Earlier this week, the rest of Intel’s 300 series of chipsets and a few related mobile processors were released, meaning every man and his dog has updated their existing lineup, or launched new products based on the new chips. Here’s a roundup of some of the more interesting laptop-related tidbits, in no particular order;
Table of Contents
Intel
Not to be overshadowed by all the manufacturer launches, Intel has also launched a product of their own, an i9 Mobile processor. Specifically, the Core i9-8950HK, a 2.9GHz, 45w rated part. Based on the Coffee Lake silicon (on 14nm), the chip features 6 cores, 12 threads, and 12MB of shared L3 cache. Being a K processor, the i9-8950HK has an unlocked multiplier for those who want to get that extra bit of performance out of their laptop.
Samsung
“Notebook”
(Source: Techpowerup)
Samsung has launched the “Samsung Notebook 5” and “Samsung Notebook 3” (good luck trademarking that one!). Both “Notebooks” are of a sleek design, and are available with an Intel 8th Generation i7 quad core processor (or 7th, if you’re that way inclined). The “5” variant is available in only a 15″ variant, while the “3” model adds a 14″ display option. However, the 14″ variant lacks a MXM GPU option! The 3 and 5 will be available in South Korea from April, with a wider release in time.
Odyssey Z
On the less subtle side of things, Samsung also launched the “Odyssey Z” gaming laptop, with up to a 6 core i7 processor and NVIDIA GTX 1060 GPU. Oh, and a horrific keyboard location.
MSI
(Source: Techpowerup)
MSI has launched three new models – the GS65 Stealth Thin gaming laptop, GT75 Titan with i9 processor and GE Raider RGB Edition (ugh).
Starting with the GT75 Titan, Intel’s aforementioned new i9 processor makes it’s debut, coupled with an NVIDIA GTX1080, 1070, or even a pair of 1070’s in SLI.
The GS65 Stealth Thin is a gaming laptop in an slim form factor, featuring the HM370 chipset, an 8th Gen Intel CPU and your choice of an NVIDIA GTX1060 or 1070. The 144hz full HD LCD panel is surrounded by an ultra slim bezel, adding to the slimmed down design.
More “Titan” – the GT75’s brethren have been updated, with both the GT83 and GT63 models receiving the 8th Gen Intel CPUs.
Finally, the “ugh” worthy models – the GE63 and GE73 Raider RGB models, complete with 24, yes 24, different RGB LED zones.
Gigabyte
Aorus
(Source: Techpowerup)
Again, a trifecta of laptops, this time from Gigabyte’s Aorus sub-brand. The X5 v8, X7 DT v8, with 8th Gen Intel CPUs and the X9 DT, with the Intel i9 chip, have been launched. All three laptops feature 144Hz displays, with Gigabyte claiming all units are calibrated with X-rite Pantone calibration for “perfect” colour reproduction right out of the eco-friendly rice-husk derived box.
AERO
Aimed more at the professionals, the AERO series is less GAM3R and more workstation. This doesn’t mean the AERO loses out on Gigabyte’s X-Rite Pantone calibrates 144Hz display – the same panel is available in this laptop too, powered by NVIDIA GTX 10 series graphics. RGB is also included, as well as Dolby Atmos certified sound. All this is powered by a 94.24Wh battery, promising a longer run time between charges.
Digital Storm
(Source: Techpowerup)
An interesting clash of subtle design and gaming, Digital Storm’s EQUINOX laptop features Intel’s 8th Gen i7-8750H processor and NVIDIA’s GTX1070. More 144Hz goodness here, with the 15.6″ IPS panel running at 1080P. The EQUINOX is launching at a MSRP of US$1956.
Acer
(Source: Techpowerup)
Acer’s Nitro 5 laptop, powered by Intel 8th Gen i7 and i7+ processors and NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti graphics, also launched. The Nitro 5 will be available from May with a base MSRP of US$749.
ASUS ROG
(Source: Techpowerup)
Not happy to launch only three models like the other brands, ASUS Republic of Gamers stormed the market with 6 laptop models!
The ROG Huracan (G21) is designed with an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, GTX 1080 graphics, Aura RGB lighting and a 2.5″ hot-swap SSD bay.
If you’re wanting to go slimmer, ROG offers the ROG Zephyrus (GX501GI), with similar specs to the Huracan but in a slim chassis, losing the hot swap bay.
For those after more of a desktop replacement, the 17.3″ HD display on the ROG G703 may be for you.
ROG’s Strix SCAR edition is optimised for competitive FPS gaming, with NVIDIA’s G-sync on the 1080p 144Hz panel.
The ROG Strix Hero edition is a MOBA focused model, with the 120Hz display claiming a 130% sRGB colour gamut. Not sure why MOBA players need that, but hey, it’s a feature.
Finally, the ROG Zephyrus M (GM501) is claimed to be the slimmest laptop on the market featuring an Intel 8th Gen Core CPU and a GTX 1070 GPU.
Dell
Dell’s XPS lineup has been updated with the XPS 15 and XPS 15 2-in-1 models updated with Intel 8th Gen Core processors and NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti graphics. The XPS 15 2-in-1 starts at US$1299.99, available now on Dell.com. From April 16, the XPS 15 (regular edition) will be available for a MSRP of US$999.99.
Alienware
Dell’s Alienware sub brand isn’t left out, with the Alienware 15 and 17 models being upgraded to use the Intel 8th Generation Core i5, i7 and i9 processors.
Thoughts? Discuss them in the forum.
