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Scan 3XS Graphite LG157 review

Scan 3XS Graphite LG157 front
Our Rating :
Price when reviewed : £950
inc VAT

Screen and build improvements make the Scan 3XS Graphite LG157 gaming laptop a top mid-range choice

Specifications

Processor: Quad-Core 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-4710HQ, RAM: 8GB, Size: 385x268x29mm, Weight: 2.5kg, Screen size: 15.6in, Screen resolution: 1,920×1,080, Graphics adaptor: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M, Total storage: 120GB SSD, 1TB hard disk

www.scan.co.uk

Almost all the laptops we review from specialist manufacturers are built using the same unremarkable-looking Clevo chassis, but Scan has switched to a new, overhauled design for the 3XS Graphite LG157. The result isn’t exactly eye-popping, but it’s thinner, lighter and better made than its predecessors while maintaining a classy, understated design for gamers and power users who don’t want to show off.

A simple 3XS logo embossed on the soft-touch, matt black lid is the only branding present outside, and it’s more of the same once you open the lid. The angled speakers are a nice touch, although they lack any real bass or mid-range presence.

There’s a numerical keypad in addition to the keyboard, and both are backlit with white LEDs for working or gaming in low light. Each full-size key has a satisfying amount of travel, and we didn’t have any issues with missed keystrokes. The large touchpad isn’t quite as strong, as while its buttons have a satisfyingly springy action, the pad itself isn’t as responsive as we would like.

Scan 3XS Graphite LG157 lidThere are ports on almost every edge of the LG157, with four USB3s, VGA, DisplayPort and HDMI display outputs, a gigabit Ethernet port and three 3.5mm audio jacks for surround sound, which is more than enough for gaming at a desk with a full collection of peripherals. We’re a little baffled as to why there are two memory card slots, however; SDXC is a useful inclusion but hardly any devices use MMC cards any more.

We had no complaints when it came to performance, however, thanks mainly to the punchy Intel Core i7-4720HQ processor. This quad-core chip runs at 2.5GHz and is paired with 8GB of 1,600MHz DDR3 RAM, as well as both SSD and hard disk storage. Scan expects this particular model to prove popular, but the system configurator lets you add or remove components based on your budget.

Scan 3XS Graphite LG157 left portsScan 3XS Graphite LG157 right side

The processor is a minor upgrade over last year’s i7-4710HQ, but still provides performance equivalent to that of a Core i5-powered desktop PC. It excelled in our benchmarks, managing scores of 112, 88 and 86 in our photo conversion, video rendering and multitasking challenges. This laptop is more than powerful enough to tackle moderately challenging tasks in a quick, and mostly quiet, manner. The fans exhaust air out the rear of the laptop quietly, and neither the keyboard nor the bottom of the machine got uncomfortably hot while in use.

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Core specs
ProcessorQuad-Core 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-4710HQ
RAM8GB
Memory slots (free)2 (0)
Max memory16GB
Size385x268x29mm
Weight2.5kg
Sound3x 3.5mm audio ports
Pointing deviceTouchpad
Display
Screen size15.6in
Screen resolution1,920×1,080
TouchscreenNo
Graphics adaptorNvidia GeForce GTX 960M
Graphics outputsHDMI, VGA, Mini DisplayPort
Graphics memory2GB
Storage
Total storage120GB SSD, 1TB hard disk
Optical drive typeDVD+RW
Ports and expansion
USB ports4x USB3
BluetoothYes
Networking802.11ac Wi-Fi, gigabit Ethernet
Memory card readerSDXC, MMC
Other portsNone
Miscellaneous
Operating systemWindows 8.1
Operating system restore optionWindows 8.1 restore
Buying information
Parts and labour warrantyTwo-year RTB
Price inc VAT£950
Details3xs.scan.co.uk
Supplier3xs.scan.co.uk
Part number3XS Graphite LG157

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