Pros: -Strong frame
-Great performance, blazing fast can handle pretty much every game on max settings unless you are gaming in 4k.
-Great price (I recommend getting this version without solid state and 14 gig RAM, you can buy the stuff separately and install it yourself and just move windows over to your SSD while getting rid of all the pre-installed junk)
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Cons: -The upper portion of the computer gets pretty hot while gaming but it doesn't bother me because it doesn't shut down or anything.
-The fans get pretty loud but it also doesn't bother me because I wear a headset when I game.

Other Thoughts: Overall great computer at a great price.

Pros: So really this machine depends entirely on how you use it. This laptop is thin, light, has incredible hardware. You already know the pros if your looking at the specs. Its really the cost saving downsides you will have to weigh in on if its worth it.

It has a track pad. It moves the mouse around, expecting anything more is silly talk.

4 hard drive bays really assist with file storage. Not everyone has access to high speed internet all the time. Keeping games on a large mechanical and swapping them to SSD's really helps.

This thing has a well constructed exterior. Picking it up and turning it in your hand it feels premium.

Cons: Downsides are the speakers have to much high pitched sounds with very little bass. I do not like headphones so this is a personal preference that they should be better. They have an equalizer included that did help, but the speakers could only do so much.

The keyboard is probably the lowest quality keyboard I have used on a laptop in 10 years. It bows when you push down on keys. I already have one key starting to cave in. A problem for me because I use the keyboard and do not travel with a USB one to use on the road. Also with the keyboard it seems placed closer to the top end of the laptop then what i'm used to. Preference thing but I am not used to having my forearm resting on a laptop.

The screen is pretty crisp. However, it is the dimmest screen I have seen on a laptop. I put a few laptop and tv screens next to each other with the brightness calibration picture and highest brightness was set for about the correct setting. meaning you have no room to make it go up a little more. A problem for me because I need to use the screen and do not have access to a monitor. One other thing to note about the screen is the viewing angle. Expect only the center of the screen to look slightly bright, and quickly fade to the edges. Using the brightness calibration picture. viewing the screen from the edge to the other edge makes the 7 block nearly black. Meaning your going to lose 1-2 blocks of brightness from viewing edge to edge.

Smaller con is power adapter connects on right hand side. I am right handed and use a mouse so it does tend to get in the way a bit.

Heat is obviously going to be a problem with the 980m. Fans seemed to do fine. Supprise to me tho they made fan noises (being sarcastic at reviewers complaining about fans). Not the loudest fans ive ever had in a laptop. I like to prop the back up with my wallet because i dont carry a cooler around with me This laptop is entirely bottom cooled. All major intake vents are bottom. One of which is exactly in the middle where i would put my wallet, great. The WASD keyboard side stayed somewhat cool. The rest of the laptop heats up considerably. Their is a vent that radiates heat up by the power button. making that area very hot.

Other Thoughts: All in all most of my cons are personal preference. Sadly I am going to return this machine because the need for a good keyboard, a screen I can see are more important to me.