2018 Desktop Replacement Laptop

[yantao]

Will be traveling to USA and ordering directly from Amazon.com.
Currently owned an Alienware 17 R1 (2013) bought in USA & working fine, but getting dated, unable to play in higher resolution.
Will like to play Fallout 76 and Red Redemption 2 in High/Ultra settings.

Budget around USD$2k, laptop weight & battery life is not that important.
Any recommendations on which is a better value for money?

Specs
Intel Core i7-8750H
16GB DDR4 2400MHz
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB DDR5

Shortlisted
MSI GP73 Leopard-209 - USD$1800
Alienware 17 R5 - USD$1960
Acer Predator Helios 500 - USD$1900
Acer Predator 17 - 1665 - USD$1665
ASUS ROG Strix GL702VS - USD$2000
MSI GT75 TITAN 17.3 - USD$2500

 

[pawn_king]

i would get the one with international warranty.

If strictly value for money, you can try the outlets too if you are open to open boxes/refurb sets.

 

[yantao]

I guess most models will have international warranty. So far no issue with my 5yrs old Alienware.

Which model is recommended?

 

[narkizy]

Will be traveling to USA and ordering directly from Amazon.com.
Currently owned an Alienware 17 R1 (2013) bought in USA & working fine, but getting dated, unable to play in higher resolution.
Will like to play Fallout 76 and Red Redemption 2 in High/Ultra settings.

Budget around USD$2k, laptop weight & battery life is not that important.
Any recommendations on which is a better value for money?

Specs
Intel Core i7-8750H
16GB DDR4 2400MHz
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB DDR5

Shortlisted
MSI GP73 Leopard-209 - USD$1800
Alienware 17 R5 - USD$1960
Acer Predator Helios 500 - USD$1900
Acer Predator 17 - 1665 - USD$1665
ASUS ROG Strix GL702VS - USD$2000
MSI GT75 TITAN 17.3 - USD$2500

Strix line of Asus has been known to have QC and build quality and bios issues. Avoid.

Acer predator line is pretty good but build quality and performance falls short of Alienware.

Alienware(i personally dont like its look but to each his own) has the best build quality and performance of all the brands u listed. Go with Alienware. Alienwares are built like tanks, and last like tanks.

Very established brand thats been around for ages and I'd say Dell's customer service and process is the most painless and efficient of all the brands. Asus and MSI customer service is just meh.


Make sure you check with the seller/Dell US when u register the laptop for warranty with Dell US that the laptop can be serviced in Singapore. Otherwise good luck sending it back to the US for servicing. Dont assume, check first before buying. Some only have 1yr intl + 1 yr local warranty for example.

 

[yantao]

Strix line of Asus has been known to have QC and build quality and bios issues. Avoid.

Acer predator line is pretty good but build quality and performance falls short of Alienware.

Alienware(i personally dont like its look but to each his own) has the best build quality and performance of all the brands u listed. Go with Alienware. Alienwares are built like tanks, and last like tanks.

Very established brand thats been around for ages and I'd say Dell's customer service and process is the most painless and efficient of all the brands. Asus and MSI customer service is just meh.


Make sure you check with the seller/Dell US when u register the laptop for warranty with Dell US that the laptop can be serviced in Singapore. Otherwise good luck sending it back to the US for servicing. Dont assume, check first before buying. Some only have 1yr intl + 1 yr local warranty for example.

Thanks so much for your advise.
Had Alienware for 5 yrs and still running fine so the quality is really great.
Didn't had any opportunity to test their customer support but wouldnt want to either.

Alienware are considered a premium so i was just exploring other alternatives, seems like they command a premium for a reason then.

Looking across all the pricings, seems like the premium isn't that much.

 

[narkizy]

Thanks so much for your advise.
Had Alienware for 5 yrs and still running fine so the quality is really great.
Didn't had any opportunity to test their customer support but wouldnt want to either.

Alienware are considered a premium so i was just exploring other alternatives, seems like they command a premium for a reason then.

Looking across all the pricings, seems like the premium isn't that much.

If you compare across the board with other 17in laptops of similar specs, the premium isnt very visible. In fact, Alienware would be cheaper or similar priced to Asus and MSI, save for Acer Predator 17. Not to mention the same config for Alienware in SG is alot more than if you were to get in the US(again, check the warranty coverage first)

 

[yantao]

Bought the Alienware 17 R5.
Using it now. So far so good.

 

[cKm]

Can try buying the Acer Predator Helios 500 locally. I got mine from courts during their tuesday IT sale 5% off and paid $2,848. I think it's the best price/performance ratio as it has G-Sync which you can't find at that price.

 

[zensunnidx]

Can try buying the Acer Predator Helios 500 locally. I got mine from courts during their tuesday IT sale 5% off and paid $2,848. I think it's the best price/performance ratio as it has G-Sync which you can't find at that price.

You can actually get it for ~$2650,using the DBS12 discount code for purchases over $3k. The laptop costs 2998, just add in the mouse bundle to make it 3002 and u can use the code.

Got it at the price of $2650 and am pleased like punch.

 

[blues7]

Using Alienware

Heavy but other than that just fine

Some say the screen looks quite dull compare to other laptop

The onctrast was quite significant at first

But like all things - use for a while and got used to it

 

[feralslash]

You can actually get it for ~$2650,using the DBS12 discount code for purchases over $3k. The laptop costs 2998, just add in the mouse bundle to make it 3002 and u can use the code.

Got it at the price of $2650 and am pleased like punch.

Looks like a good deal! Too bad it is sold out at the moment. Have u compared it vs Aftershock?

 

[cKm]

I've compared it to aftershock before getting the predator helios 500.

Pros of Acer:
Cooler temperatures
Thunderbolt port 3(for future eGPU expansion)
Longer Warranty(3 years)

Pros of Aftershock S17R:

Full RGB
Customisations
Better thermal paste option

Overall I chose the Acer due to the thunderbolt 3 and price(slightly cheaper).

Haven't regretted it. Performs buttery smooth on all games I've thrown at it. Even bought a WD Blue 1tb M2 to add in for additional storage.