Looking at a G3 15" gaming laptop for my son. Questions.

Is the G3 user upgradeable? I am looking at the cheapest model that can use the HTC vive. It has 512gb hdd, and 8gb of ram. I plan on putting in his 500gb ssd and 16-32gb of ram. Can I do this after sale?

 

Yes, very easy too.

 

Perfect. Now, I have to look at the lower models to see if the video cards are the same. If so, I can just pick up a lower model and mod it up!

 

I guess you should hold on, and get a Ryzen powered laptop. Would be better. If Dell is your preference, the Dell G5 powered by Ryzen 4800H is gonna be around the corner pretty soon at a similar price point, and way more powerful than the G3.

 

That would be my suggestion as well. The 4800h should be both more efficient and powerful compared to the current 9300h and 9750h.
The GPU's should probably be about the same. The 1660ti and the 5600m are supposed to be around the same performance level.

I believe the current G3 specs down to the 1650 with the 1660ti max q available on the more expensive models.

I have the G3 with the 9750h and the 1660ti, and will likely be selling it pending reviews on the new G5 SE with pricing.

 

Thanks, since he has taken a liking to our mini DV camera, we have to pick up a mid 2012 macbook pro for him first. But when we do get the dell, we will get a ryzen powered version. Thanks everyone!

 

How soon is "around the corner" though? I think I read somewhere that AMD Ryzen won't be introduced to Dell XPS or any other laptop line until at least 2021. I'm looking for a new laptop now. Also, will they actually be affordable? For example, I'm looking at a G5 build around $1k.

 

I don't think they will be too far off. There are already some ryzen 4000 series in some laptops. The release date for most 4000 laptops is October this year. The 4000 series will most likely be premium with the Asus TUF A15 already out for 1.4k euros (I checked on Asus America website, and it was around 1k USD on their store).

 

Well some good news, my acer has firewire so I don't need to buy a Macbook for him so the g5 is back on.

 

I know you said your Acer has firewire. For the g5, would an adapter like these not work (TB3 to Firewire 800)? https://www.amazon.com/firewire-thunderbolt-cable/s?k=firewire+to+thunderbolt+cable

 

It very well may. I know the USB A adapters don't work. I am cool with using my acer now to move videos from the camera to our onedrive. From there we can edit as needed on my dell. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

Just so you're aware, the hinge on these is faulty and will break, there is a post on reddit detailing a class action lawsuit for it, dell is clearly aware of this since the g5 and g7 both have longer hinge screws and holes for said screws.

 

Good to know. Thanks for the information. I am moving in another direction for him now. He is doing school online, and I am full time working on photography/videography/design work. I am going to get a new 2 in 1 for me with the new 11th gen i7 and move my notebook to him for work. That way, he won't need a chromebook from school, he can take his own pc with him. Plus, my computer now is WAY better than the chromebooks they are handing out.