Looking for a Laptop for docking with a Beefy GPU

[alienozi]

I am starting University next year and my family laptop broke down beyond repair. They said I was allowed to buy a laptop below 2k$ if I give them my old computer.

I'm looking for a laptop that has to be better than my old computer.

 

OLD SPECS:

Name:Pavilion 15-ak003ng

• intel i7-6700HQ @ 2.60 GHz
• intel HD Graphics 530
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M
• 16 GB RAM (unkwn Hz)

I'm at least looking for Thunderbolt 3 for docking and using an external GPU. The CPU has to be good as well not to bottleneck the GPU. It also needs to have a good GPU to do some work (rendering etc.) and also would be nice if it could play games like Apex Legends in a good frame rate w/o the docked GPU. 

 

Thank you for your help!

Note: below is an attached image of my laptop.

[MageTank]

4 minutes ago, alienozi said:

I am starting University next year and my family laptop broke down beyond repair. They said I was allowed to buy a laptop below 2k$ if I give them my old computer.

I'm looking for a laptop that has to be better than my old computer.

 

OLD SPECS:

Name:Pavilion 15-ak003ng

• intel i7-6700HQ @ 2.60 GHz
• intel HD Graphics 530
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M

I'm at least looking for Thunderbolt 3 for docking and using an external GPU. The CPU has to be good as well not to bottleneck the GPU. It also needs to have a good GPU to do some work (rendering etc.) and also would be nice if it could play games like Apex Legends in a good frame rate w/o the docked GPU. 

 

Thank you for your help!

Note: below is an attached image of my laptop.

This is a little pricey, but matches your specifications: https://www.eluktronics.com/MAG-15. Also has a really nice tactile keyboard. MAINGEAR sells the same unit at a higher price premium: https://maingear.com/element/. 

 

If you happen to live near a Micro Center, this would be a much better value: https://www.microcenter.com/product/602316/1520-156-gaming-laptop-computer---black. This has an RTX 2070 in it, has a 120hz G-Sync panel, and is based off the Clevo PB50EF-G. It has a Thunderbolt 3 port, but with a GPU that fast, you won't likely need that for years to come.

[kelvinhall05]

Thinkpad X1E2. I wouldn't get a gaming laptop for university since you'll probably want something that doesn't weigh too much and has good battery life.

[MageTank]

8 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Thinkpad X1E2. I wouldn't get a gaming laptop for university since you'll probably want something that doesn't weigh too much and has good battery life.

That's actually a very solid option, didn't even know those existed. I own the PowerSpec 1520 and can certainly attest to the horrible battery life and awful carrying experience. It's thick and heavy, not meant to be moved around that often.

[alienozi]

2 hours ago, MageTank said:

This is a little pricey, but matches your specifications: https://www.eluktronics.com/MAG-15. Also has a really nice tactile keyboard. MAINGEAR sells the same unit at a higher price premium: https://maingear.com/element/. 

 

If you happen to live near a Micro Center, this would be a much better value: https://www.microcenter.com/product/602316/1520-156-gaming-laptop-computer---black. This has an RTX 2070 in it, has a 120hz G-Sync panel, and is based off the Clevo PB50EF-G. It has a Thunderbolt 3 port, but with a GPU that fast, you won't likely need that for years to come.

These two are a bit over my price range and service/repairability don't seem good?

[alienozi]

2 hours ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Thinkpad X1E2. I wouldn't get a gaming laptop for university since you'll probably want something that doesn't weigh too much and has good battery life.

Looks amazing. However I might have to reconcider my budget. 1.7k seems a bit much still. I have around 1k at hand so I have to work a bit to get this.

[kelvinhall05]

32 minutes ago, alienozi said:

Looks amazing. However I might have to reconcider my budget. 1.7k seems a bit much still. I have around 1k at hand so I have to work a bit to get this.

I'd still get a Thinkpad; used/last gen T(s) series, X1(carbon) series, or a first gen X1E.