Whether it’s to model an architecture in 3D, or simply launch a demanding game between classes, Nvidia graphics cards can meet the many needs of students. Even economical since a series of laptop PCs with these GPUs is currently on sale.
The versatility of Nvidia graphics cards is not only intended for prolific creatives or demanding gamers, it also allows them to meet the heterogeneous needs of students. Even more so when said graphics cards slip into a high-performance laptop and especially at a reduced price.
Because yes, for the start of the school year, Nvidia is unveiling a series of promotional laptops, all equipped with the latest generations of Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics cards. We are thinking in particular of the Acer Nitro 5, with an RTX 4060, at 1,199 euros instead of 1,399 euros.
Nvidia GPUs are not (only) for gaming
We know graphics cards for their high gaming power. It must be said that between DLSS 3 technologies, which relies on AI and upscaling to improve gaming performance, ray tracing, which offers a more realistic light rendering, or even G-Sync or Nvidia Reflex, which improve the latency of your peripherals and your display, players are guaranteed to enjoy an optimal gaming experience.
But the artificial intelligence of Nvidia cards also proves its usefulness in professional tasks. GPU acceleration enables faster rendering in 3D creation or video editing. Likewise, Nvidia Studio graphics drivers are responsible for optimizing the card’s resources to dedicate them completely and intelligently to creative software. For example, it only takes 15 minutes for an RTX 4050 to display a video rendering, and less than 30 minutes for a heavy 3D rendering, whereas other machines sometimes need 1 hour 30 minutes.
In total, there are more than 150 applications compatible with Nvidia Studio drivers: the Adobe suite, Premiere Pro, Blender, OBS Studio and many others.
The Hp Envy 17 at 1,199 euros
Looking at its technical sheet, there is no doubt that the HP Envy 17-cw0011nf is a powerful computer. Also with regard to its aesthetics. Indeed, its aluminum shell gives it a luxurious, serious and efficient character. An armor which has the merit of not suffering from fingerprints.
The HP Envy 17 will not fail to please students working with images since its large 17.3-inch screen offers a generous display area. This IPS panel with a definition of 1920 * 1080 pixels allows you to have all your projects in front of you simultaneously, and not to miss any detail of your creative work.
That said, it’s the HP Envy 17’s features that are most appealing. It features a 13th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD and above all an Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics card. A configuration more than sufficient to run demanding work software such as image editing or 3D creation, as well as recent games in good graphics conditions.
Running Windows 11, the HP Envy 17 can quickly transform into a multimedia hub thanks to its connectivity. In addition to support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, there is an HDMI 2.1 port, three USB-A ports and two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports and a jack socket. You can therefore connect many peripherals, such as an additional screen or an external hard drive. Finally, its battery with a power of 55 Wh gives it an autonomy of 9 hours with normal use, which allows it to endure a day of work away from the charger.
Usually sold for 1,299 euros at Boulanger, the HP Envy 17 drops to 1,199 euros for the start of the school year.
The Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 at 1,199 euros
When we think of “affordable gaming laptop”, we must now visualize the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8. Indeed, the Chinese manufacturer no longer relies solely on its Legion series to meet the needs of players, especially the most economical. Because as Frandroid was able to observe during its test of the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8, this is a gaming PC which focuses above all on value for money.
Thus, under its gray plastic shell, the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 relies on a 12th gen Intel Core i5 processor, accompanied by 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. Better still, it makes no concessions regarding the graphics part since it benefits from an Nvidia RTX 4060 card. Suffice to say that recent games, like Baldur’s Gate 3 Or Starfield run without problem in Full HD. Which is good, because the 15.6-inch screen of the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 provides a definition of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels with a refresh rate of 144 Hz.
It is of course possible to connect a gaming mouse or an external screen, thanks to its 3 USB-A 3.2 ports, its HDMI 2.1 port and its USB Type-C port. An RJ-45 Ethernet socket and a jack socket are also included. As for autonomy, it peaks at half a day with normal use.
For the start of the school year, the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 loses 100 euros on its bill, which drops it to 1,199 euros instead of 1,299 euros at Darty.
The HP Victus 16 at 1,299 euros
Of this selection, the HP Victus 16 is the one with the most powerful graphics card. Here, no RTX 30 series but an RTX 4070 GPU which will not fail to run recent games and those to come in the next two years in excellent graphics quality. Likewise, creatives will be able to rely on the very good graphics optimization via AI to accelerate the rendering of their visual work.
Of course, a graphics card is not enough to run AAA games or heavy office software. This is why the HP Victus 16 also integrates a Ryzen 7 7840HS processor, with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB NVMe SSD. Not to mention that it runs natively under Windows 11, which avoids additional expense in the OS as well as a long and boring installation.
Its sober design, with a black frame, hides a 16.1-inch FHD screen which has an anti-reflective coating. An advantage which improves viewing comfort, especially in direct sunlight. The user also benefits from a fluid and responsive display thanks to the 144 Hz refresh rate. On the edges, we find all the connectivity of a good gaming PC, namely three USB Type-A sockets, a USB Type-A port C (USB power, DisplayPort 1.4), an HDMI 2.1 socket, an RJ-45 Ethernet port and a jack socket.
Normally, the HP Victus 16 has a rather high price. But for the start of the school year, Darty is lowering the price of this gaming laptop by offering it at 1,299 euros instead of 1,799 euros. A nice discount of 500 euros which makes it a perfect playmate.
The Acer Nitro 515 at 1,199 euros
For its Nitro 5 AN515-58-57GF1, Acer has kept all the strong points of previous generations, while refreshing the components to give it more power. We therefore find the same angular chassis, whose design is reminiscent of that of racing cars, with an RGB backlit keyboard. The 15.6 LCD screen guarantees a Full HD display with a higher refresh rate since it now rises to 144 Hz. A machine which therefore has no problem displaying a detailed and fluid image.
As always, the Acer Nitro 5’s connectivity is rich, with:
- a USB Type-C port (Thunderbolt 3);
- three USB A 3.2 ports;
- an HDMI 2.0 port;
- a jack socket;
- an RJ45 Ethernet socket.
For the processor, Acer chose a 12th gen Intel Core i5 chip. It is accompanied by 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD storage. However, it is undeniably the Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card that powers the Acer Nitro 5’s gaming. With such a component, it manages to smoothly launch all recent games and demanding programs such as image or audio editors. It also benefits from the same AI optimizations as its peers, and is therefore suitable for both entertaining and professional activity. Not forgetting the Nvidia Studio drivers which greatly improve computer performance in creative software.
You should look at Fnac to benefit from a discount on the Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57GF1. It actually displays a price of 1,199 euros, or 200 euros less than its usual price.