In today’s world of gaming and productivity laptops, finding the perfect balance between power, display size, upgradability, and cost can be a challenge. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer, a creative professional, or a power user who needs a reliable machine, the Clevo NH70 is a name that frequently comes up. But what exactly makes this laptop stand out in an increasingly crowded market?
In this comprehensive article, we will explore everything about the Clevo NH70 — from its design and build quality to performance, display, battery life, and much more. If you’re considering investing in a gaming laptop that delivers solid performance without completely breaking the bank, this guide is tailored just for you.
What Is the Clevo NH70?
First, a bit of background. Clevo is a Taiwanese company known for producing barebone laptops, which means they manufacture the core laptop chassis and components that can then be customized by various retailers and system integrators. This approach allows for flexibility in hardware configurations, often at competitive prices.
The Clevo NH70 is one of their standout models, primarily aimed at gamers and power users who want a large display, strong performance, and the ability to upgrade components as needed. The NH70 features a 17.3-inch screen, making it a desktop replacement laptop for those who want the power of a high-end desktop machine in a portable package.
Design and Build: Sturdy, Practical, and Functional
When you first lay eyes on the Clevo NH70, you immediately notice its clean, professional look. Unlike some flashy gaming laptops, the NH70 opts for a more subdued design with a matte black finish and subtle lines. This makes it suitable not just for gaming but also for professional environments where a more conservative appearance is appreciated.
Build quality is solid, with a robust chassis that feels durable and well-constructed. Despite the large 17.3-inch display, the laptop manages to stay relatively slim compared to older desktop replacement laptops, although at roughly 2.9 kilograms (about 6.4 pounds), it’s definitely on the heavier side. Portability is reasonable, but this isn’t a laptop you’ll want to carry around all day.
The keyboard features a full layout with a numeric keypad, which is a nice touch for those who use spreadsheets or number-heavy applications. The keys provide a satisfying tactile response, and the RGB backlighting adds a splash of personalization and gaming flair without being over the top.
Display: Large, Vibrant, and Smooth
The 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display is one of the Clevo NH70’s key selling points. The IPS panel provides wide viewing angles and accurate colors, which is important not only for gaming but also for content creators who require color fidelity.
A 120Hz refresh rate means smooth gameplay with reduced motion blur — a feature that is particularly appreciated in fast-paced games like first-person shooters or racing games. While the resolution is capped at 1920×1080, this is often a practical choice, as it allows the GPU to push higher frame rates more easily than on 4K screens.
This large, vibrant screen makes the NH70 an excellent choice for those who enjoy immersive gaming experiences or need ample screen space for multitasking, editing videos, or designing graphics.
Performance: Powerhouse Under the Hood
At the core of the Clevo NH70’s performance is the Intel Core i7-9750H processor, a 9th generation CPU with six cores and twelve threads. This processor is a workhorse capable of handling multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications like video editing or 3D rendering with ease.
Paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, the NH70 offers excellent mid-to-high tier gaming performance. This GPU can handle popular AAA titles at high settings, delivering smooth frame rates and good graphical detail. While not the absolute latest GPU on the market, it’s a cost-effective card that strikes a balance between performance and power consumption.
The laptop comes standard with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which is sufficient for gaming and productivity workflows. And, thanks to its upgradability, you can expand this up to 64GB if your workload demands it.
Storage: Speed Meets Capacity
One of the standout features of the Clevo NH70 is its dual-storage setup. The laptop typically ships with a 512GB NVMe SSD combined with a 1TB hard disk drive (HDD). This configuration offers the best of both worlds: fast boot times, quick application loading, and responsiveness thanks to the SSD, alongside ample space for large files, games, and media on the HDD.
For users who want faster overall storage, the SSD can be upgraded or expanded easily, as Clevo designs their machines with user accessibility in mind.
Battery Life: Surprising Endurance for a Gaming Laptop
Gaming laptops are not typically known for their battery longevity, but the Clevo NH70 offers a fairly respectable battery life thanks to its 6-cell lithium-ion battery. Under normal usage — such as web browsing, video playback, or light productivity tasks — you can expect around 7 to 10 hours of usage.
Of course, under heavy gaming loads, this will drop significantly, often lasting just a couple of hours, but for a laptop with this level of power, that’s an impressive figure.
Cooling System: Staying Cool Under Pressure
High performance means more heat, and Clevo has equipped the NH70 with an efficient cooling system featuring multiple heat pipes and dual fans. This setup keeps the CPU and GPU temperatures in check even during extended gaming sessions.
While the laptop does produce some noise under full load — as expected — it’s generally quieter than many competing models. Good ventilation and temperature control not only improve performance but also prolong the lifespan of the hardware.
Audio and Keyboard Experience
The audio system on the NH70 features stereo speakers that deliver decent sound for casual gaming and media consumption. While not audiophile-grade, the speakers offer clear mids and highs, though bass is somewhat limited. For immersive audio experiences, many users opt to connect external headphones or speakers, which can be easily plugged in via the 3.5mm audio jack or wirelessly via Bluetooth.
The keyboard is well-designed for both gamers and typists, featuring:
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RGB backlighting with customizable color zones
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Comfortable key travel and tactile feedback
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Dedicated numeric keypad for productivity
Overall, the typing experience is satisfying for long gaming sessions or extended typing work.
Connectivity and Ports: Versatile and Modern
The Clevo NH70 comes well-equipped with a comprehensive array of ports, including:
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Multiple USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports for accessories and peripherals
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USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port supporting faster data transfers
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HDMI and mini DisplayPort outputs for external monitors or VR headsets
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Gigabit Ethernet port for stable wired internet connections
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3.5mm audio jack for headphones or microphones
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SD card reader for quick media transfers
Additionally, it supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring fast wireless connections for online gaming and peripherals.
Upgradability: A Laptop That Grows With You
One of the greatest strengths of Clevo laptops, including the NH70, is the ease of upgrading components. Unlike many thin-and-light laptops where RAM and storage are soldered or hard to reach, the NH70 allows users to:
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Upgrade RAM up to 64GB
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Replace or add SSDs and HDDs
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Maintain or upgrade the Wi-Fi card
This future-proof approach means you can invest in the laptop now and improve its capabilities as your needs evolve, potentially saving money in the long run.
Who Should Consider the Clevo NH70?
The Clevo NH70 is a strong contender for several types of users:
1. Gamers on a Budget
If you want a large, high-refresh-rate screen and good GPU power for under $1400, the NH70 is an excellent choice. It runs modern games smoothly at high settings and offers room for upgrades when you want better hardware.
2. Content Creators and Professionals
The 17.3-inch IPS display with good color reproduction is great for photo and video editing. Plus, the powerful i7 CPU and plenty of RAM handle resource-heavy tasks with ease.
3. Power Users and Multitaskers
If you juggle multiple applications, browsers, and heavy workloads simultaneously, the NH70’s specs and storage options keep everything running smoothly.
4. Users Needing Desktop Replacement
Those who want a portable machine that can replace a desktop will appreciate the NH70’s performance, large screen, and connectivity options.
Drawbacks and Considerations
No laptop is perfect, and the NH70 has a few things to keep in mind:
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Weight and Size: At nearly 3 kg and with a 17.3-inch display, it’s less portable than smaller laptops, so it’s better suited for occasional transport rather than daily carrying.
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Audio Quality: Built-in speakers are decent but not exceptional; audiophiles will want to use external sound systems.
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Battery Life Under Load: While good for general use, gaming on battery drains it quickly — keep the charger handy during intense sessions.
Pricing and Availability
The Clevo NH70 typically retails between $1000 and $1400, depending on configurations and upgrades. Given the specs and the display size, this represents excellent value compared to competing gaming laptops from major brands, which often charge a premium for similar performance.
You can find the NH70 from various system integrators and online retailers specializing in Clevo barebones, with options to customize RAM, storage, and sometimes GPUs depending on the seller.
Final Thoughts: Is the Clevo NH70 Worth It?
In summary, the Clevo NH70 is a versatile, powerful, and reasonably priced gaming laptop that punches above its weight. Its large, vibrant display, robust CPU and GPU combo, and strong upgradability make it a smart choice for gamers, professionals, and power users who want desktop-level performance in a portable form.
While it’s not the lightest or sleekest machine, the NH70’s strengths lie in raw power, practicality, and the freedom to upgrade components over time. If you prioritize performance and screen size over ultra-portability, the NH70 could be the perfect laptop for your needs.
