There is an amazing amount of choice nowadays in the laptop market. Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors have meant that the kind of cutting edge performance once restricted to multi-thousand dollar machines is mainstream.
Top of the line Core i7 processors are commonplace, delivering fantastic quad core performance with respectable battery life, and a combination of improvements in Intel’s on-CPU graphics cores and a prevalence of automatic graphics switching means that you no longer need a specialist gaming laptop just to play some casual Call of Duty.
As you look through the next lot of pages keep in mind that many of the models tested are available in a variety of specifications. We’ll also let you in on a little secret: while laptop manufacturers have immense influence on build quality, software, battery life, specs and the overall experience of a laptop, performance is purely down to components. This means you can fairly easily extrapolate from our benchmark results just how a particular combo of hardware will perform in a different model of laptop..
While AMD has laid down a challenge at the Core i3 end of the market with its A series APU, the first retail laptop powered by the A series turned up days before this article went to print. Once more arrive we’ll take an equivalent look at the A series laptops, but it is important to keep in mind that they don’t have the CPU grunt of the Core i7 models in this group test.
Alienware M14x
A 14in laptop that delivers awesome gaming power – just lose the expensive SSD
Just when you thought all laptops were looking the same these days, Alienware’s arresting M14x grabs the attention. It oozes brooding menace, finished in soft-touch matte black and lit up by the glow of its backlit keyboard and chassis lights. Its sculpted looks owe as much to supercar design as to the average PC hardware.
It doesn’t only trade on its looks, either: despite being one of only two 14in laptops in the group, at 2.87kg the M14x weighs more than some of the 17.3in monsters. That will put a serious dent in plans to lug it around in a bag, but the heft also makes for a resoundingly sturdy chassis. There isn’t a hint of give in the base and all we could grapple out of the rest was a slight flex in the display’s hinge.
That such design comes with a daunting price tag is hardly a surprise, but the M14x is a class act. Performance from the quad-core Core i7 CPU puts it among the frontrunners for all-out speed in our Real World Benchmarks, and the 256GB SSD makes for a system that boots into Windows with impressive haste.
This isn’t the main focus, though. The M14x is designed with power-hungry gamers in mind, and they’ll be delighted to learn that the Alienware didn’t disappoint. Thanks to an Nvidia GeForce GT 555M chipset, the M14x eased its way to 45fps in our Medium Crysis test, leaving room to up a few settings while keeping things playable.
Despite all that power, the Alienware M14x boasts impressive reserves of stamina. Optimus graphics-switching technology allows Intel’s integrated graphics to take the helm during less frantic moments, so the M14x lasted a surprising 6hrs 17mins in our light-use battery test.
It’s the Alienware’s ability to flit between roles that really impresses, however. Task it with the latest first-person shooter and it’s in its element: there’s plenty of power, a set of loud, crisp Klipsch speakers, and the glossy high-resolution display keeps everything looking pin-sharp. When you feel the need for a break, the keyboard’s nigh-on perfect layout and lovely feel make for a laptop that’s just as happy tapping out a document, and the battery life means it keeps going for longer than you’d rightfully expect.
The two USB 3 ports at the sides allow for blazingly quick transfers – perfect for backing up a large games collection – and HDMI 1.4, mini-DisplayPort and D-SUB make it easy to hook up to a monitor or HDTV.
It’s difficult to fault the M14x: it’s a beautifully built machine and, crucially, one that can be tailored to fit a slightly more modest budget. Our advice? Do away with the ridiculously expensive SSD.
Lenovo IdeaPad Z570
A well-built all-rounder with higher performance than its price suggests
Lenovo’s IdeaPad Z570 hides its budget heritage well. Instead of the usual glossy plastics, Lenovo has employed brushed aluminium across the lid and wristrest to create a laptop that feels more luxurious than its $1329 price suggests.
The base is stout, and the lid does a great job of protecting the display. We’ve no doubt it will last on a commute.
Nor does that sturdy build come at the expense of hardware. Intel’s Core i5-2410M processor and 8GB of RAM keep the system feeling spritely, and Lenovo has managed to shoehorn a Blu-ray reader and dedicated Nvidia graphics into the budget. Whether it’s playing an HD movie or firing through the latest game, the Lenovo punches well above its weight – as testified by an overall benchmark score of 0.66.
Interestingly, though, Lenovo hasn’t opted for Nvidia’s Optimus technology, choosing instead to utilise the older Hybrid SLI. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing: where Optimus automatically switches between the Intel and Nvidia chipsets as it sees fit, the Z570 has you swapping chipsets at the flick of a switch, which you could argue gives you more control. Sticking with Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 3000, the Z570 lasted a healthy 5hrs 27mins in our light-use battery test.
The Lenovo edges further ahead of its rivals thanks to its sensible, user-friendly features. The hardware wireless switch is a welcome addition, as is the row of touch-sensitive buttons along the keyboard’s top edge; a tiny shortcut key that sits alongside the backlit power button launches CyberLink’s backup and recovery suite.
It all makes for a laptop that’s a pleasure to use. A swift dab of a finger adjusts the volume, mutes the speakers or cycles through the Lenovo’s display modes and fan-speed settings. These features are useful: toggling the display’s movie mode slightly darkens the image – which we actually preferred to the default setting – and the fan control makes it possible to drop the speed right down in silent mode, or crank it up to full for gaming.
We could complain that squeezing in a numeric keypad leaves the Enter and right-Shift keys on the narrow side, but the keyboard’s scooped keys have such a crisp, precise feel that it’s a minor compromise. The touchpad, too, is one of the best here.
In fact, there’s only one thing that the Lenovo lacks, and it’s USB 3. That minor omission aside, Lenovo’s IdeaPad Z570 is tough to criticise for the money and when you consider that you’re getting a superb all- rounder with Blu-ray and switchable graphics for only $1329, it’s hard to be anything other than impressed.
TOSHIBA Qosmio f750
The venerable entertainment line gets a sandy bridge makeover
One of the slightly confusing aspects of living in an internet-enabled world is that products can vary in subtle, but often dramatic ways between countries. Generally speaking, Australia gets higher CPU specs and GPU power than Europe, for example, but despite being known as performance-hungry types sometimes we miss funky features as well.
Overseas the F750 comes with a 3D capable screen, while in Australia it doesn’t. Not that it matters – 3D is still a novelty and despite a slow dribble of content it is far from a selling point. Even without the 3D the F750 is a well-rounded entertainment offering, based around the familiar Core i7-2630QM CPU and Nvidia GTX 540 combination. Backing this up is a stonking 8GB of DDR3, Blu-Ray reader and 750GB hard drive.
Designed with matt black innards and a textured red lid, the Qosmio is a tough unit. The lid has a little too much give for our liking, but we don’t see this as a dealbreaker.
As befitting a product line borne out of the Media Centre PC craze, the Qosmio packs a few features missing from other entries in the grouptest. It has a TV tuner, which neccesitates an airiel connection on the back of the chassis, and the 3D isn’t completely neglected with support for 3D Blu-ray playback to a compatible TV via the HDMI port.
Audio is delivered through Harmon Kardon speakers built into the hinge for the lid. Sound quality is excellent, if a little lacking in the bass department, and befits the entertainment focus of the laptop.
This isn’t Toshiba’s gaming-specific Qosmio model but the combo of Core i7 and GT 540M graphics mean that it’s no slouch in that regard. In our medium Crysis benchmark it delivered a playable 34fps at medium detail.
We didn’t expect to be hugely impressed by battery life but it eked out a very respectable 5 hours in our light-use test. We can put a lot of
this down to the use of switchable graphics – historically a Core i7 laptop packing an NVIDIA chip wouldn’t be able to stray too far from mains power, but Sandy Bridge has gone a long way to torpedoing that expectation.
For those who want a laptop for both work and play, the Qosmio is a fantastic choice. If you don’t need the 17.3in luxury of the ASUS N73SV this is a solid all-round entertainer.
Samsung RF711
Big on both features and performance, but this giant just falls short of greatness
Samsung clearly believes in the importance of first impressions. Before you open the RF711 to reveal the 17.3in display within, a subtle texture shimmers across the laptop’s huge lid, itself fastened to the chassis by ostentatious chrome-effect hinges.
Yet the RF711 can’t help looking a little ordinary against the exotic Alienware M14x or Asus’ luxurious N73SV. The plastic construction keeps weight to a palatable 3.11kg and feels sturdy enough, but the dull two-tone interior just doesn’t have the same wow factor.
This isn’t to say there’s anything lacking – on paper, at least. The RF711 clearly wants to take pride of place as an all-round powerhouse, and the specification list shows it as an entertainer. A Blu-ray reader squeezes into the RF711’s flank, while twin 500GB hard disks provide all the storage you could ask for.
Intel’s Core i7-2630QM processor pushed performance to impressive heights, while the modest Nvidia GeForce GT 540M graphics chipset racked up playable frame rates in our Medium Crysis test. With an average of 34fps, the Samsung is quite happy turning its attention to demanding 3D games. You might struggle to carry it further than the lounge, but it’s equally happy away from the mains. Thanks to the graphics-switching presence of Nvidia’s Optimus, the RF711 managed five hours of light-use battery life.
Fire up a Blu-ray movie, though, and minor faults bubble to the surface. The built-in speakers
are reasonably loud, but the lightweight sound quality lacks the oomph of its rivals. The same can be said of the display: while impressively bright, the average contrast ratio and middle-of-the-road colour accuracy simply don’t make the best
of HD movies. Colours look limp and pale, and the greyish blacks don’t give images the visceral pop of the best displays here.
It’s a shame, since many of the core aspects are handled well. The keyboard and touchpad are regular stumbling blocks, but Samsung manages them well: the Scrabble- tile keys and light, clicky touchpad buttons work perfectly, and are almost as pleasant to use as the best here.
Samsung’s RF711 is a solid all-rounder that stops short of excellence. With Asus’ N73SV delivering a far more thrilling audio-visual experience, we know which laptop giant we’d rather have on our desk.
Acer Aspire Ethos 5951G
Mighty performance, a novel touchpad and great battery, but it lacks in key areas
Acer describes its Aspire Ethos range as designed for “discriminating” users – and with a quad-core Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and a Blu-ray drive as standard, we wouldn’t argue with that. It looks the part, with a black brushed metal lid and backlit keyboard. While the 3.14kg Acer is a lumpen weight in a bag, the solid base and stiff lid make for a well-constructed package.
Part of the Acer’s considerable weight is due to the battery. It’s a sealed unit that Acer claims will manage three times as many recharge cycles as a conventional battery. It lasts a fair while in day-to-day use, too: in our light-use test, it powered the Acer to a table-topping 7hrs 46mins.
That stamina is matched by performance. A benchmark score of 0.83 puts the Acer at the front of the pack, and the GeForce GT 555M graphics chip earns it third place – 44fps in our Medium Crysis test is only 1fps behind Alienware’s extravagant M14x.
But the Acer’s real party trick is its removable touchpad. A latch along the front edge releases it. Prod a button on the touchpad and playback controls glow into view, alongside buttons for Acer’s Clear.fi media-centre software.
It’s a nifty idea, but the concept isn’t quite matched by the execution: whether docked or handheld, the laggy cursor control is aggravating.
The final disappointment comes when you fire up a Blu-ray movie. While we’d have hoped for a Full HD resolution beneath that 15.6in layer of Gorilla Glass, the 1366 x 768 panel feels out of place on such a powerful machine. Quality is below par, too. The 198cd/m2 brightness sees the Acer struggle in light rooms; undersaturated colours leave movies looking pale. The speakers don’t rescue matters, with a lightweight, disappointing tone.
Despite blinding performance and a great specification, the Acer is too uneven. It has innovations, but they’re not implemented well enough to truly appeal.
Asus N73SV
B&O speakers and a stunning 17in display make this a worthy media option
While most of us can but lust after Bang & Olufsen’s audio kit, this ASUS brings that dream closer to reality. The N73SV is a gargantuan desktop replacement, equipped with a 17.3in Full HD display and a set of the firm’s ICEpower speakers.
From the outset it impresses, and its 3.59kg chassis feels every inch the luxurious powerhouse. There isn’t the slightest give, and the brushed-aluminium lid feels wonderfully solid. The design is stunning, too: the light metal lid gives way to an understated interior that plays matte greys against a dark metal sheen.
Once the ASUS’ display lights up, you’ll be transfixed. Where lesser laptops struggle to do justice to the spectacle of James Cameron’s Avatar in HD, the N73SV puts in a jaw-dropping performance. Colours occasionally veer towards oversaturation, but the 1084:1 contrast ratio delivers images that look almost three-dimensional. Blacks look truly black, and whites sear the eyes at the panel’s maximum brightness of 314cd/m2.
The aesthetic appeal is almost matched by its speakers. That Bang & Olufsen accreditation has clearly worked wonders, and while they don’t quite reach the heights of Dell’s superlative XPS 15, the sound is on another level to most here.
Asus hasn’t skimped on performance either, and with a quad-core processor and 6GB of RAM, the N73SV racked up 0.81 in our benchmarks. Nvidia’s Optimus steps in to marshal the Intel and Nvidia chipsets, and although the Nvidia GeForce GT 540M chipset can’t quite handle Crysis at Full HD, an average of 34fps in our Medium test proves there’s ample power.
Despite all this praise, the N73SV is flawed. The keyboard’s layout and large, square keys aren’t cramped, but the base gives an unpleasant bounce while typing. It’s bearable, but it’s a major disappointment on an otherwise superbly built laptop. The final, larger complaint regards the Asus’ poor battery life. With a mere 3hrs 11mins in light use, this monster is best left shackled to a mains socket.
It stops short of absolute perfection, then, but that’s unlikely to dissuade those in the market for a desk-bound gargantuan.
Dell XPS 15
A tad expensive, but Dell’s mighty XPS 15 is a long-lasting all-round entertainer
Dell’s XPS logo has adorned some fine laptops over the years, and its current XPS 15 is no exception. Visually, it isn’t the most distinctive addition to the range. A sea of silver and
grey stretches around its thick-set curves, and a huge nine-cell battery juts out of the underside, propping up the laptop’s rear.
Instead, the XPS 15 has it where it counts. The backlit keyboard feels great to type on, and the wide-gamut display pampers your eyes with a Full HD resolution and eye- popping visuals. If anything, it’s too vibrant; the wide gamut panel regularly veers into oversaturation.
Pop a Blu-ray movie into the XPS 15’s drive and any qualms about its colour reproduction rapidly evaporate. The sheer detail and depth of the images on offer are something to behold, and the JBL-branded speakers make their mark. Using Waves’ Maxx Audio technology – a cut-down version of the Waves sound-enhancing tools more often found in music studios – music and movies sound full and clear, reaching startling volumes for mere laptop speakers.
If there’s a price to pay for the Dell’s entertainment credentials, then it’s a small one. It uses the Core i7- 2630QM CPU that seems to be the manufacturer’s darling and only differs from the top end performers in the GPU department. In everyday
use you won’t notice the difference. The 7200rpm hard disk keeps things feeling snappy, even under multitasking duress, and when Nvidia’s Optimus allows the GeForce GT 540M
to take over from Intel’s integrated graphics, there’s enough power to plough through our Medium Crysis benchmark at a perfectly respectable 34fps.
The final string to the XPS 15’s bow is its stunning reserves of stamina. The huge battery adds significantly to the overall weight – the XPS 15 weighs 3.02kg – but its
herculean 7hrs 28mins of light-use battery life comes as ample recompense; perfect for the occasional jaunt into the garden.
Blending power, panache and a generous range of features, the XPS 15 has been a regular fixture on the A-List with good reason. If you can afford the price of admission, it puts on a spectacular show.
HP Pavilion dv6
The Pavilion’s brushed-metal makeover results in a solid, attractive all-rounder
HP’s Pavilion range has always been the plastic, slightly tubby cousin to the luxurious Envy, but that’s all set to change. After a quick trip to the panel beaters, the Pavilion dv6 has a new metal-clad look just in time for HP’s re- evaluation of its entire laptop business.
It isn’t a ground-up transformation, but the dv6 looks and feels all the better for some attention. The dark brushed metal lid is punctuated only by the glowing HP logo in the corner, and while the strip of light around the touchpad looks great, it isn’t only for show: it indicates when the touchpad is active.
Dr Dre’s Beats audio technology has made its way into the dv6, too. With four speakers dotted around the chassis – two above the keyboard, two along the front edge – the dv6 makes a fair racket. It’s significantly better than your average laptop, but nowhere near as full or crisp as the JBL/Waves duo on Dell’s XPS 15, with distortion buzzing in at maximum volume.
Beyond the visual changes, HP has made another subtle yet nonetheless important tweak to the design. Previously, the touchpad
buttons were integrated into the pad itself, and were unresponsive and fiddly. Now, you’ll find discreet and pleasingly clicky left and right buttons taking their place. The keyboard remains as good as ever, with its square matte- finish keys gripping the finger nicely, and providing a spacious layout and positive feel.
The dv6 also puts in a solid all-round performance. There’s no lack of speed for desktop applications – the Core i5 processor has a spritely turn of pace when the occasion demands – and AMD’s Radeon HD 6770M graphics lag a little behind the Nvidia chipsets in some rivals, but still manages a playable 33fps in the medium detail Crysis tests.
The 15.6in display is a solid performer, too. Contrast is good – we measured it at 249:1 – and images and movies look crisp.
There’s only one issue holding back the dv6, though, and it’s that the price puts it head-to- head with this month’s Labs Winner. It might trump the Lenovo IdeaPad Z570 in some areas – it forgoes Blu-ray in favour of twin USB 3 ports, for example – but, ultimately, the Lenovo scrapes ahead. This doesn’t make the dv6 a poor choice at all; it’s still one of the best product lines out there.
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