Advice for gaming device

[The Philosopher]

I may or may not be looking for a new laptop. Heavy emphasis on the may not. But should I find myself being convinced to do so (by myself), can anyone help me find an appropriate laptop for gaming?

Yeah, I know, but I'm hoping I'm not that hardcore to worry about the heating issue and the whatnot.

I'm pretty much concerned with only playing two games on the highest graphic settings: Skyrim and TESO when it comes out. However, I'll deal with medium settings (or lower, I guess), so long as the laptop will play for a decade of new games on any setting.

The only other games I foresee myself playing is something from the Call of Duty series, Civilization, or maybe one of them fancy Star Wars games. But I don't care about highest settings for those. For some reason, it's just Skyrim (and TESO in the future).

I'm not picky, so long as I can feel I can trust the brand. However, HP is out of the question, although I have nothing against the company personally.

Anyway, any help? Thanks!

[Ohio Joe]

1. I don't think I can help much...

I've tried doing gaming using a laptop and it was really bad (over heating on 5+ year old games and the laptop was new). If you go with something new, you will probably get stuck with windows 8... Not a pleasant prospect. If you are set on going that way though, you can check out this CNET article on gaming laptops:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-3121_7-57578886-220/the-best-windows-8-gaming-laptops/

Good luck!

[The Philosopher]

2. How long did you game?

Unless I'm entirely blown away, I tend to game for an hour, maybe two. Is that long enough to cause heat damage?

TESO isn't supposed to be graphics heavy, as an older laptop than today's is supposed to play it okay. So I don't imagine sitting for hours and pushing my system with that. But, as I've never gamed more than Civ IV on my current laptop, I don't know (I've never had a heating problem).

Yeah, Windows 8 is pretty much "Hey, I have an idea!" and the thinking stops there. The idea is cool; the product isn't. But, I suppose if I have no choice, and I want a Windows system, I have no choice (other than using Windows 7, if they offer it).

[Skeeter Barnes]

3. I would look at the reviews on Newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Laptops-Notebooks/SubCategory/ID-32

Skyrim is a great game you'll love it.