Chillblast Fnatic Flash Laptop review: a firstrate gaming machine
Call me a ‘fn’
Gaming laptops are often seen as poor relations to desktop setups, and there’s often a good reason for that. In direct comparisons, the larger system usually has the edge over its portable opponent, but that isn’t the only thing that matters. After all, there is the argument of convenience.
See a Chillblast system in action here
There’s something about running The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on a laptop that just feels magical. Sure Geralt’s story is available on Nintendo Switch, and I love that console, but there’s a noticeable loss of graphical fidelity on the handheld when all’s said and done.
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The Chillblast Fnatic Flash Laptop delivers a more pleasing visual experience, for it is - by definition - a PC. Furthermore, it’s a superb system. From CD Projekt’s phenomenal game, to a variety of other titles, I’ve been delighted to the point of not missing my desktop at all.
Even in the ever-evolving Fortnite, I’ve enjoyed the experience as much as on any other platform, thanks to the portability of the laptop. Don’t get me wrong, graphically it’s not at the same level as my desktop but I was able to enjoy 120 FPS and decent graphics thanks to DirectX 12 rendering. It’s also worth noting that I used a wired Xbox controller because I’m not keen on experimenting with a trackpad and laptop keyboard when it comes to competitive play, but I won’t deduct marks for personal preference.
Then we’ve got heavy hitters like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring, which aren’t exactly tiny things to run. The former is pretty much as pleasing visually as it is on console, all things considered, with no notable performance issues. Similarly, FromSoftware’s 2022 behemoth ran at an admirable level, even when I was trying my best to overwhelm it by running the busiest areas, particularly on Miquella’s Haligtree.
Not every title I played was so demanding though. Naturally a game like Vampire Survivors isn’t exactly heavy duty, but the convenience of having a laptop meant I was able to continue my Steam playthrough of the astounding roguelite without starting again on mobile or Xbox via cloud play.
It really has to be said that the Chillblast Fnatic Flash Laptop is a prime example of what a laptop needs to do in order to replace a desktop, and that’s without mentioning the two USB 3.2 ports, two USB-C and HDMI.
As we’re talking hardware, let’s dig a little deeper. The Chillblast Fnatic Flash Laptop boasts a 16-inch, FHD display, offering a 165hz refresh rate, which is more than enough for online FPS titles. It packs a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, and comes with 16GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD. As for GPU, this review unit comes equipped with an RTX 3060, but other options are available.
Despite weighing a not-unnoticable two kilograms, the laptop is a mere 21mm thick when closed, allowing it to fit easily into an average backpack or laptop sleeve. Then there’s the 2W speakers, which provide ample sound coverage thanks to the Fnatic’s Realtek ALC256 stereo sound, although I chiefly made use of headphones when gaming.
I have to admit it wasn’t all smooth sailing. While running most titles, I found the power drained fairly quickly, barely getting 60 minutes without a low battery warning. While this won’t be an issue for home play, it did prevent me testing the Fnatic Flash Laptop out in public or while in transport.
The other main criticism I have is the noise it makes when running graphically-intense titles. I could hear the fans giving their all over my headphones at times, which could be distracting, especially when listening for the sound of an opponent’s footsteps during online competitive situations. It also broke the immersion during some single-player moments.
Overall, I’ve had a wonderful time with the Chillblast Fnatic Flash Laptop, thanks to its ability to run AAA games with relative ease, generous display and moderate physical stature. Although it’s not without its flaws, I can safely recommend this system for anyone who wants to play PC games without having a desktop dominate your home space.
Review unit provided by manufacturer. For full specs and pricing, check the Official Chillblast site.
Topics: Chillblast, PC