Best ~15" Laptop under $3000?

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  scrimshaw on 16/05/2017 - 03:22

  +3

  It would make more sense to spend $2000 now and then another $2000 later on a new laptop over the course of 6-8 years rather than plonk down an entire 3+K on a machine and expect it to last you over half a decade.

  Technology progresses rather quickly and you cannot future proof a machine by spending more money on it. The rule of diminishing returns applies to high end laptops rather brutally and a $3000 machine is only marginally better than a $2000 one.

  If you want a good value laptop, and a laptop that you can continually upgrade as required, Metabox Prime laptops are probably one of the best-bang-for-buck machines you can get. The Alienware at almost $3 grand can be matched equally by a Metabox Prime P650HP GTX 1060

  Loadout:

  Costs: $2,128
  BYO Operating System from here
  15 inch QFHD 3840 * 2160 60hz display Upgrde
  KabyLake 7700HQ Quad core (stock)
  8GB DDR4 memory (3 slots empty) (left this at stock, since you're not gaming nor are you video editing)
  512GB SSD M.2 SATA Drive
  No HDD installed (2 empty slots)
  No Extra m.2 drive installed (1 empty slot)
  No Optical drive (empty slot)
  Wifi AC

  HD Web Cam, Mic, built-in 2 x Onkyo speakers, colour backlit keyboard, SOUND BLASTER X-FI, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port (Type-C), 3 x USB 3.0 ports, Card reader, HDMI, 2 x Mini Display port 1.3, S/PDIF, Fingerprint reader, LAN, AC Adaptor 230W, 4-cell battery

  2 year RTB Warranty

  Much more affordable than the Alien and better in a lot of areas.

  I'd expect a PC like that to last you quite a few years. Processor performance (IPC) have hit a plateau in the past 4 years and we are no longer seeing significant increases in CPU performance with each generation.

  • 

    jc123 on 17/05/2017 - 01:54

    Thank you for your detailed opinion (+ the tip re: OS purchase)! I like the upgradability of the laptop you've linked! It's great value.
    Is paying another $80 worth the IPS/G-Sync addition? (http://www.affordablelaptops.com.au/contents/en-us/p3273_met…)
    Also how long does the deal last for? I won't need to purchase for another month at least. Or is it better to hold out for EOFY/clink frenzy sales (not sure how likely the higher-end laptops will be included in those sales though)?

    • 

      scrimshaw on 17/05/2017 - 08:42

      They offer deals from time to time. That special last until 19 may.

      They might offer eofy on something similar. There's another store called Kong Computers that you could also check out.

      Look at this machine for a cheaper build. The graphics card is weaker (2gb, GTX 1050)
      But other parts mostly the same
      https://www.kongcomputers.com/product-detail/gamers/metabox-…

      Also GSync is something for hardcore gamers that reduces screen tearing in fast paced moving scenes (alternative to Vsync) . You don't need g sync for casual gaming or typing documents, it has no effect.

      • 

        jc123 on 17/05/2017 - 21:28

        Thank you so much for your reply! Looking at the benchmarks between the graphics card, I think I'll splurge a bit more on the GTX 1060 so I can play whatever the next few years' game of the year with a bit more enjoyment.
        I also called the website, and they weren't sure if the EOFY sale would offer a better deal then the current, but said based on the past EOFY sales are usually better… so I'll try my luck and wait a few weeks! (however, they also advised ordering the laptop through the option 'quotation only' to reserve the current deal if it expires)

      • 

        jc123 on 22/05/2017 - 11:31

        Hi scrimshaw, the laptop recently sent another similar deal (http://affordablelaptops.com.au/contents/en-us/d617_metabox-…). I was wondering if it's any better or worse?

      • 

        scrimshaw on 24/05/2017 - 14:24

        @jc123:

        that's the one I originally linked to. It appears they doubled the RAM (base config) to 16GB, but halved the Solid state storage to 275GB and added a (slow) 1TB Hard drive.

        Still an acceptable price at $1770 and you can add in the QHD display for a total of $2119.

        Of course you can change the configuration yourself by clicking the drop down boxes.

      • 

        jc123 on 08/06/2017 - 03:25

        @scrimshaw:
        Hi Scrimshaw,
        Just wanted to quickly update you that I ultimately went with a Gigabyte Aero 15, combined with the 15% off E-bay sale (to ~$2.55k).
        If it wasn't for that E-bay sale and recently working a lot more overtime, I would've pulled the trigger on the better value Metabox (better screen + value for raw specs).
        However I still wanted to express my appreciation for your input as it has opened my mind to what to look for in the future for myself and also for family/friends!

• 

  matabuntu on 16/05/2017 - 07:44

  Have you seen Lisa Gade's review here? Alienware seems leading in performance & heat management and built like tank, msi stealth pro/razer blade are similarly powerful but they are lightweight/portable. The xps 15 is a piece of art IMO with top notch materials but less powerful graphic card compared to the others. These are all recommended laptops/top pick, it really depends on your priority.