolution should probably be played on a desktop anyway. That being said, if you find a good 4K gaming laptop, this will definitely improve your gaming experience! Also, if you game on the go a lot, you’ll want a matte screen instead of the bright shiny option.

Keyboard and Controls: More customization is better here. Backlighting is virtually guaranteed, but look for plenty of options to assign hotkeys too. Try the keyboard out in person if possible to make sure it’s comfortable for your fingers.

Asus ROG G75 – $2,500

The ROGs have gotten a lot of attention lately as Asus has worked to make this line of gaming laptops even more impressive. You get a variety of options when it comes to specs, but generally you can count on 1TB of traditional storage plus an SSD that can store up 500GBs. RAM goes up as high as 32GB, and the computer comes with an HD 17.3-inch screen (no 4k, unfortunately).

This model is still very popular, despite having come out a couple years ago. You get a free upgrade to Windows 10 with it, but it may be challenging to find models in stock. Take a look at more modern ROGs if you want – they tend to be pricier, but more available.

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Alienware 15 (2015) $1,200+

This Alienware model is great if you don’t have a lot to spend but still want an amazing gaming machine that can tackle pretty much anything you throw at it. The newest 15 models include 1TB of storage, 8GB of memory, and an NVidia GeForce GTZ 965M graphics card with 2GBs of GDDR5. The display is a 15.6-inch, HD screen. If you buy directly from Dell, there are a whole lot of customization options available – but better deals may be waiting elsewhere if you are focused on getting a cheap model.

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