1st Laptop

[theb52s]

I've had gaming PCs from PCS before but in recent times my current pc has fallen into disuse from a gaming point of view. I was going to get back into it but the location of the pc isn't ideal. I've never had a laptop before and I know that a desktop is better for gaming but I'm now thinking that I would like a bit more portability. I'd like to be able to play the odd game while sitting in my living room for example. Originally I was thinking about something that would allow me to play the latest games but not necessarily on really high settings and I was looking at a budget of between 1000 to 1100. I now find that I can push that up to around 1300 so I can think about something a little better.
My first question is around laptops generally. How do people find them for gaming?
Looking at various threads there seems to be an opinion that AMD would be better than Intel for the processor, Intel M.2 SSD drives don't last that long do it's better to get the cheaper PCS one, and I've seen someone mention the Optimus Pro as a good option.
I would also be using it for watching movies and tv, and streaming NFL games and for that reason I was wondering about a 17" screen.
With all that in mind I've come up with this build. It wouldn't bree in stock until the end of the month and I don't mind too much but if anyone has any suggestions for a better build it would be appreciated.

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen™ 7 Eight Core Processor 4800H (2.9GHz, 4.2GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 - 6.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Storage Drive
1TB PCS 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (520MB/R, 470MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 3 in 1 Card Reader (Full Size SD / SDHC / SDXC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 180W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Optimus Series Integrated 46WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.1 PORT (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.1 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Keyboard Language
OPTIMUS SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook Mouse
LOGITECH® OPTICAL USB MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 11 to 13 working days
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland
Price: £0.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/optimusXI-pro-17/j6ZAPWTggk/

 

[CinnamonCakes]

I've had gaming PCs from PCS before but in recent times my current pc has fallen into disuse from a gaming point of view. I was going to get back into it but the location of the pc isn't ideal. I've never had a laptop before and I know that a desktop is better for gaming but I'm now thinking that I would like a bit more portability. I'd like to be able to play the odd game while sitting in my living room for example. Originally I was thinking about something that would allow me to play the latest games but not necessarily on really high settings and I was looking at a budget of between 1000 to 1100. I now find that I can push that up to around 1300 so I can think about something a little better.
My first question is around laptops generally. How do people find them for gaming?
Looking at various threads there seems to be an opinion that AMD would be better than Intel for the processor, Intel M.2 SSD drives don't last that long do it's better to get the cheaper PCS one, and I've seen someone mention the Optimus Pro as a good option.
I would also be using it for watching movies and tv, and streaming NFL games and for that reason I was wondering about a 17" screen.
With all that in mind I've come up with this build. It wouldn't bree in stock until the end of the month and I don't mind too much but if anyone has any suggestions for a better build it would be appreciated.

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen™ 7 Eight Core Processor 4800H (2.9GHz, 4.2GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 - 6.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Storage Drive
1TB PCS 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (520MB/R, 470MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 3 in 1 Card Reader (Full Size SD / SDHC / SDXC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 180W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Optimus Series Integrated 46WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.1 PORT (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.1 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Keyboard Language
OPTIMUS SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook Mouse
LOGITECH® OPTICAL USB MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 11 to 13 working days
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland
Price: £0.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/optimusXI-pro-17/j6ZAPWTggk/

It’s perfect.
i can only imagine how healthy the CPU will be in a properly cooled laptop like this one, the ASUS models were all pretty crappy.

 

[theb52s]

Thanks. I have been reading in other threads some concerns about the fans in this model. Having said that this seems to be the best option on my budget.
Decisions, decisions!

 

[theb52s]

I've tweaked this slightly because I had meant to have a faster SSD originally.

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen™ 7 Eight Core Processor 4800H (2.9GHz, 4.2GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 - 6.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 3 in 1 Card Reader (Full Size SD / SDHC / SDXC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 180W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Optimus Series Integrated 46WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.1 PORT (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.1 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Keyboard Language
OPTIMUS SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook Mouse
LOGITECH® OPTICAL USB MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 11 working days
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland
Price: £0.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/optimusXI-pro-17/d!Tm4UnBuX/

 

[CinnamonCakes]

I've tweaked this slightly because I had meant to have a faster SSD originally.
Price: £0.00 including VAT and Delivery

I knew PCS is cheap but Dayymnn that's next level.

jokes aside your pick is still pretty solid, i had that same SSD and when my laptop wasn't crashing it was pretty fast, a significant step up from the normie SSD in my potato laptop before it. Maybe not as fast as samsung 970 but i imagine the diminishing returns get even worse there compared to SSD-NVMe upgrade.

 

[theb52s]

Thanks. The price was originally £1295 rising to £1320 when I switched the SSD

 

[theb52s]

One other question. My current desktop was bought in 2011 and isn't doing too badly with just one graphics card in that time. Occasionally I do some photo editing using photoshop elements and some video editing, usually after a holiday. If I did that editing on this laptop using an external hard drive to store the images and video is that likely to be an issue with this build?

 

[cjohob]

I've just ordered this exact same laptop. Only difference is I'm only getting a 256 SSD because I have a second 256 SSD that was still going strong out of my (5 year) old Optimus VI, which I plan to install and use for games overflow + a 500 GB HHD for documents.

FYI I spoke to a chat agent who said the screen is this one. While googling just now I discovered it's not a Clevo (as I had assumed--that's what my last Optimus was). It's actually a TongFang. You can read a review of a build with the same chassis and screen here. The response times sound pretty decent. And the thermals too.

I am verrrry excited to get mine. I'm really hoping that 26th June date for the Ryzen/RTX boards comes true!

 

[theb52s]

Ok time to order I think.

 

[cjohob]

Also FYI I saved a bunch on mine because I'm a student and can get a free Windows 10 educational license through my university. If you're a student of affiliated with any educational institution then you can probably do the same. If you order without Windows it will still come with an (unlicensed) Windows installed which you can probably activate with a license key without having to do a clean install.

 

[SpyderTracks]

If you order without Windows it will still come with an (unlicensed) Windows installed which you can probably activate with a license key without having to do a clean install.

If you order without windows, it will come with a test installation, but this needs to be overwritten with a fresh installation as it won't be properly configured and you'll get BSODS and other issues.

 

[theb52s]

Not an issue for me. I've ordered with the OS.

 

[cjohob]

If you order without windows, it will come with a test installation, but this needs to be overwritten with a fresh installation as it won't be properly configured and you'll get BSODS and other issues.

Ah OK. I'll do a fresh install with a thumb-drive + ISO. Thanks for the heads-up! (And sorry OP for the bad advice!)

EDIT: do you know if it would work to use the Windows update route to update the test version to full using an ISO + license key of windows 10 educational? Or do you think a clean install would definitely be needed?

 

[ubuysa]

EDIT: do you know if it would work to use the Windows update route to update the test version to full using an ISO + license key of windows 10 educational? Or do you think a clean install would definitely be needed?

Clean install every time. What you want is a reliable and stable system and the only way to be certain of that is to install it yourself.