Looking for the best value for gaming on a laptop. Hoping to stay under $400. If anyone can give me some pointers, it would be appreciated.

List from http://slickdeals.net/f/5438224-Best-Laptop-Deal-Not-Cheapest-on-Black-Friday

ORGANIZED BY SIZE & PRICE (BOLD marks possible best value of category)
Links are to current web listings and don't reflect BF pricing. Look in ad scans to confirm BF prices.

Ultrabooks
Acer Acer Ultrabook 13.3" 4GB RAM 320GB Intel Core i3 Solid State Drive $499.00
Toshiba Satellite 14" Ultrabook Featuring 2nd Gen Intel Core i3-2377M, Windows 7, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD - 549.88
HP Envy Ultrabook 14", Intel i3, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $599.99
Sony 13.3" Ultrabook with Intel Core i3-3217U Processor, Windows 8, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD+32GB SSD - $699.99

< 15" screen
Asus X401A 14" Laptop with DVD Drive, Windows 8, Intel Celeron B830, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD - $219.99
Asus X401A Laptop 14" Windows 8 Intel Celeron 2GB RAM 320GB HDD - $219.99
Asus 14" (1366 x 768) - Intel Pentium 2.4ghz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Win 8 - $249.99
HP Laptop 14" Laptop 4GB RAM 320GB Hard Drive Windows 8 Intel Pentium B987 Processor - $299.99
Inspiron 14z 14.1" - 2nd gen Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Win 7 - $299.99
HP Pavilion 14" LED Display Intel Core i5-3317U Processor with Windows 8, 2 USB 3.0 Ports, 1 USB 2.0 Port, and HDMI Out, HD Webcam and Mic - $399 [samsclub.com]
Acer Acer Ultrabook 13.3" 4GB RAM 320GB Intel Core i3 Solid State Drive $499.00
HP LED 14" Laptop with Windows 8 and Beats Audio 6GB RAM 500GB HDD Intel Core - $499.99
Toshiba Satellite 14" Ultrabook Featuring 2nd Gen Intel Core i3-2377M, Windows 7, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $549.88
Inspiron 14z 14.1" - 3rd gen Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD w/ 32GB mSATA, Win 7 - $589.99
HP Envy Ultrabook 14", Intel i3, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $599.99
Sony 13.3" Ultrabook (Touch Screen) with Intel Core i3-3217U Processor, Windows 8, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD+32GB SSD - $699.99

15.6" screen
Compaq Presario Laptop 15.6" 2GB RAM 320GB Gard Drive AMD Vision C - $179.00
Lenovo 15.6" (1366 x 768) - $187.99 - AMD E-Series 1.3ghz, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Radeon HD 6310, Win 8
Toshiba Satellite Laptop 15.6" 4GB RAM 320GB HDD, Windows 8, AMD Vision E1 - $249.99
HP Laptop 15.6" 4GB RAM 320GB Hard Drive AMD Vision - $279.00
Lenovo G585 15.6", AMD E-300, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD - $279.99
Toshiba 15.6" Windows 8 Laptop with Intel Celeron Processor 4GB RAM 320GB HDD- $299.99
HP Pavilion G6 15.6" Laptop, Windows 8, AMD Vision A4 Dual Core processor, Bluetooth enabled, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD - $299.99
Samsung Series 3 15.6", Intel Pentium Dual-Core, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $329.99 (buy with Galaxy Tab 2 for $469.98)
HP Laptop 15.6" 4GB RAM 500GB Hard Drive Intel Core i3 -$349.00
Gateway 15.6" Laptop w/AMD A8, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD (Model # NV52L15U) - $349.00 
HP Pavilion Laptop 15.6" Featuring AMD Vision A6-4400M Accelerated Processor, Windows 8, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD- $349.99
Inspiron 15 15.6" - 2nd gen Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Win 7 - $379.99
HP 15.6" Laptop with Next Gen AMD A6 GPU Windows 8, 4GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $399.99
Toshiba Satellite 15.6", Intel i3, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $399.99
Inspiron 15r 15.6" - 3rd gen Intel Core i3, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Win 8 - $499.99
HP Envy Laptop 15.6" Intel Core i3-3210M, Windows 8, Beats Audio, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $499.99
HP Laptop 15.6" Laptop 6GB RAM 640GB Hard Drive Windows 8 Intel Core i5 with Turboboost $499.99
Toshiba 15.6" Laptop with Intel Core i3 Processor With Turboboost, Windows 8, 6GB RAM, 640GB HDD - $499.99
HP Envy 15.6", Intel i5, 8GB RAM, 640GB HDD - $499.99
Toshiba Satellite 15.6" Laptop Featuring 2nd Gen Intel Core i5-2450M, Windows 7, 6GB RAM, 640GB HDD - 529.88
Toshiba Satellite Laptop 15.6" 3rd gen Intel Core i5-3317U, Windows 8, 6GB RAM, 640GB HDD - $549.99
Lenovo 15.6" Laptop with Intel Core i5-3210M Processor with Turboboost, Windows 8, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $549.99
Toshiba 15.6" Laptop 6GB RAM 640GB Hard Drive Windows 8 Intel Core i7-3630 with Turboboost $579.99
Toshiba Satellite Laptop 15.6" Featuring 3rd gen Intel Core i3-3210M, Windows 8 , 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $589.99
HP Pavilion 15.6" Intel Core i7 Processor with Windows 8, Beats Audio, DVD Burner, 3 USB 3.0 Ports, 1 USB 2.0 Port, HDMI out, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $599
Toshiba Satellite 15.6", Intel i7, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $599.99
Toshiba Satellite 15.6" Laptop Featuring 3rd Gen Intel Core i7-3630QM Processor, Windows 8, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $649.99

> 17" screen
Toshiba Satellite [bestbuy.com] 17.3" - "Hot price" online only - 3rd Generation Core i3 2.4ghz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Mobile Intel® HD Graphics, Win 8
Toshiba Satellite Laptop 17.3" Featuring AMD A6 and Windows 8, 6GB Memory, 640GB HDD - $379.99
HP Pavilion 17.3", AMD A6, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $379.99
HP Laptop 17.3" Quad Core A8 APU, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD Windows 8 - $399.99
HP 17.3" Laptop with Intel Core i5-3210M Processor with Turboboost, Windows 8, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $629.99



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ORGANIZED BY STORE

BEST BUY
Samsung Essentials Bundle [bestbuy.com] - Intel i3-2370M, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, accessories - $349.95
Asus 14" [bestbuy.com] (1366 x 768)- Intel Pentium 2.4ghz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Win 8 - $249.99
Lenovo [bestbuy.com] 15.6" (1366 x 768)- AMD E-Series 1.3ghz, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Radeon HD 6310, Win 8 - $187.99
Toshiba Satellite [bestbuy.com] 17.3" - "Hot price" online only - 3rd Generation Core i3 2.4ghz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Mobile Intel® HD Graphics, Win 8
HP Envy [bestbuy.com] 14" - 3rd Gen Intel Core i7-3632QM processor, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Win 8 - $629.99

Dell
Inspiron 14z 14.1" - 2nd gen Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Win 7 - $299.99
Inspiron 14z 14.1" - 3rd gen Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD w/ 32GB mSATA, Win 7 - $589.99
Inspiron 15r 15.6" - 3rd gen Intel Core i3, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Win 8 - $499.99
Inspiron 15 15.6" - 2nd gen Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Win 7 - $379.99

Office Max
Toshiba Satellite Laptop 15.6" 4GB RAM 320GB HDD, Windows 8, AMD Vision E1 - $249.99 ($50 purchase required)
HP Envy Laptop 15.6" Intel Core i3-3210M, Windows 8, Beats Audio, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $499.99
Toshiba Satellite Laptop 15.6" Featuring 3rd gen Intel Core i3-3210M, Windows 8 , 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $589.99
Toshiba Satellite Laptop 15.6" 3rd gen Intel Core i5-3317U, Windows 8, 6GB RAM, 640GB HDD - $549.99
Toshiba Satellite Laptop 17.3" Featuring AMD A6 and Windows 8, 6GB Memory, 640GB HDD- $379.99
HP Pavilion Laptop 15.6" Featuring AMD Vision A6-4400M Accelerated Processor, Windows 8, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD- $349.99
Toshiba Satellite 15.6" Laptop Featuring 2nd Gen Intel Core i5-2450M, Windows 7, 6GB RAM, 640GB HDD - 529.88
Toshiba Satellite 14" Ultrabook Featuring 2nd Gen Intel Core i3-2377M, Windows 7, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD - 549.88
**ONLINE ONLY DEAL** ---> Toshiba Satellite 15.6" Laptop Featuring 3rd Gen Intel Core i7-3630QM Processor, Windows 8, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $649.99

KMart
Asus X401A Laptop 14" Windows 8 Intel Celeron 2GB RAM 320GB HDD - $219.99

Radio Shack
Toshiba 15.6" Windows 8 Laptop with Intel Celeron Processor 4GB RAM 320GB HDD- $299.99
HP LED 14" Laptop with Windows 8 and Beats Audio 6GB RAM 500GB HDD Intel Core - $499.99

Sams Club
HP Pavilion 14" LED Display Intel Core i5 Processor with Windows 8, 2 USB 3.0 Ports, 1 USB 2.0 Port, and HDMI Out, HD Webcam and Mic - $399
HP Pavilion 15.6" Intel Core i7 Processor with Windows 8, Beats Audio, DVD Burner, 3 USB 3.0 Ports, 1 USB 2.0 Port, HDMI out, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $599

Sears
Asus X401A 14" Laptop with DVD Drive, Windows 8, Intel Celeron B830, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD - $219.99
HP Pavilion G6 15.6" Laptop, Windows 8, AMD Vision A4 Dual Core processor, Bluetooth enabled, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD - $299.99

Staples
HP Laptop 17.3" Laptop 6GB RAM 500GB Hard Drive Windows 8 Quad Core A8 APU $399.99
HP Laptop 15.6" Laptop 6GB RAM 640GB Hard Drive Windows 8 Intel Core i5 with Turboboost $499.99
HP Laptop 14" Laptop 4GB RAM 320GB Hard Drive Windows 8 Intel Pentium B987 Processor - $299.99
Toshiba 15.6" Laptop 6GB RAM 640GB Hard Drive Windows 8 Intel Core i7-3630 with Turboboost $579.99
Lenovo Twist Convertible 12.5" Ultrabook with Intel Core i5-3317U with Turboboost, Windows 8, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $699.99
HP 15.6" Laptop with Next Gen AMD A6 GPU Windows 8, 4GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $399.99
Lenovo 15.6" Laptop with Intel Core i5-3210M Processor with Turboboost, Windows 8, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $549.99
Sony 13.3" Ultrabook with Intel Core i3-3217U Processor, Windows 8, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD+32GB SSD - $699.99
HP 17.3" Laptop with Intel Core i5-3210M Processor with Turboboost, Windows 8, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $629.99
Toshiba 15.6" Laptop with Intel Core i3 Processor With Turboboost, Windows 8, 6GB RAM, 640GB HDD - $499.99

Wal-Mart
HP Laptop 15.6" 4GB RAM 320GB Hard Drive AMD Vision - $279.00
Compaq Presario Laptop 15.6" 2GB RAM 320GB Gard Drive AMD Vision C - $179.00
HP Laptop 15.6" 4GB RAM 500GB Hard Drive Intel Core i3 -$349.00
Acer Acer Ultrabook 13.3" 4GB RAM 320GB Intel Core i3 Solid State Drive $499.00

TARGET
Gateway 15.6" Laptop w/AMD A8, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD (Model # NV52L15U) - $349.00

OFFICE DEPOT
Lenovo G585 15.6", AMD E-300, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD - $279.99
HP Pavilion 17.3", AMD A6, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $379.99
HP Envy 15.6", Intel i5, 8GB RAM, 640GB HDD - $499.99
Samsung Series 3 15.6", Intel Pentium Dual-Core, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $329.99 (buy with Galaxy Tab 2 for $469.98)
Toshiba Satellite 15.6", Intel i3, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $399.99
Toshiba Satellite 15.6", Intel i7, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD - $599.99
HP Envy Ultrabook 14", Intel i3, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD - $599.99

I can make that list a lot easier to deal with.

Get rid of everything that is not Asus, Samsung, or Toshiba.  My opinion, of course.

On a $400 budget, you're not likely to do better than a Llano system on clearance.  If you can pick up an A6-3420M or so, that will work.  A lot of them come with mismatched memory channels, which you'll need to fix yourself, but that only adds about $20 to buy another memory module.

This is the last clearance-priced Llano system on New Egg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834131323

If you get that, you'll need to add another memory module like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145283

The current generation equivalent is an A8-4500M, and it is better.  Good luck finding it for $400, though.  You don't want an A6-4300M or -4400M, as even though those are current generation Trinity parts, they're really cut down with a dual core processor and only three SIMD engines as compared to the A6-3420M's four.

Originally posted by MindTrigger

I can make that list a lot easier to deal with.

Get rid of everything that is not Asus, Samsung, or Toshiba.  My opinion, of course.

Careful of Toshiba, as they artificially disable video driver updates.  That's not what you want in a gaming system.

That 17" laptop from staples sounds awesome, but it doesn't list the GPU, I'd guess it's Intel 4000?

Edit: nvm I found the gpu, it's a 3053mb AMD Radeon HD 7640G Discrete-Class, haven't a clue if that's good or not.  i haven't paid attention to the GPU war in a long time.

Originally posted by Quizzical

Originally posted by MindTrigger

I can make that list a lot easier to deal with.

Get rid of everything that is not Asus, Samsung, or Toshiba.  My opinion, of course.

Careful of Toshiba, as they artificially disable video driver updates.  That's not what you want in a gaming system.

Interesting, I have not heard this. Any official response from Toshiba on this? 

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.  I love their machines for work, but I don't do much gaming on laptops.

Originally posted by MindTrigger

Originally posted by Quizzical

Originally posted by MindTrigger

I can make that list a lot easier to deal with.

Get rid of everything that is not Asus, Samsung, or Toshiba.  My opinion, of course.

Careful of Toshiba, as they artificially disable video driver updates.  That's not what you want in a gaming system.

Interesting, I have not heard this. Any official response from Toshiba on this? 

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.  I love their machines for work, but I don't do much gaming on laptops.

Not sure about Toshiba, but how about an official statement from AMD?

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonmob_win7-64.aspx

Read toward the bottom:

The following notebooks are not compatible with this tool:
Notebooks equipped with switchable graphics
Toshiba® notebooks
Sony® VAIO® notebooks
Panasonic® notebooks

AMD's stance is that their video cards will accept the normal driver updates unless a laptop vendor opts out of them.  Those are the ones that have opted out.  There are separate drivers for discrete switchable graphics, which is why they're excluded from the normal drivers.  But there isn't separate drivers available for Toshiba, Sony, and Panasonic, unless those vendors decide to make the normal drivers available to customers on their own.

Originally posted by MindTrigger

I can make that list a lot easier to deal with.

Get rid of everything that is not Asus, Samsung, or Toshiba.  My opinion, of course.

I concur