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Trying out the Best Notebook M18 Gaming Laptop i9-13980HX RTX 4090 (2024)

My thoughts on the M18 Gaming Laptop: performance, multitasking, battery life, and value for money.
Author
Affiliation
Sid Metcalfe

Cartesian Mathematics Foundation

Published

December 27, 2023

Introduction

I recently got my hands on the new M18 Gaming Laptop, and I’ve been putting it through its paces. This machine is a monster, equipped with the latest 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090. As a tech enthusiast and a gamer, I’m always on the lookout for hardware that can push the boundaries of performance, and this laptop has plenty to offer. Whether I’m gaming at the highest settings or multitasking for work, this laptop has managed to keep up without breaking a sweat.

Specifications

Property Value Property Value
Brand Best Notebook Model Name M18 Gaming Laptop
Screen Size 17.3 Inches Color Dark Metallic Moon
Hard Disk Size 2 TB CPU Model Intel Core i9
Ram Memory Installed Size 64 GB Operating System Windows 11 Pro
Graphics Card Description Dedicated Graphics Coprocessor Graphics Card GeForce RTX 4090 16GB

Prices

Performance Beast Unleashed i9-13980HX and RTX 4090

A close-up shot of the m18 laptops keyboard with rgb lighting and the trackpad

Exploring the M18 Gaming Laptop with its 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX processor and GeForce RTX 4090 has been nothing short of stellar for me. Unpacking the specs, this machine is a dream for any tech enthusiast - it’s as if the beast of performance has been truly unleashed.

  • 24-Core beast: The 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX processor packs a wallop. I’m handling intense gaming sessions, editing videos, and multitasking with heavyweight applications without a hiccup.

  • Next-level gaming with RTX 4090: Games are insanely smooth. I’m clocking high frame rates even on the most demanding titles.

  • Mammoth memory and storage: 64GB DDR5 RAM alongside a whopping 6TB NVMe SSD? This laptop rips through loading times and offers a vast warehouse for all my files.

  • Screen that dazzles: That 18” FHD+ display with a 480Hz refresh rate is a sight to behold. It’s smooth, it’s crisp, and for someone who spends hours on the screen, it’s a game-changer.

I’ve tested a lot of gaming laptops, but the M18 Gaming Laptop’s combination of cutting-edge hardware has set a new benchmark for me. The multitasking prowess is evident when I have dozens of browser tabs open, along with heavy-duty applications, and I experience zero lag.

Graphically, I’ve been spoiled. Moving from my old gaming PC setup with a Core i9 9900k and GTX 1080, where I was stuck at 30fps playing something as light as Roblox, the upgrade to an RTX 4090 here has been eye-opening. Jumping into graphics-intensive games like Valorant, I’m seeing frame rates hit the roof - we’re talking a consistent 550 fps and sometimes more, a number which would delight any gamer.

Of course, no machine is without its downsides. The battery life is one such concession. When gaming off the charger, the longevity is, frankly, disappointing. But that’s an expected trade-off with rigs this powerful. Fortunately, tweaking settings like the refresh rate or switching to integrated graphics extends battery life significantly when I’m not plugged in.

Another point to consider is the weight. At almost 9 pounds, this is not something I’d want to lug around often. But for the sheer horsepower it packs, it’s a compromise I’m willing to make.

While the price point can make anyone’s wallet tremble, the M18 Gaming Laptop’s performance justifies its cost, for those who need the pinnacle of gaming and content creation firepower. I need to remind myself I did not get this solely for gaming though—yes, mom, it’s for my studies too, the horsepower is just a nice plus.

Productivity and Entertainment On-the-Go

Laptop screen displaying a high-resolution colorful graph representing productivity applications

When you’re constantly on the move, the balance between productivity and entertainment becomes crucial. The M18 Gaming Laptop seems designed to blur that line, offering performance that can keep up with demanding workstation tasks and, at a flip of a switch, turn into an elite gaming rig. I must admit, the idea of carrying something that versatile in my backpack is pretty appealing.

Let’s talk specs. Here’s a quick rundown of what this machine comes packing:

  • Processor: A beefy 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX that doesn’t even flinch at heavy workloads.

  • Graphics: The GeForce RTX 4090 – games look stunning, and creative tasks in 3D modeling and video rendering fly by.

  • Memory: A gigantic 64 GB RAM – multitasking becomes a breeze.

  • Storage: Fast and spacious with a 6TB NVMe SSD, ensuring quick load times for apps and games.

  • Display: An 18” FHD+ with a killer 480Hz refresh rate – say goodbye to motion blur.

As I switch between work meetings and gaming sessions, the transition is seamless. Editing video projects is smoother than ever, and with so many cores at my disposal, rendering feels like a thing of the past. Jumping into a quick game of Valorant, the frames stay sky-high, eliminating any lag that could cost me the match.

But of course, no machine is without its drawbacks. The battery life takes a hit when I’m pushing the laptop to its limits, especially in gaming. It’s not surprising, though – power like this sucks a lot of juice. And then there’s the price tag. It’s steep, but in my view, you’re paying for cutting-edge tech that’s just hard to find elsewhere.

I wouldn’t say it’s perfect for everyone – if you need a laptop that prioritizes battery life over raw power or if your wallet isn’t ready for such an investment, there are other options that might suit you better.

Closing thoughts? I won’t lie, it’s thrilling to have such a powerhouse at my fingertips. The M18 Gaming Laptop is a glimpse into a future where the lines between desktop performance and portable convenience are increasingly blurred, and I’m here for it. If your lifestyle demands superlative performance in both work and play, this machine is hard to beat – just make sure you’re near a power outlet, and your bank account is prepared for the hit.

Battery Life Trade-Offs in High-Performance Laptops

An image of the laptop unplugged with a battery icon showing low power

High-performance laptops like the M18 Gaming Laptop with the latest 13th Gen Intel Core i9 and a RTX 4090 are nothing short of jaw-dropping, but they all seem to share one common drawback: battery life. It’s something I’ve come to expect, but it doesn’t make it any less annoying when you’re knee-deep in a gaming session and your screen dims with low battery warnings.

Here are the trade-offs I’ve noticed:

  • Performance vs. Portability: When you’re plugged in, this machine is a beast, but once you go cordless, the beast is on a leash. Sure, you can tweak settings to favor battery, but isn’t that defeating the purpose of this powerhouse?

  • Advanced Tech Consumption: With stellar specs, you get unrivaled speed and graphics, but they guzzle power, leaving you in a constant search for the nearest outlet.

  • Work and Play Balancing Act: Productivity doesn’t take as big of a hit on battery life, so yeah, you can argue this machine is great for both—but gaming unplugged? Not so much.

Dealing with these trade-offs means carrying the power adapter wherever you go is a must. But, let’s look at the silver lining here because it’s not all doom and gloom. When undertaking less demanding tasks, the M18 holds up pretty well on battery. Plus, adjusting settings like dimming the display, disabling unnecessary background apps, and switching to the integrated graphics can help squeeze out extra unplugged time.

Sure, the battery life leaves something to be desired, especially when gaming, but it’s a small price to pay given the rest of the package. I mean, we’re talking about frame rates that make your eyes water with envy, a keyboard that makes both gaming and typing a breeze, and enough power under the hood to have you breezing through work and play.

I do wish I didn’t have to think about battery life, but then again, I’m carrying what’s essentially a desktop replacement around in my backpack. It’s a bit of give and take, and until battery technology catches up with the power demands of such high-end components, that’s just how it’s going to be.

Given the choice, however, I’ll always opt for max performance and deal with the battery life as a manageable inconvenience. After all, isn’t that what being on the cutting edge is all about?

The Price of Top-Tier Gaming and Workstation Combination

A pile of currency fading into a blurred laptop in the background depicting the high cost of the device

When you’re dropping cash on a high-end laptop like the M18 Gaming Laptop with all the bells and whistles, you’ve got to weigh the pros and cons. Here’s my breakdown:

Pros:

  • The 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX processor is a beast for gaming and heavy workloads.

  • With the GeForce RTX 4090, games like Valorant are hitting sky-high fps.

  • A 6TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD means loads of storage and lightning-fast load times.

  • The 32GB DDR5 RAM is overkill for most, but perfect for gamers and professionals.

Cons:

  • The battery life takes a hit when you’re not plugged in and gaming hard.

  • The price tag is daunting - we’re talking about well over $6000.

I usually prioritize performance and, honestly, this M18 doesn’t disappoint. Multi-tasking with several apps and browser tabs is a breeze, and the mechanical keyboard makes typing not just comfortable but actually enjoyable. It’s rare to find this combination of tactile feedback and low-profile design in a laptop.

The graphics are downright stunning, too. The RTX 4090 card powers through anything I throw at it, and the 18-inch display is a treat for the eyes with its butter-smooth 480Hz refresh rate. We’re living in the age of RTX, and it’s beautiful for gaming and professional graphic work.

However, there’s no sugarcoating the sticker shock. This machine costs an arm and a leg, so I can’t overlook the price factor. It makes me think twice about how much I’m willing to spend for top-tier performance. Sure, it’s a significant step up from my old gaming PC with a Core i9 9900k and GTX 1080, but that upgrade comes at a premium.

Another thing to keep in mind is the battery. Unplugged, gaming can drain it faster than you’d like, which isn’t unexpected, but something to consider if you’re not always near an outlet.

Maybe the biggest issue is having to explain to my mom why I need such a powerhouse just for “studying.” But hey, why not have a machine that does it all if you can afford it, right?

In the realm of gaming and performance laptops, the M18 Gaming Laptop is a behemoth that strides across both worlds with ease. The cost is definitely on the high end, but for those who need (or want) the absolute best, it’s a contender that’s hard to ignore.