Lenovo Y700 (17-inch) vs ASUS ROG GL752 – when size matters

lenovo-y700-17isk-vs-asus-gl752-cover

Our comparative articles that juxtapose models that are quite similar in terms of price and performance are mainly about 15-inch models. This is so because most users are after portability – they want their devices with them everywhere they go. 17-inchers are heavier and less comfortable to carry around, although they offer bigger display, which leads to a more immersive experience. So if you like this size, the present article will appeal to you.

After we did a detailed comparison between three 17-inch premium machines – Alienware 17 R3, Acer Predator 17 and ASUS ROG G752 – we are back to the arena to compare two models that are good alternatives if you are on a budget and can’t afford one of the above listed three laptops. We chose the present article to focus on Lenovo Y700 and ASUS ROG GL752 – two 17-inchers that offer high enough performance to immerse you in the world of virtual reality, while their price is quite affordable for this kind of laptops. The two notebooks are offered for almost the same price, and their components are identical – Intel Core i7 CPU, which will be discussed further down, and a GeForce GTX GPU that comes with 2 GB or 4 GB own memory – for more information read on.

Lenovo Y700 (17″): Full review / Check price

ASUS ROG GL752: Full review / Check price

Design and construction

Just like the 15-inch variant, Lenovo Y700 (17) offers great build quality and aggressive looks. The lid is made of brushed aluminum and no matter how hard we press, no ripples appear on the other side, on the display. Despite this, we don’t recommend applying pressure on it because it is a fingerprint magnet and you will have to clean it very often. As far as the base is concerned, aluminum is the dominant material again. There are also two vents – the main one placed at the back, and one additional on the bottom. The latter features an additional filter which protects the fan from dust particles entering the inside – a very good solution that you will have to clean regularly.

ASUS ROG GL752 is ASUS ROG GL552’s bigger brother which means that the dominant material is plastic. The lid is covered namely with plastic and in its middle, there is an area that resembles aluminum, and it contains the ROG logo. In comparison to Y700, fingerprints are almost not to be found on ROG GL752’s lid or chassis. Its base is again made of plastic. Despite this, we are quite happy with its quality, and on it we find interesting patterns that make the notebook even more interesting. The vent is placed on one of the sides, and the manufacturer has added a few additional bottom vents that allow cool air to enter the machine for better cooling. The “Temperatures” section below displays the results we achieved.


IMG_1572

IMG_8975-Copy

Y700’s interior is the same as that of the 15-inch variant. Aggressiveness is achieved thanks to the stylish red backlighting that brings gaming appearance and can also be quite useful in poor lighting conditions. Additionally, the input devices are the same, the only change being an increased palm rest area. We are still missing the Media buttons, present in Y50 and Y70 – perhaps, Lenovo thinks that this laptop targets gaming fans alone. The sharp lines of the JBL loudspeakers, above the keyboard, contribute to the complete aggressive gaming style.

ASUS ROG GL752’s interior is made of plastic which attracts fingerprints (contrary to the lid). The input devices are the same, and this is a positive feature because their key travel is nice and the trackpad is adequate. Similarly to Lenovo Y700, this laptop offers a red backlighting with the same functions and lack of multimedia buttons. The aggressive design of ROG GL752 is enhanced by beautiful plastic ornaments and the only “Republic of Gamers” inscription, placed between the speakers.


IMG_1576

IMG_8978-Copy

As you may see, the two models are completely different in terms of design and construction. This may make your choice easier and we would like to tip the scales for one final time. Lenovo Y700 is quite thin, when compared to ASUS GL752 – 28 mm vs 40 mm. Nonetheless, the former is the heavier of the two – 3.6 kg – and this may be due to the choice of materials. ASUS ROG GL752, on the other hand, weighs 3.0 kg – you can keep this in mind when choosing.

Lenovo Y700Detailed information about design and construction

ASUS ROG GL752: Detailed information about design and construction

Display

Both notebooks boast very good displays which is a great plus since they are 17″ in diagonal. The two have the same Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 p), and Lenovo Y700’s panel is IPS. This means that it brings not only richer colors (we shall examine this in more detail further down) but also wide viewing angles. ASUS ROG GL752 uses a TN panel which translates into lower response time, compensating for the less comfortable viewing angles.


Angles-Y700

Angles-ASUS-GL752

Lenovo Y700’s display is the same as the one used in Acer Predator 17 – LG LP173WF4-SPF1. From our previous comparative articles, we know that LG displays offer rich and vibrant colors. This is true for the model in question – its sRGB coverage is 89%. In comparison to the 15-inch model, which offered only 51% sRGB coverage, Lenovo has done more than a good job. ASUS ROG GL552 also came with an LG display with 91% sRGB gamut coverage. We are unsure whether GL752’s panel is by the South Korean company but our test results are pretty decent – 95% sRGB coverage. All this means that you can fully enjoy the virtual world thanks to the punchy colors.


GAMUT-Y700-1

Gamut-ASUS-GL752

Now that we know that the 17-inch Y700’s display has been improved, we must check if it uses PWM. We remember that the 15-inch variant would use PWM under 58 cd/m2 brightness – rather low value for normal usage. Fortunately, the bigger brother does not use PWM across all brightness levels, thus preserving our eyesight. ASUS GL752’s panel, on the other hand, is a different case. PWM is present up to 99% brightness and you can avoid it only at 100%.


PWM-Y700-1

PWM-ASUS-GL752

We can conclude that there are changes in both models when compared to their 15-inch versions, which is great news to all consumers in favor of bigger devices. These laptops boast wide sRGB coverage, and the use of PWM in the second model (ROG GL752) can be avoided by using 100% brightness.

Lenovo Y700: Detailed display tests

ASUS ROG GL752: Detailed display tests

Specs sheet

Both models feature identical components which suggest a similar performance in games – we shall check this in the “Performance” section. The CPU in both is the same – Intel Core i7-6700HQ. It offers four physical cores, and the Hyper-Threading technology supported by Intel increases the number of virtual (logical) cores up to 8. Additionally, their operating frequency is 2.6 GHz which can go up to 3.5 GHz thanks to the Turbo Boost technology. The chip’s consumption is 45 Watts, and its maximum operating temperature is 100 degrees Celsius.

More information about Intel Core i7-6700HQ and its position in our Top CPU Ranking you can find HERE.

Furthermore, both models use the same GPU, the only difference being the size of its own memory – whether this will result in any difference in games, we shall check further down. The graphics card’s name is GeForce GTX 960M, and in Y700 its own memory is 2GB GDDR5, while in ROG GL752 – 4GB GDDR5. To ensure accurate results we have used various games that will provide enough information as regards the chip’s performance.

More information about the GPU and its place in our Top GPU Ranking you can find HERE.

Lenovo Y700 (17″)ASUS ROG GL752
CPUIntel Core i7-6700HQ (4-core, 2.60 -3.50 GHz, 6MB cache)Intel Core i7-6700HQ (4-core, 2.60 -3.50 GHz, 6MB cache)
RAM8GB (1x 8192MB) – DDR4, 2133 MHz8GB (1x 8192MB) – DDR4, 2133 MHz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M (2GB GDDR5)NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M (4GB GDDR5)
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm) + optional M.2 2280 SSD128GB M.2 SATA SSD + 1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display17.3-inch – 1920×1080 (Full HD) IPS, glossy17.3-inch (43.94 cm) – 1920 x 1080 (Full HD), TN, matte
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.02, LANLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0
Features
  • 2x USB 3.0
  • 1x USB 2.0
  • Webcam
  • integrated microphone
  • JBL loudspeakers + subwoofer
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • HDMI
  • RJ-45
  • 4in1 SD card reader
  • LED keyboard backlighting
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • 1x USB 3.1 (Type-C)2
  • 2x USB 2.0
  • Webcam
  • integrated microphone
  • 2x 3.5 mm audio jack (headphones/mic)
  • RJ-45
  • mini DisplayPort
  • HDMI
  • memory card reader (SD, MMC, MS)
  • Sonic Master loudspeakers
  • keyboard backlighting
Battery4-cell, 4050 mAh, 60 Wh4-cell, 48 Wh (3200 mAh) Li-Polymer battery
Profile thickness 27.95 mm40.29 mm
Weight 3.59 kg3.04 kg
PriceCheck priceCheck price

Battery

Since the models are 17-inchers, one is unlikely to expect long battery life, especially if they preserve the battery units from their smaller brothers. This is namely what we observed in ROG GL752 and Y700 – the mobile devices use the same units as ROG GL552 and Y500 (15″). In testing the smaller models, we were more than happy as they provided more than 6 hours of Web browsing. The situation with the two 17-inchers was not exactly the same


IdeaPad_Y700

net-e1447260011388

Lenovo Y700 uses a 4-cell 60 Wh battery that managed to supply the hardware and get 6 hours of Web browsing. In the gaming test, we registered 2 hours and 5 minutes which can be considered as good news. However, ASUS ROG GL752 displayed slightly different results. Even though it uses a TN panel, it seems that the energy used to power this display is much higher, and we registered 3 hours and 30 minutes of Web browsing and 1 hour and 35 minutes of play time.

Lenovo Y700: Detailed battery tests

ASUS ROG GL752: Detailed battery tests

Performance

As we mentioned earlier, both models feature the same GPU with the only difference being the own memory. The main question here is whether this will have unfavorable consequences after we bump up the resolution and settings in a game, or the results will be identical. We launched one of the most popular games and can easily say that you can’t go wrong with either model. Our tests showed almost identical results which can be changed only by NVIDIA drivers (which are updated quite frequently).

Lenovo Y700: Gaming tests

ASUS ROG GL752: Gaming tests

Temperatures

Since these models are 17-inchers, we expect them to perform a tad better in this respect than their smaller brothers. This is due to the bigger chassis which ensures more room for better airflow. Whether there is a changer or not, you can find out in the lines below…

We begin with the standard 100% CPU stress test. As expected, both laptops preserved chip temperatures that allowed maximum operating frequencies of 3.1 GHz for four active cores. We measured 75 degrees Celsius in Lenovo Y700, while ASUS GL752 got a bit hotter – 80 degrees. After we launched the parallel GPU test, things got boiling.

The problem we’d encountered with the 15-inch Y700 was present here, too. It is about a very high temperature value that leads to throttling. We measured 97 degrees in the CPU, and 84 in the GPU. Fortunately, the latter preserved maximum frequencies, whereas the processor would hesitate between 700MHz – 3.1GHz. ASUS ROG GL752 also rose its temperatures which lead to a constant 2.6 GHz CPU frequency – no throttling, which can be marked as an advantage over Y700.


y700-gpu

gl752-gpu

While examining these results a question may appear as to how 97 degrees affect the laptop’s exterior. Despite its larger size, Lenovo Y700 reached 48 degrees in the hottest point located above the NumPad panel. We don’t expect this to result in any discomfort since the palm rest area remained cool as did the keyboard. After the benchmarks, ASUS ROG GL752’s temperature was lower which should translate into cooler exterior than that of Lenovo Y700. The hottest point here was around the Space key – 40 degrees, which is quite reasonable even after a long gaming session.


temperatures-bottom-1

temperatures-bottom-1 (1)

Verdict

Lenovo Y700 and ASUS ROG GL752 are one of the best budget gaming laptops if you don’t mind the bigger size or if you are actually after a larger device that can deliver a good gaming experience. The former offers better build quality thanks to the use of aluminum rather plastic which is to be found in ASUS ROG GL752. Both notebooks offer very good displays, and the lack of PWM across all brightness levels in the former reduces the harmful effects on your eyesight. If you plan on using the latter at maximum brightness, you will thus avoid PWM.

Despite its 17″ size, the Lenovo Y700 is a better choice if you want to rely on the battery for longer periods of time. It was the absolute winner in our Web browsing test (roughly 6 vs 3 hours). Both laptops offer identical performance which can be explained by the use of similar hardware, whereas the ASUS is a bit better in terms of cooling capabilities. Nonetheless, we don’t think you will ever reach 100% GPU and CPU load in games. It is namely gaming that these laptops have been designed for.

Lenovo Y700 (17″): Full review / Check price

ASUS ROG GL752: Full review / Check price



Why choose Lenovo Y700 (17″)?

  • better build quality
  • lack of PWM across all brightness levels
  • longer battery life




Why choose ASUS ROG GL752?

  • better cooling
  • more accurate colors
  • lack of PWM at maximum brightness


Abbonarsi
Notifica di
guest
3 Comments
Feedback in linea
Visualizza tutti i commenti
Mr Yo
Mr Yo
7 anni fa

This review comparison is great! I’ve been looking for a gaming laptop at around this price range and these two laptops were the ones that struck out the most to me. I clearly saw the differences, pros, and cons, with each laptop in comparison as well as an option to go into more detail. Thanks a bunch for this comparison. Personally, I’m going with the Y700 🙂

Mike
Mike
7 anni fa

This was a very helpful review and comparison. Thank you!

vlad
vlad
7 anni fa

Hello,

1. which screen is best: N752VX-GC234 or Lenovo Y700-17ISK?

(can i make the N752VX glossy by applying a clear film protector?)

Thanks.