Comparing 2 HP Omen laptops to a Clevo Barebones

Xendi · September 23, 2019

After much searching, I have narrowed it down to 3 laptops.

My use-cases are:

Resource-intensive programming platforms, IDEs, and emulators.
Machine learning models (CUDA-powered).
Multitasking (Multiple windows at same time).
Video editing & rendering.
Occasional game development.
Occasional gaming.
VR.
Linux-only (Not that it matters much).

My hardware requirements are:

RTX 2070 or RTX 2070 Max Q.
i7-9750H or better.
Thin chassis.
Thin bezel (No fatties)
Decent thermals.
m.2 NVMe slot(s).
Thunderbolt.

Budget: Below $1,800 - lower the better.

What I'm looking at:

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https://www.newegg.com/p/2WC-0001-00KJ8?Item=9SIA8S1A0Y2869

Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-Bit
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-9750H Hexa Core (2.6-4.50GHz TurboBoost, 12MB L3 Cache)
RAM: 16GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM (2 Dimm)
Display: 15.6" diagonal 4K IPS anti-glare micro-edge WLED-backlit (3840 x 2160)
Graphics Card: 8GB GDDR6 VRAM NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2070 Max-Q
Primary Operating System Drive: 256GB Ultra Performance PCIe NVMe SSD
Secondary Storage: 1TB 7200RPM SATA III Hard Drive
Wireless: Intel Dual-Band Wireless-AC 9560 2x2 + Bluetooth 5.0
Keyboard: Full-size backlit keyboard with numeric keypad and N-Key Rollover (White Legend)
Mouse: Built-in touchpad with multi-gesture and scrolling function
Webcam: HD Webcam and Array Mic
Ports: 1 HDMI 2.0; 1 headphone/microphone combo; 1 Mini DisplayPort™; 1 10/100/1000 Gigabit LAN; 1 Thunderbolt™ 3 (Data Transfer up to 40 Gb/s, DP1.2, HP Sleep and Charge); 3 USB 3.1 Gen 1 (1 HP Sleep and Charge); 1 multi-format SD media card reader
Audio: Bang & Olufsen, dual speakers, HP Audio Boost, DTS Headphone:X™ support
Battery: 4-Cell 70Wh Extended Life
Product Dimensions: 14.17 x 10.35 x 0.98"
Weight: 5.26lbs

Key points:

4k resolution = more screen real-estate (Important) and maybe better picture.
Low refresh rate (Seems bad though I've never compared them personally).
No G-sync.
Only 1 m.2 slot (Not the end of the world but no RAID).

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https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16834271323?Item=9SIAC4Z9H86749

CPU: Intel Core i7-9750H 2.60 GHz
Screen: 17.3" 144 Hz IPS G-Sync
Memory: 16 GB DDR4
Storage: 1 TB HDD + 256 GB SSD
Graphics Card: GeForce RTX 2070
Video Memory: 8 GB

CPU: 9750H (2.60 GHz)

Display Screen Size: 17.3"
Touchscreen: No
Wide Screen Support: Yes
Display Type: Full HD
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Panel: IPS
Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
LCD Features: 144 Hz IPS G-Sync


GPU/VPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
Video Memory: 8 GB

SSD: 256 GB
HDD: 1 TB

Memory: 16 GB

Key points:

17 inch screen is nicer but not as easy to travel with.
144hz refresh rate.
G-sync.
Only 1 m.2 (Not the end of the world but no RAID).

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https://rjtech.com/shop/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30693

Processor	
9th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-9750H Processor ( 2.6GHz ), 12MB Smart Cache

Core Logic	
Intel® HM370 Express Chipset

Memory	
Supports Dual Channel DDR4
Two 260 pins SODIMM sockets, support for DDR4 2666* (Real operation frequency depends on processor)
Expandable up to 64GB, depends on 8GB/16GB/32GB SODIMM module
Support XMP 3000 MHz (XMP support depends on processor.)

Display	
17.3” Full HD (1920x1080) 144Hz, Wide View Angle, 72% NTSC Display with G-SYNC Technology, Matte Finished

Graphics
Processor	User Switchable between Microsoft Hybrid Graphics Mode or dGPU Mode


NVIDIA® GeForce™ RTX 2070 GPU with 8GB GDDR6
- Real-Time Ray Tracing
- NVIDIA® CUDA™ Technology
- Microsoft® DirectX® 12 Compatible
- Battery Boost Technology
- Support 4 active displays
- Support NVIDIA Surround View via HDMI x1, miniDP x1 and DisplayPort over Type-C


Intel® UHD Graphics 630 (Integrated in Intel Core i7-9750H processor)
- Microsoft® DirectX® 12 Compatible
- Intel® Dynamic frequency
- Intel® Dynamic Video Memory Technology

Storage	
One changeable 2.5” HDD/SDD, 7mm(H), SATA interface
(Factory Option) One M.2 2280 SSD, SATA / PCIe Gen3x4 interface or Two M.2 2280 PCIe Gen3x4 interface (RAID 0/1)

Audio System	
High Definition audio interface
S/PDIF Digital output
Built-in Array Microphone
Built-in two Speakers & one Sub-Woofer
Sound Blaster™ Cinema 5

Pointing Device	
Built in Gamma Secure pad with Microsoft PTP multi-gesture and scrolling function

Keyboard	
RGB Per Key illuminated full size keyboard with numeric pad
Fully programmable macro capability - customize individual key as hot key / multiple keystrokes in one key


I/O Ports	
1 HDMI output Port (with HDCP)
1 Mini DisplayPort 1.3
1 DisplayPort 1.3 over USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type C)
1 USB 3.1 Gen 2 / Thunderbolt™ 3 Port (Type-C)
1 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Port (Type A)
2 USB 3.0 Ports (1 x powered USB port, AC/DC)
1 2-in-1 Audio Jack (Microphone / S/PDIF Optical output)
1 2-in-1 Audio Jack (Headphone / Microphone)
1 RJ-45 LAN (10/100/1000Mbps)

Slots	
6-in-1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD/Mini-SD/SDHC/SDXC up to UHS-II)
Three M.2 Card Slots
- 1st for WLAN Combo M.2 2230 Card with PCIe and USB interface
- 2nd for SSD M.2 2280 Card with SATA / PCIe Gen3 x4 interface
- 3rd for SSD M.2 2280 Card with SATA / PCIe Gen3 x4 interface

Communication	
Built-in Gigabit Ethernet LAN
Intel® or Killer Dual Band Wireless-AC + Bluetooth, M.2 interface

Security	
Kensington® Lock
Integrated Area Fingerprint Reader under Glass Surface

Power System	
Removable 6 cells Smart Lithium-Ion battery pack 62WH
Full Range 230W AC Adapter AC-in 100~240V, 50~60Hz, DC output 19.5V, 11.8A

OS Support	
Windows 10 (64-bit)

Certificate	
Windows 10 (64-bit) Logo
HDMI™ Logo

Physical Characteristic	
6.5 LBs with Battery Pack
15.70" (w) x 10.80" (d) x 1.18" (h)

Other Features	
Metal Top and Palm Rest cases
Built-in 1.0M HD Video Camera
FlexiCharger
NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ Technology at dGPU mode
Virtual Reality Ready
Intel® Optane™ Technology
Windows Mixed Reality compatible



Specifications are subject to change without notice

Key Points:

Bare-bones system. RAM & M.2 drive must be purchased to get it running.
Has 2 m.2 slots (RAID is possible).
Has G-sync.
Has high refresh rate.
Only 1080p resolution.
17 inch size is nice but not as easy to travel.
Full RGB keyboard.
Mouse pad is nicer in general (Nice glass).
Mouse-pad has built-in fingerprint sensor (I love security).

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Which one would you pick and why? I'm mostly stuck on the screen size, resolution, refresh, and g-sync. My brain has segfaulted. Please help! Also, if you know of a laptop that would fit perfectly into this list, please feel free to post it.

Thanks