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Recommend an ultraportable for gaming and easy SSD and RAM upgrade?

fuzzybabybunny

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
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My current Asus UX32VD is getting a bit long in the tooth in terms of gaming. The nVidia GT-620M can run games at 1080p with all settings on low, sorta.

I prefer to run games at native resolution because of the crispness of the graphics, even if it means lower details. Non-native resolution looks too blurry to me, which defeats the purpose of any increased texture detail, lighting, etc.

I also *require* easily up-gradable 2.5" SSD and RAM.

IPS screen is a requirement.

Weight of 3-4lb is a requirement as I travel a ton and carry everything on my back.

Core i7 is a requirement.

Maybe....

Asus Zenbook UX302LG:

GT 730M compared to my 620M looks to be about 45% better, which is significant:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=1430&cmp[]=2417

Intel Core i7-4500U @ 1.80GHz compared to my Intel Core i7-3517U @ 1.90GHz is only marginally faster:

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=1937&cmp[]=889

RAM is the same at 10GB maximum (maybe 12GB for the UX302LG if I can get 4GB soldered on).

Or the Gigabyte P34W v3

GTX 970M is significantly better:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=1430&cmp[]=2417&cmp[]=2981

The Intel Core i7-4720HQ @ 2.60GHz is also significantly better:

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=1937&cmp[]=889&cmp[]=2448
 
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I recently upgraded my Acer Aspire 3820TG to an Alienware 15 and therefore was in the same realm while doing all my research, so I can share some of my thoughts. My go to website for laptop reviews is notebookcheck.net (or .com if you're functional in German). They are incredibly thorough and consistent, really bringing out the details so you can do proper comparisons. For the models considered (and some others I looked at):

P34W v3 - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Gigabyte-P34W-v3-Notebook-Review.135573.0.html
Asus Zen UX302 - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Update-Asus-Zenbook-UX302LG-C4014H-Ultrabook.112008.0.html
Thinkpad t450s - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-T450s-Ultrabook-Review.142700.0.html
Asus G501JW - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-G501JW-Notebook-Review.141745.0.html
Alienware 15 - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Alienware-15-Notebook-Review.136667.0.html

My thoughts:
I chose the Alienware 15 because I don't have as huge a portability requirement since I've graduated med school. I mostly need a gaming rig that I can pick up and set down at different desks. The Alienware 15 seemed to deliver on multiple fronts as far as screen quality (mine is 1080p, but the 4K is supposedly awesome too), performance (980m in mine), sound, and battery life. I've also bought a lot of Dell products over the years and their customer service has always been great for me. There do seem to be some issues with fan speeds and heat, as well as adequate power for the 980m (may need a 240W adapter), but those are things I'll deal with. Also the Dell service guides are great. What sealed the deal was getting it for $1260 + tax with the recent outlet sales.

All that said, I don't think the Alienware 15 would fit your needs. I also think the Zenbook is underpowered for the price. A Thinkpad T450s with a 940m might be a better route (with some insane battery life) if you don't mind sacrificing performance for portability. I seriously considered the P34W v3 but was concerned about the throttling issues. I frequent NotebookReview forums (awesome, product-specific communities) and most users are turning off HT and then undervolting, which seems counterproductive if your goal is performance. The G501JW seemed like it had some things going for it (SSD, thermals, battery life), but the lower performance mixed with the 4K screen didn't jive with me.

Anyway, I think you have to look around and see what you want most and what you don't mind sacrificing. Looking to see your thoughts, but good luck, I spent many a night pondering my purchase.
 
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MrK6 said:
I recently upgraded my Acer Aspire 3820TG to an Alienware 15 and therefore was in the same realm while doing all my research, so I can share some of my thoughts. My go to website for laptop reviews is notebookcheck.net (or .com if you're functional in German). They are incredibly thorough and consistent, really bringing out the details so you can do proper comparisons. For the models considered (and some others I looked at):

P34W v3 - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Gigabyte-P34W-v3-Notebook-Review.135573.0.html
Asus Zen UX302 - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Update-Asus-Zenbook-UX302LG-C4014H-Ultrabook.112008.0.html
Thinkpad t450s - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-T450s-Ultrabook-Review.142700.0.html
Asus G501JW - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-G501JW-Notebook-Review.141745.0.html
Alienware 15 - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Alienware-15-Notebook-Review.136667.0.html

My thoughts:
I chose the Alienware 15 because I don't have as huge a portability requirement since I've graduated med school. I mostly need a gaming rig that I can pick up and set down at different desks. The Alienware 15 seemed to deliver on multiple fronts as far as screen quality (mine is 1080p, but the 4K is supposedly awesome too), performance (980m in mine), sound, and battery life. I've also bought a lot of Dell products over the years and their customer service has always been great for me. There do seem to be some issues with fan speeds and heat, as well as adequate power for the 980m (may need a 240W adapter), but those are things I'll deal with. Also the Dell service guides are great. What sealed the deal was getting it for $1260 + tax with the recent outlet sales.

All that said, I don't think the Alienware 15 would fit your needs. I also think the Zenbook is underpowered for the price. A Thinkpad T450s with a 940m might be a better route (with some insane battery life) if you don't mind sacrificing performance for portability. I seriously considered the P34W v3 but was concerned about the throttling issues. I frequent NotebookReview forums (awesome, product-specific communities) and most users are turning off HT and then undervolting, which seems counterproductive if your goal is performance. The G501JW seemed like it had some things going for it (SSD, thermals, battery life), but the lower performance mixed with the 4K screen didn't jive with me.

Anyway, I think you have to look around and see what you want most and what you don't mind sacrificing. Looking to see your thoughts, but good luck, I spent many a night pondering my purchase.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed post. I agree that the Zenbook is definitely underpowered and I guess the performance increase isn't THAT big compared to what I have now. The Alienware is too big for my purposes, but the Gigabyte and Asus are ok. Strangely enough, the total weight of the computer + power adapter is the same between the 14" Gigabyte and 15.6" Asus. The Gigabyte has a stupidly heavy power brick, which I'm hoping I can replace with a lighter one (My Asus is 3.3lb with a 0.5lb brick, so just under 4lb - the Gigabyte would be 5.5lb combined).

Still, I'd like a smaller form factor (my current daypack wouldn't be able to carry a 15.6" lappy anyway) so the Gigabyte wins out. Even with the throttling I doubt the performance would ever dip down to the lower levels of the Zenbook.
 
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