Need advice, almost ready to buy (Razer RTX)

My first time posting, though I've followed notebookreview awhile.
I'm transitioning out of the Mac ecosystem, and would appreciate some advice.

I am almost ready to go for a new Razer Blade RTX, but I have a few questions I haven't found answers for on google.
I'm looking at the Razer RTX 2060, mainly for architecture 3d modeling (Revit, 3ds max, Rhino, vray rendering, etc), plus 2d editing (Photoshop, Illustrator).
I'm strongly considering HIDevolution based on what I've read online (poor support buying Razer direct; variable quality support with Best Buy, good support from HID evolution).

Here are my questions:

1. Which is better, just the extended US 3-year limited warranty, or the 3-year warranty plus 3-year Accidental Damage Protection?
My current/last laptop was a 2009 MBP, which is still running after ten years (Apple OS no longer supports it so it's sadly obsolete), plus I built a PC rig in 2012; both are still going strong.
Is it worth the additional $130 for accidental damage coverage, if I tend to take decent care of my computers?

2. Any estimates on general longevity? Should I plan on replacing it in a year?
(The price is less painful if I can get a few years use out of it.)

3. Is HIDevolution an authorized Razer reseller, or does this matter in terms of warranty, support, RMAs, etc?

4. Many posts on HIDevolution are from people outside the US. For those inside the US, (not needing things like international shipping) was your experience worth the slightly higher cost?

5. I'm new to the laptop workstation world. What kind of performance can I expect from the Razer RTX 2060, compared to my current rig?
Specs of current rig:

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-1620 (3.6 GHz)
MB: Asus P9x79 WS LGA 2011
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 2048 MB
RAM: 16 GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz
Storage: SSDs​

Thanks!

 

Going from a 550Ti to an RTX 2060 will be similar to stepping out of a Fiat Panda and getting into a Ferrari 488 - things have come a long way since Fermi considering the architecture is about 9-10 years old by now. I'd normally suggest a Quadro card might be better suited to those tasks since the drivers are optimised for it, but since you put up with a 550Ti for so long anything new will be a huge improvement.

Going with HIDEvolution is a smart choice, since Razer's support is notorious. Since you are going with them, I would also suggest you get the display calibrated as that will help in the kind of tasks you are doing. HIDEvolution's thermal mods may also be a good idea as it will make the system run cooler and likely quieter under load.

I can't guarantee that the Razer will last 9 years like your Macbook Pro did (I wouldn't expect a 2019 Mac to last that long either). Unless their is a serious defect or QC issue it should last a few years at least - the thermal mods may help get more life out of it as components are happier when they run cooler.

Personally, I wouldn't buy an extra accidental damage warranty because I know i'm careful enough to avoid spillages, drops etc. Having the peace of mind is nice however - so if anything does happen you know you'll be fine.

You should also talk to @Donald@HIDevolution about your choice or if you have any questions about specification.

 

In my opinion, choose Lenovo Thinkpad p52 15" or p70 17" whichever you're okay with. I think you are used to 17" MBP 2009, am I correct?
3 yrs warranty is standard on P series w/ Onsite repair. You can order it from HIDevolution or from Lenovo outlets whichever fits your budget. With HID you get great support and faster turnaround for repairs, thermal mods etc... for best out of box experience.
@Donald@HIDevolution and @Ted@HIDevolution are company reps from HIDevolution. Feel free to contact them.

 

Quadro is the way to go. Like @Papusan says I'd wouldn't trust any Gaming JokeBooks or ThrottleBooks for longevity for demanding tasks.

 

Thanks, that's super helpful, and also reassuring that I'm on the right track.

I've been going back and forth on the Quadro thing actually, and my alternate pick is a Dell Precision 5530.
I've been leaning towards the Razer because of the benchmarks for CAD programs ( reference here). But I'm aware there's a tradeoff in not having that purpose-built Quadro support. Ultimately I think you're right - since the 550ti worked for me before, the RTX should probably be okay.

You're absolutely correct, a 2019 Macbook Pro would not last that long.
I have an early unibody, before they soldered everything to the mobo and made it impossible to repair. I've upgraded the RAM with modules from OWC, and the hard drive was replaced. Also the battery is intentionally removable, behind a door - that confused the techs at the Apple Store Genius Bar so much a few years ago! The insisted MBP batteries could not be removed, then just looked at me when I took it out, lol.

All the posts and articles about the latest MBP keyboard issues and slow hardware updates have pushed me to look at PC laptops. I was holding out for Apple to release a MBP worthy of its price, but I don't know that's happening anytime soon.

Thanks for the advice!

 

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely get in touch with the HIDevolution reps.

I have the 15 inch 2009 MBP for 2d graphics work, and a rig I built in 2012 for 3d modeling work.
I have used a 17 inch laptop at work, a 2016 Alienware R3, but it's HUGE. I never want to take it anywhere lol. So I'm looking at 15 inch laptops, the Razer or a Dell Precision 5530.

I'll also take a look at the Thinkpad, thanks for the suggestion.

 

I won't recommend Dell for now until they fix their cooling on all their high end laptops. Get the Lenovo Thinkpad. Stick with Workstation laptops eventhough its expensive in the short run because newer laptops with inferior cooling will be priced much more in coming days. You have choose Lenovo, Dell(Last option), HP and MSI.
It doesn't feel good when you purchase a high priced DTR laptop which fails mid-way.

 

I was in a similar situation as you. I do mechanical modeling so my assemblies can be large.

I use the Blade 15 2060rtx for my work while I travel. It is fast enough to do what I need while away from the office.

When I return to the office, I plug in my egpu with my quadro graphics card.

I really couldn't ask for a better setup.

 

Thanks, it's really helpful to know that setup works!
And good point on the eGPU, I hadn't thought of that.

 

1. I would take only 3 years because I take care my computer o good sleeve.
2. Old hardware are great but nowadays there’s a lot hardware issue, not only Razer, Apple, Dell, MSI all. So get the guarantee as long as possible and if you want faster replacement get from 3rd reseller with great returns policy like Amazon would be better idk about Hidevolution never bought from them since I’m in EU and it’s a lot more expensive, though I heard they have good CS.
3. No they’re not authorized Razer reseller, but as I mentioned above I heard they have great cs.
4. Live in EU so idk.
5. 8750H is better and rtx2060 mobile is way than that gpu, ram as well.
Side note as other mentioned egpu setting is worth to consider, it shares also thermal with egpu enclosure which is laptop biggest enemy especially on this thin light categories. I play often as well with egpu and cpu thermal improvement is huuge, maybe this can translate to longer lifespan, FYI my early batch Blade 15 2018 works still like day 1, I use 50 50 dgpu (on go and FPS 1080p games, and egpu for 1440p/4K gaming at home). It’s my only gaming PC, 5% paperwork, 95% gaming

I didn’t see @Papusan here

 

Agree with that. But neither Razer support or product's is something I would go for.

Oh, he is usually around here on the forum But none of the already mentioned laptops is what I would suggest buying. Look after an Clevo P750TM-R if you're looking for an 15,6 inch laptop.

EVOC High Performance Systems P750TM-R - 15.6" FHD 144Hz / QFHD 60Hz - i5-9600K / i7-9700K / i9-9900K - RTX 2060 / 2070 / 2080

 

I believe it’s a great laptop specs and performance wise, but i don’t like aesthetics side, it’s also important to me (probably some other as well) to see a beauty laptop. I fall a sleep sometimes on it, usually have a good dream, with that probably nightmare Sidenote max 2cm thickness and around 2Kg is also preferred, it’s a “ laptop” right ...sturdy well built, has rgb per key keyboard may be nice to have I like black color though

 

Thanks!

 

Same
I struggle with the Alienware at my work which is 8lbs/3.6kg...If I decide to take my work home I have to find a ride, because I tried walking with it once and my back hurt so much the next day

 

Try a Messenger bag, carrying a heavy laptop on your back is not recommended.

 

I'm in a similar situation in needing a workstation for personal use (work at a datacenter) and planned on dabbling in virtual machine deployment, working on a CCNA, Linux Admin etc and this is what I've found so far. As much as I hate to admit it, a 15" MBP is ideal but I want the flexibility of being able to upgrade which was my initial though.

Started first with an Thinkpad P1, too loud, too much chassis flex, too hot, poorly built. Tried repasting it to no avail, didn't want to use liquid metal kicked it back. Ordered an Zbook 15U off ebay since we use Elitebooks at work. Best build by far and closest to MBP territory but anytime the GPU kicked on it would force the CPU down to 1.2ghz or lower just like the P1 to stay at it's power target so it got sent back. Third try was with an X1 Carbon 6th LTE but it came DOA with multiple keys that didn't work plus a half dozen dead pixels on the QHD-HDR panel. Sent it in for an RMA and I'm waiting to receive the replacement. If that doesn't work I'm going to swallow my pride and either go back to a MBP or drop stupid money on a BTO Zbook with the Dreamcolor panel.

TLDR:

Lenovo/Thinkpad QC blows and I don't recommend them
HP Zbooks/Elitebooks are amazing but ridiclously expensive
MBPs despite the Apple tax are still the best (Because everyone else is so much worse)
I'd buy an Acer Triton 500 before I'd ever touch Razer
FHD displays are cancer including the fancy Gsync/Freesync ones
Quadro + ECC > "Gamer PC"

 

I used to bring 4Kg gaming laptop, Qosmio to cafe, workplace 10 years a go. And I used car for that even my workplace only 15 minutes walk Bringing that by walking is pain in the Ash, i literally couldn’t bring anything else like documents etc only power brick and laptop. Having it at home is great though I can moving it all around the place, didn’t need desktop and today it can be my laptop underpad