Which Clevo has the best build quality?

Never tried a Clevo before, so I have very little knowledge about their models. Looking for 15" with a 970m, 1080p display, but 3840x2160 is fine too, if downscaling to 1080 looks great. Must be no more than around 5lbs also. I'm coming from a MacBook Pro, and while I am trying out a Razer Blade, I am curious to see if there is something from this camp that will come close to the build quality of those two, but has a better value.

As far as quality goes.. I mean - no wobble when you open the display lid, no flex at all on the keyboard.. or anywhere really, and no cheap glossy plastic bezels or thin plastics on the bottom panels. A good cooling system with battery life of around 5hrs that can easily be reached with day to day use is a must also. Does this exist within the Clevo line? Thanks

 

If this is what you want, then a P650SE is the closest to what you're asking for.

However please understand: you're asking for "outward" build quality. The internals of any gaming-class Clevo are far better than anything Razer or Apple ever put out.

I would recommend 1080p and not 4K.

 

Lol. Wobbly lids check. Everything else is good to go. Clevo/savers are little known bit big on everything else.

 

looked good til i saw the view angles:

those color shifts are pretty bad

 

That's only one screen. They sell with IPS displays if you're THAT big on viewing angles.

 

Well that's just not true. Unless you have a different definition for "gaming-class".

 

Not the "W230SS" or "W650SF" level. Anything since the HM series that began with a "P". That's what I'm talking about. The internals (cooling, accessibility, upgrade-ability, modularity, etc) are far better than anything you'll ever find in a macbook or razer blade.
I'm not talking about outward appearances, or the chassis construction materials on the outside.

 

P650SE is a great machine but the lid was a little bit of a let down. I got a little bump on it carrying it around in my backpack. You also won't get 5 hours of normal use, maybe 4 with aggressive power saving. Otherwise it's a great machine.

 

An 860M is definitely gaming class, you also have the P650SA with a 965M. It's not like you can upgrade the CPU or GPU of the P65xSx models. However they are vastly superior when it comes to storage especially. GPU overclocking is better too and you can get 32 GB of RAM.

 

I know 860M is gaming class, but those machines are classified as "entertainment/media" and not "gaming" as far as Clevo is concerned. Yes, I was counting the P6xxSA models too. But the internal layout is still quite well done, and easy to access, and cools very well for what it's got.

 

I agree, I just think "far better than anything Razer (maybe Apple is true) has ever put out" is exaggerated but this is irrelevant to the OP anyway.

ledzepp, you won't find the same great build quality unless you go back to Alienware (I assume the 15 is very well built even with the plastic). You could also wait for that Asus G501 that's coming out although that'll probably be a 960M. I will say that the brutal color shifts that you're getting on your blade are definitely abnormal too. There's always the 1080p version and people have been saying good things about that screen. If you'll be piling things in your backpack, don't get the Clevo you'll be disappointed. I accidentally bounced a soccer ball two days ago on the blade and it was unscathed. The P650SE would have had some sort of bump on it. The There's no real flex anywhere else though. You won't reach that 5 hours of normal use unless you go Razer or weaker.

 

Seeing as the P650SE is aluminum finish as well as the Blade and MBPr, why would the P650SE be worse for the wear and the other two not be?

To that fact, have you ever owned a P6xxSx series?

 

Thanks, I am going to give Razer another shot with the 1080 version. I really hope it's a keeper this time. I checked out all the Clevo models, and at the end of the day.. I do want a look/build quality close to my current MacBook Pro, and the Razer looks like my only option... tho that Asus G501 looks close, and I've owned Asus in the past and have been happy with them, but I'm not sure if I can wait any longer. There hasn't been any info update about it in a while now.

 

I have. I just sold it : http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/fs-eurocom-m5-pro-clevo-p650se.771174/
It's just not the same quality. The P650SE is a lot flimsier and the lid bends a lot more. It's not as rigid. For example I can put anything I want on top of the Razor or press on it as much as I want, no bend. the keyboard also has absolutely no flex, no matter how hard you push, the Clevo had a little of flex, although it was minimal. I guess the alloy used for the P650SE is weaker. The Razer is far better in terms of build quality. Can't comment on the rMBP but my suitemate abuses his and it seems to be fine. It should be of similar build quality.

 

While I haven't owned an Alienware or Razer laptop I can say that my P650SE has imho a high build quality. A lot of people seem to mention flex and bending of different panels when they talk about their laptops and all I can do is wonder what kind of stress you guys are putting your $1300++ laptops through? Just sounds like you're asking for trouble lol.

 

It would be nice to fit the innards of a P650SE into a case built like a Macbook Pro however if you try, you'll start reaching the same design decisions made that give you the P650SE.

I don't think people understand exactly how complicated the process of creating slim and ultra-slim notebooks with high-performance components is. I for one appreciate Sager's ingenuity in being able to fit so much power in a slim chassis that is easily serviceable and user friendly. With some user tweaking thermals can also reach levels that other slim and ultra slim notebooks cant.

I am more than happy with my P650SE and really feel that I got the best price-performance-quality ratio than anything out on the market.

No frills, just thrills, these are made for the purists.

 

It's not necessarily the power and heat, it's the other you mentioned, servicability. If people want thinner and a unibody like design, then they have to give up being able to upgrade your ram, HDD nevermind maintain your GPU/CPU and thermal system. If people want that, then they have to give up the notion of owning their product and giving up the pleasures of ownership to Apple, and allow Apple to tell you what you can and can't do with your products. People need to get over it.

And honestly, I ask this frequently, what is it people are doing that they require higher build quality? How often are they planning to drop the laptop? How often are they going to press down hard on the case to test it's resistance to flex? Hey look, this laptop is rock solid, will never flex and has no plastic, but I can't change the battery if it fails because it's glued onto the case that you can't take apart. But look, the quality is so amazing!

 

build quality of razer blade is far more better than sager, atleast when compared to np 8268-s (clevo p150sm-a). Build quality of razer is solid, just like rock.

 

No one plans to drop their laptop, it's something that just happens. And maybe you're not intending to put things on top of the laptop, but if you're carrying it around in a backpack and the weight of other items shifts all of a sudden you could have a problem.

 

you seem to be confusing toughness with build quality. there's no doubt that notebooks like apple and razer with the unibody aluminum just have this overall higher quality feel to it, where most windows notebooks have been.. well less than stellar, since some are still built with cheap feeling plastic. and even little things like screen wobble, which i've noticed happens with a lot of these other windows notebooks alternatives, contribute to the overall quality. even the feeling of opening up the lid with one finger with ease on apple and razer notebooks.. you can tell some thought went into it. and no one is planning to drop their notebook.. unless you have a panasonic toughbook.. i doubt your clevo will have a better chance of being undamaged as well. i once took my macbook pro on a backpacking trip through the UK, with a lot of things pressing down on it in my backpack.. and guess what.. no denting. so imo.. these unibodies are tough as well.

 

And what do you do to your Razer in which this matters?

BS. I've been transporting laptops from work and home and to school for 10 years+ and I've never had this issue and never owned a metal laptop. Complete utter BS.

10+ years and none of my plastic laptops have been dented.

I disagree completely. When I see a MacBook with the limited keyboard it has, it feels cheap. I've cleaned out and repasted relatives MacBook Pros. Knowing what is inside them, it feels cheap, not an ounce of quality for money for me. The heatsink is garbage. The soldered ram and SSD screams of cheapness. I do not agree that MacBook feel of superior quality, I see/feel a hunk of metal with a massive battery.

The laptop I feel of superior quality to Clevo is the Alienware 17 R4. Now that is a high quality product with excellent servicability, great, quality hardware and has excellent tactile feel of quality, stable and strong. I do not get that sense from an Apple product. Every Apple product I've used, feels fragile, like it wasn't meant to be used but to be stared at flashing Facebook for window shoppers.

If you want Apple quality then buy an Apple. But don't bother comparing the incredible Sager machines to a product Apple has designed for Facebook addicts.

 

How can you say with a straight face that "you might accidentally drop your laptop" is complete and utter BS?

 

Well on another note, I have dropped my Asus G73JH when it was in my bagpack (well I dropped the bagpack) and guess what, it didn't dent.. Nothing happened to it..Happened 2-3 times while travelling.. That's great build quality... If it had been a Macbook, probably would have got dented...

 

I think his point is that he's owned plastic laptops for 10+ years and with all the accidents of transport etc, he hasn't had a machine break/crack/burst/etc where a Razer Blade or Macbook Pro would have kept intact instead.

 

Ah, I wasn't really discussing the merits of the durability of each laptop, just the statement regarding whether durability was important.

 

This is the kind of pointless arguments that happen in every forum. You have desktop users bashing laptop users for having inferior or hotter components, people that use socketed laptops bashing on people that use BGA laptops because they're buying junk and are imbeciles for upgrading every 2-4 years. Even within the BGA crowd you have people bashing others for prioritizing build quality and battery life when they have obtained the power that they need. So yes Zympad, your experiences are a universal truth. I was lying when I said that my calculus book that's 3x larger and 2x heavier than my laptop damaged my lid from biking around campus. So let us buy our thin and light metal boxes so we can go tell everyone on Facebook how right you are in our next status update.

 

What ever you do or do not, it does nt matter. when we just compare build quality of razer vs clevo (p150sm), Razer has better build quality, this does nt require any experiments or require to be in any particular situation. You can just say by looking and touching it. And the build quality of clevos are not bad at all . They are also good and sturdy, which are more than enough for daily normal commute and usage. But, just not better than Razer's. These words are just from my experience, by using both Sager np 8268 and Razer B;ade 2015 for few weeks each. But. I have retured both now

 

it's obvious that you have bias towards Clevo, and that's fine, but you can't seriously be saying that the MacBook's keyboard feels cheap (IMO it is the best keyboard on notebooks next to some Thinkpads and even Razer). a lot of people would agree on me on this. and just my experience.. i've never had internal components fail on me, and I've owned MacBooks for 10+ years as well. SSD screams of cheapness? they use Samsung... and they've been tested as using some of Samsung's top SSD's.

 

why did you return the Razer, if you don't mind me asking? what are you looking into now?

 

I dont have any problem with that... But I can get it 150$ lesser price for what I have paid. So, thought of returning it and placing a new order with lower price. But now, I am still in confusion betweem, Alienwaye 15, Sager 8652, 9752, Gigabyte P35X, Razer Blade.

That urge to own a powerful laptop and play games at higher FPS for longer period of time is making me to change these many laptops :headbang. Now I have an Alienware 15 waiting in fedex office. Should check that once i go home tommorrow.

 

Listen. All I've said this entire time is that there is an outward build quality and feel. Sleekness, brushed aluminum, wonderful lines, good looks, nice feel to the touch, etc. Plastic doesn't touch on that. I get it. I definitely get all of that 10000%. I'm not saying no.

But I *DID* say that there is something to be said for a machine with superb internal design, cooling, layout and materials, and outward build quality does NOT cover it.

A clevo will never feel or look as sleek and nice as a Macbook Pro, I'm certain of that. But a Macbook Pro will never have such a wonderful internal design as a P770ZM or a P170SM-A. There's no contest between either line of notebooks for various judgement qualities.

My original point to the OP was simply this: He seemed to be asking for good outward (chassis) build quality, where I claimed we had fantastic inner (layout, cooling, etc) build quality, far surpassing that of anything Apple or Razer put out. And I wanted him to recognize the difference; that just because a machine is the sleekest, sexiest thing you've seen on the outside does not mean what's under the hood is anything to write home about.

If you ever find a D900x keyboard (D901C, D900F, D900T, etc) you will change your mind about that. I don't think my current P370SM3 keyboard is anything special (it's neither bad nor good) but I'll be damned if somebody could show me a better keyboard than my D900F. Typing on it was a dream and gaming on it was more of a dream. I could even do a Final Atomic Buster using WASD and have it come out 9 times out of 10 on that keyboard.

 

i just returned 2 Alienware 15s. i had the 1080 display version, and both ones i received had display issues (light bleed and the replacement actually had the bezel warped)

 

Dude how thick and heavy are those Alienwares. I am only worried about that. I have orderd a 4k Version. Last time when I ordered a Clevo, I am satisfied and using it happyly. But one day a guy from my office, started laughing when I told him that it costs 1500$. He thought, it is some old notebook seeing its looks and thickness. Thats when I decoded to go with a laptop that has some good name and looks (till a point, where no one thinks it as a cheap laptop). So, tell me now, how does Alienware fares in this regard? from your experience.

 

Lol really? Which Clevo was it? The new ones don't look cheap and aren't that thick, at least the P65xSx. They're actually considerably thinner than the Alienware 15.

 

besides the bad luck i had w the display panel and the divider by the macro keys being slightly loose on the 1st one, causing some of the keys to get stuck... overall it was nice. it did feel heavy while using on your lap, and the area around the touchpad is a bit of a fingerprint magnet. i liked that the fans were not annoying, and they did a great job of keeping the notebook mostly cool while under heavy gaming. sometimes tho.. a weird thing would happen, and while just browsing the web, the bottom panel would get warm. i'm not sure if the fans can be activated sooner to prevent this, but it was a minor thing. i would've kept it if i had gotten a good display panel, but after trying twice.. i just didn't wanna go through the RMA process again, so i just gave up on it.

 

really dude, my search for a new laptop started from then. Now a days I am sleeping in the morning 4 am after reading nbr and watching youtube vidoes of different laptops. You know its really hard to get a laptop which not only satisfies you, but others as well .

Last time its a sager np8268-s, its thickness is like 1.4 to 1.7 inch and 6.9 lbs of weight. With some 90's notebook looks. But performs amazing.

 

you returned a razer too right?

 

Let me tell you something. That there is the best anti-theft device you could ever use. When I had my D900F people were offering me $10 for it, feeling it was some old old old behemoth of a machine. I love clevos for that thing about them. It's personal preference, sure, but it's a hell of a way to make sure nobody has good interests in your machine

 

I agree.. But, it does nt feel well, when you paid premium for a product and no one considers or recognizes it as one. And that day I feld like hitting my head to that laptop. And I am sure.. even then my head might have damaged, but nothing to Sager (@OP imp piece of info for you!!)

 

@D2 Ultima dude just searched about D900F, WTF its 2-2.4 inch thickness? how did you manage with those wiered questions from others man?
and the point of portability comes into question right, at such thickness and weight?

 

Ha. I don't need others to acknowledge that I spent a lot of money on something. As long as it works properly and I know its real value.

I put it in my backpack. Along with food for the day, a 1.5L bottle of water, ~2 notebooks, my headset, my power brick, my mouse, sometimes my controller if I felt like it.

I had a good backpack. The weight wasn't really a problem unless I was walking for 30+ minutes in hot sun, when I started feeling it. But even then, it wasn't like I had to stop and rest or anything. Any half-heavy weight on your back starts to feel heavy after 30 mins of walking. XD.

 

Some like me bought Clevo because it isn't recognized by the sheeple. I don't want people hovering over my laptop and getting any ideas, I want them to think it's something they don't want, don't steal it, don't touch it, don't F it up.

What did I pay for? What Razer and Apple will NEVER give me.

NO BRANDING AT ALL! I advertise for no one. My laptop's lid is not a billboard.
Custom BIOS
Custom vBIOS
Full access to all my hardware
Future upgrading potential (GPU since CPU is a monster for years.)
4790K CPU, no other laptop has this with a single GPU.
980M is a monster and even Crysis 3 overclocked it's cooled to 75C
Two display ports
One HDMI
FIVE USB 3.1
Optical Output (audio)
2 m.2 slots
2 SATA slots
RAM properly working at @ 2400 mhz
Full size keyboard with number pad
Speakers that are astonishingly good considering how awful the previous Clevo speakers were

 

yea returned the QHD one, and now waiting on the 1080p version.

 

hfm has a RB and MBA too. What's with New Yorkers and Macs/Mac clones. Hipsters?

 

yes.. we're all hipsters

tell us where you're from, so we can make pointless generalizations about you also

 

Everyone knows Portland has the most hipsters!

 

Silicon Valley. Yep, swimming in a sea of hipsters too.