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General discussion

Buying Advice: Lenovo Legion Y720 vs Asus ROG GL503VM-DB74

May 6, 2018 11:45AM PDT

I am trying to choose between a Lenovo Legion Y720 80VR00CJUS and Asus ROG Strix GL503VM-DB74 Hero Edition. The exact specs are given in the following links:

1) Lenovo - Click on View Current Models
2) Asus - Details at the bottom of the page

My primary use is not gaming, but gaming laptops are suitable for my work. My application areas include machine learning (especially training Conv. neural network), simulation, 3d design, robotics and computer vision. This also means that I need to be able to use Ubuntu OS on dual boot without any serious issues.

I am looking for opinions/ advice from owners and users of these machines regarding the following:

1) Reliability/ Failure Rate - A 2009 report says that Asus has the lowest failure rate. I have owned a Lenovo y510p since 2014 and I was able to use it for around three years. Then I owned a Lenovo y700 for more than an year until I spilled water on it. What are your experiences with Asus?

2) Ubuntu OS - The last time I purchased a laptop, I picked Lenovo against Asus because of the reports that said GPU and touchpad of Asus laptops doesn't work well in Linux. I have also heard that those issues have been resolved in the later models. Kindly let me know if anyone can provide any inputs.

3) Does y720 have a faster SSHD/HDD compared to that of GL503VM? I saw a report which said that the SSHD on Asus machine is slower than that of y520 (I am assuming Y720 will have a faster one compared to Y520). I am not concerned about the boot up since both machines also have SSDs. I am interested in the time required for copying operations.

4) How many hours of battery life are you getting with moderate to heavy use?

5) I have never owned a laptop that weighs more than 6 lbs and Y720 weighs 7.05 lbs. Is it noticeably difficult to carry around on a regular basis?

Discussion is locked

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I've had a similar Lenovo and it's been retired.
May 6, 2018 11:55AM PDT

Why? It's screen would flicker due to PWM. This is noted on your model at https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-Legion-Y720-7700HQ-Full-HD-GTX-1060-Laptop-Review.218710.0.html

It appears that the Asus does this as well. https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-ROG-GL503VD-DB74-7700HQ-GTX-1050-Laptop-Review.259452.0.html

This means these two are nearly identical and for now the 1060 gets the nod due to superior GPU performance.

As to weight I used such for work and didn't notice any troubles.

BUT for college users I worry about daily transport as they tend to schlep the laptop in backpacks and the laptops usually last about 2 years.

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The GPU is 1060.
May 6, 2018 1:19PM PDT

The Asus model that I am talking about is GL503VM not GL503VD. So, this one comes with a 1060 GPU not 1050 GPU.

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Can you find a notebookcheck review on that?
May 6, 2018 1:25PM PDT

At this point you are comparing units that are so close to the point they are identical.

What stands out to you here? Price? Have you used either even if for 30 seconds at a shop?

Sometimes I find the keyboard offensive.

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Price is not the biggest factor.
May 6, 2018 2:08PM PDT

My primary concerns, in the order of priority, are reliability, performance with Ubuntu and SSHD/HDD speed. Asus has higher price and I am a consumer who associates higher price to quality if the company is trustworthy. I tried using Asus machine at a shop but they were out of stock.

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That's a new one.
May 6, 2018 2:10PM PDT

I've yet to find Ubuntu perform much differently if at all when on such similar machines.

If you find the notebookcheck on the models you are looking at, SSD and HDD speeds are in the results.

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Ubuntu
May 6, 2018 2:18PM PDT

I think I explained my Ubuntu issue wrong. I am not concerned about performance but compatibility. For example, I have seen people not being able to use GPU and touchpad in Asus ROG when they are Ubuntu. So, issues like driver not being installed or device not detected.

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Then stike those from your lists.
May 6, 2018 2:24PM PDT

As I don't use trackpads I never see that issue. Sorry about that.

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User review
May 6, 2018 2:13PM PDT

I know that they are too identical. That’s why I am trying to get feedback from actual users.

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While I see a lot of laptops.
May 6, 2018 2:25PM PDT

I will bow out here. Be sure to post on Reddit and be absolutely clear you only want owners to reply.

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My apology on User review
May 6, 2018 2:39PM PDT

I didn’t mean to sound disrespectful. I am sure you are very experienced and I respect your work as a moderator. My point was that, a lot of times there are a lot of things about a laptop which the users can point out after using it for a longer period. Since both these laptops were very similar on paper, I was looking for such pointers. I sincerely apologize if I sounded disrespectful.

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Given the so close call.
May 6, 2018 2:47PM PDT

My only ding on the Lenovo is the PWM that resulted in its early retirement. It was a nice enough model Y510p. It had the optional dual 750 GPU which I won't do again due to heat and noise. But I did find a replacement bay to hold a HDD that fixed that.

The flicker on some colors was not a killer but annoying and since my office has pretty much given me almost a blank check I asked if it could be re-deployed to someone else and I'd try again. Went with the Asus Rog with the 960m for quite some time.

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Found a store
May 6, 2018 3:01PM PDT

I will keep in mind the PWM issue with Lenovo. I have found a store with both models on display. I am planning to visit at some point this week.

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While it's a 17 inch, this is what my office set me up with.
May 6, 2018 1:32PM PDT
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Long lasting?
May 6, 2018 2:11PM PDT

I have reviewed 15 inch versions of Acer Predator Helios 300. A few people indicated that their failure rate is higher and won’t last longer.

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Only had it since Oct 2017
May 6, 2018 2:27PM PDT

And here's why I don't slam this one over the HDD. It's a common item I see no matter what make or model so to me if I need to swap a HDD I don't take it as a sign I won't buy this make again.

That said, Acer makes a lot of the cheaps. This one doesn't feel cheap to me.

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Acer is back as an option.
May 6, 2018 2:41PM PDT

Okay. I am planning to keep Acer as an option. Thank You!