Clevo W250SS vs W355SSQ

Hi,

I'm sorry for double posting this question, but I figured that it might be more reasonable to ask this question here (again).

At the moment I am struggling for a decision relating to which laptop I am going to buy. In the short list, I currently got variants of the Clevo W230SS and the W355SSQ (both same specs) and I am really undecided between both. Maybe, somebody has some experience with both models here and can help me out.

(My configuration would be a 250GB SSD and a i7-4712MQ cpu. I'd use most of the time (= at home) an external screen, external keyboard and external mouse.)

W230SS: ( http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Clevo-W230SS-Schenker-XMG-P304-Barebones-Notebook.113676.0.html)
+ more compact, lighter -> more portable
+ I could get it for around 150€ cheaper
(+ possibly better build quality according to the linked reviews (??))

W355SSQ: ( http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Clevo-W355SS-Schenker-XMG-A504-Barebones-Notebook.113909.0.html)
+ better cooling -> better lifetime?
(+ larger screen (I don't think that I'd really need that, since I'd use an external screen most of the time - for office and development tasks 13,3'' is reasonable, isn't it?))

1) Temperature: I wanted to ask you, if the heat generation of the W230SS can lead to serious problems in relation to its lifetime. I don't want to spend so much money on a laptop which begins to slow or break down after 2 years (if treated properly).

2) Build Quality: Also, I'd be interested in build quality of both models - are there serious differences?

3) Your personal opinion: Which one would you choose and why?

Less important:

4) Wireless chip: Are there serious advantages of choosing an AC7260 over an AC3160?

5) And by the way: Is there a difference between the W355SS and W355SS Q? I could not find any on the internet.

Hopefully, you can give me some advice here. Thanks in advance!

 

No experts here?

 

Sounds like you want the 230.

 

1. Heat can lead to serious problems in any system. The W230SS is far less prone to overheating as opposed to when it was first released. Though the W355SSQ is a little more capable in this area, the W230SS is still a fairly capable little machine.

2. Both are put together very well, actually! (Sorry for not making it any easier on you.)

3. W230SS for portability. W355SSQ for the extra screen and keyboard real estate. It's really up to the application.

4. The 7260 is capable of faster speeds (it's a 2x2 card vs the 3160's 1x1 TX/RX streams). The 7260 is supported under vPro also, whereas the 3160 is not.

5. Good question! And for the life of me, I can't remember. I'm sure someone else can point out the difference, if any.

 

Actually you helped me quite a bit. If I do not have to be that much concerned about overheating (additionally, I'm going to take a cpu having only 37 but ont 47 TDP as in the reviews, if that makes a big difference), I'll choose most probably the W230SS for being more portable (using an external screen at home anyway) and considerably cheaper (and more popular in this forum it seems).

If there aren't going to be any other opinions and/or warnings in relation to my decision, I'll take it.

Thank you guys for helping me out!

 

W355SDQ is updated version of W355SS : with new(rebranded) GTX960M
see: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/newer-model-for-clevo-w355ssq.771324/

There is also updated version of W230SD coming up in few weeks : with GTX960M as well
see: http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...rst-clevo-w230-possibly-through-xotic.771412/


I'm in the same case as you, considering those two options, but I may be waiting few weeks to see what will happen....

The GTX960M is assumed to be just a rebrand and minor overclock of GTX 860M... we will know for sure once NDAs ends...

 

Currently own the W230SS and using a similar setup of what you want.
ie) External monitor (Benq XL2411Z)
Mouse (Zowie - FK1)
Keyboard (Zowie - Celeritas)

First and foremost, best laptop I've ever owned. I was coming from using a Macbook pro 13' inch 2009 model. Straight to this beast of a computer. I needed an upgrade due to school needs and a high-end CPU for all the visualization stuff, while wanting a gaming computer with a beast of a GPU. Also keeping the portability factor in check. I didn't want to compromise the portability for a bigger screen because I have a 24' screen at home. And all the USB hubs were one of the main reasons I had to get this chassis

With that being said I've only come to 3 annoying problems with this computer since owning it (Sept. 2014)
1. The ****ing lid has to be some what open for you to be able to connect properly via wifi. Which is annoying, since I want to close the lid while playing my games.
I am using the AC7260

2. Since owning it for 4 months now, I've had ONE issue of overheating. The computer (while gaming) just shutdown on me, and couldn't reboot for 5 minutes until I gave it time to cool down.
But that was mainly due to a DUST BALL in the fan.... I posted the issue on the forums here and even took a picture of the dust ball

3. The monitor I bought is capable of running at 144hz for superior gaming quality (this computer after buying the monitor) cannot produce since it only has an HDMI input.

But overall... this computer is a BEAST and cannot beat the price and build quality. No issues for me there, its just the Screen lid not closing all the way down is what bothers me the most in terms of usability.

Cannot really answer questions regarding the W355SS, haven't looked at it.

 

I actually don't care that much about having the newest GPU, GTX 860M seems to be very fine for me. But is there a big chance that the W230SS is going to be considerably cheaper after the release of W230SD?

By the way, the W230SSQ features a GTX 860M as well (at least everywhere I found it).

Thanks again to everyone for your advise!

 

That's a typo for both of us.... the new 15inch is W355S DQ....