Best Buy has for
Best Buy Plus/Total Members (
starts at $49.99/year)
: ASUS Creator Laptop Q (Q530VJ-I73050) on sale for
$699.99.
Shipping is free.
Thanks to community member
Dr.Wajahat for finding this deal.
Specs/Key Features- Intel Core i7-13620H 4.7GHz 10-Core/16-Threads Processor (13th Gen)
- 15.6" 1920x1080p FHD 60Hz 600-Nits HDR Peak Brightness 100% sRGB OLED Display w/ Corning Gorilla Glass 6 + 720p HD Webcam w/ Privacy Shutter
- 512GB PCIe 3.0x4 Solid State Drive SSD
- 16GB DDR5 Memory (4800MHz) (8GB Soldered + 8GB SO-DIMM)
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB GDDR6 Graphics Cards
- WiFi 6E 802.11ax w/ Bluetooth
- RGB Customizable Keyboard Lightning
- Built for Windows Ink (Active) Stylus Input
- 3-Cell 70 Whr Lithium Ion Polymer Battery
- Windows 11 Home (64-Bit)
- Inputs
- 1x Thunderbolt 4.0
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 1x HDMI 2.1
Top Comments
It was $765.99. Of course that deal is not guaranteed to come back...
Some of the i9 version's benefits over the i7 version of the Creator laptop series:
i9-13900H instead of i7
1TB SSD vs 512GB SSD
2880 x 1620 (HD) 120Hz vs Standard FHD 1920 X 1080
The i9 version is apparently more upgradable (at least for RAM):
The i9 can be upgraded to 40GB (which I am running on mine without issues) or perhaps even 56GB (try a 48GB stick at your own risk).
The i7 version seems to be limited to 24GB of RAM if I read the BBY Q&A correctly the other day.
Some tips that apply to the i9 version of the Creator, but there may be some overlap with the i7, so hope this helps those considering one or the other
(Hat Trick can share some too
NOTE - Below are some points about the i9 variant and, where noted, the i7 version:
RAM upgrade
The i7 can (only) go up to 24GB total RAM (8GB soldered + 16GB SODIMM).
(Asus has only tested the i9 variant's RAM up to 24 GB (specs say 24GB max), but many of us are using 40GB on the i9 version without any stability issues):
The i9 one can reportedly support all the way up to 56GB RAM (8GB soldered + 48GB SODIMM).
I upgraded my i9 variant to 40GB total RAM by using a Crucial 32GB stick (DDR5-4800 CL40).
i9 version's SSD upgrades
Not sure on this deal's i7 version SSD upgrades (check the specs / reddit / BB Q&A and ask Asus to be safe...
(i9 one supports Gen 4 for both slots, even though specs may say differently):
I kept the 1TB OS drive (for now at least).
I added a 1 TB SSD (there are two SSD slots, although the second one is not so apparent since the slot is covered / hidden by a piece of metal (shielding?). However, one of the One of Best Buy user reviews for the i9 one has a review with a photo showing the location of the second SSD).
Some good info in the Q&A answers. Also check reddit.
i9 pros (caveat - not all of this applies to the i7, but to give potential buyers an idea).
The i9's screen is great!
It is fast and responsive (thanks to the i9 and SSD)!
Lightweight
Upgradable RAM and dual Gen 4 NVMe SSD slots
Edit - It also has an HDMI port and supports USB-C charging.
Some / many have experienced poor battery life, but I found that with some power saving optimizations it is not bad. I won't cite a battery life figure since, as always, it varies GREATLY based on workload (some apps are GPU / power hungry), brightness etc.
I bought an Anker 737 (there are two models with that number) power bank just in case. Bit bulky and heavy, but should do the job (the 737's form factor is growing on me).
The weak point (for gamers etc.) is the 3050 GPU, but I do NOT game and have a powerful desktop with a 3070Ti if the need arises for more GPU power for other needs...
It has CUDA cores either way for video transcoding etc.
Hope this info helps someone!
Disclaimer / caveat - A lot of my points are about the i9 (as noted above) and may not apply or do not apply to the i7 version. I tried to note based on MY understanding and I noted some of the differences, but please research the i7 independently to be sure what it offers / supports.
35 Comments
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oic...low refresh...
oic...low refresh...
So, apparently, with a 3050 GPU and the fact it can play games at low end settings, it is, indeed, a Gaming PC to many people.
This is a great laptop series, btw. I bought the i9 version of this with the 120Hz higher res screen for only $45 more (open box, looked brand new with only 2 battery cycles) and couldn't be happier. The screen is pure eye candy.
So, apparently, with a 3050 GPU and the fact it can play games at low end settings, it is, indeed, a Gaming PC to many people.
But yes, despite not having a higher refresh rate and a more powerful GPU, it still can play some games for sure.
But yes, despite not having a higher refresh rate and a more powerful GPU, it still can play some games for sure.
You can race in a Ford Fiesta but that doesn't mean a Ford Fiesta is a race car. (Please note I am NOT comparing this PC to a Ford Fiesta)
In everyone's defense there is no clear or accepted definition of a gaming computer. Grandma might call her old Windows 98 machine one because she still boots up solitaire once a month where other people would laugh at my anemic i5-13400F / 4060 setup being put into the same category as their monster of a gaming rig.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank lighterwallet
It was $765.99. Of course that deal is not guaranteed to come back...
Some of the i9 version's benefits over the i7 version of the Creator laptop series:
The i9 can be upgraded to 40GB (which I am running on mine without issues) or perhaps even 56GB (try a 48GB stick at your own risk).
The i7 version seems to be limited to 24GB of RAM if I read the BBY Q&A correctly the other day.
Some tips that apply to the i9 version of the Creator, but there may be some overlap with the i7, so hope this helps those considering one or the other
(Hat Trick can share some too
NOTE - Below are some points about the i9 variant and, where noted, the i7 version:
RAM upgrade
The i7 can (only) go up to 24GB total RAM (8GB soldered + 16GB SODIMM).
(Asus has only tested the i9 variant's RAM up to 24 GB (specs say 24GB max), but many of us are using 40GB on the i9 version without any stability issues):
The i9 one can reportedly support all the way up to 56GB RAM (8GB soldered + 48GB SODIMM).
I upgraded my i9 variant to 40GB total RAM by using a Crucial 32GB stick (DDR5-4800 CL40).
i9 version's SSD upgrades
Not sure on this deal's i7 version SSD upgrades (check the specs / reddit / BB Q&A [not always accurate] and ask Asus to be safe...
(i9 one supports Gen 4 for both slots, even though specs may say differently):
I kept the 1TB OS drive (for now at least).
I added a 1 TB SSD (there are two SSD slots, although the second one is not so apparent since the slot is covered / hidden by a piece of metal (shielding?). However, one of the One of Best Buy user reviews for the i9 one has a review with a photo showing the location of the second SSD).
Some good info in the Q&A answers. Also check reddit.
i9 pros (caveat - not all of this applies to the i7, but to give potential buyers an idea).
The i9's screen is great!
It is fast and responsive (thanks to the i9 and SSD)!
Lightweight
Upgradable RAM and dual Gen 4 NVMe SSD slots
Edit - It also has an HDMI port and supports USB-C charging.
Some / many have experienced poor battery life, but I found that with some power saving optimizations it is not bad. I won't cite a battery life figure since, as always, it varies GREATLY based on workload (some apps are GPU / power hungry), brightness etc.
I bought an Anker 737 (there are two models with that number) power bank just in case. Bit bulky and heavy, but should do the job (the 737's form factor is growing on me).
The weak point (for gamers etc.) is the 3050 GPU, but I do NOT game and have a powerful desktop with a 3070Ti if the need arises for more GPU power for other needs...
It has CUDA cores either way for video transcoding etc.
Hope this info helps someone!
Disclaimer / caveat - A lot of my points are about the i9 (as noted above) and may not apply or do not apply to the i7 version. I tried to note based on MY understanding and I noted some of the differences, but please research the i7 independently to be sure what it offers / supports.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
It was $765.99. Of course that deal is not guaranteed to come back...
Some of the i9 version's benefits over the i7 version:
The i9 can be upgraded to 40GB (which I am running on mine without issues) or perhaps even 56GB (try a 48GB stick at your own risk).
The i7 version seems to be limited to 24GB of RAM if I read the BBY Q&A correctly the other day.
Some tips (Hat Trick can share some too
RAM upgrade (Asus has only tested it up to 24 GB (specs say 24GB max), but many of us are using 40GB without any stability issues):
It can reportedly support all the way up to 56GB RAM (8GB soldered + 48GB SODIMM).
I upgraded mine to 40GB total RAM by using a Crucial 32GB stick (DDR5-4800 CL40).
SSD upgrades (supports Gen 4, even though specs may say differently):
I kept the 1TB OS drive (for now at least).
I added a 1 TB SSD (there are two SSD slots, although the second one is not so apparent since the slot is covered / hidden by a piece of metal (shielding?). However, one of the One of Best Buy user reviews has a photo showing the location of the second SSD).
The screen is great!
It is fast and responsive (thanks to the i9 and SSD)!
Lightweight
Upgradable RAM and dual Gen 4 NVMe SSD slots
Edit - It also has an HDMI port and supports USB-C charging.
Some / many have experienced poor battery life, but I found that with some power saving optimizations it is not bad. I won't cite a battery life figure since, as always, it varies GREATLY based on workload (some apps are GPU / power hungry), brightness etc.
I bought an Anker 737 (there are two models with that number) power bank just in case. Bit bulky and heavy, but should do the job (the 737's form factor is growing on me).
The weak point (for gamers etc.) is the 3050 GPU, but I do NOT game and have a powerful desktop with a 3070Ti if the need arises for more GPU power for other needs...
It has CUDA cores either way for video transcoding etc.
Hope this info helps someone!
ASUS - ROG Zephyrus G14 14" 165Hz Gaming Laptop QHD- AMD Ryzen 9 with 8GB Memory-NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060-512GB SSD - Moonlight White
edit to note: It comes with 16gb RAM, not 8gb. 8gb in the title's context is for the Ryzen 9.
ymmv: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus...Id=65354
ASUS - ROG Zephyrus G14 14" 165Hz Gaming Laptop QHD- AMD Ryzen 9 with 8GB Memory-NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060-512GB SSD - Moonlight White
edit to note: It comes with 16gb RAM, not 8gb. 8gb in the title's context is for the Ryzen 9.
ymmv: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus...Id=65354
I would have considered several other (14" or other) laptops myself, but for this laptop, I needed a display size between 15.6" to 16" (ideally the latter). (I already have a 14" laptop for non-primary use and a desktop).
Anyway, if people reading this 15.6" laptop thread are flexible with respect to screen size, then it makes it easier to find a nice deal due to more offerings, such as the nice deal you posted.
I was looking into an Asus TUF A16 Ryzen 9 (at the time) and one of the 2 vendors (listed by Asus on "where to buy") was offering the Tuf A16 pre-upgraded on Amazon.com with up to 96GB RAM despite only having 2 SODIMM slots!
My current 40GB is more than enough for my i9 Creator. Besides that, for the limited benefit, if any, (for my needs), the extra 16GB was going to cost close to 80% more than a 32GB stick. Plus almost nobody has really tested the Creator with 56GB to confirm stability (think maybe one owner did it successfully and another owner tried and it may not have worked for them).
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Good luck! Hope you can get one on sale again!