Gaming laptop Acer Aspire V17 Nitro looks like a perfectly normal office DTR-notebook. His black-and-silver finish rather surprising little thick and quiet operation than inherent gaming models aggressive design. Insight comes at a time when you get to the technical parameters or run on the sample modern game – a quad Intel Core i7, discrete graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M, as well as 16 GB of RAM and a hybrid SSD + HDD storage give this level of performance, which can confound a significant part of the dedicated gaming laptops. Well, as the cherry on top of cake stands an excellent 17.3-inch IPS-screen with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels and Anti-glare matte surface.

Appearance

As we have already mentioned, when we first met Acer Aspire V17 Nitro surprise minimum thickness – from 17-inch gaming notebook DTR-directional subconsciously expect almost twice the thickness. In fact, the height of the housing is not such a record, it is exactly one inch, but pointed and rounded front edge to the bottom of the sidewall give your laptop the same effect of lightness, thanks to which he “floats” above the surface of the table. For the record, passport size model up 423 × 293 × 25,4 mm, weight – about 3 kg.

The top cover of the notebook is finished in black matte plastic (soft-touch NIL) with a texture in the form of a fairly deep vertical lines. Dark panel dilutes the manufacturer’s logo and a thin silver panel near the hinges of the display unit. The panel is made of plastic coated with a metal, and decorated with embossed inscription Aspire V Nitro.

Lower body Acer Aspire V17 Nitro almost entirely made of softtach-black plastic. In contrast to the matte embossed cover material, the surface very quickly covered with fingerprints. However, this is unlikely to be a problem for the 17-inch laptop, the model which does not involve the use of too frequent movement from place to place.

On the bottom you can find the dynamics, moved closer to the front face and tiny hole to force a reboot of the device. Recently it took for the simple reason that the developers have decided to make your laptop battery removable. Wide strip perforation is used for air intake cooling system. Processor and a discrete graphics card provides two separate fan who can independently handle the dust using proprietary technology Acer DustDefender.

Tapered front edge Acer Aspire V17 Nitro contains only a couple of digital microphones. Almost the entire width of trimmed silver plastic back panel is occupied by radiators cooling system. On the left face imposed optical drive, a pair of USB 2.0 connectors, and a Kensington lock hole. On the right side you can find a full-sized card reader, combined audio port, two connectors USB 3.0, video output HDMI, foldout network RJ45, pair of indicators of activity and socket adapter.

Ergonomics

Cover Acer Aspire V17 Nitro can be easily opened with one hand despite the absence of recesses, canopies and other ancillary elements of a design.

The display unit rests on two hinges, finished all the same silver plastic “under the metal.” Screen bezel is made rather wide, especially in the lower part. It is made from the same brand softtach plastic as the lower part of the body, so that when you change the angle of the screen you will constantly leave their fingerprints.

The maximum opening angle of the display is considerably higher than average rates, it is about 155 degrees. At the same time throughout the range image is equally bright and juicy, as in this notebook uses high quality matte 17.3-inch IPS-matrix with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels.

Operating panel Acer Aspire V17 Nitro trimmed softtach-black plastic. In the area podladonnoy area around the keyboard and it is smooth, but near the bases of the display unit designers found it necessary to “refresh” his texture of horizontal stripes. There you can watch the silver block with an inscription Aspire V Nitro, which is approximately a centimeter towers over the rest of the surface. The power button is located on the top right corner of the keyboard, and a pair of indicators of activity that we saw in the study of the right sidewall of the housing looks its edges and on the operation panel. Both indicators are small enough to distract from the work even in a dark room and at the same time informative enough in case you need to assess the current state of the system (active or sleep mode, the process of charging the battery).

The layout of the operating panel Acer Aspire V17 Nitro typical for DTR-laptops – the developers have established a huge touchpad in the center of the main character block, resulting in terms of symmetry it is skewed to the left. All the useful area of the touchpad takes sensor, dedicated buttons are not provided, and the left and right click is performed by bending the lower corners of the panel. The choice of the touchpad surface chosen not entirely successful, as the tactile characteristics, it does not differ from podladonnoy panel. Given the fact that the touchpad is not placed exactly in the center, the user initially could not get a finger to the right place. Also note sloppy “handwritten” stroke Black Edition in the upper left corner, which in theory was to emphasize the exclusivity of this version of the laptop, but in practice it looks too unclear to him considered someone other than the owner of the work.

In addition to the availability of additional digital block island laptop keyboard backlight can boast the presence of deep red color. Adjust its brightness or turn on automatically fail, the backlight can be on or off completely, or to include a combination Fn + F9. By keyboard layout claims to be expected not found – all the buttons on their location, size and spacing of the standard buttons, arrows isolated unit for greater convenience.

Functionality

Laptop Acer Aspire V17 Nitro is built on a hardware platform Intel, augmented performance of discrete graphics from NVIDIA. In the present configuration uses a top quad-core Intel Core i7-4710HQ with a base frequency of 2.5 GHz and a maximum frequency of 3.5 GHz mode Turbo Boost. Responsible for processing graphics card of “gaming” GTX-series, in this case NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M with 2GB of dedicated video memory GDDR5.

Graphics

To install the memory available two SODIMM-slot, while depending on the configuration in the laptop is set from 8 to 16 GB of RAM. In hitting on the test sample used in the unusual amount of 6 GB, assembled from two strips 2 and 4 GB from different manufacturers, which undoubtedly affected the results of performance testing. Storage system in the most accessible configurations is a hard drive capacity of 500 GB or 1 TB, the more expensive it is supplemented modifications SSD 60, 128 or 256 GB.

The real highlight of the configuration Acer Aspire V17 Nitro stands 17.3-inch IPS-matrix LG LP173WF4-SPF1 with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels, a matte finish and a maximum brightness of 300 cd / m2. Triplex removable battery 4600 mAh provides up to 4 hours in power saving mode and just over an hour in the game mode.

Results Acer Aspire V17

As a result, Acer Aspire V17 Nitro – this is a very successful large-format notebook universal orientation, which, depending on your wishes can equally well play a role and the role of the workstation and gaming PC. Performance is more than enough, excellent IPS-screen allows not to think about buying an external monitor, ergonomics and tactile sensations of use – with virtually no complaints. It remains to be noted that the Acer Aspire V17 Nitro has a more compact 15.6-inch counterparts, and the cost of the initial versions of the 17.3-inch model in Western markets starts at $ 1,199.

Liked

• high level of equipment and performance
• IPS-screen with Full HD resolution and a matte finish neblikuschim
• quiet and efficient cooling system with self-cleaning function Acer DustDefender
• convenient backlit keyboard, large touchpad
• slim body, nice materials, classic design

Do not like it

• some soiled surfaces
• short battery life under load

The post Review of the gaming laptop Acer Aspire V17 appeared first on Raqwe.

Today we introduce you to a 15.6-inch gaming laptop Lenovo IdeaPad Y500, which is characterized by the presence of the universal slots for plug-in modules in the form of a fan, hard drive, optical drive and discrete graphics card. In the latter case, the user is able to harness the power of two-card SLI-configuration of video graphics for games in the most modern designs.

Options

The gaming laptop Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 comes in everyday pack of undyed cardboard. No spaceships, monsters, heroes with guns blazing or other characters of computer games on the box you will not see, so to determine the positioning of the model on the package will not work.

In the box you will find just the device itself, documentation, and a massive “brick” 170-watt power supply. The only noteworthy piece of packaging is to transform polypropylene latches in … stand for your laptop. This DIY version is hardly a particularly useful or practical, but at first it may well help to avoid overheating of the system.

Design

Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 model is no different to the typical gaming solutions aggressive design, but a solid body thickness implies a powerful hardware stuffing, and black and red buttons hint at the fact that this is not a regular “office plankton”.

Laptop lid is finished in black sheet metal with a horizontally-oriented texture. Close lid side edges is slightly curved to facilitate visually body silhouette. The manufacturer’s logo is made with black, so it does not stand out too much against the dark cover. 

The base case is made of black plastic with interesting texture and two air grilles, and its shape is characterized by the same curves as the cover. The left side plate is decorated symmetrically on the right, although the second slot for plug-in modules are not there.

Front and two side faces Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 body made ​​in a single piece of plastic rough practical in turn is composed of a rear outer face of the battery, the two hinge loops and two curved elements of the bottom. Accordingly, connectors, and controls back there, and on the front face of decisions did not go only five status indicators, but also a full-sized card reader. 

On the left side wall taken out a pair of audio ports, “always-on” port USB 2.0, Kensington lock hole and the aforementioned slot Ultrabay. The right side panel contains two ports USB 3.0, connectors HDMI, RJ45, D-sub, as well as radiator cooling system, the charger and the button recovery utility company OneKey Recovery.

UltraBay slot

With further study, the notebook was found that the most interesting part of the Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 is a base case, since this is where the main elements of the Ultrabay. In order to take advantage of its capabilities need to start to remove the removable battery, and then move the extra clip in the battery compartment, and then with one hand to pull down the slider in the center of the bottom, and the second – remove the optional plug-in module. 

In our case, it was an additional discrete card, but depending on the chosen configuration in its place could be: optical drive, second hard drive, an additional cooling fan or a regular plug.

Installing a removable module in reverse order. Thus, the owners of the Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 can independently choose which features they want to improve the laptop.

Ergonomics

Interior panels Lenovo IdeaPad Y500, as well as external, are decorated in a rather simple way. The display unit is adapted to the classical scheme it uses two thin and rather broad loop (especially in the upper part) of the screen border impractical glossy plastic. 

The operating panel is a sheet of metal with holes for the touchpad, keyboard, and a pair of multimedia speakers from JBL. Solid square touchpad makes it easy to handle the interface of the operating system, but during the game it’s worth to prefer an external mouse. The only thing that may not like it when you look at the laptop in the open state, so it’s glossy design elements – screen bezel and speakers, as well as backing keyboard.

Thanks to the red sidewalls of each key island keyboard looks great during the day, but it looks even better at night with the backlight on, the level of which can be adjusted in the range of two grades. The concave surface of the keys made for greater user comfort, and should be commended, and tactile characteristics of the keyboard. At the same time talk about any particular game optimization keyboard is not necessary, since it is not marked even the standard cross control, not to mention the more subtle improvements.

Functionality

Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 notebook is available with a glossy 15.6-inch matrix TN + film with a standard resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels or optional Full HD screen with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. We were ranked second screen option, its viewing angles are traditionally for the technology are small, so care should be taken to choose the optimum angle display unit. The brightness of the display backlight is adjustable from 10 to 250 cd/m2 in the range of 10 shades, which is enough for most models use.

Model Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 is equipped with processors Intel Core “Ivy Bridge”, RAM 6 GB and above, as well as one or two discrete graphics NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M or 750M. A more recent modification processor-based Intel Haswell received index Y510, but it is just beginning to appear on the market. An interesting feature of the system is to lock the integrated graphics core into the processor, the laptop uses a discrete video, even when running on batteries.

As a result of testing in the configuration of the laptop Intel Core i5-3230M, 6GB RAM and two video cards NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, running in SLI-mode, the following results were shown in actual benchmarks. The battery life on a removable 6-cell battery capacity of 72 Wh (6700 mAh, 10.8 V) was 1 hour 50 minutes at maximum load, and three and a half hours in the emulation mode of reading.

The highest results in the graphical benchmark were obtained as expected in SLI-configuration, however, and not without a little surprise. As it turned out later, the easiest test SLI-configuration was even worse than odnokartochnaya.

The fall of 3D-performance in the transition to a single graphics card increases with the complexity of the benchmarks. If Ice Storm was performed better than in the case of SLI-configuration, then, for each subsequent test results falling in an arithmetic progression from 5% to 45%.

Finally, the third mode, we have shown how strongly reduced graphics performance when running on battery power, even if you use two graphics cards simultaneously. In the simplest test (Ice Storm) results were down “only” 3.5 times in the benchmark average complexity (Cloud Gate) values ​​dropped 5 times already, but the most revealing look at the comparison of the results of game test Fire Strike, where we got results in a drop 20 (!) times.

So the question is truly mobile gaming, as it is depicted by some marketers (on a bench in the park without a diesel generator in the bush), even for the most powerful in the inpatient gaming notebook is closed.

Operation

During the test operation of mission-critical claims to the Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 has not arisen. Not too liked the gloss on the screen bezel and keyboard backing, as well as the release of hot air from a second graphics card for the right hand, in which the player usually holds the arm. I liked the metal insert in the right places, stylish keyboard, both in daylight and at night (backlit) version and of course the modular Ultrabay. 

The results

As a result, Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 – a productive gaming laptop made ​​in a stylish metal body that can boast of a universal slot UltraBay, allowing the simultaneous use of two discrete graphics card NVIDIA. If you like this model, but you want to get more actual hardware platform, the wait is definitely worth visiting selling an updated version of Lenovo IdeaPad Y510 on chips Intel Haswell. 

Liked

+ Modular system upgrade functionality UltraBay
+ The ability to use two graphics cards in SLI-mode
+ Stylish body semimetallic
+ Keyboard with adjustable red backlighting

Do not like it

– Hot air distribution under the right arm using a second graphics card
– Insertion of glossy plastic
– The lack of game optimization keyboard

The post Notebook Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 Review appeared first on Raqwe.

The Russian company iRU released two new notebooks – the model Patriot Patriot 527 and 715 with screen sizes of 15.6 inches and 17.3 inches respectively. Interestingly, the brand that was established in 2002, promotes them as a powerful gaming laptop, the wholesale price that is 20-25% lower prices than for analogs of well-known manufacturers.

In models of Patriot Patriot 715 and 527 processors are used Intel Core i7-3630QM 2,4 GHz or Core i5-3230M 2,6 GHz with a mobile graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GTX660M with 2GB of memory GDDR5. Computers are also equipped with a hard drive capacity of 1 TB and 8/16 GB of RAM DDR3.

In addition, the manufacturer said such features of their gaming laptops as a special cooling, overclocking and the ability to upgrade, matte HD + display with a resolution of 1600×900, texture and hard-wearing plastic casing. Both devices work on Windows 8.

Among other characteristics mentioned the presence of the writer optical drive DVD-RW, Wi-Fi modules and Bluetooth, the presence of a card reader, webcam, microphone, built-in speakers and connectors are USB 2.0, USB 3.0, eSATA, VGA, HDMI, headphone and microphone , S / PDIF, RJ-45.

Laptops iRU Patriot Patriot 527 and 715 will be in retail Russia since August for a suggested retail price of $ 975.

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