Best Slim Lightweight Gaming Laptop

[Stanturbo]

Hey guys,
I've been on the market for a new laptop that I can use to game on the side. I am looking for something portable--slim and lightweight--but won't overheat when gaming. This last point eliminates any Razer Blades or GTX 10-series laptops because these can't seem to properly cool themselves (https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/662349-razer-blade-or-razer-blade-stealth-w-razer-core/#comment-8562444). I have been leaning towards the XPS 15, but I feel the 960m is underwhelming (https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/663241-does-the-dell-xps-15-work-with-the-razer-core/#comment-8570566). I would at least want a 965m, preferably a 970m. Since I am not in a hurry, I was thinking I could wait for the 1050 laptops to be released, hoping they won't produce overheating issues.
What would you guys recommend? Should I just ditch the idea of a gaming laptop altogether and consider going with a compact gaming desktop?

P.S. My budget is ~$2000

[don_svetlio]

XPS 15 and UX501 are the 2 best options - 960M is still okay - though modern AAA titles require low or medium settings

965M - very few laptops use that

970M? Most thin 970M machines have battery or build quality issues. Or heat issues.

[Stanturbo]

12 minutes ago, don_svetlio said:

XPS 15 and UX501 are the 2 best options - 960M is still okay - though modern AAA titles require low or medium settings

Between the two, which would you recommend is the better value? Which would you say has better battery life?

[don_svetlio]

1 minute ago, Stanturbo said:

Between the two, which would you recommend is the better value? Which would you say has better battery life?

Both are great, just get the one you like more. Check Notebookcheck's reivew of both the UX501VW and XPS 15 9550

[Stanturbo]

Just now, don_svetlio said:

Both are great, just get the one you like more. Check Notebookcheck's reivew of both the UX501VW and XPS 15 9550

Alright, I'll do that. Thanks man

[don_svetlio]

Just now, Stanturbo said:

Alright, I'll do that. Thanks man

No problem. Look over the detailed reviews and decide for yourself.

[Stanturbo]

I forgot to ask one more question: Is the XPS 15 you're referring to the 4K model? Since the UX501VW seems to only come with a 4K display option, I think the 1080p XPS 15 would be the better buy.

[don_svetlio]

Just now, Stanturbo said:

I forgot to ask one more question: Is the XPS 15 you're referring to the 4K model? Since the UX501VW seems to only come with a 4K display option, I think the 1080p XPS 15 would be the better buy.

1080p is better, yes. There is also a 1080p UX501VW (I believe) - you can just get the G501VW - same laptop as the UX501VW, just black.

Also - both machines have a bit of throttling under stress testing - though in games it should be perfectly fine.

[Stanturbo]

Do you think the 2gb of vram on the xps 15 would become a problem?

[don_svetlio]

2 minutes ago, Stanturbo said:

Do you think the 2gb of vram on the xps 15 would become a problem?

Depends on what games you want to run

[Stanturbo]

24 minutes ago, don_svetlio said:

Depends on what games you want to run

Here are some games:

• BF4 (medium to high setting)
• Hearts of Iron IV, Europa Universalis IV, Crusader Kings II
• Far Cry 3
• Insurgency

 

 

 

[don_svetlio]

Just now, Stanturbo said:

Here are some games:

• BF4 (medium to high setting)
• Hearts of Iron IV, Europa Universalis IV, Crusader Kings II
• Far Cry 3
• Insurgency

 

 

 

Assuming you drop the texture quality and shadows to medium - you won't have issues.

[Stanturbo]

Just now, don_svetlio said:

Assuming you drop the texture quality and shadows to medium - you won't have issues.

Thanks. I think I'll go with the XPS 15 (so I can be productive and game on the go) and when I get the time I can build myself a gaming desktop for better performance.

[Stanturbo]

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/compare?ocs=fncwx1610h,fncwx1608h

I looked up two configs for the XPS 15. I'm looking to pay more or less $1500, so both are worth consideration imo. The main reason why I'm attracted to the $1700 one is because of its larger battery and greater storage, but do you think the extra $300 is worth it?

[don_svetlio]

9 minutes ago, Stanturbo said:

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/compare?ocs=fncwx1610h,fncwx1608h

I looked up two configs for the XPS 15. I'm looking to pay more or less $1500, so both are worth consideration imo. The main reason why I'm attracted to the $1700 one is because of its larger battery and greater storage, but do you think the extra $300 is worth it?

If you get a 1080p screen + the large battery pack and single SSD - you'll be getting 8-8.5 or so hours of battery. Else, about 5.5 hours.

[Stanturbo]

26 minutes ago, don_svetlio said:

If you get a 1080p screen + the large battery pack and single SSD - you'll be getting 8-8.5 or so hours of battery. Else, about 5.5 hours.

Thanks. I might push my budget to get that extra juice

[Pendragon]

32 minutes ago, Stanturbo said:

Thanks. I might push my budget to get that extra juice

Wat? 1500 is enough.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-XPS-15-9550-15-6-FHD-1080P-INTEL-i7-6700HQ-16GB-512GB-SSD-GTX-960M-PROSPRT-/201654654998?hash=item2ef38dd816:g:lioAAOSwJb9Wqidt

[Rotterdams]

Will there be a XPS 15 laptop with GTX 1060 in it any soon?

[Eason85]

3 hours ago, Rotterdams said:

Will there be a XPS 15 laptop with GTX 1060 in it any soon?

Literally never.

[Rotterdams]

Just now, Eason85 said:

Literally never.

I hope for atleast a GTX 1050.

I had bad performance expierence with the 960M.

And I rarely play triple A games @1080p

[don_svetlio]

7 hours ago, Rotterdams said:

Will there be a XPS 15 laptop with GTX 1060 in it any soon?

No - the 960M is the max that laptop can handle currently. 1050 would overheat.

[don_svetlio]

Just now, Erik Sieghart said:

Don't get an XPS 15. Dell needs to fix their thermals before I'd ever be willing to consider it worthy of gaming.

I could run overwatch on high settings, but the bloody gpu would reach temps well over 100 C while doing it. 

That's not possible. The laptop turns of at 95*C GPU temps - either you are lying, or you overvolted via BIOS modding.

[Pendragon]

1 hour ago, Erik Sieghart said:

I could run overwatch on high settings, but the bloody gpu would reach temps well over 100 C while doing it. 

There's something wrong with your machine.

[Stanturbo]

11 hours ago, Pendragon said:

Wat? 1500 is enough.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-XPS-15-9550-15-6-FHD-1080P-INTEL-i7-6700HQ-16GB-512GB-SSD-GTX-960M-PROSPRT-/201654654998?hash=item2ef38dd816:g:lioAAOSwJb9Wqidt

Oh, nice  

I'm not sure if I should pick one up now or wait for a refresh (at which point I could get the new model or the current one for cheaper)

[Guuhan]

5 minutes ago, Stanturbo said:

Oh, nice  

I'm not sure if I should pick one up now or wait for a refresh (at which point I could get the new model or the current one for cheaper)

Current is just fine. If you see them put in pascal gpu's in it, you might have to think twice. If it's only a processor, memory and storage bump, you might aswell get the newer one.