W350ST vs P151SM1???

Hey guys, originally I wanted a W320ST, but I think I want to go up to 15.6" now.(W320ST is still an option)
There are a bunch of laptops I'm looking at, but I want to try to ween them down to just like 2 choices.


So here is my first cut. Either the W350ST or the P151SM1. I'm just not sure what to go for, I'm having troubl finding reviews on the P151SM1, so I don't know much about it.

I'm gonna be carrying it around for quite a bit, and I'm gonna do some gaming on it. It isn't my sole gaming machine, it is just for on the go gaming.

But it will also be used in classes, and to type papers on so it needs to keep quite while I'm doing non demanding tasks.

The only games I'd want to play on it would be guild wars, civilization 5, total war, Diablo, so nothing crazy.

I don't think I need a 770m, but I was wondering how the rest of the P151SM1 stacks up against the W350ST.

 

Both the W230ST and the W350STQ have the same GPU and CPU from stock, so they'll compare in performance. I think they'll treat you just fine as far your gaming needs go. The 765M will be fine on High settings and even ultra in some games, though it will struggle with Guild Wars 2 (unless you meant Guild Wars) on Ultra/Max. The 770M will get you an additional 5 FPS - 10 FPS in Guild Wars 2 on Ultra, and more in other games with other graphics settings.

 

I know the two compare in performance. I meant that I initially was going to go small, but changed my mind which is why I'm considering the W350ST and P151SM1.
And definitely meant guild wars 2. Hmm, I don't mind not running GW2 at med/high settings. Which is why I wouldn't mind a laptop with a 750m in it if the rest of the laptop was really good.

But anyways, I'm just focusing on the two in the topic right now.

 

The 350STQ will do Guild Wars 2 on High as well, but will struggle on max settings.

Check out the W650SR then! It has a 750M and an IPS screen. The money you save could go towards a SSD as well, if you want one.

 

How is the build quality of the two though?

I really am not sure what the difference between the W series and P series are.

How is the cooling, heat, noise between the two?

Audio?

 

The p series use mxm cards (replacable graphics card) and a more robust cooling system. They are a bit heavier as a result.

 

Ah, I gotcha.

How are the display and audio quality between the p and w series?

I guess what I'm asking is, what is the better buy and why?

 

They both can use the same panels and the audio is a wash IMO.

The 151SM will be better IMO due to the better cooling.

 

I understand, so the p series is the better buy then?

 

Seriously, there's not one-fit-all answer for who's a better buy.

If I need a portable machine that I can use in the classroom I would go small.

 

I don't think Clevo's the way to go if quiet is important to you.

 

This I can definitely help you narrow down:

W350ST Pros over P151SM1:
2x 2.5" HDD bays (vs 1 bay in the P151SM1) and 1 msata
Lower price for the same build
Dedicated "VGA" button for on the fly switching between iGPU and dGPU
Edit: Also has a VGA port in this one in case you have a VGA monitor you use

P151SM1
2x mSATA ports and 1x 2.5" HDD bay
3x 1inch speakers (1 is a sub-woofer) for 2.1 audio. The sound quality is better thanks for Creative Soundblaster X-fi mb3 (I think), W350stq is just dual speakers
2 dedicated cooling fans, 1 for the MXM GPU and one for the CPU (better cooling, potentially more return from the boost technology as a result or cooler for the same performance)
MXM GPU means future upgrades plausible for the GPU as well as CPU
Better touchpad (the click buttons on the W350ST dont have the best reviews, P151SM1 is acceptable but better)

Edit: Other features I should have mentioned but forgot, has line in and spdif out in addition to the mic in and headphones out, all can be used together to configure surround sound. Also I think the spdif out is optical able too (I will check when I get it!). Has firewire and one of the 3 USB3 ports is a powered port which I believe can be used when the laptop is off (I will check this too) But the main this is it doesnt have VGA but instead has Displayport and miniDP. On amazon theres a really highly rated DP to VGA converter for about £7 in the UK so that makes up for the VGA port in my eyes.

I cant tell you about aesthetic differences because I do not know what the W350ST is like and really it wasnt an issue to me, but the P151SM1 is a black plastic which I believe is textured but very durable. On the face of it, those are the main differences, I know this because until a week ago when you posted, I was in the same boat. I went for the P151SM1 which I will receive on monday. The reason I went for it is pretty much above, in the UK the 2 have £80 difference and for in order of my preference: better cooling with 2 fans (the W350ST has an issue from some places where it is either on max or off, the P151SM1 has different speeds), MXM GPU, dual mSATA which means having boot SSD and large capacity HDD is still plausible on the P151SM1 (I liked the dual HDD and single mSATA for the W350ST initially), Sound quality, touchpad (as I usually use a mouse but would like to know the laptop has a decent touchpad too).

 

The W350ST will still have optimus when in high performance mode.

 

I think you should go with Asus instead if you're going to bring it to class a lot. The P150SM/EM fans are pretty loud even when just internet browsing. Sometimes people sitting beside me get annoyed lol. I only bring mines to the computer lab. I use a tablet for note taking in other classes.

 

hi,
The difference between w and p series
W series ：A, the graphics card can't upgrade. B, is A single heat
P series ： A, video card can upgrade the highest . B, is A double heat (double turbine)
I think p151sm is relatively good

 

If you have a main gaming computer already i would go with something more portable for your notebook. I do my gaming on my desktop and my notebook now is more towards portability then gaming. My previous notebook was a gaming one and I rarely gamed on it since my desktop was much better. Just make sure to get a dedicated GPU like 750M-765M and you'll be good for on the go gaming.

 

+1 for Hutsady.

How about a 13"/14", like W230ST?

 

The same applies really with the 760M/765M being the most powerful card you can get in that class.