REASON FOR PURCHASE - I purchased this laptop because my Dell XPS 8100 desktop kept freezing/restarting several times a day. A fresh clean re-install of Windows 10 was not remedying the situation, and I had no desire to troubleshoot every component to see what was the underlying problem. Overall, this issue was seriously affecting my productivity, as well as sanity.
POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVES - I was mainly looking for a desktop replacement - not a laptop. I checked Dell, Amazon, BestBuy, as well as other 'PC build' websites such as 'ibuypower', but found prices too high overall. Basically, the price was the driving factor for me in purchasing this laptop. The final price was slightly under $1,300 w/ taxes, and I found that to be a fair price for performance ratio.
MUST HAVES - Since this was my first PC replacement in nearly 10-years, I wanted to make sure I got a 11th Gen i7 Intel processor, as well as an RTX 3000 series graphics card. I was looking for a RTX 3060ti minimum, but I could not find a match within my budget.
PREVIOUS HARDWARE - My Dell XPS 8100 was still using the 1st Gen i5 650 processor, with a PNY GTX 970 updated graphics card. I honestly would have gone another year or two before changing my PC, if these freezing problems were not there.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS - Seems well built - I also liked the keyboard lighting. Chassis seems solid, and I liked all the available ports on the sides. The design was appealing, being perfectly rectangle with the lid closed - no protruding sections to put the shape out of balance.
HOW IT IS USED - I use this laptop as a desktop replacement - I only open the screen lid to power it on. Otherwise, I use an external monitor and keyboard.
HOW OFTEN USED - I keep this laptop on for at least 8-hours a day. It was purchased roughly a month ago, so it's been used rather frequently.
GAMING (@ 1080p only) - It is a notable upgrade from my Dell. Previously in games like WoW or FFXIV, I was getting under 60 FPS frequently in crowded areas. Now, I get dizzy by how quickly the screen rotates in-game, forcing me to lower the mouse-sensitivity. In WoW, I am constantly at 100 FPS with the occasional dips to 90 FPS. I'm also currently playing Ubisoft's 'The Division', but the max I can get is 60 FPS with regular dips to 47 FPS @ medium settings. Not killer performance, but a huge upgrade nevertheless.
FAN NOISE - For everyday non-gaming use (i.e., web browsing), it is a low hum you can only hear if you're within 20-inches to the laptop. When gaming, it can ramp up to a constant loud whirl.
HEAT - Similarly to fan noise, heat is negligible for non-gaming use. For gaming, it can get warm over time, but I use this product: 'Zimilar Monitor Stand Riser', to keep it propped up for heat dissipation. It seems to work well in keeping this laptop cool.
STORAGE - It only comes with one 512GB M.2 device, so storage for my gaming needs is very limited. I looked at YouTube videos to see if it can be upgraded, but it honestly looked like a PITA to do so. So, I have invested in external SSD solutions for space.
WIFI – My router is roughly 25-feet away (through walls), but I get consistent download/upload speeds with the occasional dip. No major connection loss or issues otherwise.
BLOATWARE - It comes with a lot of MSi propriety software, as well as Norton Security Suite. Also, a trial version of Microsoft Office 365. I spent a good amount of time sorting through, and uninstalling a lot of them.
BATTERY - I've only tested it off the plug once. Even without gaming, it was eating through the battery pretty quickly. I surmise it'd only go about 3-hours before draining out. This laptop is definitely not recommended if longevity off the plug is a priority of yours.
PROBLEMS – The only ‘issue’ I’ve come across is if I’ve gamed for a long period of time, or I’ve been moving large files around. The performance of the laptop may drop significantly. I remedy this by a simple reboot, which clears up the issue. Also to note, this laptop has not frozen on me once.
CONCLUSION - When I purchased this laptop, I considered it an intermediary, until I gathered the necessary funds to invest in a desktop with a minimum of RTX 3070. However, it has proven to be a mini-powerhouse. I don't play above 1080p, and I can live with medium-settings if performance seems to dip. It performs excellently on non-gaming tasks, and I now have a mobile gaming platform if I want to take it to a friend's house. All-in-all, I am quite satisfied with my purchase, and may now wait until the RTX 4000 series come out before I consider a desktop.
Overall, highly recommended for purchase.
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UPDATE 08/28/2022
CURRENT STATUS - Yes, it's still working fine. Performance has not dipped, and I only re-installed Windows 11 once because I replaced the 512GB M.2 with a 'Samsung 970 EVO 2TB' several months ago. Also, despite being on 8-hours a day or more, the keyboard LEDs are still functioning bright. That's more than 2,900-hours that this laptop has been on since its purchase.
HARDWARE ISSUES - None. Screen, ports, fans, WiFi, Bluetooth, and trackpad are all still working fine - of course given the caveat that I still strictly use an external keyboard/mouse/monitor setup.
NEW REVELATIONS - Only one. Gaming off the AC Adaptor is a fool's errand. Performance throttled severely after 10-minutes because the laptop was getting so hot, and the battery lasted no more than 35-minutes tops. This was while playing 'Aliens: Fireteam' on Steam.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW - I am still happy with my purchase and see no need to change for several more years. Of course, if I find myself with a lot of disposable income, I can see myself getting a new gaming desktop. But beyond that scenario, I am perfectly content with its performance and durability.
