Clevo NH70 Review: A Powerful Gaming Laptop for Enthusiasts

The gaming laptop market is fiercely competitive, with numerous brands vying for the attention of gamers and tech enthusiasts. Among the myriad of options available, the Clevo NH70 stands out as a compelling choice for those seeking a balance between performance, affordability, and customization. In this review, we’ll dive deep into the features, performance, and overall value of the Clevo NH70, exploring why it might be the perfect gaming laptop for you.

Design and Build Quality

The Clevo NH70 boasts a sleek and understated design that appeals to gamers who prefer a more professional look. Unlike some gaming laptops that scream “gamer” with flashy RGB lighting and aggressive angles, the NH70 takes a more subtle approach. Its matte black finish and clean lines make it suitable for both gaming and professional environments.

The build quality is solid, with a sturdy chassis that feels durable yet not overly heavy. Weighing in at around 2.5 kg, the NH70 is relatively portable for a 17.3-inch laptop, making it a viable option for gamers who need to carry their rig to LAN parties or work on the go. The keyboard deck is firm, with minimal flex, and the hinge mechanism feels robust, ensuring the screen stays firmly in place.

Display: Immersive Visuals

One of the standout features of the Clevo NH70 is its 17.3-inch Full HD display. The screen offers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it ideal for both gaming and content consumption. With a resolution of 1920×1080, the NH70 delivers crisp visuals that bring games and movies to life.

The refresh rate is a standard 60Hz, which might be a drawback for competitive gamers who prefer higher refresh rates like 120Hz or 144Hz. However, for casual gamers and those who prioritize visual fidelity over ultra-fast response times, the NH70’s display is more than adequate. The anti-glare coating is a nice touch, reducing reflections and making it easier to use the laptop in brightly lit environments.

Performance: A Gaming Powerhouse

Under the hood, the Clevo NH70 is equipped with hardware that can handle modern games and demanding applications with ease. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i7-9750H processor, a six-core, twelve-thread CPU that delivers excellent performance for gaming, streaming, and multitasking. Paired with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, the NH70 ensures smooth operation even when running multiple applications simultaneously.

For graphics, the NH70 features an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU, which is capable of running most modern games at high settings with solid frame rates. Whether you’re playing AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or competitive games like Valorant, the NH70 delivers a smooth and immersive gaming experience. The GPU also supports NVIDIA’s Optimus technology, which dynamically switches between integrated and discrete graphics to optimize battery life.

Storage options are flexible, with support for both SSDs and HDDs. The base configuration typically includes a 256GB SSD, which provides fast boot times and quick access to frequently used applications. However, the NH70 also has room for additional storage, allowing you to upgrade to a larger SSD or add an HDD for extra space.

Keyboard and Touchpad: Built for Gamers

The Clevo NH70 features a full-sized keyboard with a numeric keypad, making it convenient for both gaming and productivity tasks. The keys have a comfortable travel distance and responsive feedback, ensuring a satisfying typing experience. While the keyboard lacks per-key RGB lighting, it does offer customizable backlighting with multiple color options, allowing you to personalize your setup.

The touchpad is large and responsive, with support for multi-touch gestures. While most gamers will likely use an external mouse, the touchpad is more than adequate for everyday use. The inclusion of dedicated mouse buttons is a nice touch, providing additional convenience for those who prefer using the touchpad.

Connectivity and Ports

The Clevo NH70 comes equipped with a wide range of ports, ensuring compatibility with various peripherals and external devices. On the left side, you’ll find an Ethernet port, HDMI output, mini DisplayPort, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, and a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port. The right side houses two additional USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, a headphone/microphone combo jack, and an SD card reader.

The inclusion of both HDMI and mini DisplayPort outputs is particularly noteworthy, as it allows you to connect multiple external monitors for an extended desktop setup. The USB-C port supports data transfer and display output, adding to the laptop’s versatility. Wireless connectivity is handled by an Intel Wireless-AC 9560 card, which supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0.

Cooling and Thermals

Gaming laptops are notorious for their heat output, and the Clevo NH70 is no exception. However, Clevo has done an admirable job of managing thermals with a dual-fan cooling system and multiple heat pipes. Under heavy load, the fans can get loud, but they effectively keep the CPU and GPU temperatures in check.

During extended gaming sessions, the laptop’s surface remains relatively cool, with only slight warmth around the keyboard area. The bottom of the laptop features large ventilation grilles, ensuring adequate airflow. For those who want to push the NH70 to its limits, investing in a cooling pad is recommended to further improve thermal performance.

Battery Life: A Trade-Off for Performance

As with most gaming laptops, battery life is not the Clevo NH70’s strongest suit. The laptop is powered by a 46.74Wh battery, which provides around 4-5 hours of light usage, such as web browsing or watching videos. However, under heavy gaming loads, the battery drains quickly, lasting only about 1.5 to 2 hours.

This is a common trade-off for gaming laptops, as the powerful hardware demands significant power. If you plan to use the NH70 primarily as a desktop replacement or for gaming sessions near a power outlet, the limited battery life shouldn’t be a major concern. However, for those who need a laptop for extended use on the go, it’s worth considering a portable charger or power bank.

Upgradability: Future-Proof Your Investment

One of the key advantages of the Clevo NH70 is its upgradability. Unlike many laptops that are difficult to open and modify, the NH70 features a user-friendly design that allows easy access to its internal components. The bottom panel can be removed with just a few screws, revealing the RAM slots, storage bays, and cooling system.

This makes it easy to upgrade the RAM, add additional storage, or even replace the Wi-Fi card. For gamers and power users who want to future-proof their investment, the NH70’s upgradability is a significant selling point.

Price and Value

The Clevo NH70 offers excellent value for its price, especially when compared to other gaming laptops in its class. While it may not have the brand recognition of companies like ASUS or MSI, the NH70 delivers comparable performance at a more affordable price point. The ability to customize and upgrade the laptop further enhances its value, allowing you to tailor it to your specific needs and budget.

Conclusion: Is the Clevo NH70 Worth It?

The Clevo NH70 is a powerful and versatile gaming laptop that punches above its weight in terms of performance and features. Its sleek design, robust build quality, and impressive hardware make it a great choice for gamers and content creators alike. While the 60Hz display and limited battery life may be drawbacks for some, the NH70’s overall value and upgradability more than make up for these shortcomings.

If you’re in the market for a gaming laptop that offers a balance of performance, affordability, and customization, the Clevo NH70 is definitely worth considering. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, the NH70 has the power and flexibility to meet your needs.