i7-U vs H for Visual Studio??

[Margohpolo]

Hey guys, 1st post because I really need some advice.

 

Came across a Lenovo laptop that seems to have amazing specs:

 

- 13.3-inch

- FHD IPS Screen

- i7-8565U

- 16GB RAM DDR4

- 512GB M2 NVME SSD

- NVIDIA MX250 2GB GDDR5

- 1.25kg

 

**It's only selling at SGD1,699 (~CAD1,633/USD1,250) & a retailer is offering $100 off.

 

In comparison to other laptops with similar specs, it's selling at a STEAL!!!

 

VS other laptops at similar prices @ local retailers (I'm in Singapore), it's AMAZING VALUE!!!

 

I think.

 

Among the biggest laptop retails here, 2 out of 3 are sold out on this model. One of them even removed the link to this model's page. The third retailer, that's offering $100 off, doesn't even list it on their site. Update: all 3 retailers list it as sold out.

 

Just in case you're wondering, this laptop should be legit as Lenovo is selling this model online.

 

The Problem

I'm actually still thinking that in a market as efficient as Singapore's, usually there should be sufficient information online regarding good hardware sold here, and/or the good stuff is priced high af.

 

So, why aren't there any online reviews for this laptop model @ these specs? There are reviews for this model's 15-inch version, and i5 version, but not the pimped-out 13-inch i7?

 

I think I'm buying this laptop, but I'm hoping to get some feedback on what you guys think 1st.

 

Could it be that Lenovo laptops generally die too quickly for people to bother, like Compaq used to do?

 

Could it be that this 13-inch laptop is under-powered for all its hardware to be running at its full potential?

 

Or, could it be that I'm just a noob and this laptop is a rip-off? 

 

 

Would really appreciate some guidance & advice here guys. Thanks!

Edited July 20, 2019 by Margohpolo
Update

[genexis_x]

Notebookcheck has reviewed it long time ago

 

i5 and i7 ULV don't have much performance difference

 

MX250 in this model is a 10w variant while having a low temp limit (will throttle when reach certain temp)

[Margohpolo]

2 hours ago, GeneXiS_X said:

Notebookcheck has reviewed it long time ago

 

i5 and i7 ULV don't have much performance difference

 

MX250 in this model is a 10w variant while having a low temp limit (will throttle when reach certain temp)

Thanks for the input! Didn't know it'll throttle.

 

Would you recommend an Asus UX433FN-B01T instead? 14" & MX150 instead...

 

I'm starting a software development course soon actually & will be using Visual Studio most of the time. Read a bunch online but still not sure which way to go.

[genexis_x]

6 hours ago, Margohpolo said:

Would you recommend an Asus UX433FN-B01T instead? 14" & MX150 instead...

Same problem, moreover Asus QC+QA is worse

[Margohpolo]

2 hours ago, GeneXiS_X said:

Same problem, moreover Asus QC+QA is worse

Aah I see. What would you recommend?

 

Am looking at i7, 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD. From what I know Visual Studio is very hardware-intensive + I'm exploring video editing on the side. Thanks man!

[genexis_x]

You want more performance or more portability?

[Margohpolo]

19 hours ago, GeneXiS_X said:

You want more performance or more portability?

Prefer performance; in terms of portability possible to cap it at 14inch screen size?

[genexis_x]

3 hours ago, Margohpolo said:

Prefer performance; in terms of portability possible to cap it at 14inch screen size?

How much of performance do you need though - if you want regular laptop/Ultrabook then the performance is limited

[Margohpolo]

6 minutes ago, GeneXiS_X said:

How much of performance do you need though - if you want regular laptop/Ultrabook then the performance is limited

I'm thinking i7 & 16gb ram. Absolute minimum for my course I heard was 8gb.

[genexis_x]

1 minute ago, Margohpolo said:

i7

which i7? ULV or H?

[Margohpolo]

11 hours ago, GeneXiS_X said:

which i7? ULV or H?

Thanks for asking! You're making me read & learn more so I love it 

 

I'm thinking H but would it make a significant difference over the U for Visual Studio?

[genexis_x]

1 hour ago, Margohpolo said:

I'm thinking H but would it make a significant difference over the U for Visual Studio?

Honestly, idk since I never use it at regular basis. You might want to do some research on this, or anyone who would like to share their opinions

[Margohpolo]

On 7/22/2019 at 11:14 AM, GeneXiS_X said:

Honestly, idk since I never use it at regular basis. You might want to do some research on this, or anyone who would like to share their opinions

After much research and deliberation, I'm getting the Acer Nitro 515-52-72LV:

- i7-8750H

- GTX 1050Ti 4GB

- FHD IPS Display

- 16GB RAM

- 256GB SSD NVME

- 1TB HDD

 

Pretty sold on it especially since it's a better deal at SGD1,698 than I'll be getting via school.

 

Thanks for guiding me in the right direction @GeneXiS_X!

[genexis_x]

1 hour ago, Margohpolo said:

Acer Nitro 5

Why this model....

[Margohpolo]

3 hours ago, GeneXiS_X said:

Why this model....

Given the price range of laptops in SG, I found that this was going for a steal at SGD1,698. It'll be my most expensive laptop so far, having previously spent no more than SGD1,500 on a laptop historically. However, it's the best value for money given the specs, and another major retailer here is selling it for SGD1-200 more. Also, my school is selling the same model at SGD10-20 more, but with a GTX1050 instead of a 1050Ti, without the 1TB HDD (will cost extra) and their WiFi has no MU-MIMO.

[genexis_x]

53 minutes ago, Margohpolo said:

best value for money

Bad cooling...

[Margohpolo]

11 hours ago, GeneXiS_X said:

Bad cooling...

Ah. I see. What would you recommend for similar specs?

[genexis_x]

18 hours ago, Margohpolo said:

no more than SGD1,500

Well since I'm not familiar with prices in SG, I just look through Aftershock PC - Forge 15 is a better option imo - better cooling, not that pricey, newer GPU. Even Apex 15 Lite with 1650 also not bad

[ahuckphin]

I would say get a H series equipped laptop for shear bang for the buck performance and is what I would go for Visual Studio. 

A U series laptop may suffice and better if you care about build material, battery life and maybe display amonng other things but performance may hold you back in more demanding Visual Studio projects. Do-able but could be better with H series. 

[Margohpolo]

4 hours ago, GeneXiS_X said:

Well since I'm not familiar with prices in SG, I just look through Aftershock PC - Forge 15 is a better option imo - better cooling, not that pricey, newer GPU. Even Apex 15 Lite with 1650 also not bad

Alamak already bought. Anyway have given those recommendations to my classmates. The Forge 15 is pretty good value; possibly slightly cheaper for the same specs. Would've taken a look IRL.

 

Nonetheless, thank you for sharing buddy

[Margohpolo]

1 hour ago, bindydad123 said:

I would say get a H series equipped laptop for shear bang for the buck performance and is what I would go for Visual Studio. 

A U series laptop may suffice and better if you care about build material, battery life and maybe display amonng other things but performance may hold you back in more demanding Visual Studio projects. Do-able but could be better with H series. 

Thanks for clarifying @bindydad123 I wasn't sure earlier. Appreciate it!

[genexis_x]

7 minutes ago, Margohpolo said:

Alamak already bought.

Must do undervolt+repaste then

[Margohpolo]

1 minute ago, GeneXiS_X said:

Must do undervolt+repaste then

Yup still figuring out/navigating this gigantic beast at the moment. Need to get used to the keyboard esp since I'm transitioning from a 13.3-inch.

 

The repasting, am thinking will bring it to the service centre to get it done if necessary. (Touch wood)

 

Currently with tons of stuff I've been downloading and installing simultaneously, max CPU temp spiked once to 80 degrees celcius; otherwise fluctuates between 40+ to 70 deg celcius. Not too bad, esp given I was multitasking while installing Visual Studio. Will be installing NPM & other packages tomorrow; will be happy to update how it goes. (Fingers crossed)

[genexis_x]

3 hours ago, Margohpolo said:

The repasting, am thinking will bring it to the service centre to get it done if necessary. (Touch wood)

Make sure they use quality paste, very important

 

Thermal performance isn't just temperature only...need to look at clock speed and power draw also