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English => Reviews => Topic started by: Redaktion on April 03, 2018, 09:07:49

Title: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Redaktion on April 03, 2018, 09:07:49
Premiere for Coffee Lake. After Intel's new CPU architecture had its debut in the desktop segment a few months ago, Coffee Lake is now finally available for notebooks. Gamers can look forward to devices such as the ROG Zephyrus M GM501 from Asus, which we have taken a closer look at in this review.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-ROG-Zephyrus-M-GM501-i7-8750H-GTX-1070-Full-HD-Laptop-Review.293956.0.html
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: LWT on April 03, 2018, 13:42:58
Way, way, waaaay too loud.

Was really hoping they wouldn't mess the refresh up.
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Marcus K/S on April 03, 2018, 18:21:12
How is the battery life not significantly better if they made it thicker and heavier than the previous model? And why for the love of God does it only have a GTX 1070? The Zephyrus was built to showcase the capabilities of the GTX 1080 Max-Q, so why neuter the GPU options for this refresh?
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: toby111 on April 03, 2018, 22:20:44
Yes, definitely disappointing. My Asus Zenbook has a nice large Apple-style trackpad, why does this one have a smallish trackpad? I like their intention behind additional storage, but I think the majority of users would prefer enhanced battery life over additional storage options. There must be something about Max-Q design which prevents them from retaining a thin-styled laptop without sacrificing keyboard/trackpad placement and retaining optimal fan/cooling design. One thing I couldn't find in this review was whether the Optimus switching was automated or had a manual keypress for it. From what I've read, notebooks with G-Sync and >60hz displays tend to have poorer battery life. I would prefer a 60hz display and Optimus over 144hz and shorter battery life (I could use an external monitor for that) but I suppose Asus doesn't want to create multiple variants of this laptop.
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Sorin on April 03, 2018, 22:49:24
If you can switch between optimus and g-sync on this model, do you guys think they may add this feature to the original zephyrus with a bios update? I though you can only get one of the technologys not both. Also, I think the cpu is a great update! But I feel like a zephyrus x is going to show up with a volta graphics card.
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: LWT on April 04, 2018, 04:51:01
Quote from: toby111 on April 03, 2018, 22:20:44
Yes, definitely disappointing. My Asus Zenbook has a nice large Apple-style trackpad, why does this one have a smallish trackpad? I like their intention behind additional storage, but I think the majority of users would prefer enhanced battery life over additional storage options. There must be something about Max-Q design which prevents them from retaining a thin-styled laptop without sacrificing keyboard/trackpad placement and retaining optimal fan/cooling design. One thing I couldn't find in this review was whether the Optimus switching was automated or had a manual keypress for it. From what I've read, notebooks with G-Sync and >60hz displays tend to have poorer battery life. I would prefer a 60hz display and Optimus over 144hz and shorter battery life (I could use an external monitor for that) but I suppose Asus doesn't want to create multiple variants of this laptop.

I'm not so sure about this Toby. For a lot of us, these are strictly portable gaming machines.. we stick to Thinkpads etc for work. I mean, who wants to take something with "REPUBLIC OF GAMERS" with them to the office, or a lecture?

I'm a gaming laptop addict, but honestly could count the times I've used them unplugged on one hand.
I was very impressed with the original Zephyrus. Light, portable... but still a proper gaming machine with 120hz and G-sync.

There has always been a heap of options for people who want lightweight optimus (non-gsync) machines.
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Sem on April 05, 2018, 00:50:44
Great review as always.

Just curious..
(i think this applies to your previous reviews.)
For the Cinebench multicore test, it is mentioned that the score drops 10% after first run and goes on that way for the consecutive runs due to not keeping the boost clocks etc. But in the chart, only the first run score is given, not the average (or something like that.)
Isn't this approach a little faulty or misleading? You could easily provide the average scores in the charts.

Thanks..
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Lee W. on April 05, 2018, 02:34:06
Quote from: Marcus K/S on April 03, 2018, 18:21:12
How is the battery life not significantly better if they made it thicker and heavier than the previous model? And why for the love of God does it only have a GTX 1070? The Zephyrus was built to showcase the capabilities of the GTX 1080 Max-Q, so why neuter the GPU options for this refresh?
The other Zephyrus with the 1080 Max-Q is still available, now with the new CPU.

This one is meant to be a cheaper option.
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Dear Staff on April 05, 2018, 10:23:28
If you're reading this, please review the Ideapad 720s 15 with gtx 1050 Ti max q. I realize that it is not very widely available in EU region so the NBR team based in germany would not be to but perhaps someone on the team based in US could?
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Damien on April 08, 2018, 10:25:55
Is this supposed to be a successor to the current GL503VS "Strix Scar Edition", or an entirely separate lineup? Because the CPU update seems to be the only major difference between the two.
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Bleemo on April 10, 2018, 10:07:15
For the battery testing was the correct 'mode' engaged? i.e. switch on optimus/switch off g-sync? As I understand you are required to select the option in the asus software and reboot before the changes come into effect.

Just very strange that wattage was similar to the non-g-sync switchable version
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Clnt on April 12, 2018, 11:52:25
The retail version of this laptop doesn't ship with dual channel memory installed so this review and the performance scores here don't accurately reflect the retail purchasers experience.
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: TheRyGuy on April 13, 2018, 01:43:04
"In theory, the GTX 1070 would have enough power to support 1560x1440 pixels."

Do you mean 2560x1440?
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: V4vdoo on April 23, 2018, 10:26:32
How come that Acer Triton with 120hz display has such a slow response times?
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: DonGod on May 09, 2018, 12:00:39
Quote from: V4vdoo on April 23, 2018, 10:26:32
How come that Acer Triton with 120hz display has such a slow response times?

Because only in this generation AUO and LG provide IPS displays with faster ("TN like") response time.

Acer Triton 700 is not yet refreshed with the new CPU.
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: InterestedParty on May 14, 2018, 11:53:05
Does the laptop feature a TPM chip? Upgrading to Win10 Pro and enabling Bitlocker with TPM would make international travel a little safer, at least for the data.
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Nikhil on May 28, 2018, 13:15:54
"Temperatures become critical at 100 °C/121 °F.)"

100 C is approx equal to 212 F then why 121 F ??? can anyone explain !
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: xl on July 17, 2018, 11:39:27
Yes, it have TPM chip. Don't forget to update your bios to 303 or later version to get better thermals. Also, order an USB Ethernet adapter with laptop, it has no Ethernet port :(
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: bezbiku.info on July 18, 2018, 15:37:42
Way too loud, it has no Ethernet port :( sorry i'm not interested any more.
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: xl on July 19, 2018, 11:02:49
It is not possible to make silent laptop with this performance and size, just use headphones while gaming :)
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Laguna on July 19, 2018, 14:51:52
The laptop doesn't have a native displayport therefore including it in the specs sheet is misleading. And I'm sure not all 5 USB ports are 10Gbps Gen 2 speeds.
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Iluv2raceit on July 19, 2018, 15:40:30
Nice review - thanks!  One thing I did want to mention was that in the screenshots of the BIOS, I noticed that the BIOS version read 392, yet the most current version provided by Asus on their support website states the latest version is 303 (release date 2018/06/29).  Therefore, I'm assuming you had a pre-release version with a beta working BIOS.  You may want to update this review using the most current BIOS ;-)
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Iluv2raceit on July 19, 2018, 15:51:08
Quote from: LWT on April 03, 2018, 13:42:58
Way, way, waaaay too loud.

Was really hoping they wouldn't mess the refresh up.

It's a compact design gaming laptop.  There is no workaround to have this laptop run silent when gaming.  With increased size, more heatpipes, and larger fans you can have a quieter solution, but then that wouldn't be this product  ;)
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Iluv2raceit on July 19, 2018, 15:56:52
Quote from: Laguna on July 19, 2018, 14:51:52
The laptop doesn't have a native displayport therefore including it in the specs sheet is misleading. And I'm sure not all 5 USB ports are 10Gbps Gen 2 speeds.

Intel's official specs for the HM370 chipset that is used on this particular laptop's motherboard:

8 Total USB 3.1 Ports:
- Up to 4 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Ports
- Up to 8 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Ports

So, yes you are correct.  Still, 4 out of 5 ain't bad.  Not sure exactly why you would "need" all five USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports to fully support the theoretical bandwidth anyway  ;)
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Iluv2raceit on July 19, 2018, 16:05:52
I noted several of the comments referred to the laptop not having a native DisplayPort.  The reason why Asus did not include a mini-DP port is because the standard has migrated to having Thunderbolt 3.0 support DisplayPort output to an external display:

www.extremetech.com/computing/261589-new-intel-thunderbolt-3-controllers-add-displayport-1-4-better-usb-c-support
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Z on July 28, 2018, 00:43:06
How loud exactly is it when you put it into whisper mode?
Title: Re: Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, Full-HD) Laptop Review
Post by: Sorr on July 31, 2018, 22:41:14
If we use the  ICC file, the bluecast problem will completely desappear ?