Question Need advice choosing a reliable laptop for work and light game dev

[Dancing Pixel]

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for suggestions on a reliable laptop for work, light narrative/game design, and occasional gaming. My budget is around CAD 3500 (tax included), slightly higher for a new model. I’m based in Canada but may move to Asia soon, so repairability and parts availability matter.


Main needs:

• Quiet operation during video calls and light creative work
• Good screen (matte, bright, at least FHD+, 15–16”)
• 32 GB+ RAM, 1 TB SSD, preferably upgradable
• Long battery life (8–12h light use)
• Runs recent games at 60 FPS+ on medium settings in 1080p
• Durable build with good warranty coverage

I’ve had mixed advice from AI tools and a local shop, so I’d appreciate input from people with real‑world experience. What models would you recommend, and what specs or features should I prioritize for my use case?


Thanks a lot for your help!

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[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

I’m based in Canada but may move to Asia soon, so repairability and parts availability matter.
How soon is soon ? I'd advise on holding off your purchase and buying a laptop in the country you're going to move to, for the sake of warranty claims(not to mention RMA times) and the devices built for that region would be better geared to said region, considering that Asia is a tropical region.

Can you pass on links that showcase what you have access to?

 

[Dancing Pixel]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

I’m based in Canada but may move to Asia soon, so repairability and parts availability matter.
How soon is soon ? I'd advise on holding off your purchase and buying a laptop in the country you're going to move to, for the sake of warranty claims(not to mention RMA times) and the devices built for that region would be better geared to said region, considering that Asia is a tropical region.

Can you pass on links that showcase what you have access to?

Your comment about Asia being tropical makes sense and should be taken into account of course, but for several reasons (difficulty to get a laptop by a very specific configuration, asian websites not always in English and people rarely speaking English fluently in Asia), I'll buy in Canada if possible. I could get a 16 GB RAM, 1 TB toaster if needed, but not speaking the language will make it difficult to ask for a specific configuration and making sure there are no misunderstandings. As I don't know the proper terminology for software and hardware, I used AI to structure a list for what I'm looking for when looking for a laptop.I would have liked to share web links for various products, but since AI and computer sellers shared very different points of view with me, I don't feel confident about what type of laptop to buy at all (workstation, gamer computer or other, I'm not even sure anymore).
In Canada, we have access to brands like Dell, Lenovo, HP, Acer, Asus, etc., so I’d rather buy here before moving.



What I’ll use the laptop for:

• Video calls for work (needs to be quiet during calls, 1080p webcam with a privacy shutter).
• Narrative design (I’m just starting) for indie projects, possibly using Unreal Engine, Blueprints, or Twine. Not for heavy AAA games, but I don’t want to be limited.
• Gaming: playing recent games (Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, Expeditions 33, etc.) at 1080p, 60 FPS on medium settings, without overheating.
• General tasks: writing, productivity, etc.

My main needs:

• Screen: 15.6" to 16", matte (no touchscreen, no OLED), FHD+ or better, bright (500 nits ideally).
• Battery: 8-12 hours for light use (work, writing).
• Quiet: No fan noise during video calls or light work; some noise is fine for gaming.
• RAM: 32 GB minimum (64 GB upgradable is a plus).
• Storage: 1 TB SSD minimum (2 TB upgradable is ideal).
• Not soldered: Parts that could need to be changed not being soldered would be a huge +
• Durability: Should last 7-8 years, easy to repair (non-soldered RAM/SSD), with parts available in Asia.
• OS: Windows 11 Pro (configurable in French).
• Keyboard: Ideally Canadian-French layout with backlight and numpad, but not a dealbreaker (I can use an external keyboard).
• Brands: Avoid ones with frequent issues (e.g., HP for battery/motherboard problems). Something durable like a ThinkPad would be great.
• Delivery: Quebec, Canada, within 10-14 days max.
• Warranty: At least 1 year, ideally 3 years with coverage in Asia.

What’s been suggested:

• A seller recommended an Alienware 16 AREA-51 (Ultra 9, RTX 5080, 32/64 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, 16" QHD 240 Hz). Sounds powerful, but maybe overkill for my needs?
• Suggested by AI:
  • ASUS ProArt P16 (2025): Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, 64 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD, RTX 4070, 4K OLED (but I’d prefer matte).
  • Dell Precision 5690: Core Ultra 7 165H, 64 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, RTX 1000 Ada, FHD+ matte screen.
  • Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9: i9-14900HX, 32 GB RAM (upgradable), 1 TB SSD, RTX 4080, QHD 240 Hz screen.The seller didn’t agree with these suggestions, so I’m a bit lost.
    
    *Those were not seconded at all by the computer seller.

My questions:

1. Is the Alienware overkill for my needs, or is it a good fit?
2. About ASUS ProArt P16 (2025), Dell Precision 5690 and Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9, do those make sense at all? AI suggested those and I don't know if that's reliable at all.
3. Are there models/brands I should consider (which are available in North America)?
4. Beyond brands, is there a type of laptop (workstation, gaming laptop, other) or configuration to look for, based on the requirements and uses mentioned (GPU, CPU, etc.)?
5. If anyone has been to SEA, any tips for finding spare parts in Asia or getting international warranty coverage? Should I forget about coverage at all and just take a general 1 year warranty?

Thank you for the help. I appreciate it. If you have suggestions or personal experiences, those would be quite useful. Have a nice day.