Planning for a Clevo Laptop and/or PC...

*takes deep breath*

Guys, I think it's about time I make this thread! After 5+ years of using my NP8170, I think it's time for me to get something newer (especially with Kaby Lake and Ryzen coming up)! Seeing that it is a bad idea to just rush out to get the newest shiny toy out there instead of planning first considering that I gotten myself burnt too many times for doing this, I decided to sit down and plan it out (yes, I even have to create an Excel document!)... and unfortunately I still have a few doubts remaining.

The main one I am having is whether I should get a weaker (and *gasp* BGA?) Clevo laptop but a stronger PC, or a really strong Clevo laptop (read: socketed) but a weaker PC. This is so as my budget only allows either option.

Here's what I can think of so far...

Goals
1. Both computers must be able to run Windows
2. At least one must be able to run Mac and Linux; whichever computer can do this is no matter
3. At least one must be able to handle VR content (i.e. "VR-ready")
4. At least one must be able to handle media content development (e.g. photo/video editing)
5. Both computers should be reasonably user-serviceable as much as possible

Weaker Laptop + Stronger PC
Pro: Easier to transport around weaker laptop due to weight and thickness
Pro: Price-performance ratio of a stronger PC can outdo a stronger laptop's
Con: Performance/usability of weaker laptop limited due to soldered parts, heat throttling, less USB ports
Con: May need to switch around between the laptop and PC depending on required workload

Stronger Laptop + Weaker PC
Pro: Performance/usability of stronger laptop higher due to upgradable parts, good thermal management
Pro: Weaker PC can be upgraded later on anyway...
Pro: Laptop strong enough to handle all work => Can use just it unless situation calls for the PC (e.g. if laptop needs to be serviced)
Con: Upgradability of both computers can be impeded by lack of parts due to age, BIOS compatibility
Con: Laptop harder to transport due to weight and thickness

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

 

You should get pc. More affordable and the performance is great and less heat but however if you planning on traveling / you might as well buy a laptop that suits your preference.

 

. Ok. So let's break this down.

Goals
1. Both computers must be able to run Windows
*Check for either option.

2. At least one must be able to run Mac and Linux; whichever computer can do this is no matter
* My feeling is this would be easier done with a Desktop rather than a laptop. Drivers will be easier to come by in desktop land. Also, I think Hackintosh hit a snag a while ago, when OSX stared checking for hardware components, so you might be dated to on older OSX. Not 100% on that, but so you may need to do some research. I put this in the stronger desktop category.

3. At least one must be able to handle VR content (i.e. "VR-ready")
*Will need a 1070 bare minimum, but would think a 1080 would suit better.

4. At least one must be able to handle media content development (e.g. photo/video editing)
* Either would work.

5. Both computers should be reasonably user-serviceable as much as possible.
* Then stay away from BGA, and look at socketed Clevo or MSI MS-16L13

Do you have a budget total in mind? That may help clarify things.

 

If you are able to use PC, I would say get a strong PC and buy Clevo P650RP6 - G ( if you can). PC is much cheaper, stronger, runs cooler, and it is very easy to upgrade. I personally use Clevo laptop because I am not able to use Desktop PC, but if you can you should use just build / buy desktop. Moreover, Clevo P650 will be able to customize as well as run Mac, since it has MUXED technology - user is able to choose the graphics card either Nvidia and intel.

 

I need both PC and a laptop, it's just the funds allocation thingy

Thanks!

Mac and Linux: Yes, it looks like it will be better for the PC to handle the Mac portion seeing how difficult it is to run on non-DIY computers, let alone laptops. I understand that the current best configuration for Hackintosh is Haswell/Skylake and a GPU which is older than Maxwell, which I happen to have since I somehow have spare GPUs from old systems (which means I can cut costs a bit?)

As for Linux, I heard that it can run on Clevo laptops too; System76's laptops are Clevos that can run both Windows and Linux out-of-the-box

VR: I was thinking of getting a 1070 in either the laptop or desktop but this changes a few things...

User-Serviceability: Whoa, that bad? I didn't know that BGA Clevo are not user-serviceable...

Budget: I am thinking of 5000 SGD for both laptop and PC (PC as in just the PC; monitor/mouse/keyboard are already either budgeted for separately or bought already)

Currently these are the prices I have seen/specced for:
Clevo BGA (15 inch): 2600 SGD
Clevo Socketed (15 inch): 3600 SGD
Clevo BGA (17 inch): 2800 SGD
Clevo Socketed (17 inch): 3800 SGD

Stronger PC (i7, K SKU CPU, GTX1070): 2000 SGD
Weaker PC (i5(?), cheaper/reused GPU): 1500 SGD

Thanks, that Clevo is something I was looking for (Clevo BGA refers to this model in fact). I am not sure if that laptop can run Mac though; I heard that it can't run on 10 series GPUs properly and may have issues on 9xx series

 

It is in the middle of the night for me, but I have a bit of insomnia ATM... There's a lot of info to process. So, I may have some more to post later.

In regards to drivers, it was mostly about the Mac side. However, I don't know how Linux does with Killer LAN or WiFi. So you'll just need to be careful of the sub components to make sure everything you want to use while in Linux land has a supported driver.

In regards to BGA, opinions vary, but to me, if CPU, GPU, Memory or Disk is soldered it is non-serviceable. I really don't like the idea of a mobo swap if I want to change something like the CPU.

 

Thanks, seems to me that PCs are more suitable for Mac and Linux (but I have seen strange cases where Linux having drivers that Windows don't)

And good point about BGA; I didn't realise that as long any of these components (i.e. not just CPU or GPU) are soldered in, a mobo swap would be needed

Looks like I am siding more towards the "Stronger Laptop + Weaker PC" now, just that for the PC, I may have to be more willing to use 2nd hand components to negate performance issues (e.g. going for 2nd hand i7 Haswell vs 1st hand i5 Skylake).

And I am still worried about the upgradability of socketed laptops; the NP8170 that I am using now is a constant reminder of this

 

In regards to CPU (AMD aside) with Intel based CPUs, you're most likely going to only get an extra upgrade cycle before they decide to change sockets, but it *is* one more than you would with BGA. For example, it is rumored the socketed LGA-1151 Clevos and the MSI F5 will be moving to i7-7700s next month. Now, this is all a bit unclear if this will be all models, only certain revisions, etc., but at least that news is positive. But who's to say where Cannonlake CPUs will end up.

In regards to GPUs, at this point, you're at the mercy of nVidia. The physical requirements of Pascal based boards wouldn't work with the MxM standard. So the design was changed. This meant the updated cards would not physically fit in older MxM based laptops. If the new design of the Clevo or MSI based GPUs remain the same in Volta, then all *might* be fine, but if there's a change in design ( relocation of mounts, new power requirements, socket design, etc. ), again upgradeability may be in question.

It seems you are close to making up your mind. I think with about $3000-3500 for a rockin' laptop leaving $1500-2000 for also a pretty decent desktop may be the way to go. In the end, you'll be the best judge.

Good luck.

 

Hmm I am thinking of proceeding at least only after Kaby Lake is launched, which means I won't get an extra upgrade as I would already be using the best LGA 1151 can give me (unless future BIOS somehow allow the usage of Xeons... )

The GPU is indeed a huge cause of concern here; the form factor being another obstacle to upgradibility makes this harder to decide. Volta looks like a radical change; I won't be surprised if there is another change to the form factor, which will definitely cause upgrade issues.

Thanks for the input, let me think though these a bit more.

 

This is the best taptop:

EVOC P870DM3 Review by Phoenix

 

I agree but it's way too heavy and costly unfortunately

 

I am considering an alternate plan too:

I will go ahead and build the "stronger" PC first, then use it as my main workload machine. This should buy me some time (pun unintended lol) until I can buy the laptop once I can confirm how things will go for the laptop. I *may* swap laptops with my father in the meantime (he is using something that is weaker but lighter than my NP8170)

 

*was forced to shut down laptop for 10 minutes due to graphical artifacts*

Damn, I hope I can make a good decision soon; not sure how my NP8170 can last...

(Sorry, really needed a place to rant this time)

 

I just realised (too late for sure) that Kaby Lake (and Ryzen) will not support Windows 7 and 8.

This will impact my decision greater than I thought (i.e. buy a Skylake laptop/PC now or just move on with Windows 10)

 

Kaby Lake does work fine on 7... Saw in another thread on NBR that someone on an external forum tried it, system booted etc..

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

 

Thanks! There are some people who got Windows 7 to work with desktop Kaby Lake too so it seems to apply across all platforms.

The support is a main concern though

 

EDIT: I decided to open a new thread instead