Laptop (15-16" matt >400nits / sRGB>90) Top Keyboard +low DPC-Latency

[Hummel]

(English below) Vor Jahren habe ich mich durch einen Notebookcheck-Test für ein HP Probook 6550b entschieden und das hat mir lange Zeit treue Dienste geleistet (auch wenn es nicht mehr das erste Exemplar ist).

Was ich gewohnt bin:

• Eine Tastatur mit dezidiertem Nummernblock in erstklassiger Qualität
• Ein mattes 15,6"-Display mit guter Farbdarstellung sRGB immerhin 90,7)
• Ein herausnehmbarer und damit leicht wechselbarer Akku
• Geringe DPC-Latenzen (für Audio-Echtzeit-Anwendungen wie z.B. Reaper + Plugins)
• Das Ding ist leise!

Das Meiste davon möchte ich gern beibehalten. Die Kombination von 15,6"-Display (oder auch 16") mit einer "vollwertigen" Tastatur in Vielschreiber-Qualität ist ein Muss. Ein herausnehmbarer Akku ist ja selten geworden, das sollte kein Dealbreaker sein. Er sollte sich allerdings mit vertretbarem Aufwand austauschen lassen. Gut gefallen haben mir daher z.B. neben den alten Probooks auch die nun schon etwas älteren "ThinkPad"-Modelle (z.B. T590). Das bisherige Gewicht (2.7kg) ist schon recht schwer, aber damit käme ich notfalls weiterhin klar. Leise und kühl (ohne Voll-Last) ist mir ebenso wichtig - und auf keinen Fall Spulenfieben oder sowas.

Basics: Mind. 16GB RAM und 512GB SSD, CPU mit nicht zu hoher Verlustleistung, Möglichkeit zur Verwendung einer Dockingstation (z.B. über USB-C). Bei der CPU-Leistung müssen es keine Höchstwerte sein, aber wenn möglich wäre der Bereich einer Ryzen 6000-CPU schon schick. Verlötetes RAM nur sehr ungerne.


Das Display sollte heller sein als bisher (ca. 400nits oder mehr), muss aber weiterhin matt sein und sollte eine richtig gute - wenn auch nicht perfekte - Farbwiedergabe besitzen (muss oft Bilder für eine Homepage bearbeiten und schlechte Handyfotos farblich korrigieren).

Das Problem mit den DPC-Latenzen: Vor einigen Jahren wurde im Idle-Modus getestet, nun mit diversen Belastungen. Beides macht irgendwie Sinn, aber mir trotz einiger Recherche nicht klar geworden ob z.B. die "Hard Pagefault Count"-Werte von großer Relevanz sind (unter Belastung gibt es da eigentlich fast immer eine recht große Anzahl). Toll wäre, wenn jemand im Audio-/DAW-Bereich mit einem passenden Modell arbeitet und von seinen Erfahrungen berichten könnte.

Das Budget: Wenn ich mal eben 2,5k€ auf den Tisch legen könnte, wäre etwa das P15v G3 (AMD / 4k) ein Gerät, das viele Anforderungen erfüllt. Lieber würde ich bei rund 1.000€ landen (auch gerne gebraucht und es darf auch günstiger sein). Aber wenn es etwas mehr sein muss, dann ist das so.

Die Suche gestaltet sich schwierig: Die Sortierung nach DPC-Latency zeigt immer wieder "Ausrutscher" bei einigen Werten und lässt z.B. keine Einschränkung auf matte Displays als Filter zu. Die Suche nach Notebooks generell hat leider keinen Filter für DPC-Latency-Werte.

Vielleicht hat jemand ein paar gute Empfehlungen für diese "eierlegende Wollmilchsau"?


Years ago, I decided to buy an HP Probook 6550b from a Notebookcheck test and it has served me faithfully for a long time (even though it's no longer the first one).

What I am used to:

• A keyboard with a dedicated number pad in first-class quality
• A matt 15.6" display with good color reproduction (sRGB at least 90.7)
• A removable and therefore easily replaceable battery
• Low DPC latencies (for real-time audio applications such as Reaper + plugins)
• This thing is quiet!

I would like to keep most of that. The combination of a 15.6" display (or even 16") with a "fully-fledged" keyboard in frequent typist quality is a must. A removable battery has become rare, so that shouldn't be a deal-breaker. However, it should be possible to replace it with reasonable effort. That's why I liked the older "ThinkPad" models (e.g. T590) as well as the old Probooks. The current weight (2.7kg) is already quite heavy, but I could still cope with it if necessary. Quiet and cool (without full load) is just as important to me - and definitely no spooling or anything like that.

Basics: At least 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, CPU with not too high power dissipation, possibility to use a docking station (e.g. via USB-C). The CPU performance doesn't have to be top of the range, but if possible, the range of a Ryzen 6000 CPU would be nice. Soldered RAM only very reluctantly.


The display should be brighter than before (approx. 400nits or more), but must still be matt and should have really good - if not perfect - color reproduction (often have to edit pictures for a homepage and color correct bad cell phone photos).

The problem with DPC latencies: Tested in idle mode a few years ago, now with various loads. Both somehow make sense, but despite some research, it is not clear to me whether the "Hard Pagefault Count" values, for example, are of great relevance (under load there is actually almost always quite a large number). It would be great if someone in the audio/DAW sector worked with a suitable model and could report on their experiences.

The budget: If I could just put 2.5k€ on the table, the P15v G3 (AMD / 4k) would be a device that fulfills many requirements. I'd rather end up with around €1,000 (even if it's used and can be cheaper). But if it has to be a bit more, then so be it.

The search is difficult: sorting by DPC latency repeatedly shows "slips" in some values and does not allow a restriction to matte displays as a filter, for example. The search for notebooks in general unfortunately has no filter for DPC latency values.

Maybe someone has some good recommendations for this "egg-laying wool-milk sow"?

[picturedeputy]

Given your specific requirements and the budget range, finding a laptop that meets all your needs, especially considering DPC latencies, can be challenging, but there are a few options worth considering.
1. Lenovo ThinkPad T15 or T590
Display: Both models offer 15.6" displays, and you can find configurations with matte screens and good color reproduction. The T15 is newer, with some models offering 400 nits of brightness, while the T590 is older but still a solid performer.
Keyboard: Renowned for excellent typing quality and includes a full number pad.
Battery: While the battery isn't as easily removable as in older models, it's still replaceable with moderate effort.
Performance: Available with Ryzen 4000/5000 series or Intel's 10th Gen CPUs, which should provide enough power while maintaining low heat output and noise levels.
DPC Latency: ThinkPads generally have good DPC latency performance, but it's advisable to check specific models and user reports, especially those in the audio community.
Budget: Depending on configuration and condition, you might find a used T590 within your budget or stretch slightly for a T15.
2. HP EliteBook 850 G7/G8
Display: Offers a 15.6" matte display with good color accuracy and brightness (some configurations reach 400 nits).
Keyboard: High-quality keyboard with a dedicated number pad.
Battery: Replaceable, though not as easily as in much older models.
Performance: Intel's 10th/11th Gen CPUs, decent thermals, and quiet operation.
DPC Latency: Generally good, but check specific user feedback for audio-related tasks.
Budget: A used EliteBook 850 G7 should be within or slightly above your budget.
3. Dell Latitude 5511/5520
Display: 15.6" matte display with options for higher brightness and good color accuracy.
Keyboard: Good typing experience with a full number pad.
Battery: Replaceable, and Latitude models are known for easy serviceability.
Performance: Intel's 10th/11th Gen CPUs, efficient and quiet under typical loads.
DPC Latency: Latitude models usually perform well in this area, but verify specific model performance.
Budget: A used Dell Latitude 5511 might fit within your budget, while newer models might stretch it slightly.

snow rider

[Hummel]

Thanks for your suggestions. The biggest problem is DPC-latency. Most models do not perform flawlessly in this regard looking at the tests from notebookcheck.com.

I do like the T590 - it's a classic design with sufficient CPU-power (albeit not just up-to-date). Unfortunately only the 4K-display offers good color reproduction, the others are quite bad in this regard. The 4k-model can't be found used in my area (as it probably hasn't been sold in large numbers). The T480/490/495 do offer better displays, but the 14"-screen is quite a bit smaller and of course there is no number pad. For all of them the DPC-values have been tested without any load (and showed very good values), so it's not comparable to the more recent test results.

I had a look at the T16 with Ryzen CPU as this can be had slightly above my budget in my area (all 3 generations). DPC-values do look best on the first generation, no review of the 3rd generation yet, but Ryzen has been better than Intel-CPUs. The T15 could be had cheaper, but with some more serious DPC-problems according to the notebookcheck-test.

Every time I seem to have found a notebook according to my needs, the DPC-values are not quite as good or even quite bad (and many users made great effort to solve driver problems that are causing these high values - many times without positive results). Unfortunately this is the same with the Elitebook 850 series and the Dell.