Help me! Buying a laptop!

[putrasocool]

Hi

I am buying a laptop soon. Lets cut it short and get straight to the point.

I need a laptop:
- that is portable (preferably 2kg and below)
- big enough (preferable 15 inch, but 13 would be fine as well)
- powerful to run all Adobe softwares like Premiere Pro and After Effects
- storage don't matter cz i got lots of ehdd
- near 100% RGB/sRGB colour
- battery life that can last 6+ hrs or more on normal browsing mode

Put price apart, I have shortlisted these:
- Dell XPS 15
- Macbook Pro 15 Retina (Iris Pro GPU)
- Macbook Pro 13 Function Keys - i7, 16GB RAM variant (not powerful enough i know)
- Macbook Pro 15 TouchBar (too overprice but i still put it here; don't really want it tho)

A student here if u need to know. Who knows got offer around the corner for students
Everyone that is the same course as me use the Apple products... Even the school's lab uses iMac... Its either I go with the flow or stand out XD

Hope the rest can enlighten me to some other models/brand that is good or even better. Thanks

 

[Intrinion]

For Apple Products

Certified Apple Refurbished
https://www.apple.com/sg/shop/browse/home/specialdeals

Apple Education Store
https://www.apple.com/sg_edu_4911/shop

 

[narkizy]

Hi

I am buying a laptop soon. Lets cut it short and get straight to the point.

I need a laptop:
- that is portable (preferably 2kg and below)
- big enough (preferable 15 inch, but 13 would be fine as well)
- powerful to run all Adobe softwares like Premiere Pro and After Effects
- storage don't matter cz i got lots of ehdd
- near 100% RGB/sRGB colour
- battery life that can last 6+ hrs or more on normal browsing mode

Put price apart, I have shortlisted these:
- Dell XPS 15
- Macbook Pro 15 Retina (Iris Pro GPU)
- Macbook Pro 13 Function Keys - i7, 16GB RAM variant (not powerful enough i know)
- Macbook Pro 15 TouchBar (too overprice but i still put it here; don't really want it tho)

A student here if u need to know. Who knows got offer around the corner for students
Everyone that is the same course as me use the Apple products... Even the school's lab uses iMac... Its either I go with the flow or stand out XD

Hope the rest can enlighten me to some other models/brand that is good or even better. Thanks

You've listed all the most basic, overpriced, underpowered laptops available on the market right now. Macbooks are obv never going to beat normal gaming laptops in power and have no dGPU so lets skip over that.

The 9560 xps is a very expensive 1050 ti laptop at over 2.8k when other laptops equipped with the 1060 come at alot less for higher specs. Unless the only reason you want a 9560 is for its touchscreen.


Since your budget is pretty high you could consider these(ALL are minimum 1060 cards, 7th gen i7 and up specs)

1) Gigabyte's Aero series(ultra thin, 1060 gaming laptops with the largest 94wh batteries and super beautiful thin bezels that beat the xps) - 2.4k(14 inch) to 2.8k(15 inch)

Weight: 2.1kg, has Thunderbolt 3 ports(big plus)
Battery Life: 7+ hrs

2) Razer Blade 14 in(ultra thin like the xps with touchscreen 4k capabilities and 1060 cards, 70wh Battery) - 3k and up for the 4k touchscreen variant

Battery life: 7.5+ hrs
Weight: 1.8kg, has Thunderbolt 3 ports(big plus)

4) Aftershock Prime 15(ultra slim 18.9mm, metallic casing and 1060 powered, 55wh battery with abt 5+ hours normal use) - 2.2k and up

Battery life: 5+ hrs
Weight: 1.9kg

5) Asus Zephyrus - 1080 max Q, 17.9mm ultra thin and 2.2kg -4.5k sgd and up

Weight 2.2kg



All the above laptops i listed come in around the same price as your list(minus the zephyrus lol) but are more powerful than the ones you listed at their respective pricepoints and very portable.

Macs look good yes.... but.... that's all they're basically really good for, in my opinion Kinda like the dumb-blondes of the computing world. Unless you feel like wasting 4k on a Radeon dGPU macpro in which case you can just donate the money to me instead

 

[Piezoq]

Hi

I am buying a laptop soon. Lets cut it short and get straight to the point.

I need a laptop:
- that is portable (preferably 2kg and below)
- big enough (preferable 15 inch, but 13 would be fine as well)
- powerful to run all Adobe softwares like Premiere Pro and After Effects
- storage don't matter cz i got lots of ehdd
- near 100% RGB/sRGB colour
- battery life that can last 6+ hrs or more on normal browsing mode

Put price apart, I have shortlisted these:
- Dell XPS 15
- Macbook Pro 15 Retina (Iris Pro GPU)
- Macbook Pro 13 Function Keys - i7, 16GB RAM variant (not powerful enough i know)
- Macbook Pro 15 TouchBar (too overprice but i still put it here; don't really want it tho)

A student here if u need to know. Who knows got offer around the corner for students
Everyone that is the same course as me use the Apple products... Even the school's lab uses iMac... Its either I go with the flow or stand out XD

Hope the rest can enlighten me to some other models/brand that is good or even better. Thanks

If you are shopping for a school computer, it's best to get the same type of comp. (i.e. Macbook). If you want to save some $, buy last year's refurb model or go second-hand.

Max out the ram and most recent i7 processors will feel just as fast as the newest one. Just don't put them through benchmarks. More than sufficient for school work.

 

[Intrinion]

It depends on which eco system and software suite you intend to use. How lessons are taught, and licenses you are given.

There is still bound to be slight differences in software wise between OS X and Windows.

 

[putrasocool]

In my school we use complete MacOS... At home tho, I continue my Premiere Pro edits on my Windows desktop... Cz i save all my edits on ehdd most of the time, so i can switch comp whenever i want...

For licenses, unfortunately I pay for my own so what OS I use dun reallu matter cz I pay for them...

It depends on which eco system and software suite you intend to use. How lessons are taught, and licenses you are given.

There is still bound to be slight differences in software wise between OS X and Windows.

 

[putrasocool]

Im currently looking into Razer Blade 14

The new 256GB cost around $2900
While the previous gen 256GB cost $1800

Not much of a different between the two apart fron the GPU and CPU upgrade...

You've listed all the most basic, overpriced, underpowered laptops available on the market right now. Macbooks are obv never going to beat normal gaming laptops in power and have no dGPU so lets skip over that.

The 9560 xps is a very expensive 1050 ti laptop at over 2.8k when other laptops equipped with the 1060 come at alot less for higher specs. Unless the only reason you want a 9560 is for its touchscreen.


Since your budget is pretty high you could consider these(ALL are minimum 1060 cards, 7th gen i7 and up specs)

1) Gigabyte's Aero series(ultra thin, 1060 gaming laptops with the largest 94wh batteries and super beautiful thin bezels that beat the xps) - 2.4k(14 inch) to 2.8k(15 inch)

Weight: 2.1kg, has Thunderbolt 3 ports(big plus)
Battery Life: 7+ hrs

2) Razer Blade 14 in(ultra thin like the xps with touchscreen 4k capabilities and 1060 cards, 70wh Battery) - 3k and up for the 4k touchscreen variant

Battery life: 7.5+ hrs
Weight: 1.8kg, has Thunderbolt 3 ports(big plus)

4) Aftershock Prime 15(ultra slim 18.9mm, metallic casing and 1060 powered, 55wh battery with abt 5+ hours normal use) - 2.2k and up

Battery life: 5+ hrs
Weight: 1.9kg

5) Asus Zephyrus - 1080 max Q, 17.9mm ultra thin and 2.2kg -4.5k sgd and up

Weight 2.2kg



All the above laptops i listed come in around the same price as your list(minus the zephyrus lol) but are more powerful than the ones you listed at their respective pricepoints and very portable.

Macs look good yes.... but.... that's all they're basically really good for, in my opinion Kinda like the dumb-blondes of the computing world. Unless you feel like wasting 4k on a Radeon dGPU macpro in which case you can just donate the money to me instead

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

Im currently looking into Razer Blade 14

The new 256GB cost around $2900
While the previous gen 256GB cost $1800

Not much of a different between the two apart fron the GPU and CPU upgrade...

that's razer for u

 

[putrasocool]

But which one should i choose?

that's razer for u

 

[putrasocool]

OK.... I just found out that the Razer Blade V4 is the 2015 version... Thats a bit too old for me... N that is y they sell it so cheap...

I will maybe opt for a 2nd hand 2017/2016 edition

Anyone knows whether it is possible to buy extended warranty for Razer products in Singapore?

 

[narkizy]

But which one should i choose?

The previous gen 6700HQ is a very marginal drop in performance form the 7700HQ as here: http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-7700HQ-vs-Intel-Core-i7-6700HQ/m211019vsm34954

And the 2016 version already comes with an identical GTX 1060 graphics card.

So i'd say get the 2016 version since the jump in performance is minimal both in gaming and normal work like video-editing. And since it's cheaper, go for the 2nd hand 2016 version.

Though that said, it's still pretty damn expensive lol.

EDIT: Carousell actually has one 2017 model(non touch FHD) going for 2.5k only right now, but ofc since its carousell, deal at your own risk lol. Another 2nd hand 2016 versions(QHD touchscreen/1060GTX/6700HQ) is going for 2.1k.

 

[MyValenti]

hi haha i'm the one selling the 2017 razer blade - no time to game and the set is as good as new....

@putrasocool if you are interested drop me a text or WhatsApp at 92323142. thanks!

 

[putrasocool]

For the past few days... I research on some more laptops that is suitable for me... And i looked for used and new ones on several sites which I won't mention... Here r the list

A used XPS 15 2017 4K - $1800
- i like the edge to edge screen
- biggest screen out of all the choices i had
- 4k(i know it eats ur batt) but its nice

A somewhat new Razer Blade 2017 1080p - $2300 (the guy replied to this post :})
- brand new
- price a bit steep even tho extremely cheap compared to official Razer site

A used Razer Blade 2016 1080p - $1900
- older model
- gtx1060
- condition like new
- warranty over

A brand new Surface Book Performance - $2000
- brand new
- very rare
- afraid of the hinge only cz people say got prob
- not official warranty

I srsly dun know which to choose... In literally stuck.... Help me!

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

For the past few days... I research on some more laptops that is suitable for me... And i looked for used and new ones on several sites which I won't mention... Here r the list

A used XPS 15 2017 4K - $1800
- i like the edge to edge screen
- biggest screen out of all the choices i had
- 4k(i know it eats ur batt) but its nice

A somewhat new Razer Blade 2017 1080p - $2300 (the guy replied to this post :})
- brand new
- price a bit steep even tho extremely cheap compared to official Razer site

A used Razer Blade 2016 1080p - $1900
- older model
- gtx1060
- condition like new
- warranty over

A brand new Surface Book Performance - $2000
- brand new
- very rare
- afraid of the hinge only cz people say got prob
- not official warranty

I srsly dun know which to choose... In literally stuck.... Help me!

for me i think dell would definitely fit all your requirement and razer most requirement. but battery hrs i believe only surface maybe can hit that requirement.

 

[Intrinion]

Maybe to elaborate on the Surface. Warranty support for it is international and done via Microsoft Surface support. There is no local service centre.

Everything would be done via chat and you will be required to email them pictures for their evaluation of product condition and defect.

If a warranty claim is approved a ticket will be issued and SingPost ( Microsoft’s appointed courier) will liaise with you to collect your Surface during this exchange process. A thing to note; Surfaces are exchanged 1:1 with a refurbished unit and not repaired.

In my case, my Pro 3 is from the states. Warranty still works and my exchanged unit is a sku that’s for my region. For a Surface book, the same process should apply except that it will be shipped from the states to Singapore.

In the event of an out of warranty replacement (cracked screen etc.) , a flat fee applies. It’s in the high $800 without gst.

If you are intending to purchase a surface, please be cautious on the source that you are purchasing it from. Some eBay and online retailers sell Surfaces that have been refurbished. As such, warranty is as void and there is no Surface support for it. Out of warranty replacement will not be entertained as well - based on personal experience.

 

[Intrinion]

To add on. There is no local repair shop with the expertise in Surface repair.

Surfaces are nearly impossible or economically too expensive to repair. Few if not none of Simlim square repair shops (L1 to L5) have in-stock parts for it. Local motherboard repair is impossible.

For DIY fixers, speaking from experience of having done a complete dismantle, battery and motherboard replacement for my Pro 1, it is not easy.

You may check out out here.

http://deluxeforums.hardwarezone.co...ive-repair-blog]-surface-pro-1-a-5609368.html

 

[Hailgod]

the xps 15 is a very nice laptop. just know that the vrm can get insanely hot (98deg) and cause throttling under very heavy loads on both cpu and gpu. its a common issue for this laptop that you can find everywhere on the internet

 

[putrasocool]

Thanks every one for the reply....
Esp for the Surface Book. I didnt know the warranty works that way but i do know that they dont have local warranty

I think ill go with Razer Blade and hope it can last me yrs....

Either a

$1900 used Razer Blade 14 2016
- owner say no warranty left
- used around a yr

or

S2300 nearly new Razer Blade 14 2017
- good thing its nearly new
- not much power diff from 2016
- cheaper than actual BNIB from razerzone

Does Razer products have any quality issues? Cz I have never use the product before

 

[narkizy]

Thanks every one for the reply....
Esp for the Surface Book. I didnt know the warranty works that way but i do know that they dont have local warranty

I think ill go with Razer Blade and hope it can last me yrs....

Either a

$1900 used Razer Blade 14 2016
- owner say no warranty left
- used around a yr

or

S2300 nearly new Razer Blade 14 2017
- good thing its nearly new
- not much power diff from 2016
- cheaper than actual BNIB from razerzone

Does Razer products have any quality issues? Cz I have never use the product before

I'll answer that qn first: You can google online and find that Razer Blade's build quality is pretty much top-of-the-market already. Everything from screen quality to build strength and flex. You basically won't find a laptop that's built better than a Razer. As long as you dont drop the baby, it'll last you an easy four or more years. Hell, my old acer donkey is still running fine after four. Think of it this way: Razer Blade = Macbook pro with very decent specs


BUT My honest opinion is, if you already have a gaming-grade desktop, there's less need for a gaming-grade laptop unless you plan on playing outside your home/travel alot like LAN parties etc. Unless, of course the work you do is graphically intensive. Usually people who use macbook pros already have a desktop for gaming(still pretty ridiculous tho given the price) but hey, they love MACOS and its eco-system.

And dont get the surface pro. The port selection on that thing is horrible for its pricepoint lul.

 

[putrasocool]

Yeah...

I do have a custom PC at home which last time I used for gaming and now only for editing purposes...
Currently, I have a MB Air which us alr 7 yrs old and to edit using Premiere is absolutely a no no on this device... I short circuit or burn the drive inside and spend $300 to change it.
So thats y i need to replace with something thats very very powerful and able to handle Premiere Pro edits easily...

I really like to have the MBP but i would be glad if they use an NVIDIA card so the premiere pro can actually use it...

I'll answer that qn first: You can google online and find that Razer Blade's build quality is pretty much top-of-the-market already. Everything from screen quality to build strength and flex. You basically won't find a laptop that's built better than a Razer. As long as you dont drop the baby, it'll last you an easy four or more years. Hell, my old acer donkey is still running fine after four. Think of it this way: Razer Blade = Macbook pro with very decent specs


BUT My honest opinion is, if you already have a gaming-grade desktop, there's less need for a gaming-grade laptop unless you plan on playing outside your home/travel alot like LAN parties etc. Unless, of course the work you do is graphically intensive. Usually people who use macbook pros already have a desktop for gaming(still pretty ridiculous tho given the price) but hey, they love MACOS and its eco-system.

And dont get the surface pro. The port selection on that thing is horrible for its pricepoint lul.