What Laptop to choose?

Hi,

I have owned quite a few laptops. 2 years ago, when the new alienware 15/17 refreshes arrived with new gpu's I gave up on laptops because of the screen option I wanted not being available in the configuration I wanted (later on It came but I already switched to a desktop).

Now after two years waiting for the RTX refreshes I wanted to switch back to laptop, as I realized that I don't really like desktops at all, but seeing the new laptops I have mixed feelings and don't know what I should pick.

The Ideal laptop I wanted to see was: Alienware 15 refresh, I liked that laptop, but if it had the rtx 2080 max q, the mentioned new 4K oled panel, I would have been satisfied and that would be an easy choice. But Now what do I do? So I came here for advice. (Budget is not an issue as long as it is below 5K and it is worth it's price, meaning that if I pay e.g. 4K, it should feel like a 4k machine and not a 2k one)

I wanted ideally a 15 inch laptop, as I feel that is the perfect size for me, for daily use, and also to easily move it around, plug in to my OLED tv for some games or movies now and then (though not very often, mostly using the laptop as is).

1. Now, I see the m15, and these are my thoughts about it
- The keyboard seems like a major downgrade (though don't know for sure, haven't tested it), If it's really bad, this is a deal breaker for me
- less RGB, I liked the stripes and the per key lighting, but this is no deal breaker for me
- Thermals look awful, I see the 1070 max q's and the temps are around 95 degrees for the CPU, and I was planning to get the 2080 max q. and I'd like to have the CPU temps Ideally below 90 at all times.
- The design is a little less compelling with the gloss near the power button and the V shaped openings next to the hinges. Also the Trackpad is VERY UGLY, the ugliest part of the laptop imho. Overall, looks cheaper then the alienware laptops I'm used to see
+ OLED is coming in march, I can wait till march, and I am a sucker for OLED. Picture quality is one of the most important aspects for me, and I love the popping colors of oled, and the pitch blacks are amazing too.
+ It supports up to 2080 max q, which is the exact gpu I want.
+ Even though it's less good then the Alienware 15 imho, it's still an alienware and looks more compelling to me then the laptops of the competition

2. I got an Alienware 13r3 from my work. And I am in love with it, so I am considering this one as an option too.
- A little too small for daily use, it's fine, but just for daily entertainment, it's a little too small I suppose.
- Old gen GPU and CPU, can't run the newest games on high settings on native resolution.
- thick bezels. Though not a huge problem since the laptop is small.
- If I plug the laptop in to my TV I won't have the Gaming performance I want to, and I don't want to take an amplifier around the house if I were to get one, which means doing a back and forth with graphics settings from time to time.
~ A thing I am considering with this laptop only so far, perhaps getting an alienware amplifier, and using it with an external monitor, a quantum dot monitor should come close to my preferences. Though I don't know how well the CPU will hold up for the at least 2-3 years to come.
+ OLED, once again has an amazing oled screen. and is 1440p which is my most preferred resolution.
+ Design, this is visually, quality, feel wise the best laptop I have ever physically saw. The metal plates on the outside, the soft touch feel, great keyboard, nice rgb. It's beautiful.
+ Windows Hello, a small ting, but I really got used to it, and is really easy to use.

3. Alienware Area 51m, This is complicated for me
- 17 inch, not a huge fan of 17 inch, but for everyday home use, it might be better to have a larger screen, but still it makes the machine larger and clunkier to take around
- Thicker and havier, I also never liked laptops with thick backs and thinner chins. Felt disproportioned to me.
- 2 huge power supplies, this makes it a little ridiculous to me
- It's pricier then the rest, not sure if the extra premium price is worth it
- only full HD options, and not even that great panels either. I am used to using 4k, 1440p, so I really need the extra space on my screen. There is no saying when a higher resolution option will come as it depends on display manufacturers to come with thin bezel 17 inch laptop panels. And there are no plans yet.
- Heavy, although the weight for it's size is actually surprisingly light, but still heavy.
~ I don't care about the upgradability, most likely will sell it after 3 ish years and get the new thing that comes out, Unless they are worse, perhaps then I might consider updating the components if possible
+ I kinda like the lunar white design. It looks clean and fresh. Visually the best looking laptop I've seen of the current lineups, also compared to other brands.
+ Very thin bezels, overall makes the laptop smaller too
+ Literally desktop performance, a lot better CPU and a full RTX 2080. So better for gaming of course.
+ Great keyboard with per key back lighting. And trackpad that lights up with separate mouse buttons
+ G-Sync display


And this sums it up pretty much. Don't know what I should go for, I have trouble choosing, and the other brands doesn't seem as compelling although I cannot tell for sure, I never saw a razer blade, Gigabyte aorus, Lenovo Legion in person, so I don't know if they are better for me.

If you were to ask me what are the 3 most important things on a laptop I'd say:
- Screen quality (this can vary, so its broad, like these are all pluses, OLED, G-Sync, good color, good blacks, High resolution, High refresh rate is also nice but not a must, especially if it compromises the other qualities of a display)
- GPU performance while maintaining temps below 90 degrees. Preferably something that can more or less handle 4K at almost 60 FPS medium/high settings
- Keyboard: It's needless to say it's something that is used a lot, so it has to be a good keyboard
- (design, visually appealing, premium feeling, is a close runner up, especially to make me more satisfied about the large sum I paid for said laptop)

So yeah here it is. Any Help?

Also sorry for the long post.

 

Honestly it sounds like you would actually enjoy the GT 63 a lot.

 

Spec wise it's a good laptop, but It's very ugly. Though I think there should be one available in local stores, I'll go and take a look at it.

 

If you are considering the m15 but are worried about thermals, why not order from HIDEvolution? You can choose the thermal pad/conductonaut service which should help reduce temps.

If you like the 13 OLED I'd wait until March. I also owned the 13 and the OLED is unmatched thus far in all of the laptops I've been through.

 

It's actually not that ugly at all. It looks ugly on pictures but irl it's not that bad. But yeah, going to a local store checking it out would be a great idea.

 

Well with the options you've chosen, and the fact you plan on waiting till march for the OLED screen options I would say the m15 or m17 are your best options. Personally since it sounds like portability is somewhat important to you. Plus it has all the options you want.

Now I mention the m17 because it might be better cooled than the m15 since it is larger. And you were considering the Area51m. So why not consider the more portable m17? Only problem I see with it is the m17 can only have the 2080mq with the 8950HK. Maybe they'll let you have the 8750H by the time the OLED screens are available. But the 8950HK is pretty notorious for running hot even in big and thick laptops. So I'd avoid it unless you plan on putting liquid metal on it.

The Area 51m doesn't seem like a good fit for what you want. Unless you're going to leave it on a desk most of the time I'd look at something else. Plus I don't think you'd want to lug around those 2 power supplies around.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone, I think I'm going to wait this out. See the reviews of all machines with said gpu's, perhaps more screen options will come to the area 51m also in the meanwhile.
And I'm going to see what I will go for eventually.