...

same with me, I'm a programmer too, using Linux Mint most of the time and coming from Dell E6420 company's laptop.
Now considering illegear's laptop due to upgradability and great support.

for touchpad, in linux at least you can customize a lot of the touchpad settings using synaptics and xinput, much better than Windows

if not mistaken Z5 support optimus, did you setup bumblebee or primus?

same with me, I'm a programmer too, using Linux Mint most of the time and coming from Dell E6420 company's laptop.
Now considering illegear's laptop due to upgradability and great support.

for touchpad, in linux at least you can customize a lot of the touchpad settings using synaptics and xinput, much better than Windows

if not mistaken Z5 support optimus, did you setup bumblebee or primus?

This is my short review on Z5 v3. My laptop was ready within 2 working days after I ordered it (No OS). I bought this laptop mainly for coding (I'm a programmer) and I don't really game a lot nowadays.

I have 2 mSata 256GB and installed Windows 10 Pro on the first drive, and Linux Mint 17.2 on the 2nd drive. So, for you folks thinking about running Linux, this laptop works well. Just install Nvidia proprietary drivers (if you want maximum performance) and you're good to go.

Keyboard. This is the number 1 priority for me when choosing a laptop. I type a lot (especially when I'm coding) and I own few mechanical keyboards (this shows how important the keyboard is to me). It does NOT flex at all, and feels really solid (perhaps the aluminum helps). I do feel Macbook Pro keyboards are better. I'm totally disappointed with Alienware laptop keyboards though!

Screen. I'm used to IPS screen at home (I have 2 Dell UltraSharp), so having IPS on a laptop screen is a definite welcome. However, the backlight bleed is quite obvious. But then again, you don't really notice it on everyday usage. The hinge is quite strong/solid. It's quite stiff to open and close the laptop lid. However, it's wobbly compared to Dell Latitude E6540. I suspect it's due to the hinge being placed closed to each other, where as the Dell's hinge is quite far apart in between. With that being said, it doesn't feel like it's going to break anytime soon. The black bezel is made of thick glossy plastic. It could scratch easily if you're not careful.

Storage. A laptop that allows 3 storage device? Awesome! The only downside is that m2 is replacing mSata (or so I heard), and I only realize this after I bought it. That's why I just get 2 mSata drive straight. No more worries. I can add a 2.5" 1TB drive for data storage.

This laptop runs really quiet. I can hardly hear the fan noise (compared to a Dell Latitude E6540).

I seriously dislike the trackpad. The buttons are stiff, and cursor movements are not smooth. But then again, not many laptop have really good trackpads anyway (Macbooks are the best!). It's worse if you run Linux. So I just use my Logitech bluetooth mouse. Given that gamers will be using their own gaming mouse anyway, this might not be a problem at all.

Battery is built-in, but can be removed. However, there's just so many screws to remove! I think there's at least 12 screws? The problem is if you're on the go, you can't easily swap battery. Now why is this an issue? Because the power supply (150W) is quite heavy. The 8-cell battery can last 4.5 hours on normal use.

Overall, I love this Z5. For the price, you're getting a lot compared to well-known brands such as Asus, Acer, MSI or Alienware.

Pros:

• Solid keyboard. No flex.
  
• Can install up to 3 HDD. (1 x 2.5", 2 x mSata)
  
• Beautiful IPS screen. (There's backlight bleeding though, which is common.)
  
• Feels solid overall.
  
• LED lights on top cover and trackpad.
  
• The anodized aluminum cover is really nice!
  
• Charging USB port (I haven't test the output current though.)
  
• Spdif digital output. (This is great as I have an external DAC/Amp.)
  
• Ethernet, HDMI and VGA ports at the back. (Good for cable management.)
  
• Runs cool and quiet!
  

Cons

• Though the hinges are solid, the screen panel wobbles more compared to other laptops such as Dell Latitude E6540.
  
• Thick black glossy plastic bezel could scratch easily.
  
• Trackpad buttons are stiff, and cursor movements are not smooth. (But then again, good trackpad are rare. Macbook still dominates in this area.)
  

Nice review. Can I copy your review to the first page?

Sure! Thank you!

Z5 does support Nvidia Optimus.

Good afternoon,
I have some question wanna to ask regarding about the Windows 10 BIOS update.

1)If i want to send my laptop to illegear office for update the BIOS of my illegear z5, did i need to pay any service charge?

2)if i just want to update the BIOS only without upgrade my windows 8.1 to windows 10 it's okay? I want upgrade BIOS just for standby to upgrade windows 10 in the future.

Did you recommend me to update the BIOS without upgrade windows 10?

Hi

1. It's free.

2. Yes it's ok.

Your default BIOS is fine if you don't want to upgrade to windows 10.

Hi

1. It's free.

2. Yes it's ok.

Your default BIOS is fine if you don't want to upgrade to windows 10.

If upgrade to windows 10 and continue to use without updating the bios, what ll be the issue?

If upgrade to windows 10 and continue to use without updating the bios, what ll be the issue?

The bios most probably contains updated IMEI . Advice you to update ure buos as win10 will update on auto the latest as well. This will improve performance of the cpu on many levels.

Dude the process takes like seconds. Dont be scared

Its not easy to brick bioses. Illegear has a bat file that just runs the commandline etc.

Advice you to upgrade with fresh uefi install. I have been running win 10 for awhile. Its really good on battery life and retains win 8.1 performance or outdoes it. I get about 5-6hours surfing/word stuff. Win 8 i need to disable wifi to get that kind of batter life. Generally on win 8.1 its about 4-5.
Win 8.1 is bad on startup n loads a lot of rubbish overtime n causes lag because its doing something with ure hdd/ssd. Win 10 doesnt. Win 8.1.. When u use system stuff or win apps. U close them but they are still running in the background. Win 10 closes them for good. Background processes on win 10 is less.
I noticed the switch between igpu to gpu with win 10 is smoother.

Win 10 is truly a must for notebooks.

windows 10 that good? if for gamers leh?