Debating: P650SE or P750ZM

I have both in my possession right now.

I own the P650SE with 970m and have the chance to buy the P750ZM with 980m at a reasonable cost. P650SE seems to suit my needs, but the 980m is more powerful, more vRAM, and has the power of the desktop CPU plus it has USB ports on the LEFT side which I use frequently and out of the way.

It's hard to justify the extra cost, but the added performance, good quality speakers, and supporting a socketed system is making me lean towards the P750ZM. But it's like spending hundreds of dollars for "nice extras" that is hard to justify. Plus one downside is the 980m in the P750ZM is overclock locked regardless of driver used.

But like LunaP's signature says: "nothing is pointless when it comes to wasting money!"

I tend to swap my systems frequently, but I need to stop doing that and I feel that the P750ZM will be a decent system for at least a couple years. Not to mention possibly the last socketed performance laptop... ever.

I know this is really a personal choice, but it's one that it'd be good to get feedback from what other users think and what you would do...

 

I'd get the ZM for sure. 980M performance is great stock and later on down the line when it doesn't cut it anymore you can flash Prema's BIOS mod and get a core overclock between 1200 and 1300 usually. As you said, it could end up being the last socketed high performance laptop, especially with a desktop CPU. Sell the P650SE and you wouldn't likely be out all that much money but you'd have a system that would last longer.

 

Did you consider the Sager NP8268 (can't remember the Clevo base, too lazy to look it up) or NP8258?

 

If you want to keep it for a while the P750ZM makes more sense as not only is it currently more powerful but you'll be able to upgrade the GPU if they release socketed mobile GPUs in the next gens. The CPU you will be able to upgrade as long as there are desktop CPUs. These points + the other extras that you mentioned make a solid case for the P750ZM. It is also still relatively portable. It would also depend on the price difference between the two whether you believe it's worth the extra money. As long as you wouldn't have to pay $300+ dollars more, I think the P750ZM is worth it.

 

I think it boils down more to battery life. Do you need it or is it true DTRand only need the battery as an UPS.

 

Well Wingnut I was in the same boat as you but thanks to your review I went with the 750ZM.

I went through 16 laptops last year, and already this is my 3rd this year. I always liked to change and couldn't decide on if/when I should keep one. Well I decided just like you it is time to get one and stick with it. So I went with the 750 for when I get the urge to change I can just change out the processor or the gfx card.

Can you change the Bios on the 980m to allow for overclocking?

Also the cooling on batman is amazing as you know. But with my I5 4690K and 780 both overclocked i never go over 78 deg C which is just amazing in my opinion!

EDIT:

Almost forgot 4 Lane PCIE... You know you want it with an SM951

 

P650SE also has 4 lane PCIe.

Battery life isn't as much of a concern now. I have my Samsung thin and light for my on the go excursions. Most of the time my Clevo these days is plugged in. So battery life isn't as much of a concern. It may still get occasional travel outside of home, but I'll still have my Samsung for those times unplugged.

 

You know that the minute someone's choices lie between soldered and unsoldered, my "soldered is crap, screw it" genes kick in and I obviously must say "to hell with that, buy socketed".

Also, don't lie, you know you're going to use Prema's or svl7's vBIOS on that thing within a day. And you're probably gonna use Prema's system BIOS on it too.

 

Bummer your P750ZM was locked down but in my opinion the whole point of having a desktop CPU and a 8GB GPU is so you can overclock whenever you want.Sure you can use a new BIOS to get things unlocked but that still ticks me off they took it away .
I admit I like the option to play around with the hardware/settings a bit, ( I'm guessing like most of us do) not to set benchmark records but just to see things run as good as possible at the highest settings.
Did you know it was locked down ?

 

I stand corrected, thank you.

 

Problem is, I don't know that a locked vBIOS can be unlocked. So those poor saps that get a locked vBIOS GPU may be stuck. I've already sent an email out to Prema asking what options there are.

 

They can be flashed back to the stock vBIOS, this is confirmed, so they can be unlocked (at least from going to original stock then to unlocked)

 

It can be, mine was locked.

Yup, confirmed

 

One thing I realized, however is that I bought the Samsung LCD for the P650SE and it is a phenomenal LCD. The LG in the P750ZM is OK, but the Samsung white is white, the LG is a little yellowish and the brightness and contrast isn't as good. The P650SE is 30-pin eDP, P750ZM is 40-pin LVDS otherwise I'd just swap them. Anyone recommend a nice replacement screen for the P750ZM?

 

as stated in the batcave already, the ZM series comes with both LVDS and eDP connector locations on the mobo, but depending on which screen is installed at stock, one of the two connectors is not soldered onto the mobo. so one option would be to get urself a ZM with an eDP screen and then ud be able to swap in the samsung screen from the P650SE

 

Meh, that's what I was afraid of. This one comes with LVDS so no going with eDP... I'm thinking I'll stick with the P650SE.

 

Is the screen the deciding factor?
I know it's a very important aspect for a laptop but is the Samsung screen that much better to sway you to the P650SE?
If the P750ZM had the Samsung screen would you keep that?
Both are great laptops but.....I would think you would go with the P750ZM just becuase it's upgradable down the line.
I can also see how the locked down vBIOS is a major negative on the P750ZM.
At least whatever you choose both are amazing laptops.
Good luck.

 

It's because he'd be eating the cost of the aftermarket Samsung screen upgrade on the P650SE if he switches to the P750ZM and it won't take the screen

 

Not sure if that's it since he can easily sell it here for minimum loss, but who I'm I to speak for HT.

 

The issue is that I will probably only be able to net $1000 for the P650SE. Not sure if it's worth another $1000 for 980m and desktop CPU... It's really more of a *want* than a *need*.

 

In that case I think you should keep your P650SE, so I am changing my vote from "you're crazy"

 

first world problems...

still too bad, wouldve been nice to see u as a regular in the batcave, wingnut

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

That's it. I love to tinker. It's fun and realistically, the P750ZM is about $1000 more than a P650SE anyhow, so I guess it's still a matter if I want to spend the money. Just I love this LCD. The LG is nice, just sitting next to the Samsung it's not quite "up to snuff" if you know what I mean. It's like owning a Lexus and then it sits next to a Maserati. Suddenly your tastes change.

 

Well, looks like no eDP for this machine. Still considering it though, lol.

Looks like you have to order a machine with a 4k screen though to get an eDP display. Anyone know of an LVDS LCD as good as the Samsung?

 

HT -- is the 1080p IPS on the P650SE the "stock" screen on Xotic PC? Also I am in the exact same boat as you. I am trying to decide between these two systems (SG actually) and my biggest concern is the display. I currently have an XPS 15 and I love the QHD display on it. I know I can't really go wrong with either system, but it is time for me to get something and stick with it.

 

Yes the 1080p IPS is stock for Sager models and from what I've seen LVDS. Eurocom claims all their stock is eDP, but not sure what LCD comes in theirs. I believe if you go with a 4k screen it will be eDP regardless.

This stock LCD is actually pretty nice. Just next to a "superior" screen it shows its flaws.

 

This feeling. I understand this feeling very much.

 

Eurocom's 1080p IPS screen is AUO I believe... The thing is HT, if the P650SE is enough for now, just hold on to it.. Around Jan next year, Clevo should be refreshing the P750ZM with Skylake desktop CPU's hopefully and you can put the money towards that then..

 

I think I'll hold out for a little while and go for a P750ZM down the road. I'm happy with my P650SE, just want the best.

 

Sell me whichever you decide against, shipping up to Northern MI will be cheap I wish I had something to steer you one way or the other, but I'm still debating myself and it's been going on since both were announced On the plus side, there really is no losing answer

 

I was thinking the same thing I'm not sure where HT is but Indianapolis may be cheaper for shipping

 

He's a fellow Michigander I believe Looks like the P750ZM is dominating the polls so far, just need to figure out a screen that will work for it HT

 

I am a Michigander, a Southeast (Detroit) Michigander. In the corner of hell.

If you're interested, I can put you first on the list. I love the P750ZM, just I've become a videophile snob. I think I may go with the P650SE until I figure out what I want to do, and see if there's any Skylake CPU updates in the next 6-9 months.

 

If you do end up parting with the P650SE please do let me know Skylake rumors keep flying forward and back so much it's hard to guess when we'll actually get a full quad mobile chip from them >< I've been trying to hold out but trying to play anything on a T440s gives me brain pains

 

Same question - 650 or 750? Any input is appreciated, although it's easy to guess which way the tide rolls in this forum. In the end, it's a purely subjective choice, and people around here will lean toward power - as confirmed by the poll.

At most, somebody who's spent some time with the 750 might be able to confirm worries just enough to push me toward the 650. Or maybe somebody's experience with 650 build quality can squash my delusion that the metal case bests what I hear is a plastic case on 750.

Here's the deal - my work is very datacentric, but low-end consumer grade gear takes care of most of my daily duties. I need screen real estate more than processing power on the day job, but things could change any time. I could easily find myself editing video - or even running a remote podcast with live sound and as many cameras as I could marshal. In the next 4 years, a high-end Quadro card in a powerful mobile workstation might be useful... might be. Given the right gear, I could take an interest in Blender and some 3D modeling, or data-centric modeling ventures... which can rely on video card.

But in so far as I use mobile computing for business, form-factor could count. The more durable case and more attractive brushed or sanded metal, and slim lines of the 650 better fit the business environment. It has all the computational power I need for most tasks. For the budget, I can equip a 650.* with a GTX980 and i7-4720 for about the same cost I can land a 75o with slightly less GPU (GTX970) and way more CPU i.e i7-4790.

Either one is well beyond my usual processing demands - unless I ramp up the video production. Better business-world form-factor imply 650. There's more though.

The only game I play is X-Plane. If you're not familiar with it, the $70 version is a "game" and the $750 license drives FAA-certified flight training simulators. For computational purposes, their system requirements are similar. Current version requires a minimum 2.5 GHz CPU and at least 500mb VRAM and recommended system of 3+ GHz CPU and 2-4 gigs of VRAM.

And that's this generation. My systems have lagged behind X-Plane requirements for years, frequently leaving me without adequate hardware to build and fly custom virtual aircraft. Who knows what the system will require in near future versions.

Thing with X-Plane, it requires GPU if you like scenery, but the real work is on the CPU. As understand it, the work is primarily single-thread/single-core much moreso than the typical game. It's a physics calculator. It computes airfoil sections many times a second in the context of intertial moments and environmental variables - like wind, rolling resistance on runway, etc.

So that 4GHz desktop processor could make a difference in staying ahead of Austin Meyer's latest C++ mechinations for at least the usual useful lifespan of a notebook. But the 4270 could keep up for a while, too, probably.

And that GTZ980 in the 5.5lb Clevo 650.* still runs circles around the 72o in a high-end Macbook. In a non-Mac, 22mm thick. With no logos or branding - clean, down-to-business black metal, cooled by three (really, three?) fans.

And what if the 750ZM I adopt ends up with coil whine? I'm down with some fan noise, but not so much high-pitched whine. Been there, done that. And that lid? Is it really flimsy as they say? I do put a notebook through the paces. Any other issues with that 750ZM I need to know about?

In a couple years, might I end up with a version of this aged Asus G60vx on steroids? Or will I pull that 750ZM out of the backpack knowing I have a portable version of the best desktop the local Best Bye stocks anywhere other than the Max aisle?

Will it be worth it to research and update drivers to support a Skylake chip and whatever next-generation or muscle-bound video card my career-move 6.0 implies?

Opinions? Advice?

 

I stopped reading around the middle and resumed near the bottom.

Let me put this in as clear terms as I can, as only you can decide:
The P750ZM and P770ZM machines are designed for enthusiasts who want full control over their machines, both CPU and GPU wise.
The P6xxSx machines are designed for gamers who want a machine that will do gaming just fine AND NOTHING MORE INTENSIVE.

If you want to understand, read my mobile i7 CPU info guide and the "HQ" chip section.

It's up to you whether or not you want power properly under your control at all times. And also remember that each chip is different, and you may not get a "cool" or "power miser" type chip, but in the case of the HQ line, that means it'll never work properly if you get a bad one. This likely will not affect your game, but it WILL affect anything that is super CPU heavy. Without fail. This I can promise.

What you need to decide is whether the tradeoff is worth it. Do you get a lighter machine and accept a CPU that may not work at max performance under some loads you may put it under? Do you want to get a thicker, heavier machine that you can without fail tune to perfection? That's what you're deciding here; not exactly "power". Also, the modularity (and higher vRAM) of the GPUs can help, even though 4GB seems to be well within your required limits.

Also, Maxwell's double-precision rendering is basically nonexistent. You are better off brute-forcing things like Blender etc on the CPU as far as I know. If you still force on the GPU, don't expect fantastic results. I would still say if possible to hunt for the 4790K and a 980M in the P750ZM, even if you need to wait a little longer to get it. You won't regret it, but you will if you decide you need more CPU power later on etc. Also please note the 4790 and 4790S etc are still TDP locked, though the allowance is much higher than the 4720HQ.

P7xxZM for control.
P6xxSx for less weight/size/price at the cost of inferior components not designed for workstation-type usage.

 

I'm somewhat in the same boat. I've been looking at the 750/770ZM. I really like the sockets/MXM, ease of care and upgrade. But it is quite a bit more expensive than the P650. The most intensive thing I do is occasional gaming. I need the machine to be powerful enough to run modern games at 1080p, but that's pretty much it. The CPU doesn't get taxed outside of games.

So it is definitely a "want" vs a "need" (although it is definitely a first world problem when a gaming laptop can be classified as a need). And as much as my heart is leaning towards the Batman, my brain knows the answer is the P650. I wouldn't get any real benefit from the Batman. By the time I'm ready/needing to upgrade the GPU, something newer and better will have come along.

So, while I'd love to vote up the Batman, I'm going to have to say keep the P650SE. Give it 6 months - 1 year, see what comes out. As you've mentioned, a $1000 premium is a lot.

 

I just want to say that I really love my P650SE. It ended up being a perfect balance of tradeoffs and I love it.

Being a weekend warrior the 970m eats up BF4 and most titles gloriously, and enough battery life for web surfing on the couch.

I'm running undervolted and underclocked. I locked BF4 to 71fps and it's 90% stable on High with 4x MSAA, max temps never exceed 70c both CPU and GPU. God I love it.

 

Why 71FPS? I lock mine to 60FPS. And 90% stable, what do you mean by that? Just that it goes below 71FPS 10% of the time?

 

im guessing 71fps cuz hes able to oc his display to 71hz maybe....?

edit: scratch that, not possible on optimus machine. in that case its indeed random, unless hes trying to stay in a very specific temp range or smth...

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

no reason for 71 just stuck with that number, temps max at 70 cpu and gpu , so lucky 7's across the board?