Looking for Design Work and Gaming Laptop

[ed3n89]

Budget: $2000 - 3000
Brand: Any
Display size: Preferably 17"
Thickness: As slim as possible.
Weight: Below 2.5kg

Hi all.
I am currently looking for a laptop replacement for my coming 5years old Asus ROG G75.

As stated in the title, I need a new light weight portable laptop which is suitable for my design works and gaming.

Currently looking at the models below:
1. Asus Zephyrus - which will be available soon but exceed my budget. Any idea when it will be coming into SG market?
2. Asus ROG GL702 - my first choice in the list at the moment. But still thinking if I should get 1060 or 1070 version. Price different is quite a lot and I heard that there's heat issue.
3. Gigabyte Aero 15 - Another preferred model due to the gorgeous display which match my criteria for Design Work. But a bit pricey too.

Other than the listed above, please recommend me any other model or drop me your suggestions and advices that can help me with my purchase decision.

Thank you very much.

 

[Irenicus]

Since you are considering laptops with 15" display, you can also take a look at Aftershock Prime-15, it comes with a GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 (Max-Q), weighs only 1.9kg and starts from $2130 (without Windows 10) with the lowest configuration.

You can also opt for the Aftershock S-17 which comes with a 17" display and GTX 1060 for $2257 (without Windows 10). The graphics card can be changed to GTX 1070 but will have to pay extra. The S-17's weight is 3.2kg.

Aftershock's website is www.aftershockpc.com

 

[ed3n89]

Is the display good for Design work? SRGB 100%?

Since you are considering laptops with 15" display, you can also take a look at Aftershock Prime-15, it comes with a GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 (Max-Q), weighs only 1.9kg and starts from $2130 (without Windows 10) with the lowest configuration.

You can also opt for the Aftershock S-17 which comes with a 17" display and GTX 1060 for $2257 (without Windows 10). The graphics card can be changed to GTX 1070 but will have to pay extra. The S-17's weight is 3.2kg.

Aftershock's website is www.aftershockpc.com

 

[Irenicus]

The displays for both the Aftershock laptops are not 100% SRGB, but they will calibrate them before handing over to customers.

The 3 laptops that you shortlisted are also not 100% SRGB. The Gigabyte has X-Rite Pantone color calibration but both the Asus laptops are non-calibrated.

 

[ed3n89]

Hmmm... True... among the laptops in my list, Gigabyte has better display.
What do you mean they will calibrate?
I am not a very technical guy, don't know much about all these.
Is there any good recommendation for a laptop with good display? Color accuracy is quite a priority.

The displays for both the Aftershock laptops are not 100% SRGB, but they will calibrate them before handing over to customers.

The 3 laptops that you shortlisted are also not 100% SRGB. The Gigabyte has X-Rite Pantone color calibration but both the Asus laptops are non-calibrated.

 

[Irenicus]

When you select a laptop model on Aftershock's website, you will see that they include a color calibration service. But if you want to know the details, then it's best to contact them.

You should consider the Aftershock Prime-15, Gigabyte Aero 15 or Dell XPS 15 9560 as they all come with color calibration. The Dell XPS 15's 4K display also supports 100% Adobe RGB color and Dell PremierColor software.

 

[ed3n89]

Checked on Dell XPS too but kinda expensive. Will consider that too. Had a look into Asus Zenbook today and discovered that Zenbook 3 display is surprisingly good! Too bad the display is so small.
I heard UX550 is coming up soon. 15" and looks good too. Hmmm... tough choice

When you select a laptop model on Aftershock's website, you will see that they include a color calibration service. But if you want to know the details, then it's best to contact them.

You should consider the Aftershock Prime-15, Gigabyte Aero 15 or Dell XPS 15 9560 as they all come with color calibration. The Dell XPS 15's 4K display also supports 100% Adobe RGB color and Dell PremierColor software.

 

[Irenicus]

The display of the Zenbook 3 is not 100% SRGB and non-calibrated.

No comments on the UX550 as it is not released yet. Better to wait for reviews when its launched.

 

[sendtolee]

Hmmm... True... among the laptops in my list, Gigabyte has better display.
What do you mean they will calibrate?
I am not a very technical guy, don't know much about all these.
Is there any good recommendation for a laptop with good display? Color accuracy is quite a priority.

Calibrate means they will tune the display to match a colour chart. We cannot do this unless we have the calibration tools.
My question to you is what type of design work? Photoshop where you need accurate cmyk colours representation on the screen?

 

[ed3n89]

Thanks for the calibration explanation.
The design work I'm working on is mostly digital and rarely printed design (might be more in future). But still, color accuracy is important as I will need to present my work to clients using the laptop screen.
Mostly using Adobe software in my works.

I'm looking at the models below at the moment:

1. Gigabyte Aero 15
- According to specs sheet, the display seems good. But havent really seen it physically.

2. Dell XPS 15 (2017)
- All rounder best other than the RAM and Graphic Card

3. ASUS GX501 Coming Soon.
- Specs sheet says sRGB100% not sure how good it is. Specs are awesome but too pricey.

4. ASUS UX550 Coming Soon.
- Everything looks good and match my requirements. But need to wait till it arrives in SG market to test it first.

Any other good recommendations? Slim, portable and powerful with good display.

Calibrate means they will tune the display to match a colour chart. We cannot do this unless we have the calibration tools.
My question to you is what type of design work? Photoshop where you need accurate cmyk colours representation on the screen?

 

[Irenicus]

The Asus GX501's display is non-calibrated and so is the UX550 (from what I saw of the spec sheets), so if color accuracy is important in your work, then both of these are not very good choices.

Why did you not consider the Aftershock Prime-15? It's display is color calibrated and it is slim and portable (1.9kg). It's price is cheaper than all the laptops in your list. Their support is also better than Asus or Gigabyte.

 

[sendtolee]

Thanks for the calibration explanation.
The design work I'm working on is mostly digital and rarely printed design (might be more in future). But still, color accuracy is important as I will need to present my work to clients using the laptop screen.
Mostly using Adobe software in my works.

I'm looking at the models below at the moment:

1. Gigabyte Aero 15
- According to specs sheet, the display seems good. But havent really seen it physically.

2. Dell XPS 15 (2017)
- All rounder best other than the RAM and Graphic Card

3. ASUS GX501 Coming Soon.
- Specs sheet says sRGB100% not sure how good it is. Specs are awesome but too pricey.

4. ASUS UX550 Coming Soon.
- Everything looks good and match my requirements. But need to wait till it arrives in SG market to test it first.

Any other good recommendations? Slim, portable and powerful with good display.

If colour accuracy is important, then a Macbook should fit. Most design pros on Adobe uses Mac unless you pay to calibrate the display. Please note there are a few colour calibration standards, cmyk, rgb, pantone, etc. depends on whare are your needs.

 

[ed3n89]

Hmmm... ok. Do u know where can view the demo set? Wanna have a look at the screen.

The Asus GX501's display is non-calibrated and so is the UX550 (from what I saw of the spec sheets), so if color accuracy is important in your work, then both of these are not very good choices.

Why did you not consider the Aftershock Prime-15? It's display is color calibrated and it is slim and portable (1.9kg). It's price is cheaper than all the laptops in your list. Their support is also better than Asus or Gigabyte.

 

[ed3n89]

No Mac. I don't want Mac for a reason. Hahaha.
Went to Challenger and Gamepro to check on Gigabyte and Asus. Both couldn't satisfy me.
But i found a new gem. DELL XPS15. Looks pretty good.

If colour accuracy is important, then a Macbook should fit. Most design pros on Adobe uses Mac unless you pay to calibrate the display. Please note there are a few colour calibration standards, cmyk, rgb, pantone, etc. depends on whare are your needs.

 

[Irenicus]

Hmmm... ok. Do u know where can view the demo set? Wanna have a look at the screen.

Aftershock's showroom is located at B-Central, 996 Bendemeer Road #03-06 S339944.

Directions on how to go there can be found at their website.

 

[ed3n89]

Thanks for the info. Checked on the Aftershock Prime 15 and it looks pretty good. But i noticed that there's an option for UHD display but it didn't indicate wide gamut display whereas FHD has. Does that means UHD display won't have wide gamut display?

Aftershock's showroom is located at B-Central, 996 Bendemeer Road #03-06 S339944.

Directions on how to go there can be found at their website.