New laptop needed - recommendations please

[Shoxt3r]

Hi there,
After a real problem with my last laptop a Dell Inspiron 7577 I'm now looking for a replacement laptop.

My budget is between £900-1,200.

As a Web Developer I'm ideally looking for something which will comfortably run Adobe Photoshop, Visual Studio and do some light video editing too. I may also use the laptop for some gaming so a decent Graphics Card would be welcome. As a guide, my 7577 had a Intel i7 7700HQ processor, 16GB RAM, 1050Ti Graphics Card and a 1TB and 128GB SSD, so ideally I'd be looking for something with a similar spec.

My 7577 was a 15.6" but due to the bezel and number pad it was more like a 17". It was also a heavy beast at 2.7kg.

It does need to be portable as I commute for 4 hours a day (about an hour of this is spent on foot) so maybe a 15" maximum would be good and lighter the better.

Ideally I want to avoid laptops with a similar screen to the 7577 as I have a feeling I'll have the same "white spot" problems. For example the replacement for the 7577 has the same screen setup. Also I want to avoid touchscreens as I'd never use it to it's full potential and would be a waste of budget in my opinion.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Shoxt3r]

Thanks for the recommendation easyrider!
That's a hell of a spec for £981 including VAT! Where did you pick that up from?

My only thought is that the screen is the same as my old laptop so I could potentially have the same problems again.

In the meantime I've looked at Cyberpower and a range of other laptops but they're all a bit mix-and-match with their component choices - i.e. if you want a decent-sized SSD you sacrifice a graphics card.

If anyone has recommendations though let me know!

 

[Shoxt3r]

Thanks for the heads-up Robbie!
However I haven't heard great things in reviews about the Asus....stories of it bricking within a matter of days/weeks

Over the past few days I've been putting together a spreadsheet of the current deals and prices - looking at both custom laptops and pre-built ones - and trying not to be drawn in by the Black Friday offers! It would seem that as is generally the way with technology, the custom laptop prices are fluctuating quite wildly because of the increase/decrease of various computer part prices (I blame it on bitcoin miners personally!).

Anyway, I've narrowed it down to 12 at the moment, with some I'm not sure about highlighted in orange, mainly because it will cost extra to get an OS licence (preference is Windows 10 which I've found on Amazon for about £40 for an OEM disc - I've ordered it twice before) - but also I've looked at value for money and even the ones hovering around the £1,200 mark actually have a good specification to back them up.

As before, I'm ideally looking for a laptop with:
- Good screen (thin bezel, high refresh rate)
- An i7 processor
- Decent graphics card (now started looking at ones with a GTX 1060)
- Good RAM (8GB+ minimum)
- Decent sizes for the HDD (1TB) and SSD (256GB+). If the SSD is large enough though I'm happy just to have that for now

Let me know if you have any questions

The spreadsheet below is open to everyone to view.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k-covj7EAV5znATN-zFI1VcE5VR6YFXaHuU96K7gT18/edit?usp=sharing

Many thanks in advance for your help!

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[Shoxt3r]

After a sleepless night, my £1500 Asus GL703GS-E5011T turned up today (50yo kid)

The screen (IPS/144Hz) alone is worth the price. Audio quality is impressive. Only niggle would be the 16GB of RAM is supplied as one SODIMM. You may want to add a second to max out the performance. Main usage will be as a development/support machine that I can easily transport to site.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus...-g-sync-i7-8750h-gaming-laptop-lt-254-as.html

• GL703GS-E5011T
• 17.3" G-Sync 144Hz
• 3ms Response
• G-Sync Technology
• Intel Core I7 8750H
• Nvidia GTX 1070 8GB GDDR5
• 256GB SSD
• 1TB (SATA) Hybrid HDD
• 16GB DDR4
• Windows 10 (64bit)
• 2yr Warranty

Thanks for the reply!
I would probably opt for the 15.6" version myself as the 17 is a little out of budget and a bit too big to transport around (London commuter).

I was wondering how flexible the cover is as I had an Asus ROG STRIX on which the cover flexed badly and it hit the back of the screen? Not ideal when carrying it in a rucksack for quite a bit of the day!!

 

[Shoxt3r]

The top cover is metal, the rest of the case is plastic.

Great thanks! Is it solid or does it have some flexibility to it compared to the screen itself?

For example, below is the one I briefly had before returning it, and the middle part where the logo is could be pushed in.

https://assets.hardwarezone.com/img/2017/02/asus-gl502.jpg

**No Hotlinking **

 

[Shoxt3r]

The lid feels rigid, not sure I want to find out how much pressure it takes The illuminated logo is a weak spot though. It's good for a 17.3" screen, but you should get some hands on before considering.

Not the most technical video (older model with 15" screen), but it does show the flex on the lid around halfway. I don't think it supports TB3.

Haha! Thanks for sharing - it looks pretty solid but I'm struggling to find a 15.6" version in budget now

 

[Shoxt3r]

So after much deliberation I've decided to save up further for the Gigabyte Aero - the spec is great, the laptop has shining reviews and generally it seems a fantastic deal. Now to save the dosh...or hope for a massive Cyber Monday deal!

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/giga...50h-gaming-laptop-lt-08s-gi.html?template=amp

 

[Shoxt3r]

The aero is at the lowest price it will be. It will continue until the 30th nov.

They are awesome laptops.

Thanks for confirming Robbie - as I won't be able to get the full amount together any time soon is it likely it will be reduced again in the new year?

 

[Shoxt3r]

Why are these so expensive? For the same price I got a ROG GL703GS. It has 32GB 2666 (dual channel 2x16GB) vs 16GB (single channel), G-Sync vs none, 1070 vs 1060, 256GB NVME+1TB SSHD vs 512 M.2 SATA and 17.3" vs 15.6". The only plus with the Gigabyte is TB, battery life and weight.

I'm guessing it's because Gigabyte sell them as stock for higher amounts so the profit margins are smaller unless they sell them for more. All websites are selling it for the same price aside from one that rhymes with Murrays who sell it for £200 more. Similar to Apple devices, profit margins are minimal so they're nearly always sold at maximum price.

 

[Shoxt3r]

Could be. I've been using Gigabyte for decades and always found their products to be of good quality at a middle of the road price point. Just feels odd to see them price a laptop so high, even though it is very nice. It has been over a decade since I bought a laptop myself, I feel somewhat out of touch hence the question.

Yeah when I have bought Gigabyte components they have always been reliable. I guess they have their Sabre range for the lower price points.

To be honest I was pretty shocked when I bought a replacement for my aging Acer just how expensive laptops in general have got. I think a lot of it is to do with price points of the components themselves and by the time you add on prices for chassis they easily top £1,000-2,000 for the average. Notice that there are very few decent laptops for £600-1,000.

 

[Shoxt3r]

Think price is due to form factor. Just like the gm501 (zeph) you pay more for having a thinner / lighter unit.

When I got the asus the aero was the other contender. I travel a lot so was willing to spend an extra couple of hundred on a thin 15".

Ah of course, very good point.
Would you say the Zeph is good/same/better than the Gigabyte Aero? I also travel a lot, so the laptop (sadly) would probably spend more time in my rucksack than on a train table tray for example, with the odd occasion where I'd need to carry it around the office for meetings.

 

[Shoxt3r]

Not had the aero in my hands so couldn't really comment tbh. Thinking back, I think I swayed to the asus due to the panel they use, looks/finish and being able to use the usb-c port for ethernet. Haven't been disappointed by the asus and finish on it is really nice.

The only sticking point on these is noise from the fans when gaming. If you use a headset then no problem, if you use the built in speakers then I'd look for a bigger chassis that might have quieter fans. Totally fine / quiet for general tasks but game for a while and you'll know about it.

I carry mine in a Wenger backpack that gets thrown on a chopper every 2 weeks. Not a mark on it.

Interesting points - will bear that in mind.
Who knows, maybe either the Asus or the Gigabyte will feature in a massive Cyber Monday sale...but somehow I doubt it and I'll have to get saving and wait for another, bigger price drop (hopefully sometime soon!).
Noise for the most part wouldn't be a problem as for 75% it would be used for work and general tasks...but it's that 25% of gaming and video rendering where the extra grunt would really help.

Thanks for the feedback Doug, much appreciated.

 

[Shoxt3r]

Hi all,

So no luck in the Cyber Monday deals so looks like I'll be on the lookout in January.
In the meantime I wanted to ask about the upgrade options for these laptops - how easy is it for example to add a HDD or switch out the SSD (is an HDD addition even possible in the Aero since one isn't even in the original specification, and therefore presumably no slot for it in the first place...)?

Is this the same case with the Zeph as well?

Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers!

 

[Shoxt3r]

Thanks for the feedback about upgrades Doug, I guess most laptops are capable of upgrades these days.

Unfortunately, it seems like it's going to be a waiting game for me.
I've looked into the Gigabyte Aero 15W and although it looks like a great laptop with fantastic specs, there are multiple issues - the keyboard (not taking inputs or recording too many due to a hardware issue), weak hinges and overheating issues (because it's a thinner form factor). The keyboard problems were thought to be originally software-related but now it appears after a number of updates it's all down to the hardware.

The Zeph also appears to suffer from heating issues. When I heard Razer had released a cheaper version of their Blade 15 I thought "great! that'll solve it!" but it turns out that it has heatpipes instead of their "vapor chamber" setup and again because of the slimmer form factor it overheats....everything else about it sounds like it's pretty-well perfect which is a real shame.

What is up with laptops that easily cost £1,000+ and they are still plagued by the same problems you'd expect only the cheapest laptops to suffer from? The companies must be getting returns every day for these issues so how are they actually making any money?

It makes me all the more disappointed that my Dell Inspiron 7677 which is now probably on a scrap-heap somewhere had issues with the screen, since otherwise it appeared to be a perfect laptop (albeit a bit weighty but certainly manageable).

So...any further suggestions please? Good luck with your search by the way Biggilus.

 

[Shoxt3r]

Seems like a lot of gaming laptops suffer heat issues from what I've read here and there. Is that to be expected these days then I guess? Surely not if it gets to the point that BSODs occur without any tinkering to the system? I'm so close to buying https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus...-g-sync-i7-8750h-gaming-laptop-lt-254-as.html but a small handful of reviews suggest it BSODs too often. I mean if it did that's certainly an RMA job right?

Interestingly, that laptop is no longer available - I guess due to new stock coming in?
Over the past few weeks I've been spending a lot of time across many websites, looking at reviews, what's likely to come next and generally just browsing. It really seems like every laptop on the market at the moment has cooling issues, especially offerings from Asus, Gigabyte and Dell. I've also found it's fairly impossible to get a cooler laptop that has a thin bezel - I guess it all comes down to the thing of getting as small a form factor as possible.

Two of my picks at the moment are:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-...-g-sync-i7-8750h-gaming-laptop-lt-27c-ms.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus...4hz-3ms-i7-8750h-gaming-laptop-lt-25r-as.html

I'm still unlikely to pick anything up before Christmas now and will continue to shop around. All companies seem to be keeping tight-lipped about what's coming soon too - hopefully some cooler machines with much thinner bezelled screens!

 

[Shoxt3r]

Thought about an xps with 1050ti? Lower power draw gpu and probably a lower draw cpu than an 8750h. Should run cooler and the screens are pretty lush.

Thanks Doug - I've looked at the XPS offering and to be honest I'd rather get a 1060 or 1070 at this point to future-proof the laptop somewhat. The 1050ti is pretty powerful and will run most of my current games without a problem but who knows what's coming around the corner...

 

[Shoxt3r]

I bought a msi about 6 months ago ( upgrade from my old msi) and I must say I’ve not had any real problems at all, couple software related problems but once the bloatware was off I’m impressed! 1070/i7 7700/120Hz good combination

Yeah I must admit I'm unsure what the benefit of the 8th Gen processors are over the 7th Gen...any ideas? What is the model number of yours please?
There's a very nice Asus ROG Strix GL503VS Scar Edition going for just under £1,300 on a site that rhymes with ** No Competitors - even in disguise **. It has a 1070, 16GB RAM, 144Hz screen, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD and a i7 7700HQ (large screen bezel).

They also have a Recoil II (with a perfect thin bezel) with 1060, 16GB RAM, 144Hz screen, 512GB SSD, 1TB HDD and an 8th Gen i7 (8750H).

 

[Shoxt3r]

In laptop you should look for Thunderbolt port for future proofing.
That allows using external GPU and basically desktop PC graphics cards.
External GPU would also help with cooling by allowing laptop's cooling system to handle only CPU's heat.

Good call - I've already sidelined that I need a Thunderbolt 3/USB Type C port as a mandatory. I regularly need to top up my phone's battery so this is a handy port to have (surprisingly not many seem to have them as standard, and others have the option but also still have USB 2.0!!). Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to opt for an external GPU as I need the laptop to be as portable as possible - it won't spend any time on a desktop and almost 60% of it's time in a bag! haha.

Agreed Angerer, I'm ideally looking for a laptop with at least a 2 year warranty given the screen problems I had with my Dell.

The PC Specialist Recoil II looks intriguing - I doubt there's plans for Overclockers to stock it though?

 

[Shoxt3r]

There will be a performance increase obviously and also a price increase, I bought my laptop just a couple of days before the 8th gen cpus came out so got a good deal I went for the msi ge72 mvr which als has the 17” screen. No problems with heat and usual noise with fans when gaming

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-...-intel-i7-7700hq-gaming-laptop-lt-26a-ms.html

I found the link!

Nicely done! If it was to be a semi-permanent machine I might consider it but unfortunately it's likely to be on the move a lot so I can't justify a 17" screen - it just wouldn't fit on the matchbox-sized tables that are on commuter trains these days (15.6" screen laptops barely even fit!!). Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Shoxt3r]

Already bulk of 17.3" laptop would make carrying it trouble reagrdless if trains had big enough table.
16:9 low screen aspect ratio also makes 15.6" bloated, good old 16:10 15.4" would be more reasonable.
And laptops with super narrow display bezels likely have compromised durability.
There simply isn't way for such anorexic bezel to not weaken structure compared to usual bezel width.

Haha very true! Some of them are huge, both the width and the thickness. True about the thin bezel, I just prefer the look of it but would have to be careful when carrying it around. I will be storing it in a well-padded sleeve inside my rucksack when travelling though so it should be fine. So many laptops have a thicker bezel and to me I find it distracting.

I’m used to the whoaaaaas I get when I take it out offshore and it takes up nearly the whole table

Haha yeah I even remember when I had my Dell Inspiron 7577 that it would raise a few eyebrows in meetings due to it's thickness. As I've said before though it was a perfect laptop apart from the screen's failings.

I was considering getting the Blade by Razer but whats with the Max-Q Design graphics?

I suppose the option to go eGPU later down the road I suppose.

Is the Blade worth the money?

I did look at the Blade but it got slated when it came to cooling performance - that thing like many other modern laptops gets so hot under the hood, as well as heating up the keyboard. Still, I guess heated keyboards are quite good in this wintry weather haha. I don't quite get the difference between the standard and Max-Q graphics cards, I assumed the Max-Q was an upgrade...or is it just a marketing term that actually means they've scrimped on it?