I now have about 200 hours of active use on this laptop. I purchased the top of the line (2019) Pro 17” version with the RTX 2080 video processor. I owned the ASUS GX701 for about two months before purchasing this one and at this point I am happy I switched over to the Razer. I wanted something that I would use primarily as a workstation for CAD and Video editing and Gaming as a secondary function. The 17” screen was critical for me. I travel a lot and the extra size provides additional relief for my eyes and I have fewer headaches.
Upon receiving my laptop, I immediately added a second 2TB SSD (2.5TB in total now) and upgraded the RAM to 64 Gig. This was Soooo… easy to do. Razer really did this right. My inability to easily do that on my Asus was the primary reason for switching to the Razer.
I use my laptop in my office with a CalDigit TS3+ Docking Station which has one display port cable that daisy chains to my two external 4K monitors (see picture). While in my office I mostly run my laptop with the lid closed and only use the 4K monitors. When I’m rendering, I open the lid because it cools a bit better that way. Although, this laptop does a pretty good job keeping itself cool even with the lid closed. That was IMPOSSIBLE with my Asus. If the lid was closed on Asus GX701, it would overheat just browsing the internet.
What I love about this machine:
1. The ease of upgrading. This thing was as easy to install new memory and SSD in as any computer I have ever used. Including desktops. They really knocked the ball out of the park on that feature.
2. Cooling. This laptop runs very well without overheating. I really maxed out the graphics card and processor utilization for hours on end without having the typical sweaty hands and heat discomfort on the keyboard that you would usually encounter on other laptops. The fact that this thing can still cool itself closed-lid mode is also amazing.
3. The aluminum chassis feels premium, durable, lightweight (for its size), and minimalist. As a businessperson, I don’t want to advertise to the world that I have a “Gamer” laptop when I’m traveling for business. This machine keeps it pretty business class appropriate.
4. Trackpad. The trackpad on this laptop is really fantastic. I would say it is comparable to the experience I had on my last MacBook Pro.
5. SD Card Slot. I have to say, this is the fastest SD card slot I have ever used. When pulling video off an SD card, this thing flies!
6. Speakers. I don’t really ever use the built in speakers on this laptop because I’m either using headphones or have this thing plugged into my dock using the speakers on the monitor. Still, the few times I tested them, I have to say they are the best sounding speakers I have ever heard on a laptop. I’m just not sure when I’d use them.
7. Fits in most 15” laptop slots. I have three different laptop bags made for 15” laptops and this fits in all three of them (albeit snugly). The super thin bezel really reduces the over-all size nicely. My HP Omen laptop is a monster and it requires a flat-bed trailer to haul it around.
Some of the things I don’t like:
1. By far the most annoying thing on this laptop for me is the keyboard. It types just fine. But, the location of the arrow keys is the stupidest thing ever. Why oh why did they ruin what could possibly be the greatest laptop ever created with an idiotic thing like this. EVERY time I go to use the right shift key, my finger hits the up-arrow. EVERY TIME!!!! I’m trying to train myself to think about the right-shift key in a different way, but after 30+ years of typing one way, WHY DO I HAVE TO CHANGE!!!! There is plenty of space on this thing, why not just drop the arrow keys down a bit. I probably would have tried to hack into the review system so I could add another star on this review to make it 6 stars if not for this one issue.
2. No Number Pad. The speakers on this thing are certainly amazing, but who uses speakers on a laptop? I don’t. I wish they would have downgraded or moved the speakers and put in a full num-pad off to the right. I don’t use the Num-Pad a ton. But, it still would be nice.
3. No Charge over USB-C. It would be great if this device could charge over the USB-C port so I only need to plug in one cable to dock. It isn’t the end of the world. But, it would have been nice.
4. Finger Print Magnet. I have never had a piece of equipment that attracted and displayed finger prints like this thing. I feel like I have to clean it at least once a day.
5. Thunderbolt Security issue. I had to go into the BIOS and disable one of the Thunderbolt security features in order for my docking station to work properly. It wasn’t a bit issue. But, for a less experienced user, they might not be able to figure that out on their own.
In Summary, I think this is an amazing laptop. If not for the keyboard issue described above, I’d say it is the best laptop ever created (for my needs anyway). It performs extremely well under heavy load and stays relatively cool. It feels durable and my expectation is that it will out-last most of its similarly priced competitors. I’d definitely recommend this over the Asus GX701. Especially if you are ever going to use the machine in closed-lid mode.