Laptop Megathread: Your laptop doesn't have Haswell? More like Hasbeen~

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Serious Hardware/Software Crap > Laptop Megathread: Your laptop doesn't have Haswell? More like Hasbeen~

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

I know everyone here is lamenting the absence of a 14" laptop with at least some gaming performance, to bridge the gap between the 13" ultrabooks and 15" lapmonsters, and I'm wondering how would something like this 14" 1080p ASUS with Ryzen 5 stack up?

The $600 (sale)/750 (normal) price makes me think there's got to be some huge catch, like ASUS build quality has gotten really bad or the Ryzen is a power hog, though the user reviews have said that it gets 6 hours of battery life, so it can't be that bad can it?

Assepoester fucked around with this message at 10:08 on Jul 25, 2019

# ¿ Jul 25, 2019 02:32

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# ¿ Apr 26, 2024 06:17

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

FCKGW posted:

I bought this exact laptop for my wife when it was on sale for $629 two weeks ago.

The build quality is actually really good. It�s still plastics but there�s nothing that feels hallow and nothing creaks or flexes. The screen is pretty nice and the touchpad is responsive. The keyboard is surprisingly solid too. Because of the narrow bezels it�s a 14� screen but the footprint is closer to a 13�. The Sims works well on it which is my wife�s only game she plays, so she�s happy.

The unit seems to either be a Best Buy exclusive or just real new so finding outside reviews is tough. I don�t think the $750 is a true normal price because they seem to put it on sale every couple weeks. Most of the long reviews on Best Buy are from people who received products to test and write a review so not actual �customers� per se, however I found their reviews and gripes to be accurate.

The only negative is that the RAM is soldered on and not upgradable, and the video card takes 2gb leaving you with 6gb system RAM. The SSD is upgradable however.

Thank you very much, it sounds ok then!

So the only possible catch left would be, what, dim/poor screen?

# ¿ Jul 25, 2019 10:09

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

I made a very rough chart that tries to very loosely map out the relative power scale of all the current laptop GPUs. As I said it's very rough and likely to be inaccurate in a lot of cases but I'm basically just trying to gauge this stuff with huge generalizations/averages.

code:

            Intel                                                                                                                                                                   
		   IceLake                                                                                                                                                              
           IrisPlus
			  |
Intel        AMD                    NVIDIA                                          NVIDIA                 NVIDIA                                                                   NVIDIA                                         NVIDIA         NVIDIA
HD620       3500U                   Geforce                                         Geforce                Geforce                                                                  Geforce                                        Geforce        Geforce
  |         3700U                  MX150 10w                                         1050                  1050Ti                                                                  1650/1060                                     1660Ti/2060     2070/2080
  |	      Vega 8/10                  25w?                                           Mobile                 Mobile                                                                   Mobile                                         Mobile         Mobile
  |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |              |
  |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->>>>>>>>---|
  |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |           |              |
  1x          2x                      4x                                              8x                     10x                                                                     16x                                             20x            ???
  POWER

Basically from what I can gather:

1) Intel's extremely common HD610/620/etc. are the bottom of the barrel and thus the basis for the chart.

2) Intel's long delayed but upcoming Ice Lake Iris Plus and AMD's Ryzen 3500U/3700U laptop chips with integrated Vega 8/Vega 10 are roughly equivalent and with twice the power of the HD620 are likely to be as good as it gets for some time for true ultrabooks given the 15w~ envelope they have to deal with.

3) Some beefier quasi-ultrabooks like the Razer Blade Stealth 13 use the discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX 150/250 but only the 10w mobile part so they only have about twice the power of the high end integrated Iris Plus/Ryzen Vega but for a lot of people this could be just enough of a boost to play certain games. I can't find any real info on how the 10w compares to the 25w part.

4) The minimum to really be considered a ~gaming laptop~ is probably the discrete NVIDIA GeForce 1050 mobile, seen in a lot of lower end but still thick as a brick with RGB lighting everywhere gaming laptops, which has roughly twice the power of the MX150/250, and the 1050 Ti (famous for being an option on the Dell XPS 15) being a bit above that.

5) The NVIDIA GeForce 1650 and 1060 mobile are roughly equivalent and roughly twice as powerful as the 1050? Maybe?

6) The NVIDIA GeForce 1660 Ti and 2060 mobile are roughly equivalent and roughly twice as powerful as the 1050 Ti? Maybe?

7) Past that comes the 2070 and 2080 mobile which are the most powerful laptop GPUs around and thus only on really high end and expensive gaming laptops.

8) For added confusion, whenever you see the "Max Q" appendage being thrown around that means the GPU is actually as powerful as a normal mobile (non-Max Q) version of the next GPU down, so the "2070 Max Q" mobile is actually roughly equivalent to a 2060 mobile, etc. ???

# ¿ Aug 5, 2019 10:35

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

In doing some research I came across the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 from last year which have that weird AMD Radeon RX Vega M GPU stuck together with the Intel CPU thing going on, turns out it's roughly Geforce 1050/1050Ti level of performance which makes the 15 2-in-1 an acceptable "gaming laptop that doesn't look like a gaming laptop" on the level of the regular XPS 15. Is there anything really wrong with this thing that results in it not being mentioned much? I notice the Dell site reviews and some of the Dell reddit chatter mentioning problems but I would assume those have been ironed out by now.

# ¿ Aug 13, 2019 07:58

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

Mu Zeta posted:

I like it overall but the offset keyboard of the y540 is a dealkiller for me.

Unfortunately it seems like most of these 15-17" gaming laptops have offset keyboards?

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G seems to be one of the few that is only slightly offset due to skipping the numberpad but it still has a column of keys that offsets it slightly

# ¿ Aug 28, 2019 20:26

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

1) Dell XPS 13 or Thinkpad X1 Carbon 14 are the usual tough, reliable laptops, I think? There should be a bunch of labor day weekend sales on those right now.

2) Everything comes with preloaded windows and an internal (often soldered) SSD, you can't avoid it

Assepoester fucked around with this message at 21:05 on Aug 29, 2019

# ¿ Aug 29, 2019 21:02

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

Trier posted:

Hi. I bought a Chromebook a few years ago and it's caused me nothing but grief, not being able to run windows software. I'm currently looking for a windows alternative at around the same pricepoint ($300-400). It doesn't need to be able to run a single videogame, but it does need to be able to run Discord, various MSoffice programs, algebra softwares and most importantly Ableton, to use with my MIDI keyboard (I'm assuming all laptops have USB 2.0 ports for that instrument)

Any good suggestions? Over the years I've heard the Lenovo Thinkpad is a hell of a durable machine, but I'm not sure if they have a model in that line of laptops within my pricepoint. I'm not typically the type to throw around my laptop, but it'd be nice if it had some lasting power nonetheless.

Here you go ASUS� VivoBook Flip Laptop, 14" Touch Screen, Intel� Core� i3, 4GB Memory, 128GB Solid State Drive, Windows 10 Home in S mode for $350

Spend that extra $50 you save on RAM because if this is like most of the other Vivobook models (there are like 50 of these) it should be upgradable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9CSEyJc-cA

Yeah it's Windows 10S but currently it should be free to switch out of S-mode to run your softwares.

Screen is actually 1080p so it should be decent but not the brightest.

# ¿ Sep 1, 2019 12:36

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

Trier posted:

Hey thanks for the reply. That link doesn't seem to work for me, is there a model number I could look up?

I'm not keen on opening up a laptop just yet, but 4gb RAM should serve just fine. The Win 10 S mode seems like a strange way to go about it but if the link you posted is to be believed it should be no bother at all to permanently switch it into regular windows 10

Weird the link works for me but anyway the model number is TP412FA-OS31T and the item number is 9427884

If you're ok with 4GB of RAM then yeah it should absolutely work for the few programs you mention as long as you don't try to run too much stuff at once, and you can always upgrade later if you feel you need to. ASUS Vivobooks should usually be pretty easy to open, using regular small screws rather than tiny torx screws like Dell and Apple use.

# ¿ Sep 2, 2019 00:15

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

kung fu jive posted:

Is that XPS 13 with the 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD for 1199 a good deal? I know Dell is always doing �discounts� so it�s hard for me to tell if that�s a deal or if it�s always that price.

It's the new XPS 13 2-in-1 with the 16:10 screen (looks like 8gb ram/ 256gb ssd in the ad?) so yes that's a good deal compared to what it normally costs (they give the price as $1400 in the ad) but it may not be a good deal compared to already cheaper (if 16:9) laptops like the regular XPS 13.

Assepoester fucked around with this message at 22:15 on Nov 3, 2019

# ¿ Nov 3, 2019 22:10

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

kung fu jive posted:

I was talking about this one:

https://deals.dell.com/en-us/productdetail/3d0i

Oh yeah that looks like a perfectly good deal for a regular XPS 13

# ¿ Nov 5, 2019 02:31

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

What if Apple's touchbar but bigger?

# ¿ Nov 6, 2019 01:55

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

SourKraut posted:

Anyone have experience/thoughts on the LG Gram 2-in-1?

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-gra...p?skuId=6318179

That's a good discount but even at $1200 I just don't see it beating the Costco XPS 13 2-in-1 for $1300 coming up soon:

rockcity posted:

Where are people seeing that Costco XPS 13" 2-in-1? I just looked at one of their ad scans and I see a touchscreen XPS 13, but it's not the same configuration or price. I'm looking for something pretty similar for photo work and a powerful 2-in-1 is super appealing for photoshop work.

DNK posted:

I�m so freaking hype about this machine. It�s perfect. PBUC.

I�m incredibly happy it�s not the 4k screen because that means better battery life and not having to deal with absurd UI scaling issues. Plus it�s a 13� screen; actually using true 4k resolution on that thing seems ridiculous.

# ¿ Nov 23, 2019 03:53

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

SourKraut posted:

What about the non-4K 13� HP Spectre? It looks like it has the same i7 as the XPS 13 2-in-1, while also having an option for 4G LTE.

The new HP Spectre has a 16:9 screen instead of 16:10 and I'm not sure it will have as good a sale anywhere.

On the plus side the Spectre still has one regular USB port, which is nice.

# ¿ Nov 23, 2019 12:08

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

144hz screens will run your battery down faster just like running at a higher resolution will, but don't most high refresh rate laptops only run at a high refresh rate while plugged in?

For the lower end of your price range, the Asus ROG Strix G GL731GU is $400 off right now, down to $900

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-1...p?skuId=6356779

https://www.notebookcheck.net/An-LED-Light-Show-Asus-ROG-Strix-G-GL731GU-Laptop-Review.427419.0.html

Assepoester fucked around with this message at 01:19 on Nov 25, 2019

# ¿ Nov 25, 2019 01:10

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

Yeah from what I've read you can keep the e-GPU performance hit to a minimum (which is about 10-15%) by making sure to:

-Use an external monitor, turn off your laptop screen so it's not sending video back
-Don't use game streaming/recording software
-Don't plug anything into the eGPU enclosure's USB ports if it has any (sometimes this is ok if they're just mice and keyboards, sometimes it isn't, maybe it depends on the enclosure?)
-Don't use external SSDs or anything high bandwidth, make sure you run games from the internal SSD

So if you basically have a setup where you have an e-GPU connected to your Xtreme Gaming Monitor and only have your gaming mouse and maybe keyboard plugged in, it can do ok. 4 lanes of PCIe 3.0 is still the same as 8 lanes of PCIe 2.0, right? Even with the hit it still should be better performance than you would get from a laptop version of a full desktop GPU.

# ¿ Nov 25, 2019 10:59

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

ok_dirdel posted:

Costco XPS 13 2-in-1 deal is live. https://www.costco.com/.product.1371733.html

Pretty happy that I finally found something to replace my x220.

Here's some benchmarks on what to expect with its Ice Lake GPU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSGzYWECdf4

I assume the one in the Dell is the 15w version?

# ¿ Nov 28, 2019 13:24

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

For those asking about the Razer ultrabook, have some Linusposting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKe7KhqEb6s

# ¿ Dec 11, 2019 17:02

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

Thin enough?

https://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Thin-Backpacks-Cartinoe-Lightweight-Chromebook/dp/B074XTMM9X/

# ¿ Mar 4, 2020 22:53

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

Ugly In The Morning posted:

I have 32 GB in both my computers and according to GPU-Z my system memory use maxes out at a skosh under 16GB when I�m gaming.

That said, who knows what RAM usage in games will look like next year when the new consoles hit.

PS4 and Xbox 4 (One) have 8GB of RAM.

The PS5 and Xbox 5 (Series X) will have 16GB of RAM.

So....

# ¿ Aug 1, 2020 00:55

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

MrOnBicycle posted:

If anyone needs a super budget PC, this was apparently decent:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lenovo-Ideapad-3/255908199
according to this YouTuber:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVaKCIPnMaY

I've never seen a worthwhile 1366x768 screen, but for $150 you can't expect anything better.

Should be fine for kids who are used to 1366x768 chromebooks provided by the school, and who don't play any games more demanding than fortnite.

Assepoester fucked around with this message at 01:32 on Nov 25, 2020

# ¿ Nov 25, 2020 01:26

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

I will say that if you're getting a ryzen laptop that automatically steals 2gb of system ram then getting more than 8gb is important because 6gb just isn't enough but for intel 8gb is ok

# ¿ Dec 27, 2020 02:57

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

I would say that the rise of inexpensive portable plug and play 15.6" USB-C monitors means that you don't have to be afraid to get a laptop with a screen smaller than that now

# ¿ Jan 8, 2021 22:43

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

Exceed the manufacturer-set TDP limit on your Ryzen Laptop APUs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGvTtqHPuHU

# ¿ Aug 13, 2021 23:08

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

I don't think that was sarcasm, I think it was sincere. Minecraft is pretty uniquely creative as games and software go.

# ¿ Aug 28, 2021 05:36

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

Aren't the 17" LG Gram laptops supposed to be pretty good?

Of course they start at nearly $1500 just for the Xe integrated graphics alone, and lol at GPU prices coming down enough anytime soon to make adding a thunderbolt external GPU an affordable option.

# ¿ Sep 3, 2021 02:46

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUSB_PxaMKw

lol that this is the one instance where "install linux, problem solved" is absolutely true

learn your kids the command line early by telling them it's the only way they can play minecraft

# ¿ Sep 4, 2021 18:51

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

If you're only using the laptop as a desktop you can move from one desk to another if you need to, never actually putting it in your lap or anything, than 16-17" is fine and does give you room for a full size 10 key unlike the 15" laptops that try to squeeze them in.

Also given that the LG Gram is actually lighter than any 15", it might actually be usable in a lap, but it's still huge so don't count on it. If you get it from Costco you can always return it at least if it's not usable for what you need.

But make sure not to get a gaming monster (which most 17" laptops are) because you don't need a GPU for office work and it will weigh 5kg and have a 1kg power brick.

Shaocaholica posted:

E: looks like Dell having a 17% sale. Are the XPS models worth it after the 17% discount?

Dell XPS models don't have 10 keys

Shaocaholica posted:

Huh interesting 10 key layout.

touchpad fake 10 keys are bad, don't bother, if she says she needs a 10 key get a 10 key, or get her a real wireless keyboard with a 10 key if the laptop doesn't have one

Shaocaholica posted:

She doesn�t use laptop on couch or bed. It�s always sitting on a desk.

Does she ever move it between different desks/different rooms? If that's the case the LG Gram being lightweight will be a real benefit, if not then it won't really matter.

Assepoester fucked around with this message at 06:26 on Sep 20, 2021

# ¿ Sep 20, 2021 06:16

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

Funny that some laptops using the latest AMD chips finally have Thunderbolt support but the Steam Deck does not

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCgC0WZp_X0

# ¿ Jun 19, 2022 14:23

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

Zero VGS posted:

That's my dream PC, take a 4090, delete the PCI blade, add a hinge on the bottom to flip out a keyboard and a hinge on the top to flip up an ultrawide OLED panel. Add CPU/NVMe sockets. Large gauge 2-wire DC input. Finger-safe mesh on the fans. Use it on my lap and just deepfry my nuts while going deaf.

Bring back the Dell Deskmonster

# ¿ Feb 15, 2023 12:25

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# ¿ Apr 26, 2024 06:17

Assepoester: Jul 18, 2004; Can't post for 10 years!; Melman v2

Saukkis posted:

For occasional out of home gaming a lighter laptop also works, just choose the games more carefully. I have done a lot of gaming on my fanless ultralight laptop with 5W 2-core CPU. Mostly NES and SNES emulation with my niece. Who knew SNES had multitude of Sailor Moon fighting games. She has skewered me sooooo many times with the Pitchfork Girl

Hey that Sailor Moon game was made by Arc System Works (of Guilty Gear fame) and was played at Evo. Gotta respect it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbjSeBOP-MA&t=659s

# ¿ Oct 25, 2023 03:57

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Serious Hardware/Software Crap > Laptop Megathread: Your laptop doesn't have Haswell? More like Hasbeen~