Clevo PA71 Review – Best Budget-Friendly Gaming Laptop

When searching for a budget-friendly gaming laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance, the Clevo PA71 emerges as a compelling choice. This review will provide an in-depth analysis of the Clevo PA71, covering everything from its design and performance to its connectivity options and value for money.

If you’re in the market for a high-performance gaming machine without breaking the bank, this detailed guide will help you understand why the Clevo PA71 might be the perfect fit for you.

Overview of Clevo PA71

The Clevo PA71 is positioned as a robust yet affordable option in the gaming laptop market. It’s designed to offer high-end performance without the exorbitant price tag of many other gaming laptops. With its 17.3-inch display, Intel i7 processor, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics, it aims to deliver a powerful gaming experience. In this review, we will break down its features, performance, and overall value to help you determine if it’s the right choice for you.

Clevo PA71 Features and Specifications

The Clevo PA71 features a large 17.3-inch display with a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels, making it ideal for immersive gaming and detailed graphics work. It is powered by an Intel i7-8th Gen processor and includes 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and performance. The laptop also comes with a 512 GB SSD, which provides fast data access and quick boot times.

For gaming enthusiasts, the Clevo PA71 is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU, delivering high-quality graphics and a 144Hz refresh rate for fluid gameplay. It has a robust cooling system to prevent overheating during intense sessions and a stylish design with customizable RGB keyboard lighting. The laptop runs on Windows 10 and offers various connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the Clevo PA71 combines functionality with a sleek aesthetic. This gaming laptop is designed to withstand intense gaming sessions while maintaining a stylish appearance.

Materials and Construction:

• Chassis Material: The laptop features a sturdy plastic chassis with a matte finish. While not as premium as metal alternatives, the plastic construction is durable and resistant to scratches.
• Dimensions: The Clevo PA71 measures approximately 415 x 280 x 33 mm (16.3 x 11 x 1.3 inches). It’s relatively slim for a 17.3-inch laptop but still robust enough to accommodate its powerful components.
• Weight: At around 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs), the Clevo PA71 is heavier than many smaller laptops but remains portable enough for gaming on the go.

Build Quality:

• Durability: The laptop’s build quality ensures that it can handle the rigors of frequent transport and intense gaming sessions. The hinge and keyboard area are reinforced to withstand regular use.

Design Aesthetics:

• Color and Finish: The matte black exterior offers a modern look, while the customizable RGB lighting on the keyboard adds a personalized touch.
• Keyboard and Touchpad Placement: The keyboard is ergonomically positioned to provide a comfortable typing experience, while the touchpad is centrally located for easy access.

Display

The Clevo PA71’s display is one of its standout features. With a 17.3-inch screen and high refresh rate, it offers an immersive visual experience that enhances both gaming and media consumption.

Display Specifications:

• Resolution: The laptop’s display supports Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). This ensures crisp and clear visuals for gaming and other tasks.
• Refresh Rate: The screen has a refresh rate of 144Hz, which provides smoother motion and reduces screen tearing, making it ideal for fast-paced games.
• Panel Type: The display uses an IPS panel, which offers better color accuracy and wider viewing angles compared to traditional TN panels.
• Brightness: With a brightness of 300 nits, the screen is bright enough for most indoor environments. However, it might struggle in direct sunlight.

Display Performance:

• Color Accuracy: The IPS panel ensures that colors are vibrant and true to life, which is crucial for gaming and content creation.
• Viewing Angles: Wide viewing angles ensure that the screen remains clear and accurate from different perspectives, which is beneficial for collaborative gaming or watching movies with friends.

Performance

The performance of the Clevo PA71 is where it truly shines. With an Intel i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics, it’s built to handle demanding games and applications.

Processor:

• Intel Core i7-10750H: This 6-core, 12-thread processor is part of Intel’s 10th generation lineup. It offers strong single-threaded performance and handles multitasking efficiently.
• Clock Speed: The base clock speed is 2.6 GHz, with a turbo boost up to 5.0 GHz, providing ample power for gaming and productivity tasks.

Graphics Card:

• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060: This GPU is capable of delivering high frame rates in modern games. It supports real-time ray tracing, which enhances visual fidelity in supported titles.
• VR Ready: The RTX 2060 is also VR-ready, making the Clevo PA71 a good choice for virtual reality enthusiasts.

RAM and Storage:

• RAM: The laptop comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which is sufficient for gaming and multitasking. The RAM is expandable, allowing for future upgrades if needed.
• Storage: The Clevo PA71 includes a 512GB NVMe SSD. This provides fast read and write speeds, reducing load times and enhancing overall system responsiveness.

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Gaming Performance

The Clevo PA71’s gaming performance review shows that it handles modern games with ease. Its powerful components ensure smooth gameplay and high frame rates.

Benchmark Results:

• Call of Duty: Warzone: The laptop runs this popular title at an average of 75 FPS on Ultra settings, providing a smooth and enjoyable experience.
• Cyberpunk 2077: Despite its demanding nature, the Clevo PA71 manages around 55 FPS on Medium settings, balancing visual quality and performance.
• Fortnite: The laptop achieves approximately 120 FPS on High settings, making it ideal for competitive play.

Game-Specific Performance:

• High Settings: For most modern titles, the Clevo PA71 performs well at high settings, offering good frame rates and visual quality.
• Ray Tracing: While the RTX 2060 supports ray tracing, enabling it can impact performance. The Clevo PA71 manages ray tracing at lower settings, providing a glimpse into next-gen graphics.

Storage and Memory

Storage:

• 512GB SSD: The Clevo PA71’s SSD provides ample space for games, applications, and media. Its fast read and write speeds ensure quick load times and system responsiveness.

Memory:

• 16GB DDR4 RAM: The RAM is sufficient for gaming and general multitasking. It also supports memory-intensive applications, such as video editing and 3D rendering.

Upgrade Options:

• RAM Expansion: The laptop allows for RAM upgrades up to 64GB, providing flexibility for future needs.
• Additional Storage: There’s an extra slot for an additional SSD or HDD, allowing for further storage expansion.

Cooling System

The laptop cooling system in the Clevo PA71 is designed to handle the heat generated by its powerful components. Effective thermal management is crucial for maintaining performance and preventing overheating.

Cooling Features:

• Dual Fans: The Clevo PA71 features dual cooling fans that work in tandem to dissipate heat efficiently.
• Heat Pipes: The laptop uses heat pipes to transfer heat away from critical components, ensuring effective cooling.
• Fan Noise Levels: The fans operate quietly under normal conditions. During intense gaming sessions, they become more audible but remain within acceptable noise levels.

Thermal Performance:

• Temperature Management: The cooling system effectively manages temperatures, preventing throttling and maintaining consistent performance.
• Cooling Efficiency: The laptop’s design ensures that heat is evenly distributed and expelled, reducing the risk of hotspots.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The gaming keyboard with RGB lighting on the Clevo PA71 is designed for a comfortable and customizable gaming experience. The touchpad offers smooth navigation and multi-touch support.

Keyboard Features:

• Backlighting: The keyboard features customizable RGB lighting, allowing users to personalize their setup.
• Key Travel: The keys have a good amount of travel, providing tactile feedback and enhancing typing comfort.
• Layout: The keyboard layout is standard, with dedicated keys for commonly used functions.

Touchpad Features:

• Precision Touchpad: The touchpad is responsive and supports multi-touch gestures, making navigation easy and efficient.
• Surface: The touchpad’s surface is smooth, allowing for accurate cursor control and gesture recognition.

Webcam and Audio

Webcam:

• HD Quality: The Clevo PA71 includes a 720p HD webcam, which is suitable for video calls and streaming. While it’s not the highest quality, it’s adequate for everyday use.

Audio:

• Speakers: The laptop’s dual speakers provide clear sound for gaming and media consumption. However, they might lack the depth and richness of high-end external speakers.
• Audio Quality: The sound is crisp and clear, though for a more immersive experience, external headphones or speakers are recommended.

Battery Life

The gaming laptop battery life of the Clevo PA71 is reasonable, though it may not be sufficient for extended gaming sessions without access to a power source.

Battery Specifications:

• Capacity: The laptop features a 62Wh battery.
• Estimated Battery Life: Users can expect around 4-5 hours of battery life under normal usage conditions.

Battery Performance:

• Gaming Sessions: During intensive gaming sessions, the battery life is significantly reduced, necessitating frequent charging.
• General Use: For regular tasks such as browsing and document editing, the battery life is adequate.

Connectivity

The Clevo PA71 offers a range of gaming laptop connectivity options, ensuring compatibility with various peripherals and networks.

Ports and Slots:

• USB Ports: Includes 2 x USB 3.2, 1 x USB-C, and 1 x USB 2.0, providing ample options for
  connecting devices.
• HDMI Port: Features 1 x HDMI 2.0 for connecting external displays.
• Ethernet Port: 1 x RJ45 for wired network connections.

Wireless Connectivity:

• Wi-Fi 6: Supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering faster speeds and improved connectivity.
• Bluetooth 5.0: Provides stable and efficient wireless connections for peripherals and other devices.

Operating System

The Clevo PA71 comes pre-installed with Windows 10 gaming laptop, providing a stable and user-friendly environment for gaming and other tasks.

Operating System Features:

• Windows 10 Home: Offers a range of features suitable for gaming and productivity.
• Upgrade Options: Compatible with Windows 11, allowing for future upgrades if desired.

User Experience:

• Interface: Windows 10 provides a familiar and intuitive interface, with access to a wide range of software and games.
• Compatibility: The OS ensures compatibility with most applications and peripherals.

Price and Value

The gaming laptop price of the Clevo PA71 is competitive, especially considering its performance and features. At approximately $1,299, it offers excellent value for money.

Price Comparison:

• Clevo PA71: ~$1,299
• Comparable Laptops: Typically priced between $1,500 and $1,800

The Clevo PA71 provides a cost-effective alternative to other gaming laptops in its class, offering solid performance at a lower price point.

Top Reasons to Buy the Clevo PA71

Here are the top reasons to consider the Clevo PA71:

• High Performance: The combination of an Intel i7 processor and NVIDIA RTX 2060 graphics delivers strong performance for gaming and productivity.
• Large Display: The 17.3-inch screen with a 144Hz refresh rate enhances gaming immersion and visual clarity.
• Affordable Price: At around $1,299, the Clevo PA71 offers excellent value for a gaming laptop with these specifications.
• Customizable Keyboard: The RGB backlighting allows for a personalized gaming setup.

Pros and Cons of Clevo PA71

Pros:

• Powerful Components: The Intel i7 processor and NVIDIA RTX 2060 provide strong performance for gaming and multitasking.
• Large, High Refresh Rate Display: The 17.3-inch screen with a 144Hz refresh rate enhances gaming experiences.
• Affordable Pricing: The Clevo PA71 offers a high level of performance at a budget-friendly price.
• Customizable RGB Keyboard: The keyboard’s RGB lighting can be tailored to your preferences.

Cons:

• Battery Life: The battery life is relatively short, particularly during gaming sessions.
• Webcam Quality: The 720p HD webcam is average and may not meet the needs of users seeking high-quality video.

FAQs

Is the Clevo PA71 suitable for professional use?

Yes, the Clevo PA71’s powerful hardware and large display make it suitable for both gaming and professional tasks such as content creation and software development.

Can I upgrade the RAM and storage in the Clevo PA71?

Yes, the Clevo PA71 allows for RAM upgrades up to 64GB and additional storage options, providing flexibility for future needs.

How does the Clevo PA71 compare to other gaming laptops in its price range?
The Clevo PA71 offers competitive performance and features at a lower price compared to many other gaming laptops in its class, making it a strong value proposition.

Conclusion

The Clevo PA71 stands out as a gaming laptop review for its impressive performance, large display, and affordable price. It offers a great balance of features and value, making it an excellent choice for gamers and users seeking a budget-friendly yet powerful laptop. If you’re in the market for a high refresh rate laptop that delivers strong performance without a hefty price tag, the Clevo PA71 is definitely worth considering.