I'm too indecisive

[AmadNauru]

I have to buy a laptop for college. The primary use will be programming and development, with gaming as a secondary activity. I like battery life a lot, so I've gone with the 1060 6GB variants of all three of the following laptops:

 

• Alienware M15
• MSI GS65
• Razer Blade 15 

 

I chose these three because they fall within my $2000-$2500CAD price range, they all have i7s, and they all have gigabit ethernet. 

 

I've read and watched reviews on each laptop, but I can never tell if the reviewer has a cherry-picked device.

 

The reason I'm posting here is that I don't have any experience with any of these OEMs, and I want to hear your opinions on them. 

How is their customer service and after-care?

Do their products have inherent issues?

Do you have one of these laptops? How do you like it?

 

I value any input you may have, or any alternative suggestions.

[Slottr]

I have a GS63 (Not 65) and its really great. Though fairly loud under load.

Battery life is as good as you could think of for a gaming laptop, about 6 hours not gaming. Maybe 1.5 hours while.

 

The GS63 has a 1060 6GB and a 6700hq

[VinsinityKT]

I don't trust Razer with their build quality and support. I'm more leaning towards Alienware. The new M15 apparently improved cooling performance from previous Alienwares plus it's backed by Dell support would makes it my choice.

[markr54632]

Alienware is the only one out of those three to even consider. Decent build quality, keyboard, screen, and cooling. 

 

The gs series is complete junk. Horrible quality control, horrible cooling solution, if you manage to get a decent one (took me 5 returns to get a tolerable one) it has a decent keyboard and okay battery life.

 

The razer is more of a mixed bag. Alot of people say the qc is bad, but nearly every one I've touched has been pretty great in all categories except for cooling.

[Happycowdance]

I personally would go with the alienware laptop as it seems to have the best build quality out of the three laptops you chose.

However if you really like battery life that much though you can go with the aero 15x which has a massive 94wh battery along with matching the specs of your other devices.

[genexis_x]

What's your preferred max weight and min battery life?

 

m15 with 90Wh battery and Aero 15/15X if you prefer more battery life, however most thin and light gaming/performance laptops need undervolt+repaste (LM preferred)