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Question

Laptop recommendation? Dell precision vs MSI GP62

Aug 30, 2018 10:19AM PDT

Hello,

I need to upgrade to a laptop capable of heavy data analytics and 3D modelling and visualization projects. Quad cores are quite expensive and with my little background on computer hardware, I have decided on the following models- both are used and priced at $700:

1) MSI 15.6 " Gaming Laptop GP62 7REX LEOPARD PRO i7-7700HQ GTX 16GB DDR4 1TB SSD MINT

2) Dell Precision 3520 i7-7700HQ FHD 16GB, 512gb SSD, Nvidia Quadro M620 2GB Laptop

SSD is double in the MSI; however I have been told DELL is in general more reliable and the Dell model is under warranty until 2020. Plus battery life in Dell is close to 10 hours vs. 4 hours in MSI according to reviews. Both are a year old. Also MSI has windows 10 home vs. Dell has windows 10 pro, savings of $100 to upgrade.

I am leaning towards Dell but MSI's market value seems higher so I was wondering if there is any reason other than SSD space to go with the MSI?

What do you guys suggest?

Thank you very much.

Post was last edited on August 30, 2018 11:39 AM PDT

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Looks like a horse race.
Aug 30, 2018 12:06PM PDT

As to battery time I continue to see a TEN TO ONE change in hours when reviewing laptops. 10 hours with low backlight and web use and one hour under load. You can't take those battery times and compare this way. Find a review site like notebookcheck that runs the battery through the low and high load tests.

We've had both makes and my view is you have two capable machines. A horse race.

How does the GPU differ?

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Dell performs longer under maximum load
Aug 30, 2018 12:30PM PDT

Dell last 1h19min under max brightness, full performance; MSI is 41 min under max brightness and load.

GPU:
- Dell - quadro M620, low end uses Maxwell chip; Nvidia; 2GB. Apparently fan is loud under load and needs improvement in cooling system.
- MSI - NVIDIA Pascal; GeForce GTX 1050 Ti ; GP62

I don't really know the difference or what is better. I am not sure that I need very sophisticated GPU

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That almost explains it.
Aug 30, 2018 12:55PM PDT
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So MSI wins?
Aug 30, 2018 1:17PM PDT

Wait so just to clarify, you recommend going with the MSI since its GPU is better? Haha sorry amateur here.

I was leaning towards Dell since it is still under warranty until 2020. Tough decision for sure, especially with 1tb ssd in the MSI.

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I may have answered my own question
Aug 30, 2018 1:22PM PDT
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For me, performance wins
Aug 30, 2018 1:39PM PDT

Since we've had MSI in the office and home before. As to warranty, I can't address since time given to warranty varies with the deal. I hate to share this but in over a decade at the office and home not one laptop has needed warranty service with exception of our last HP. That was a disaster and because of that, our last HP.

Even in warranty, HP was unable to fix the laptop.

So outside of that one, not a single laptop has needed warranty work.

All warranties seem to exclude issues with Windows so let's get that out of the way.

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Thank you for your valuable input
Aug 30, 2018 9:11PM PDT

I had not placed much value on the GPU but its good to take that into consideration. I have messaged the re-seller to confirm storage for MSI is in fact 1TB SSD and not an hybrid of some sort. Always skeptical with Ebay haha.

Thanks again.

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Yes, the 1TB SSHD is often touted as SSD.
Aug 31, 2018 10:11AM PDT

But it is not.