Choosing a Razer Alternative

[arxiSigma]

Hi all, remember me? (okay maybe not)

 

I somehow dug myself a hole. Back in November, I asked in the community here what would be a solid portable gaming computer? See, when I asked that I was just searching for some options, and see what everyone thought. After some mulling I bit the bullet and chose Razer, cause you know, they've got some expertise behind their backs?

 

Well apparently I ended up with some crap unit, cause as I am typing right now it's on its way back to the factory to get some diagnostics and repair done. Don't even get me started haha.

 

Anywho, after all that headache and nonsense, I come here again, seeking some assistance.

What is a proper reliable, gaming (and multipurpose) laptop?

 

[Guest Kloaked]

Dell/Alienware, possibly Lenovo or HP are the ones I would buy from if I had to get a gaming laptop. Before someone with ten fedoras on and a katana to my back telling me "heh, nothing personal, kid" comes in to tell me how bad Alienware is, please don't. No company is going to have a good reputation for gaming laptops. Everyone gawks at paying a high price for a gaming laptop, so you got what you wished for.

 

Even then, I really hate the design direction of these freaking "gaming laptops" that I just refuse to even own one. /rant

[Princess Luna]

3 minutes ago, arxiSigma said:

-snip-

 

Do you want an alien all crazy looking monstrous laptop with "gaming" label all over it or something clean and simple that can be brought to college or work without issues as it has a more clean/professional look?

[SirFlamenco]

This : http://www.ncix.com/detail/msi-gp62mvr-i7-6700hq-ddr4-16gb-47-137594.htm?promoid=1010

[SirFlamenco]

Just now, wrathoftheturkey said:

Budget? Resolution?

 

Since you went with a Razer, if you're not gaming too hard the XPS 15 is great and in the same ultrabook-y style. Otherwise, there's the GE62VR from MSI

Not really free though

[arxiSigma]

40 minutes ago, wrathoftheturkey said:

Budget? Resolution?

 

Since you went with a Razer, if you're not gaming too hard the XPS 15 is great and in the same ultrabook-y style. Otherwise, there's the GE62VR from MSI

Indeed, I was looking for something portable. So those might be a good alternative at this point...

*cough cough budget restraints cough cough*

 

I've been told the gs63vr might be a good idea? Is it?

@Princess Cadence yes, that'd be nice- trying to keep it a bit subtle.

 

@kloaked arent the alienwares a bit...high priced for what they do..?

[Pendragon]

5 minutes ago, arxiSigma said:

I've been told the gs63vr might be a good idea? Is it?

 

it's fine if you can deal with the 3.5 hour battery life. http://www.hidevolution.com/evoc-16s-1060-gs63vr-custom-built-gaming-laptop-pc.html. It's a GS63VR whitebook. No god awful msi branding. You can opt for a fully black no logo no branding option in the config. Also, get the liquid metal repaste straight from the retailer. This thin notebook really really needs it and benefits from it. 

 

7 minutes ago, arxiSigma said:

arent the alienwares a bit...high priced for what they do..?

They are overpriced spec to spec to their competitors. They are perfectly capable laptops after a TON of fixes. I own one. Took a day off work to fix this mess. There are so many things wrong with it it's not even funny. When fully fixed, it's probably the best BGA laptop, but it's still overpriced. Only get one for the right price and be willing to fix it. 

 

I definitely remembering telling you not to get Razer or Aorus LOL. Welcome to the light side now after experiencing their god awful issues. 

[D2ultima]

1 hour ago, arxiSigma said:

What is a proper reliable, gaming (and multipurpose) laptop?

Gonna assume you also mean "well-cooled" and your options are MSI GS/GT series and Clevo models.

 

Pretty much it.

 

Just get a P650HP6 from LPC-Digital or HIDevolution (EVOC series), or a GS63VR from... wherever, really.

 

Edit: I went back and checked. We basically barreled into you to not pick Razer, and to choose a MSI or a Clevo back then. You still chose a Razer. You basically looked for what you got, OP. I know for a fact (because the thread is still there) that you were told of ridiculous issues.

[Pendragon]

2 minutes ago, D2ultima said:

GS63VR from... wherever, really.

Get the whitebook version from HID  the normal one has WAY too much ugly ass branding. 

[Shodapop98]

I have a Gigabyte p55w v6 and its a good laptop for the money, I got it for around $1k USD, although I believe it was on sale for Christmas. It actually replaced my desktop.... grades were bad... although I did replace the dvd drive with a 750 gb Mx300 ssd and a caddy for it. They already have the new version out though with the kaby lake cpus, but other than that its the same, 1060 gpu, 16 gb or memory, m.2 ssd, 1 tb hdd. My only gripe with it is it only has 3 usb ports, fixed that with a usb hub, and it could have better cooling, Other than that though its a good laptop for the price

 

Edit: Here is a link to the laptop https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834233194&cm_re=gigabyte-_-34-233-194-_-Product

Edited January 30, 2017 by Shodapop98
Adding a link

[arxiSigma]

1 hour ago, D2ultima said:

Gonna assume you also mean "well-cooled" and your options are MSI GS/GT series and Clevo models.

 

Pretty much it.

 

Just get a P650HP6 from LPC-Digital or HIDevolution (EVOC series), or a GS63VR from... wherever, really.

 

Edit: I went back and checked. We basically barreled into you to not pick Razer, and to choose a MSI or a Clevo back then. You still chose a Razer. You basically looked for what you got, OP. I know for a fact (because the thread is still there) that you were told of ridiculous issues.

& @pendragon yeah im dumb, why you gotta drive it in like that sobs i just want a reliable computer okay

 

hmm

the gs63vr is being the general census this time around... 

[arxiSigma]

btw- is Aorus any good?

[arxiSigma]

2 minutes ago, arxiSigma said:

btw- is Aorus any good?

nvm lmao that things way outta my budget

[Imglidinhere]

1 minute ago, arxiSigma said:

btw- is Aorus any good?

Too hot and loud for every day use. So I've heard at least.  I thought it handled temps well. NBC's reviews are stupidly hit-end scenarios for their stress tests so... their idea of what a 'stress test' is is kinda meh.

[D2ultima]

1 minute ago, arxiSigma said:

& @pendragon yeah im dumb, why you gotta drive it in like that sobs i just want a reliable computer okay

 

hmm

the gs63vr is being the general census this time around... 

It's because you didn't listen. There's a big difference between my attitude toward someone who doesn't know, and someone who chose to disregard information.

 

Anyway... the P6 models are, without a shadow of a doubt, the best of the lighter models. Either a P670Hx or P650Hx. The MSI is simply an alternative that functions well enough, but it is by no means what I consider preferable. Prema mod will be out soon for the P6 models for places like LPC-Digital and HIDevolution, which makes the MSI only preferable in two situations, period.

The first situation is that the GS73VR has a 120Hz panel option, that the P670Hx does not, and you want this 120Hz panel.

The second situation is that you REALLY want a thinner laptop, and the MSI models are a little bit thinner.

That's basically it. 

[arxiSigma]

4 minutes ago, D2ultima said:

It's because you didn't listen. There's a big difference between my attitude toward someone who doesn't know, and someone who chose to disregard information.

 

Anyway... the P6 models are, without a shadow of a doubt, the best of the lighter models. Either a P670Hx or P650Hx. The MSI is simply an alternative that functions well enough, but it is by no means what I consider preferable. Prema mod will be out soon for the P6 models for places like LPC-Digital and HIDevolution, which makes the MSI only preferable in two situations, period.

The first situation is that the GS73VR has a 120Hz panel option, that the P670Hx does not, and you want this 120Hz panel.

The second situation is that you REALLY want a thinner laptop, and the MSI models are a little bit thinner.

That's basically it. 

No no, I did listen, you dont know that. I just happened to stumble across a good deal i couldnt refuse at the time. (boy i regret that now lmao) 

If I were to be absolutely ignorant, why would I have asked here in the first place??

 

Anywho, thanks for your input again guys. I think I'll have something from MSI. 

[D2ultima]

1 minute ago, arxiSigma said:

If I were to be absolutely ignorant, why would I have asked here in the first place??

Ignorance is lack of knowledge, so that's exactly when someone should ask, though =D

[arxiSigma]

39 minutes ago, arxiSigma said:

 

 

Anywho, thanks for your input again guys. I think I'll have something from MSI. 

Oh,

btw how is the GS43VR? Why arent people talking about this one?

[Eason85]

I'd go with the Gigabyte Aero over the GS43VR. Just a nicer look and feel, and much better battery.

[Galm]

3 hours ago, Pendragon said:

it's fine if you can deal with the 3.5 hour battery life. http://www.hidevolution.com/evoc-16s-1060-gs63vr-custom-built-gaming-laptop-pc.html. It's a GS63VR whitebook. No god awful msi branding. You can opt for a fully black no logo no branding option in the config. Also, get the liquid metal repaste straight from the retailer. This thin notebook really really needs it and benefits from it. 

 

They are overpriced spec to spec to their competitors. They are perfectly capable laptops after a TON of fixes. I own one. Took a day off work to fix this mess. There are so many things wrong with it it's not even funny. When fully fixed, it's probably the best BGA laptop, but it's still overpriced. Only get one for the right price and be willing to fix it. 

 

I definitely remembering telling you not to get Razer or Aorus LOL. Welcome to the light side now after experiencing their god awful issues. 

What reliability issues do the Aorus machines have?  From what I can tell, they work far far better than Razer machines.  I'm aware of PWM on the 1620p display, but otherwise temps are pretty consistent compared to a lot of other brands (upper 70s to low 80s).  

 

Gigabyte Aero is also not my pick if your looking for something to handle high load well.

[Pendragon]

41 minutes ago, Galm said:

What reliability issues do the Aorus machines have?

I saw in the earlier generations there were alot of manufacturing imperfections. Things wouldn't fit perfectly. This was even true for the v5 generations because I was interested in the 980m version (one of the few thin 980m alots that could hold temps well), and I was browsing through NBR and checking it out in actual stores. Manufacturing imperfections existed plenty, specifically the bloody screen. Things got better in the v6 gen because they kept basically the same chassis, so yes it's getting better, but no it's not tier 1 yet. Not manufacturing defects like AW's disgusting 3 heatsink screw design but like the parts not fitting together. 

 

Also, louder than a turbine. That was offsetting. Aorus' are loud as RBs. 

 

2 hours ago, arxiSigma said:

why you gotta drive it in like that sobs i just want a reliable computer okay

LOL, didn't mean to, I just mean welcome to understanding what you should never buy and not believe traditional reviews section of the internet. God there are too many praises for the RBs.

[arxiSigma]

alright. im following the census this time. 

 

two options. 

 

Msi gs43vr

 

Msi gs63vr

 

any significant differences?

[Dackzy]

2 hours ago, arxiSigma said:

alright. im following the census this time. 

 

two options. 

 

Msi gs43vr

 

Msi gs63vr

 

any significant differences?

the screen size and the GS43vr has a heat pipe running over the wireless card, which isn't a good thing.

[arxiSigma]

gs63vr, gotcha.