Help Me Decide between Two GPU Laptops (Xiaomi Notebook vs Aero 15X)

Lmitch243 on 10/10/2018 - 23:25
Last edited 10/10/2018 - 23:30

Background on me:
Rarely use a home laptop currently because mine is too far outdated with a dead battery. My work laptop is a brick, so I don't like carting it back and forth. A lot of what I would use a laptop for would be:
- web applications, watching videos / movies
- engineering programs (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, etc)
- maybe video rendering in the future (irregular, banging my crappy go-pro footage together)
- infrequent gaming (I do have games like Witcher 3 in my steam library, but would probably end up playing casuals like Overwatch).

If I have a computer I'm basically a power user - everything I have had (work or personal) has been high quality, and I no longer have a home-desktop computer. I value form factor, build quality, screen, keyboard and touchpad.

Here are the choices I've narrowed down to:
https://www.gearbest.com/laptops/pp_786412.html?wid=1349303
- $1290 (including the 10% GST)
- i5-8250U
- MX150
- 8gb DDR4 RAM
- 256 SSD
- 1.99kg

https://www.affordablelaptops.com.au/contents/en-us/p3439_gi…
- $2899
- Intel i7 8750
- GTX 1070 Max-Q
- 144Hz screen
- thunderbolt
- 94WH battery
- 2.0kg

Clearly two very different laptops at different price points, however, I see the value in each.
The Xiaomi could do the job, at the risk of reduced warranty. All reviews indicate a good screen, keyboard, touchpad and battery life.
Downsides are warranty, small capacity processor and GPU, the biggest issue about that to me is the lack of future-proofing - how long till this laptop is outdated? Especially with no thunderbolt port.

The Aero is more than double the price, but to me it seems like it will remain valid for a few years and has a fantastic screen and specs. All reviews I've seen struggle to point out negatives.

I would look at something like an XPS15, especially given how much I like my Alienware's build quality and lifetime, but they don't seem to compete spec-wise against the Gigabyte, which also has premium screen, form factor and build quality… For example, the 1070 in the Aero is nearly double the power of the XPS: http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1070-Mobile-…

I guess to wrap up:
- future-proofing: Will the Aero be valid for at least 1.5x as long as the Xiaomi?
- power: The Aero has 3.3x more power in the GPU, and 40% more crank in the CPU.

Thanks!

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • cauilfield on 11/10/2018 - 00:12
    +1

    buying something for 1k with no warranty sounds crazy to me.

    we are not that rich to buy cheap things

    • donga100 on 11/10/2018 - 09:16

      It does come with a warranty. It's just likely to be more inconvenient claiming against it and not as comprehensive as an ACL warranty from a local seller.

  • Salmando on 11/10/2018 - 01:38

    I got the Xiaomi to relax an XPS.
    Have you considered the Xiaomi gaming laptops? Haven't seen them around OzBargain yet, but they've been released in China.

    Strongly advise you don't get XPS systems - worst thing I've ever owned. I can accept I may have gotten bad luck, but I had 3 screen replacements within the warranty period - and the same issue came back. The touchpad was replaced, but again since warranty ended it had started to raise in one corner.
    Biggest issue, and much more common - it throttled under load to the point of being unusable.

    Have you looked at those metabox laptops? Form factor might be it the window for them, but you can get ridiculous custom performance and desktop parts put in them for great prices

    I can't comment on the Aero, though it looks nice.
    The performance of the Xiaomi so far has been excellent, and the mx150 had been very surprising for me, though I haven't tried much on it.
    It does get warm under stress, but I've yet to see it throttle and the heat seems to be CPU only.

  • FireRunner on 11/10/2018 - 09:40

    They certainly are different laptops.
    I can't comment on the quality of either system, although Gigabyte is a reputable brand and would think it would last many years.
    I guess the question is whether you would utilize the specs of the Gigabyte. Are the specs of Xiaomi sufficient for what you'll do?
    If it comes close to maxing out, consider something better. If well within specs, Xiaomi may be best option.
    I don't quite understand why you can't choose somthing in the middle. Something with a GTX1060 perhaps.

    • FireRunner on 11/10/2018 - 10:13

      Also why not Dell Inspiron 15 7580 its got same specs as Xiaomi and its lighter at 1.87kg with Dell support and warranty and costs less at $1119.20 with 20% off voucher.

      • mitch243 on 11/10/2018 - 12:02
        +1

        Thanks for this - hadn't seen the new Inspirons. Nice to see they're no longer heavy bricks! I'm going to check out the screen quality and then it looks like this might be a winner.

        Cheers!

  • Clear on 11/10/2018 - 09:54

    The Xiaomi laptop will cost you more to import because it's over $1000. I think 15%?

    There are plenty of Lenovo deals that offer the same MX150 so I'd go for them as you'll also get a warranty. They also have others with better gaming level graphics.

  • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 11/10/2018 - 10:53

    Have you considered Lenovo laptops? Specifically either the Legion line or the thinkpad line?

    Would specifically recommend them (at least ThinkPads, not sure if the keyboard us the same on the legions), because of how amazing the keyboards are.

    • mitch243 on 11/10/2018 - 11:59

      My work laptop is a Lenovo and I thoroughly dislike the keyboard layout. Plus the screen is pretty horrible. Not impressed and wanted to steer clear.

      • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 11/10/2018 - 12:13

        What sort?

        And yeah, the layout's definitely a bit odd. But that's something you can get used to. What is great is the keyboard itself, the feel of the thing.

        Screen horrible? Suppose I just had low expectations, but I've found mine to be pretty nice.

        That said, do you have a 1080p ips moddel?

        • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2018 - 12:56

          I would advise the OP against the new Legions. Most reviews say the screen is too dim (even at max brightness), the colour accuracy is subpar, and the touchpad is too small.

  • flyduffer on 14/10/2018 - 07:31

    You must check the New Razer Blade basic or advanced edition.
    You must see the new Alienware m15.
    Both are around 2kg and under 2cm height!

    • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 14/10/2018 - 12:04

      Both have a bit of a premium on em though.

      If I went for either though, I'd go for the blade.

      Speaking of thin laptops. The Asus zepherous (however that's spelt) could also be worth looking into

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