17" Gaming Laptop from a Local Brisbane Shop / Is This a Deal? / Am I Crazy?

LThe Cheapskate on 25/11/2022 - 08:53

Hello all,

First: An Apology in Advance: I'm extremely indecisive, and somewhat socially isolated so I don't really have anyone to talk to about this sort of thing, which is partly why this post looks like an essay.

I'm looking for a 17" gaming laptop to buy in the Black Friday sales, and I'd like to buy from a local computer shop (I'm in Brisbane so probably Computer Alliance or Umart).

The reason I'd like to buy local is this:
A couple of years ago I bought a Metabox from Kong Computers in Perth and I had a lot of issues with it relating to poor build quality (including problems with the case splitting open, the charger rusting, the charging port breaking and even poor soldering on the motherboard). About a month ago I bought a Lenovo Legion 5i Pro when it was on sale and there was a 15% cashback deal, but the laptop arrived faulty. Supposedly Lenovo had on-site repairs, but because the laptop was completely stuffed I had to wait around for a couple of weeks to arrange to have it sent back and get a refund which was going to be quicker than the 5+ weeks they quoted me to get a replacement. This time around, I'd like to be able to physically take it back to a store straight away if there are problems. I know that essentially restricting myself to two stores will mean that I won't be getting the best deal, but based on my recent experience I feel like I need to have a local store.

As for the laptop itself, I think I can stretch my budget to $3500 if necessary depending on the value of what is available. I'm looking for a desktop replacement that I'll be using for gaming as well as media content and work, and so over the last couple of weeks I've talked myself into the idea of getting a QHD laptop to go with the 17" display and so I'm looking at a few Infinity models from Umart. I've been looking at reviews, particularly Jarrod's Tech, and it seems the Infinity laptops perform very well. I don't care about the battery life, speakers, or weird touchpad on the Infinity laptops which seem to be their main drawbacks.

I've ruled-out some other models based on reviews:
* ASUS TUF have terrible screens and poor wifi,
* Cheaper MSI models are all plastic and just okay,
* New Gigabyte Aero models are poorly designed.

TLDR: I'm looking for a 17" QHD Gaming Laptop up to $3500

The significantly lower price was immediately appealing to me because at first glance the higher specs (particularly 3070 vs 3080) didn't seem to be worth an extra $1100 or so, but then I also considered that the i7-1200H processor is approx 27% faster than the R9-5900HX. The better screen and DDR5 RAM is bonus also.

This cheaper model is also significantly cheaper than the higher-spec option 1, and the only difference is the 3060 vs 3080. However, my research suggests that the 3060 GPU having only 6G could struggle a bit running games on the QHD display- if not now, then almost certainly in the future.

If you've stayed to the end, thank you for reading. After typing this I've completely lost confidence in my ability to choose and feel like going back to the drawing board, so other opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Poll Options

  • 1
    Option 1- Highest Specs for $3,499
  • 4
    Option 2- Lower Specs for $2,399
  • 0
    Option 3- Another cheaper lower spec option for $2,399
  • 2
    Option 4- Mid Specs + the allure of a LED Screen for $3,289
  • 0
    Option 5- "Infinity sucks" A different brand that's more expensive for Mid Specs for $3,599
  • 0
    Option 6- "You're crazy to want a QHD Laptop, just get FHD"
  • 0
    Option 7- Something else entirely from a local store
  • 11
    Option 8- Give online ordering another go
Computing

Related Stores

Umart
Umart

Comments

  • CrazyBargainCatcher on 25/11/2022 - 08:57

    If you are fine with a 3070, this might be a good option
    https://www.bpctech.com.au/product/kraken-x15-q-kraken-x15-q…

    • Random42 on 25/11/2022 - 09:38
      -1

      I have heard and would follow the advice to avoid 11th gen i7 and the price difference to 12th gen is worth it.

  • FireRunner on 25/11/2022 - 09:07
    +2

    Don’t know much about the brand but option 2 seems the best. Ryzen is more efficient so battery life tends to be better than a Intel if that’s important to you.
    The 3070 is decently powerful and the 3080 has quite serious diminishing returns for the price. It’s still a good step above the 3060 which I would avoid for QHD gaming

  • romanko on 25/11/2022 - 09:19

    How about Alienware M17 R5, it's roughly $3,700+ with Ryzen 9 and 32GB RAM. Or there is a Razer 17 on sale currently with 3060 for about the same price mark QHD, FHD is a bit cheaper.

    Or Legion 7 Gen 7 AMD.

  • Random42 on 25/11/2022 - 09:34
    +1

    After a lot of research I have a plan to get a Legion 5 pro with a 3070 when i buy a new laptop shortly. I will purely go on price between a Ryzen or Intel chip though.

    Of your options I voted for Option 2. And I'll also double check Infinity options when I get around to my purchase but I like the look of the quality build of the Legion Pro (ironic given your experience I know but even with faults I don't hold that against a company as i'll end up with a working product in the end..)

    Oh and I wouldn't consider a non QHD laptop anymore… (unless I was buying for my wife/non tech/gamer friends/family)

  • Boioioioi on 25/11/2022 - 09:35
    +2

    If you want good service, I suggest go with Dell/Alienware type system. Umart warranty is not great.

    They will just ship the item back to the supplier for diagnostics, and then maybe fix it. I have had horrible experiences with them when things go wrong. No good communication. Once I took back a silverstone power supply. Waited some long time. Eventually they gave me back a not so good different brand one. Other items I have had the item fixed, but still had to wait ages and ages.

    Compared to a cheap $300 Dell laptop I bought. Charging port broke while in warranty. They sent a guy to my house a few days later, he replaced the part in a few minutes then left.

    • Random42 on 25/11/2022 - 09:40
      +1

      Yeh I regularly go umart or computer alliance, and feel the cusotmer service at computer alliance is a step above (but not had terrible time at umart). Having said that Boioioioi makes a good point that both stores would likely be a return to manufacturer for any issues past a dead on arrrival.

  • BLAIL on 25/11/2022 - 09:59

    I'll propose another option, i'm also looking at it as a future prospect because I can spec it how I want and it's 17.3"

    https://www.aftershockpc.com.au/pc-models/vapor-17x-12th-gen $3309 if you choose 3 year pickup and return warranty

  • jizmo on 25/11/2022 - 11:12

    The Infinity with the 12700H RTX-3080 was $3100 2 weeks ago on Ebay wireless1 I think.
    Even DSE/Kogan (sold by other dealers) are a couple hundred cheaper on most Infinity Laptops than Umart.

  • The Cheapskate on 25/11/2022 - 15:12

    Harvey Norman have the Infinity Laptops plus 10% back in giftcards… Could I be forgiven for buying at HN?

  • FireRunner on 03/12/2022 - 14:42

    Hey, did you end getting a laptop?

    • The Cheapskate on 04/12/2022 - 11:24
      +1

      Not yet unfortunately. The laptops I was looking at sold out at Umart before I could make up my mind, however I then realised that Scorptec have just opened up a store in Brisbane although at this stage it's just for click & collect orders and none of the Infinity laptops are in stock there. I'm waiting to hear from them about whether the Infinity models will be stocked there, but otherwise I might just order one for delivery. They've told me that hopefully in the next few months the Brisbane branch will eventually become a full-service store. As to which model I'll get, I still haven't made up my mind completely.

      • FireRunner on 04/12/2022 - 12:15
        +1

        I am considering picking up the Infinity M7 Ryzen 9 RTX 3070 myself. Was wondering if you got that one.
        It’s $2324 from eBay if you’ve got eBay Plus.

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