PC Sherdog Gaming Laptop & Review Thread (OP Updated Apr-2019)

[Madmick]

Thanks for sharing. I’m still strongly considering picking up that MSI Katana with the 3070 Ti. The price of $1900 Canadian seems pretty damn good for what it is. It’s sold out online but the nearest store says they’ve got two in stock and sale ends tomorrow. I’m kind of leaning towards the best possible GPU I can get (without breaking the bank on a laptop running a 3080 or 3080 Ti) because the game I honestly want to play the most with it is Quake 2 RTX, which afaik is still one of the heaviest games on a GPU even after three years, lol.

I know you're in Canada, I didn't figure this deal was too appealing to you due to shipping premiums, just thought I'd mention you since it offers an example. Although I am very surprised by how cheap the expansion of memory is from Lenovo directly. They're charging just $45 which is a +$17 premium over the best price on the open market. Historically, the retailer upcharge on that second stick of RAM would have been in the $60-$100 range. They've always gouged on memory.

 

[PEB]

I am interested not likely buying right now but figured I would share this deal.

ASUS laptop i7 12gen CPU RTX 3060, 512gig SSD, Thunderbolt 4, 144hz FHD display for 999.00

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RMH9B6F/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=6092c9fc6e8080f720543711f43c557e&content-id=amzn1.sym.53aae2ac-0129-49a5-9c09-6530a9e11786:amzn1.sym.53aae2ac-0129-49a5-9c09-6530a9e11786&hsa_cr_id=0&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=88e294b2-80c5-40a1-9502-e3c020370222&pd_rd_w=nNIzL&pd_rd_wg=ia1i1&qid=1662421103&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi4d_asin_0_img&sr=1-1-a094db1c-5033-42c6-82a2-587d01f975e8&th=1

"
ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2022) Gaming Laptop, 15.6” 144Hz FHD Display, Intel Core i7-12650H, GeForce RTX 3060, 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 4, Windows 11 Home, Off Black, FX517ZM-AS73
"

 

[Joe_Armstrong]

Who knows something about the Acer Predator Helios 300 Laptop series ?
Does Acer make good gaming laptops ? It has a 3070.

 

[JBSchroeds]

Who knows something about the Acer Predator Helios 300 Laptop series ?
Does Acer make good gaming laptops ? It has a 3070.

I can't give you advice on this (it's not a part of the market I pay any real attention to), but you should know that saying it has a 3070 is pretty meaningless without knowing the power rating and cooling capacity. Graphics in laptops is notorious for being all over the place, with higher tier chips sometimes hamstrung by limited power delivery and crappy coolers. It's so bad you really have to get benchmarks for a specific laptop to be able to compare.

 

[Madmick]

Who knows something about the Acer Predator Helios 300 Laptop series ?
Does Acer make good gaming laptops ? It has a 3070.

That line has been the dominant entry point to the mid-tier of discrete graphics power in gaming laptops for six years, now, starting with the release of NVIDIA's GTX 1060 Mobile graphics card. It has a strong reputation. Its primary competition these days is from Lenovo's Legion series. Generally speaking, these are a step above Acer's Nitro series, Lenovo's Ideapad Gaming series, and ASUS's TUF Gaming series.

There's only one RTX 3070 Mobile.
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-3070-mobile.c3712
It is not as powerful as the desktop version. The best simple ranking comes from 3DMark to understand where it ranks against desktop GPUs, and other mobile GPUs:
https://benchmarks.ul.com/compare/best-gpus

Of greater significance is the CPU since currently there are still Helios units on Amazon, for example, with 10th gen Intels in them. I'd try to avoid those at this date. Preferably, you want a unit with Intel 12th gen processor (most liklely the i7-12700H). The Raptor Lake 13th gen will replace these, but they won't even be formally launched until the end of the year, and probably won't start appearing in actual laptops until next year.

If you're seeing a great clearout price on a Helios unit with an Intel 11th gen processor and that 3070, though, the i7-11800H is still a very powerful CPU.

 

[Joe_Armstrong]

That line has been the dominant entry point to the mid-tier of discrete graphics power in gaming laptops for six years, now, starting with the release of NVIDIA's GTX 1060 Mobile graphics card. It has a strong reputation. Its primary competition these days is from Lenovo's Legion series. Generally speaking, these are a step above Acer's Nitro series, Lenovo's Ideapad Gaming series, and ASUS's TUF Gaming series.

There's only one RTX 3070 Mobile.
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-rtx-3070-mobile.c3712
It is not as powerful as the desktop version. The best simple ranking comes from 3DMark to understand where it ranks against desktop GPUs, and other mobile GPUs:
https://benchmarks.ul.com/compare/best-gpus

Of greater significance is the CPU since currently there are still Helios units on Amazon, for example, with 10th gen Intels in them. I'd try to avoid those at this date. Preferably, you want a unit with Intel 12th gen processor (most liklely the i7-12700H). The Raptor Lake 13th gen will replace these, but they won't even be formally launched until the end of the year, and probably won't start appearing in actual laptops until next year.

If you're seeing a great clearout price on a Helios unit with an Intel 11th gen processor and that 3070, though, the i7-11800H is still a very powerful CPU.

Thanks for the advice, the laptop I saw has an Intel Core i9-11900H.
Is that good, and what gen is that ?

 

[Madmick]

Thanks for the advice, the laptop I saw has an Intel Core i9-11900H.
Is that good, and what gen is that ?

That's 11th gen, but it's the i9, not the i7, so it's a step above. It's very close to the 12700H:
https://www.notebookcheck.net/i7-12700H-vs-i9-11900H_14013_13143.247596.0.html

That laptop probably won't have the greatest battery life if you're gaming intensively, but it should do for short trips off the wall, and it has great performance, so it will give you what you need when you plug it in. If you're just using it for general browsing and office stuff while on its battery the battery life will be much longer.

 

[Joe_Armstrong]

That's 11th gen, but it's the i9, not the i7, so it's a step above. It's very close to the 12700H:
https://www.notebookcheck.net/i7-12700H-vs-i9-11900H_14013_13143.247596.0.html

That laptop probably won't have the greatest battery life if you're gaming intensively, but it should do for short trips off the wall, and it has great performance, so it will give you what you need when you plug it in. If you're just using it for general browsing and office stuff while on its battery the battery life will be much longer.

It also has 32GB ram and W11. I found it for 1300 bucks.
I'm not really going to game on it.
Just want to have a laptop with good specs.
I need a new one.
Is the processor going to be a problem ?

 

[Madmick]

It also has 32GB ram and W11. I found it for 1300 bucks.
I'm not really going to game on it.
Just want to have a laptop with good specs.
I need a new one.
Is the processor going to be a problem ?

No, but that processor gobbles a lot of power, and produces a lot of heat. If you aren't gaming on a laptop, then a gaming laptop usually isn't the ideal purchase. If you're willing to spend more you want to shoot for a business class desktop. They'll tend to offer superior build quality, especially in the keyboard/touchpad, superior battery life, more sleekness, less weight, and enjoy a longer lifespan before issues may arise (i.e. bloating batteries). They sacrifice processing power, especially in the graphics department, but in doing so consume less power and produce less heat.

They are expensive. So you'll have to bargain hunt the same way you did for this Acer Helios because that's an extraordinary price for a laptop with the 11900H + 3070 + 32GB.

• The Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon series has long been a champion in this category (Gen 10 is current). Lenovo also makes the Thinkpad X series (X13 is current) and the Thinkpad Z series (Z13 is current). Dell makes the Latitude 13 and Latitude 15 series. HP makes the Elite Dragonfly series.
  
  
• LG makes the LG Gram which focuses on extreme sleekness of form factor over processing power.
  
  
• For workstations with more power Lenovo makes the Thinkpad T series (T14s and T16 are current). HP makes the Zbook Studio series (G8 is current).
  
  
• On the convertible 2-in-1 form factor & hybrid tablet front, meaning laptops with foldover or detachable keyboards, Lenovo makes the Thinkpad X1 Yoga series (G7 is current). HP makes the Spectre x360 series. Asus makes the Expertbook Flip series. Some of the Dell Latitude units like the 9520 are 2-in-1. Of course Microsoft has the Windows Surface products.
  
  
• For "rugged" work laptops Dell makes the Latitude Rugged series. HP makes the Elite Dragonfly Max.
  
  
• Apple, of course, makes the MacBook Pros.

 

[Joe_Armstrong]

No, but that processor gobbles a lot of power, and produces a lot of heat. If you aren't gaming on a laptop, then a gaming laptop usually isn't the ideal purchase. If you're willing to spend more you want to shoot for a business class desktop. They'll tend to offer superior build quality, especially in the keyboard/touchpad, superior battery life, more sleekness, less weight, and enjoy a longer lifespan before issues may arise (i.e. bloating batteries). They sacrifice processing power, especially in the graphics department, but in doing so consume less power and produce less heat.

They are expensive. So you'll have to bargain hunt the same way you did for this Acer Helios because that's an extraordinary price for a laptop with the 11900H + 3070 + 32GB.

• The Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon series has long been a champion in this category (Gen 10 is current). Lenovo also makes the Thinkpad X series (X13 is current) and the Thinkpad Z series (Z13 is current). Dell makes the Latitude 13 and Latitude 15 series. HP makes the Elite Dragonfly series.
  
  
• LG makes the LG Gram which focuses on extreme sleekness of form factor over processing power.
  
  
• For workstations with more power Lenovo makes the Thinkpad T series (T14s and T16 are current). HP makes the Zbook Studio series (G8 is current).
  
  
• On the convertible 2-in-1 form factor & hybrid tablet front, meaning laptops with foldover or detachable keyboards, Lenovo makes the Thinkpad X1 Yoga series (G7 is current). HP makes the Spectre x360 series. Asus makes the Expertbook Flip series. Some of the Dell Latitude units like the 9520 are 2-in-1. Of course Microsoft has the Windows Surface products.
  
  
• For "rugged" work laptops Dell makes the Latitude Rugged series. HP makes the Elite Dragonfly Max.
  
  
• Apple, of course, makes the MacBook Pros.

You've been very helpful, thank you.
One last question.

It says the battery is 57Wh, is that okay for browsing and maybe some medium gaming ?

 

[Madmick]

You've been very helpful, thank you.
One last question.

It says the battery is 57Wh, is that okay for browsing and maybe some medium gaming ?

I don't pour over the Watt-Hour figures of batteries in laptops, so that figure doesn't mean a ton to me on sight alone. The power consumption varies with specifications, so testing is the best way to know, but I can't find any reviews for that specific model. Don't expect great battery life. I can't be more specific than that. Here is the model you're looking at:
https://www.acer.com/us-en/predator/laptops/helios/helios-300/pdp/NH.QB7AA.005
Model: PH317-55-93L3
Part: NH.QB7AA.005

 

[Joe_Armstrong]

I don't pour over the Watt-Hour figures of batteries in laptops, so that figure doesn't mean a ton to me on sight alone. The power consumption varies with specifications, so testing is the best way to know, but I can't find any reviews for that specific model. Don't expect great battery life. I can't be more specific than that. Here is the model you're looking at:
https://www.acer.com/us-en/predator/laptops/helios/helios-300/pdp/NH.QB7AA.005
Model: PH317-55-93L3
Part: NH.QB7AA.005

After 18 years on here, I still am amazed I can ask someone for help
and get an answer within the hour.

Many thanks

 

[Joe_Armstrong]

@Madmick They woke up at the store that sold the I9 laptop we discussed.
The price changed from 1300 to 2100

 

[Madmick]

@Madmick They woke up at the store that sold the I9 laptop we discussed.
The price changed from 1300 to 2100

Not surprised. That was an extraordinary deal. But there's no reason to buy a laptop that isn't ideally suited to your needs. Better to just buy a laptop like that to resell it if you have a store on eBay or Amazon.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

So I was thinking about getting my wife a laptop for Christmas. I last bought her one for Christmas in 2015 or 2016, an HP that she didn’t like very much compared to the MacBook she had back in 2009. So I was maybe going to go back to getting her a MacBook this time.

How are MacBooks these days in terms of performance, reliability and value? I’d rather not break the bank, so do they have models for say under $1500 Canadian?

 

[Madmick]

So I was thinking about getting my wife a laptop for Christmas. I last bought her one for Christmas in 2015 or 2016, an HP that she didn’t like very much compared to the MacBook she had back in 2009. So I was maybe going to go back to getting her a MacBook this time.

How are MacBooks these days in terms of performance, reliability and value? I’d rather not break the bank, so do they have models for say under $1500 Canadian?

As good as ever. Always among the top of the board in terms of build quality and reliability. Value and thrift aren't the focus, but they aren't as weak as they became several years ago against Windows peers in this regard. Per performance, the Apple M1 & M2 processors shit on every other mobile processor in the world in terms of overall sophistication.

You're going to be limited to the MacBook Airs at $1500 CAD. Maybe there will be a Black Friday sale, or you can find a coupon on some bargain tracker up there in Canada. Not sure if buying off the MacMall (normally the cheapest outlet for Mac products) is viable for you guys. I don't really possess any special knowledge for bargain hunting as an Apple consumer, sorry. With them, it just seems to be a you-pay-what-you-pay mentality among their consumers. Maybe Reddit will have something on that.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

As good as ever. Always among the top of the board in terms of build quality and reliability. Value and thrift aren't the focus, but they aren't as weak as they became several years ago against Windows peers in this regard. Per performance, the Apple M1 & M2 processors shit on every other mobile processor in the world in terms of overall sophistication.

You're going to be limited to the MacBook Airs at $1500 CAD. Maybe there will be a Black Friday sale, or you can find a coupon on some bargain tracker up there in Canada. Not sure if buying off the MacMall (normally the cheapest outlet for Mac products) is viable for you guys. I don't really possess any special knowledge for bargain hunting as an Apple consumer, sorry. With them, it just seems to be a you-pay-what-you-pay mentality among their consumers. Maybe Reddit will have something on that.

Is the Air still a good product? I don’t want to get her something that would leave her with a seriously compromised experience just because I cheaped out.

 

[Madmick]

Is the Air still a good product? I don’t want to get her something that would leave her with a seriously compromised experience just because I cheaped out.

Yes, it sets the standard. If you're concerned about processing power, the M1 & M2 are simply remarkable. They are not the most powerful processors in the world, but I consider them the best, the most advanced, and this is specifically in regard to what is most desirable in laptop processors: their performance efficiency and low heat output. Technically they're APUs since they have very strong iGPUs built onto the processor.
MacBook Air M2 2022 benchmarks
https://www.techspot.com/review/2499-apple-m2/

I'm not sure how many ports she needs. That's one of the most limiting aspects of the Air.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

Need some advice Sherbros: do I or do I not pull the trigger on this gaming laptop for Black Friday? Price is in Canadian dollars



Or do I wait 4-6 months to see what the reviews (and prices) look like for laptops r equipped with 4060/4070 GPUs?

 

[Madmick]

Need some advice Sherbros: do I or do I not pull the trigger on this gaming laptop for Black Friday? Price is in Canadian dollars

View attachment 954904

Or do I wait 4-6 months to see what the reviews (and prices) look like for laptops r equipped with 4060/4070 GPUs?

Pull the trigger.

Up until June that unit had never been better than $2000 USD ($2686 CAD) on our Amazon. It dropped to as low as $1600 USD ($2144 CAD) in late October, and it hit $1299 USD today in a sale that obviously sold out immediately because it's no longer available at that price.