HID, LPC, Eurocom, and more. Who to choose?

I feel like Dorothy: "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!"

Stupid introduction out of the way-- hello, I'm obviously new here, but I've lurked for a long while before making this account. Sorry if this is in the wrong place and sorry for the length this will be.

I'm finally looking to get a laptop. Not one of those crappy lasts-six-months kind I've been getting all my life. No, something that'll last me. I've done a lot of research and found lots of cool looking websites, but I'm having a lot of trouble with the final step of picking a vendor.

I'm interested in a Clevo (obviously, posted here), and I'm interested in something really high-quality that'll last me a good long while. The main problem here for me is cost: the frugal part of me just won't let me pull the trigger on those high-priced items until I've tried dropping it however possible.

So I'm dealing with that, and the fact that each of these resellers has their own perks that I keep coming back to, then leaving, then coming back to again. I've read a lot of threads like this but, at this point, I think I just need someone talking to me. To give you some background, here's what I'm looking for:

• Display: 15.6" IPS 60Hz w/ G-SYNC
• CPU: i7-6700k (or something equivalent, leaning towards socketed rather than mobile)
• GPU: 1070 (strongly leaning towards this for future proofing over 1060)
• TIM: Upgraded thermal paste for GPU+CPU (reseller dependent)
• RAM: 16GB (or 8GB if RAM prices are more expensive from reseller than buying myself)
• Boot drive: 128 - 256GB SSD, ideally m.2
• HDD: None, I can buy myself, unless the option is cheap
• OS: Windows 10 Pro (ideally giving them a code I purchased myself)
• BIOS: Prema

Now, here's my thoughts on the resellers I've found so far:

HIDEvolution

• Pretty much widely recommended everywhere I see. Great customer service.
• Delids socketed chips
• Prema BIOS
• Free games (currently)
• Slightly more expensive
• Tax in California
• Does not offer i7-6700k, only i5-7600k/i7-7700k
• No student discount, maybe?

LPC-Digital

• No tax in California
• Student discount
• Slightly cheaper
• Price-matching/beating?
• Prema BIOS (although I can't tell which options offer it, listed on the Prema website)
• Less options than HID (no delidding, worse TIM, etc.)
• Haven't heard much about their service

Eurocom

• 10% Student discount
• Relatively cheaper even with higher part prices
• "Unlocked BIOS" (Prema?)
• Expensive parts addition ($143 to go from 8-16GB RAM, etc.)
• Sales/shipping tax (can't find info on this)
• No delidding/overclocking, extra for Liquid Ultra
• Branding

Xotic

• No sales/shipping tax
• Not much discount outside of cash discount
• Prema only offered on certain models (none with socketed chip/1070)
• Prices not really much lower

Eluktronics

• Really low prices
• Sale items (none with 1070)
• No sales tax (I think)
• Prema not offered
• Fairly new company, not as much of a track record
• Least configuration available (no TIM, delidding, overclocking, etc.)

GentechPC

• "Low price guarantee"
• Some of the options HID offers, like Liquid Ultra
• 2 year warranty
• Slightly higher prices
• No Prema BIOS
• Sales tax in California

These are just the ones I've thought of right now, I'll edit as I think of more.

I've looked at some others, but these are the ones I keep coming back to again and again. And again. Seriously, each day I go through pretty much all of these, deciding why each one works and then deciding why it doesn't. I've seen a lot of knowledgeable people here and, as a n00b to this scene, I need some advice.

And one last note that might help solve all of this for me: does anybody have anything to say about going with a socketed chip (a la i7-6700k) vs a mobile chip (i7-7700HQ)? Part of me thinks that could increase the longevity of the laptop and save me money, being able to swap out the chip, but the other part sees how much more expensive that is now and worries that, since I can't easily swap out the graphics card, it'd just be better to get a new laptop altogether when the time comes!

Sorry for the length, and thanks for the any advice you can give me.

EDIT: I'm in the US, California.

 

Hey, welcome!

Let me first off ask are you in Canada, or are you else where?

If you're in Canada, the obvious choice would be Eurocom. This is because they're based in Ottawa, and therefore warranty and RMA's and fun stuff like that would be exponentially easier than with an American reseller.

With that said, if you're outside of Canada, I can't really say as I have not experienced any other resellers but i'm sure there are many others here who can give you insight.

If you're curious, I put up my experience with Eurocom if you want to see! They are excellent (at least for me) ahha.

Also, give @woodzstack a shout, he can help you configure your system exactly to your liking and make sure that your system is perfect when it comes to you! He's a reseller, and you can check out his reseller thread to make sure he's legit!

If you are Canadian, message me here or PM me and I can tell you more about my experiences if you want! Cheers.

 

Thank you! I should've put that. US based, California. Eurocom does ship to US as well, right?

 

Cool! Yes they do ship the United States, I've never really see anyone choose Eurocom unless they were Canadian, but it could be just my bias because I've only looked at Canadian threads ahha

But anyways, I'm not sure how much you factor in weight and looks into the laptop, maybe something like this would be nice?
http://www.eurocom.com/ec/configure(2,384,0)TornadoF5

EDIT: Also just want to say, I just recently purchased the Eurocom sky mx5 r2, which is equivalent to to p650rs-G. It's an absolute beast, and does not look like a gaming laptop at all (unless of course you put in RGB backlight) which of course I do ahha. If that's a model you're interested in, I'd be willing to tell you more about it!

Right now they're running a 10% special on it, plus an additional 10% if you are a student!

So you do the math on that, and see if you're worth it to you lol.

But definitely there will be others here who have experience with the other resellers, probably nothing but positive things to say!

 

Yes! I was looking at this one and the Sky X4E2 (although I'm having trouble figuring out the difference between the two). I assumed the 10% bonuses didn't stack, but if they do-- that might make them a winner for me. Would you happen to know if their 'unlocked BIOS' is indeed the Prema BIOS?

 

Currently the Sky x4E2 doesn't have an additional 10% and only applies to the tornado. But I could be wrong, and there's no harm in trying to ask!

And I'm like 90% sure my BIOS is not Prema. I think I remember them saying that Eurocom does offer it, but like I said, pretty sure mine isn't unfortunately!

 

I'll have to confirm with them, but they're definitely high on my list-- if for no other reason than those discounts.

 

One more question @Adobo9 -- any thoughts on socketed vs. non-socketed CPU? I see you went with an HQ. The idea of being able to upgrade the chip later appeals to me but the price might be more than I'd be saving. Just looking for some opinions on that.

 

Hey, so I forgot to update my thing, but I actually upgraded to the hk! And honestly, I don't have much of an opinion when it comes to CPU's LOL. I'll admit, the 1070 was mostly the selling point for me. The fact that they offered a 1070 for basically cheaper than anywhere (at least in Canada) was the biggest reason for me. But yeah, like I said previously, give @woodzstack a PM. He can give you a better feel for what you may or may not need. Ask him about his services, and I guarantee you will probably go with him ahha! However, I'm not sure if he only works with Eurocom though, also have to ask him on that.

Overall, Eurocom is a solid choice, and the discount is huge! Lot's of reasons to go with them.

 

Oh yeah you were in the same boat as this guy originally, with why you (as in me) versus others.

Thanks for the mention.

I would like to mention what my services are and such but not sure if that would be polite as it would be hijacking this mans thread.
However, feel free to ask if you would like to knowabout us. ( to the OP, @dylosaur )

 

Thanks so much for your info!

Wow, awesome, thanks for reaching out, @woodzstack. Shooting you a message now!

 

Hidevolution hands down.

 

My pleasure. We're in a conversation already so, catch you there !

You can add whatever details of our convo you like to this thread too, it's not like I'm all business behind bars or something, I'venoticed many customers attempting to be very public with thier purchases and services from me, so if it helps you feel more secure or excited about it, by all means !

 

Non socketed chips(u, h, hq, hk) are soldered in motherboard, and cant be upgraded. They are 60% slower then the socketed chips, and yes u can upgrade socketed cpu as far as your chipset and socket supports it!!