Introduction
You could say that Taiwan-based computer maker Gigabyte prefers the scattergun approach. Whether you’re looking for a wallet-friendly gaming laptop like the P55K or one that can play the latest 4K-optimized games (P35X), the company’s wide range of systems usually includes something that might catch your eye.
The fifth iteration of the P55W is one I’ve been looking particularly forward to. It’s basically a smaller version of the 17-inch P57W v5, which impressed on the back of its capable Nvidia hardware and eye-catching display. Can its follow-up deliver the same goods in a more compact package?
Looking at the specs, the answer could be yes. The P55W v5 squeezes the P57W v5’s Nvidia GTX 970M GPU and top-of-the-line Intel Core-i7 processor into a more manageable 15-inch chassis. Even though the difference in size is just two inches across the diagonal, the P55W is much easier to sling into a backpack and transport.
It’s cheaper too, although configurations vary. It can be picked up starting $1,224 (around AUS$1,694) in the US, while UK buyers can find the P55W online starting £1,178 from retailers listed on Gigabyte’s website. That places it in the same price bracket as the Acer Predator 15 and Schenker XMG P506. The question is, which one would win in a fight?
Claws out
Gigabyte’s gaming laptops tend to favor functionality and performance over dazzling looks, and the P55W is no exception. (If it’s a super-slim portable gaming machine you’re after, check out models by Gigabyte subsidiary Aorus such as the X3 Plus V3 instead.)
Decked mostly in matte black plastic that’s broken up by an orange trim running along the outer edge, the P55W’s tiger-esque color scheme is inoffensive yet slightly bland compared to aluminium-clad models such as the Asus ROG G752.
Nor does Gigabyte’s machine bother with any of the ostentatious design choices found on Acer’s newer Predator 15 and Predator 17 models. Depending on your view, and preference for a laptop that doesn’t look like it’s aimed at teenagers, that may be a good thing.
Whatever you think of its design, the P55W is a solidly-built machine. Two hinges on the left and right-hand sides of the display prevent the lid from wobbling when moved into position, and it can be raised with a single hand with ease.
Subtle cutaways in the lid combine with a chassis that doesn’t succomb to flex, resulting in a body that feels smooth and great to hold.
Vents are located on the left-hand side and underneath the machine for cooling. They do a good job of dissipating heat, and I found that the P55W remained comfortable to use on the lap even after a few hours of use.
Specifications
When it comes to specs, the Gigabyte P55W is primed for 1080p gaming at high quality, if not maxed-out settings. Nvidia’s Maxwell-based GTX 970M, which is still the second-most powerful single-configuration mobile GPU available in gaming laptops, is more than up to the task of chewing through the latest titles thanks to its 3GB of video memory.
Spec sheet
Here is the spec sheet of the Gigabyte P55W v5 provided to techradar:
- Processor: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-6700HQ (quad-core, 6MB cache, 3.5GHz with Turbo Boost)
- GPU: Nvidia Geforce GTX 970M (3GB GDDR5); Intel HD Graphics 530
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Screen: 15.6-inch full HD 1,920 x 1,080 IPS anti-glare LCD
- Storage: 128GB SSD; 1TB SSD
- Optical drive: Super Multi DVD-RW
- Ports: 3 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 x Type-C USB 3.1, HDMI 2.0, Mini DP, VGA, RJ45, microphone-in, analogue/optical headphone-out, SD card reader
- Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1
- Camera: HD webcam
- Audio: 2 x 2 watt speakers, microphone, Dolby Digital Plus Home Theatre certified
- Battery: Li-ion 6-cell 5400mAh (63Wh)
- Weight: 2.5kg (5.5 pounds)
Having Intel’s flagship mobile processor, the Core i7-6700HQ, only helps the P55W eke out maximum gaming performance. Its abililty to run eight virtual cores through hyperthreading is a particular boon if you use video-editing and other applications that can take advantage of multithreading.
The internal SSD is large enough to store a small selection of files that you require faster access to, along with two or three medium-sized games. It also helps the machine boot in a snap, and any applications loaded from it spring into life almost instantly. The majority of your Steam library will sit on the capacious 1TB spinning hard drive.
The trackpad and keyboard are located along the left-hand side of the base, which takes some getting used to if you’ve been using centered laptop keyboards. The upshot of that is the right-hand numberpad, which is an advantage for number-crunchers but I would prefer to see a row of dedicated macro keys along the left-hand side instead. The P57W v5 benefits from macro keys and that machine a much more viable option for MOBA and MMORPG players.
There’s a decent amount of travel in the keyboard’s keys which makes it more comfortable to type on than other aaming laptops with short-travel keys – including the P57W v5. If you’re looking for an entertainment machine that’s equally suited for typing up long documents, the P55W is a fine choice.
A small amount of flex is detectable in the keyboard in the keyboard if you press down hard on it, particularly around the centre which never proved a problem under general use. Its accompanying trackpad is is roomy and provides plenty of space for executing Windows 10‘s various gestures.
Port selection is decent, with VGA, ethernet, HDMI, micro USB and a traditional USB-A port on the left-hand side. On the right hand side are two more USB-A ports, headphone and microphone jacks, a DVD writer and the power connection. The P55W’s power brick is large but not excessively so – it’s certainly no monster like the breezeblock that accompanies the Octane II.
Benchmarks
The choice of a 1080p display is a sensible one as the GTX 970M inside would not be able to power games at 4K with fluid frame rates. As it stands, the P55W can take on any title out there right now.
Games benefit from the P55W’s bright display. It’s matte, rather than glossy, and holds up very well under strong lights and is even clear enough to be used outdoors. That said, despite being an IPS display, the display’s viewing angles are only average. Games look fine when viewed head-on (as they will be most of the), but saturation quickly fades as the angle becomes more severe.
Benchmarks
Here’s how the Gigabyte P55W v5 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
- 3DMark: Cloud Gate: 21,526; Sky Diver: 19,130; Fire Strike: 6,590
- Cinebench CPU: 675 points; Graphics: 62.34 dos fps,
- GeekBench: 3,798 (single-core); 13,511 (multi-core)
- PCMark 8 (Home Test): 3,407 points
- PCMark 8 Battery Life: 4 hours and 27 minutes
- Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor (1080p, Ultra): 54.61 fps; (1080p, Low): 114.90 fps
- GTA V: (1080p, Ultra): 22.64 fps; (1080p, Low): 132.62 fps
The P55W’s benchmark scores reflect a machine that’s primed for 1080p gaming, and in cases the results only just fall short of what can be achieved with Nvidia’s more powerful (and costly) 980M.
Take the Acer Predator 15, for example, which scored 67 fps in Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor’s Ultra benchmark compared with the P55W’s 55 fps. Gigabyte’s machine lagged slightly behind in 3D Mark’s Sky Diver test, racking up a score of 19,130 compared to the 21,829 achieved by the Predator 15.
Translating that performance into gaming ability, you can expect to have to dial down a graphical setting or two on the P55W – an acceptable compromise considering the money that can be saved versus picking up a 980M-equipped machine. That said, the 970M isn’t quite powerful enough to do games justice at 4K, and if you’re considering picking up an external monitor to play games in Ultra HD then you would be better served by a dual-GPU model such as the Aorus X7 Pro v5.
The display itself has pleasing brightness and crispness. It’s a matte display that holds up very well under strong lights and is even good enough to view outdoors. However, viewing angles aren’t terrific. It’s fine if you view it head-on and slightly to the side but the more you shift around the side the more the saturation fades.
Battery life is surprisingly good, lasting well over four hours in PC Mark 8’s benchmark. This is a laptop that you could take and use to get some work done, particularly so thanks to its impressive keyboard which makes typing a pleasure – a rarity for a gaming keyboard Compare the battery life to some other models such as the Alienware 15 (3 hours and 17 minutes) and Schenker P506 (3 hours and 11 minutes) and the P555W really shines.
Verdict
Its design might not rev my engine, but Gigabyte’s P55W v5 has many redeeming qualities. Its Nvidia GTX 970M inside is a capable performer, and although it’s not quite as strong as the 980M in other laptops Gigabyte’s choice of mobile GPU helps keep costs down.
We liked
You’ll never have to worry about which games will play well at 1080p thanks to the GTX 970M inside. Its 3GB of video memory isn’t huge, but it’s easily enough for you to load up even the most demanding titles and flick the quality settings all the way up.
Featuring a pleasingly bright display and tactile, deeper-travel keyboard, the P55W v5 also excels as a general-purpose computer that you can get work done on inbetween bouts of gaming. Whether using it for entertainment or being productive, the P55W’s battery life can extend past the four-hour mark which is a rarity for gaming-focused machines.
We disliked
The P55W’s display is bright, but it isn’t sharp. I would prefer to see a QHD+ display option at the very least; it’s not a huge resolution leap over 1080p these days but makes Windows 10 much more usable – especially when it comes to reading text on websites or typing up documents. And while the P55W is more portable than its P57W cousin thanks to its smaller chassis, it’s not exactly Ultrabook-sized and isn’t the most suitable option if you’re going to be transporting it daily.
Final verdict
Gigabyte has achieved an impressive balance with the P55W v5. A combination of Intel’s most power laptop processor and Nvidia’s highly capable GTX 970M makes for a machine that can reach the golden 60 fps with graphics details dialled up to 11 in the latest games. Its efficient cooling system and well-positioned vents means you can game with it on your lap for hours on end, and games look great on its bright display.
Although 1080p is the best choice for gaming, it goes against the P55W’s excellent productivity chops which are helped by its comfortable keyboard and above-average battery life for a gaming machine. If the P55W’s successor loses some thickness from the body, sheds some weight and ups the screen resolution while keeping the same powerful innards, Gigabyte could really be onto a winner.
Source: techradar.com
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