Origin PC Releases EON17-SLX Gaming Laptop With Desktop-Class Nvidia GTX 980, Dual-GPU Options

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By Derek Forrest
published

When Nvidia put desktop-class GTX 980s into laptops, it seemed to spark a new class of desktop replacements. With overclocked graphics and unlocked mobile Intel 6th generation (Skylake) processors, this new class of laptop offers performance never-before-seen in notebook PCs. Origin PC has taken this concept to a whole new level, and announced its new EON17-SLX customizable gaming laptop, which features desktop GTX 980 GPUs in addition to Intel Core i7 and i5 Skylake desktop processors.

The EON12-SLX can be configured with only desktop processors, but GPU options include less-powerful mobile graphics and dual graphics configurations. Currently, the EON12-SLX features up to 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) of DDR4-2133 memory, but up to 64 GB of 2400 MHz RAM will be available as an option soon.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CPU Options-Intel Core i5-6400-Intel Core i5-6600K-Intel Core i7-6700-Intel Core i7-6700K
Memory Options-Up to 32 GB DDR4-2133-Up to 64 GB DDR4-2400 (Coming Soon)
Single GPU Options-GTX 970M (6 GB)-GTX 980M (8 GB)-GTX 980 (8 GB)
Dual-GPU Options-GTX 970M (6 GB)-GTX 980M (8 GB)
M.2 Storage OptionsSATA: Up to 500 GB Samsung 850 Evo PCIe: Up to 512 GB Samsung 950 Pro
2.5-Inch Storage OptionsSSD: Up to 2 TB Samsung 850 Evo/Pro HDD: Up to 2 TB Seagate HDDHybrid: Up to 1 TB Seagate SSHD

The 16.8 x 12 x 1.8-inch chassis houses a 17.3-inch 1920x1080 IPS display with Nvidia G-Sync technology, with enough space to fit up to two M.2 SSDs and up to two 2.5-inch drives. The M.2 drives can even be configured in a RAID 0 array for blazing-fast read and write speeds, and there's a USB 3.1 Type-C port, too.

It's amazing how many high-performance parts (and desktop versions, no less) can be crammed into a laptop these days, and Origin PC appears to be targeting elite gamers (with disposable income) with laptops that could conceivably replace a high-end gaming desktop.

"The EON17-SLX will have enthusiasts and gamers dominating their competition," promised Kevin Wasielewski, CEO of Origin PC. "You literally have a laptop that is just as powerful as any modern high-performance gaming desktop today."

Dual-gigabit LAN is provided by a Dual Killer E2400 controller, and there are two internal wireless cards: a Killer Wireless AC 1535 dual-band and Bluetooth card, and an Intel PRO Wireless AC 7265 with a Bluetooth card.

Custom metallic paint colors such as Eternal Pink, Sabot Grey, Atmos Blue and Evolve Green add a personal touch to these powerful laptops. A backlit multi-color keyboard and trackpad are also aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

The EON17-SLX gaming laptop is available now from Origin PC and starts at $1,999.

Derek Forrest is an Associate Contributing Writer for Tom’s Hardware and Tom’s IT Pro. PC gaming, graphics hardware and VR devices are among his favorite topics to cover. He is a lifelong PC enthusiast, former IT administrator and a custom PC builder with a penchant for creating music, voice acting and all things geek.

Follow Derek Forrest on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, RSS, Twitter and YouTube.

Derek Forrest
Derek Forrest
Derek Forrest is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He writes hardware news and reviews gaming desktops and laptops.
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21 Comments Comment from the forums
  • DeadlyDays
    So they include a Desktop 980, but still are sitting on 1080p monitors. I feel like the system designers aren't really properly balancing these laptops. I'd throw an expensive higher resolution screen on there. I mean tablets are shipping with screens nearly as big with higher resolutions, I imagine they could throw them on their highest end laptops with desktop grade graphic chips
    Reply
  • dudmont
    DeadlyDays,
    In some ways I agree with you. As a recent buyer of a laptop, who never intends to plug it into an external monitor, I don't need to spend money on a more expensive graphics solution than that necessary to run the laptop display at acceptable levels for me. I bought a cyberpower that had a 1080 ips display. I went with the 970m graphics option, due to the extreme cost and lack of value in going with the 980m(I might on my own swap in a 980m, but it's still not a real powerful graphics setup). I'm not going to need more muscle than that needed to run 1080 well.
    Here's where I disagree with you. A single 980 won't run 4k effectively, only 1440, and frankly 1440 is rapidly becoming obsolescent. I've never seen a laptop with a 1440 display, although it is intriguing. Until there's a laptop that has 980tis in sli, there's no need to buy a laptop with a display of more than 1080, if you plan on gaming, due to the lack of graphics processing muscle. Unless you run your display at lower resolutions........
    Reply
  • Graham71
    If they make a laptop with a PCI Express slot able to take any desktop card I'll be interested. Nvidia GPU's burning out in Laptop's is very costly.
    Reply
  • hst101rox
    So they include a Desktop 980, but still are sitting on 1080p monitors. I feel like the system designers aren't really properly balancing these laptops. I'd throw an expensive higher resolution screen on there. I mean tablets are shipping with screens nearly as big with higher resolutions, I imagine they could throw them on their highest end laptops with desktop grade graphic chips

    Well, what about if the user wants to be able to play new games in 2019 in medium to high settings at full 4K? They can't. So 1080p is better for longevity with gaming if you don't like running a 4K monitor at 1K resolution.

    I would have been amazed if they were able to put dual 980 non m GPUS in a laptop. Would need a 400W AC adapter or so! Dual 980m + an unlocked 6820HK is plenty already. At least a 330w AC adapter required.
    Reply
  • matm347
    Graham71, they do make an external PCIe slot that uses a laptops internal PCIe, cable, external PSU and monitor. They go for ~$60.

    I've been keeping my eye on Origin for my next gaming laptop since Alienware went to Dell with zero custom config options (what were they thinking!!!??!!??). I'm digging the powerful single GPU!
    Reply
  • phaelax
    If you haven't seen a laptop with a 1440p screen yet you must not be living in the present day. Aside from Apple having high res laptops for years now, a simple search can show you dozens of laptops currently available with 4k screens. 1440p is not asking for much on a laptop like this and a 980 is more than capable of handling it and higher. Gaming at 4k on max settings is another story, but running your desktop at 4k with that card is no struggle.
    Reply
  • dudmont
    The key word you said was "Apple" ;)
    Some of us pay zero attention to what the Apple folks do.
    Reply
  • dudmont
    16984384 said:
    If they make a laptop with a PCI Express slot able to take any desktop card I'll be interested. Nvidia GPU's burning out in Laptop's is very costly.
    Alot of modern laptops have a slotted graphics system that is similar to PCIe. It's removable and swap-able. My cyberpower has it, as do many others: MSI, Alienware(Dell), Asus, etc.
    I would be curious to see how the new laptops that have desktop 980s in them implement em, if it's the same chips put on the laptop cards, or if it's in a true PCIe card. I'd bet it's the former. This will open a few options for upgrading, and guarantee that you'd never find a 1080 game that was too much for your graphics.

    Reply
  • dstarr3
    Being overpowered has two benefits:
    A) Future-proofing. The GPU will be able to hold its own longer.
    B) External displays. If you have a 27" 1440p/120hz monitor, the laptop can handle it.
    Reply
  • bloodroses75
    Having desktop parts, I have to imagine the battery life is abysmal, and probably gets quite hot to due the draw needed.
    Reply