Gaming Laptop Guide - UPDATED RTX Edition!

[Galm]

25 minutes ago, acercon said:

What I mean is how is the Gigabyte aero 15 (better?) than the new razer blade, Gigabyte P35X V6, Aorus X5, Aorus X7, EVGA SC17

Mainly compared to the new razer blade and the P35X V6. Is the main selling point for the aero 15 the display?

Yeah pretty much, and its generally small form factor.  

 

I like the Aorus X5 a lot, if you can afford one I think it's a beastly machine.  17"ers are way bigger than the aero 15 though.  Not really competition to it in my mind they are different categories.

[acercon]

11 minutes ago, Galm said:

Yeah pretty much, and its generally small form factor.  

 

I like the Aorus X5 a lot, if you can afford one I think it's a beastly machine.  17"ers are way bigger than the aero 15 though.  Not really competition to it in my mind they are different categories.

ok thanks, What other options are there in this price range ~2000 USD that is "Slim" 

[Galm]

5 minutes ago, acercon said:

ok thanks, What other options are there in this price range ~2000 USD that is "Slim" 

Clevo P650HS, P950HP6, Aorus, AW sort of, the Gigabytes you mentioned...  It's all in the guide.

[acercon]

4 minutes ago, Galm said:

Clevo P650HS, P950HP6, Aorus, AW sort of, the Gigabytes you mentioned...  It's all in the guide.

Ok, I have checked those out, but let's say you were in my position. 

You are a university student and budget is not your main concern right now (but want to keep it ~2000USD). You will be carrying it around (traveling from co-op, and going between classes) so you want something that looks good and is "Slim". At home, you want to play AAA games at 60fps. Battery life is also somewhat important, just enough to last through classes.

What would you go for?

[Galm]

1 minute ago, acercon said:

Ok, I have checked those out, but let's say you were in my position. 

You are a university student and budget is not your main concern right now (but want to keep it ~2000USD). You will be carrying it around (traveling from co-op, and going between classes) so you want something that looks good and is "Slim". At home, you want to play AAA games at 60fps. Battery life is also somewhat important, just enough to last through classes.

What would you go for?

Well budget is a concern then because it knocks out the Aorus X5.  

 

I'd go Clevo P650HS if you don't mind having a more normal/slightly thicker laptop (but it's not like bulking or anything) otherwise probably the Aero 15.

 

The P650 design helps make it look a bit thinner from most angles.

[acercon]

On 6/26/2017 at 8:58 PM, Galm said:

Well budget is a concern then because it knocks out the Aorus X5.  

 

I'd go Clevo P650HS if you don't mind having a more normal/slightly thicker laptop (but it's not like bulking or anything) otherwise probably the Aero 15.

 

The P650 design helps make it look a bit thinner from most angles.

What are your thoughts on the Asus ROG GL502VS-DS71, it's much cheaper than the aero 15 and packs a 1070. this laptop seem like a much better deal.

How will the battery life be like doing basic tasks?

https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834234458&ignorebbr=1

Thanks!

[Galm]

4 hours ago, acercon said:

What are your thoughts on the Asus ROG GL502VS-DS71, it's much cheaper than the aero 15 and packs a 1070. this laptop seem like a much better deal.

How will the battery life be like doing basic tasks?

https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834234458&ignorebbr=1

Thanks!

There is almost no reason to get that over a P650HS.

[acercon]

1 hour ago, Galm said:

There is almost no reason to get that over a P650HS.

Got It, Thanks for helping me I really appreciate it. Last question and I'll stop bothering you. 

 

The three laptops Gigabyte Aero 15, XPS 15 or Gigabyte P35XV6-PC3, are (I think) my final three choices for my laptop for University, trying to decide which one. 

Budget is not my main concern, but I want to spend my money wisely. I will use this for the next 5 years so I want to invest in something nice. Desktop is not an option for me as I will be traveling

I like to play games, I mostly play league of legends, overwatch but from time to time I also play demanding titles like GTA 5. I also want a laptop that is slim, looks good and will last me through a day of classes. 

 

The Aero 15 has a 1060, I7 7700HQ, 512 M.2 SSD, 16GB of ram, 1080P display, and beautiful design but cost $2600CAD (Most expensive) right now on newegg.ca. 

https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834233205&cm_re=aero_15-_-34-233-205-_-Product

The XPS 15 from dell, is $1900CAD right now with a sale. The laptop has a 4K touchscreen, a 1050, 256 SSD, 8GB of ram and I5 7300HQ Quad Core

http://www.dell.com/ca/p/xps-15-9560-laptop/pd

The Gigabyte P35XV6-PC3 is different, the design is nowhere as nice as the other laptops but It packs a 1070, an I7 6700GQ 16gb ram, 1TB HDD with 256 M.2 SSD and 1080P display. Since I game quite a bit this also seems like a good option. $2100CAD right now on newegg.ca

https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834233208&cm_re=p35xv6-_-34-233-208-_-Product

 

Now my question is, 

Looking at the Aero 15 vs the XPS 15, it seems like I am paying so much more for nothing. The XPS has a 4k touch screen, however, the Aero 15 only has a slightly better CPU, ram, and SSD. I am paying $700 more for a 1060. Battery life should be great on both these laptops.

The Gigabyte P35XV6-PC3 is different, it is much more of a gaming laptop and it seems like good value compared to the other two laptops. I am concerned if the battery will last and if thermal throttling will be a big issue for this laptop though. 

 

What are your thoughts on which laptop I should get?

 

Thanks! 

[Galm]

18 minutes ago, acercon said:

Got It, Thanks for helping me I really appreciate it. Last question and I'll stop bothering you. 

 

The three laptops Gigabyte Aero 15, XPS 15 or Gigabyte P35XV6-PC3, are (I think) my final three choices for my laptop for University, trying to decide which one. 

Budget is not my main concern, but I want to spend my money wisely. I will use this for the next 5 years so I want to invest in something nice. Desktop is not an option for me as I will be traveling

I like to play games, I mostly play league of legends, overwatch but from time to time I also play demanding titles like GTA 5. I also want a laptop that is slim, looks good and will last me through a day of classes. 

 

The Aero 15 has a 1060, I7 7700HQ, 512 M.2 SSD, 16GB of ram, 1080P display, and beautiful design but cost $2600CAD (Most expensive) right now on newegg.ca. 

https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834233205&cm_re=aero_15-_-34-233-205-_-Product

The XPS 15 from dell, is $1900CAD right now with a sale. The laptop has a 4K touchscreen, a 1050, 256 SSD, 8GB of ram and I5 7300HQ Quad Core

http://www.dell.com/ca/p/xps-15-9560-laptop/pd

The Gigabyte P35XV6-PC3 is different, the design is nowhere as nice as the other laptops but It packs a 1070, an I7 6700GQ 16gb ram, 1TB HDD with 256 M.2 SSD and 1080P display. Since I game quite a bit this also seems like a good option. $2100CAD right now on newegg.ca

https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834233208&cm_re=p35xv6-_-34-233-208-_-Product

 

Now my question is, 

Looking at the Aero 15 vs the XPS 15, it seems like I am paying so much more for nothing. The XPS has a 4k touch screen, however, the Aero 15 only has a slightly better CPU, ram, and SSD. I am paying $700 more for a 1060. Battery life should be great on both these laptops.

The Gigabyte P35XV6-PC3 is different, it is much more of a gaming laptop and it seems like good value compared to the other two laptops. I am concerned if the battery will last and if thermal throttling will be a big issue for this laptop though. 

 

What are your thoughts on which laptop I should get?

 

Thanks! 

While the pricing isn't great that Aero config is way better.  GPU is way stronger, the ram is actually enough to game, you have a hyperthreaded i7 and will probably have pretty similar battery life.  

 

The P35X is extremely hot.  If you undervolt it and use a cooling bad it can be a decent option.  

 

What would the P950HP6 cost to ship to you?  I have my hands on one right now and it's very impressive.

 

https://lpc-digital.com/product/sager-np8950-clevo-p950hp6/

[acercon]

35 minutes ago, Galm said:

While the pricing isn't great that Aero config is way better.  GPU is way stronger, the ram is actually enough to game, you have a hyperthreaded i7 and will probably have pretty similar battery life.  

 

The P35X is extremely hot.  If you undervolt it and use a cooling bad it can be a decent option.  

 

What would the P950HP6 cost to ship to you?  I have my hands on one right now and it's very impressive.

 

https://lpc-digital.com/product/sager-np8950-clevo-p950hp6/

I went to check out and it didn't change the price after I entered my address. How is the battery life of that laptop while doing normal tasks?

[Galm]

1 minute ago, acercon said:

I went to check out and it didn't change the price after I entered my address. How is the battery life of that laptop while doing normal tasks?

Not sure yet haven't tested it.

[acercon]

1 minute ago, Galm said:

Not sure yet haven't tested it.

 What is LPC Digital? Just an online retailer? I went to the sager website and shipping is around 40 bucks to where I am 

[Galm]

1 hour ago, acercon said:

 What is LPC Digital? Just an online retailer? I went to the sager website and shipping is around 40 bucks to where I am 

Imo the best Sager reseller.  Good prices and great customer service.  Larry is the main guy there.

[Falkentyne]

Linus doesn't discuss the serious problems with the Alienware, namely the "Tripod" heatsink, causing uneven and often overheating CPU core temperatures, due to how the tripod screw format is designed, with the VRM pads, and the overheating PCH and M.2 SSD issues.  Boost speeds can be maintained by increasing CPU Current Limit (ICCMax).

[Galm]

On 7/2/2017 at 1:08 AM, Falkentyne said:

Linus doesn't discuss the serious problems with the Alienware, namely the "Tripod" heatsink, causing uneven and often overheating CPU core temperatures, due to how the tripod screw format is designed, with the VRM pads, and the overheating PCH and M.2 SSD issues.  Boost speeds can be maintained by increasing CPU Current Limit (ICCMax).

Why are you posting this here?

 

To be fair the Kaby Lake units are much better temp wise.

[Falkentyne]

For the exact same reason someone else ABOVE ME posted this here and you sure didn't go rag on him now did you?

Try being a little less rude.

[Galm]

17 hours ago, Falkentyne said:

For the exact same reason someone else ABOVE ME posted this here and you sure didn't go rag on him now did you?

Try being a little less rude.

Oh sorry didnt want you to think I was ragging or being rude.

 

I didnt see the context since you didnt hit reply and I wasnt thinking about the video a page back.  Had no idea what context you meant.

 

Linus didnt mention it because its not much of an issue on the Kaby Lake models.

[AerobicOrganism]

On 1.2.2017 at 8:50 PM, Galm said:

Build quality is good, and it isn't plagued with issues like some Asus machines of the past. 

Are you sure about that? I'm rather sceptical when it comes to Asus as my history with them looks like this:

1. Hardware defect out of the box.

2. Hardware defect out of the box (again).

3. Hardware defect after 2 months.

4. Keyboard falling apart after less than a year.

5. Rather unfriendly support x4

 

Call it personal bias but i can't recommend Asus to anyone at this point....unless they can prove that they have changed their quality management for the better.

[Castdeath97]

6 hours ago, AerobicOrganism said:

Are you sure about that? I'm rather sceptical when it comes to Asus as my history with them looks like this:

1. Hardware defect out of the box.

2. Hardware defect out of the box (again).

3. Hardware defect after 2 months.

4. Keyboard falling apart after less than a year.

5. Rather unfriendly support x4

 

Call it personal bias but i can't recommend Asus to anyone at this point....unless they can prove that they have changed their quality management for the better.

Asus support tends to be hit and miss based on what I heard so there is that.

[Galm]

14 hours ago, AerobicOrganism said:

Are you sure about that? I'm rather sceptical when it comes to Asus as my history with them looks like this:

1. Hardware defect out of the box.

2. Hardware defect out of the box (again).

3. Hardware defect after 2 months.

4. Keyboard falling apart after less than a year.

5. Rather unfriendly support x4

 

Call it personal bias but i can't recommend Asus to anyone at this point....unless they can prove that they have changed their quality management for the better.

Sorry I'm on mobile with a shoddy connection.

 

Can you give me more context than that?

 

Which model is this?  

 

In general I'm also against Asus for reasons like yours.

[AerobicOrganism]

6 hours ago, Galm said:

Sorry I'm on mobile with a shoddy connection.

 

Can you give me more context than that?

 

Which model is this?  

 

In general I'm also against Asus for reasons like yours.

Ah yes sorry about that, i quoted that from your first post, the laptop in question is the Asus GL502VM  wich is available with a 1060 6gb. and an I7 6700HQ currently.

 

The reason i am asking is that my son's birthday is coming up, when i asked him what he wants he said he could use a new gaming laptop.

So fine so good,but it turns out the only laptops on sale in the price range i have in mind are all Asus....there is also an Acer Predaor G5 but it's sold out everywhere i go and they say it'll be at least a month before the new shipping arrives.

I really don't want to go with options like HP Omen or Lenovo because....well they're kinda bad overall.

Other than that it's worth mentioning that machines like Sager/Clevo/Dell are generally somewhat hard to get here.

 

I'm kinda in a pinch since i don't want to go with an Asus if i don't have to but i only have two weeks left...

[Natig]

Yooo

I have a faulty asus gl502vs, 1070 one.

Im being offered a replacement/upgrade from asus (no charge)

Any asus laptop with a gtx 1070/1080 worth getting?

[Galm]

9 hours ago, AerobicOrganism said:

Ah yes sorry about that, i quoted that from your first post, the laptop in question is the Asus GL502VM  wich is available with a 1060 6gb. and an I7 6700HQ currently.

 

The reason i am asking is that my son's birthday is coming up, when i asked him what he wants he said he could use a new gaming laptop.

So fine so good,but it turns out the only laptops on sale in the price range i have in mind are all Asus....there is also an Acer Predaor G5 but it's sold out everywhere i go and they say it'll be at least a month before the new shipping arrives.

I really don't want to go with options like HP Omen or Lenovo because....well they're kinda bad overall.

Other than that it's worth mentioning that machines like Sager/Clevo/Dell are generally somewhat hard to get here.

 

I'm kinda in a pinch since i don't want to go with an Asus if i don't have to but i only have two weeks left...

If forced it's decent.  Personally I think the Clevo P650HP6 is nearly completely superior, but the GL502VM usually seems to be alright.  Obviously I can't guarentee this but for the most part its actual design is decent for cooling a 1060 and its thinner and lighter than the Clevo.

 

it's not my first or second pick, but it is a pick...  while the GL502VS I would basically just avoid.

 

is it possible to get support from anyone better than Asus near you?  By that I mean Amazon, Microsoft Stores, or any laptop resellers?  If you're willing to share your country I may know if you have any Clevo resellers, the naming is often confusing.

 

Also kudos to you for doing good research for your sons birthday!

[AerobicOrganism]

1 hour ago, Galm said:

is it possible to get support from anyone better than Asus near you?  By that I mean Amazon, Microsoft Stores, or any laptop resellers?  If you're willing to share your country I may know if you have any Clevo resellers, the naming is often confusing.

 

Also kudos to you for doing good research for your sons birthday!

No harm in that, i'm in Austria. Not sure about Microsoft but Amazon is an option yes it's just not local most things come shipped from Germany.

 

Also i came across a "Cyberport" store is that a known reseller?

 

I don't know maybe Clevo does exist here and just operates under a different name.

[Galm]

42 minutes ago, AerobicOrganism said:

No harm in that, i'm in Austria. Not sure about Microsoft but Amazon is an option yes it's just not local most things come shipped from Germany.

 

Also i came across a "Cyberport" store is that a known reseller?

 

I don't know maybe Clevo does exist here and just operates under a different name.

Hmm...  Austria I'm not sure.  Germany has a bunch like XMG.

 

Check out this list for more help: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/clevo-resellers-in-the-european-union-v1.652403/

 

It's a little old so maybe not all of those companies are still around, but at least some are.