laptop Best Laptop Audio

[Ardie]

I am still rocking a Dell XPS 15 L502x (8GB, i7-2760QM, GT 540M) and it is time for an upgrade.

 

Unfortunately everything I've looked at the audio pales in comparison to this 7 year old XPS 15. The XPS has speakers on either side of the keyboard and a JBL subwoofer underneath. Can anyone suggest a laptop with audio as great or better than this old beast? I am willing to compromise on other specs for better sound quality.

 

Ideally I want something in 15" with a current gen i7 and at least a GTX 1060. I would also prefer if it doesn't have a number pad as I find most often these are mutilated so badly to make them fit they are practically worthless. And to be even more picky, I also prefer a touchpad with actual clicky buttons rather than the click-style pad.

 

i know they dont "build 'em like they used to" but surely this can't be too much to ask.

 

Thanks for any suggestions!

[genexis_x]

Where are you from? Budget? Preferred max weight and minimum battery life?

[Ardie]

Budget is probably around +/-$2000 (Canda), weight and battery are not issues at all as it will be able to be plugged in most times.

 

Ultimately if there is something more expensive that has killer audio, I would consider it.

[Wizard]

Zenbook Pro UX550GE.

 

It has some thermal issues and soldered ram, but it's your best. However, as an audiophile I would suggest you to get some good headphones and speakers.

[Ardie]

The Zenbook looks like a solid option, thank you for the suggestion. Repairability is huge for me too actually, I expect my hardware to last (this XPS is 7 years old). RAM failure isn't as common these days but can happen so would not want to be stuck with soldered in.

 

Any idea on audio for anything in the RoG series?

 

I wouldn't say I'm an "audiophile" necessarily, and I do have good headphones but I just expect good sound quality from the laptop as well when not using them. I think I've been spoiled by this XPS, unfortunately the current gen XPS stuff seems to have taken many steps back.

 

This review nails it, it certainly is true of this laptop.

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/dell-xps-15-l502x-intel-core-i7-2630-2011-review/

Quote

Like last year's XPS, the included 5.1-speaker/subwoofer array is one of the best we've ever heard in a laptop. Music and movies play with crisp pop, punch, and separation, and gaming shows off the surround-simulating effects. They're so good, they're going to be one of primary features you'll show off to friends and family, and they'll probably make you skip using headphones--to the chagrin of neighbors or roommates.

 

Is there even a current gen laptop out that has a subwoofer in it? I think things like this have been sacrificed for thinness/weight savings.

 

Thanks for the opinions!

[genexis_x]

11 hours ago, Ardie said:

Budget is probably around +/-$2000 (Canda), weight and battery are not issues at all as it will be able to be plugged in most times.

 

Ultimately if there is something more expensive that has killer audio, I would consider it.

I would suggest laptop with good bass if you want good audio

 

Asus GL703GE/GM is a good choice, however the max volume is a bit low. If you can bump up your budget by a little you can consider GL504GM. Not sure about GL503GE but it should have decent audio as well. Keep in mind that Asus gaming laptops tend to have bad stock paste so you might want to do a repaste as well

[jonrosalia]

I have a thing for HPs B&O sound personally if you want to have good sound the new HPs are very impressive in build quality and audio along with the new integrated security its a good all around brand for work and play.

 

I would head over to Ifixit's web site and check to see what the different laptops your thinking of score in repairability they score them themselves and have tutorials for what you want to do to them. the older machines are alot easier to upgrade and fix than the new thin and light pcs and sound is directly linked to the amount of space you can designate to speakers and the orientation of them its one of the major issues with new laptops is sound they all really fall flat on this and its stupid to me that good speakers aren't a requirement for a device thats "portable".