What is the Clevo NH70?
The Clevo NH70 is a powerful and versatile laptop chassis that’s designed with customization at its core. Unlike traditional pre-built laptops from major brands, the NH70 falls into the category of “barebones” or “semi-barebones” laptops. These systems come with essential hardware pre-installed—such as the motherboard, chassis, cooling systems, and often the keyboard and display—but leave the processor, graphics card, RAM, and storage up to you or a reseller to install.
This model doesn’t typically make waves in mainstream tech media, but it serves a dedicated segment of the laptop market: users who want performance and flexibility without the branding markup. Whether you’re a gamer, a content creator, or simply someone looking for a tailored computing solution, the Clevo NH70 could be the right choice for your needs.
The Clevo Barebones Philosophy: Flexibility First
To fully appreciate the Clevo NH70, it’s important to understand the company’s unique manufacturing philosophy. Clevo primarily manufactures laptop chassis and core components, allowing resellers or end-users to select and install the remaining parts like CPUs, GPUs, memory, and drives. This concept is known as a barebones laptop.
Unlike complete systems from companies like Dell or HP, Clevo’s laptops offer more flexibility in hardware choice and upgrade paths. This makes them especially attractive for users who want a say in every component of their machine—from performance and pricing to thermal management and storage.
Technical Overview: Key Specifications of the Clevo NH70
Although configurations of the Clevo NH70 can vary depending on the reseller or user-selected components, several core features are generally consistent:
Display Options
The Clevo NH70 is equipped with a spacious 17.3-inch screen, often available in different resolutions ranging from Full HD (1920×1080) to 2K or even 4K. Some resellers also offer high-refresh-rate panels (up to 144Hz or even 240Hz), ideal for competitive gaming and smooth motion.
Panel types can include:
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IPS: Great color accuracy and viewing angles.
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VA: Balanced contrast and color.
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TN: Fast response times, suitable for gaming but limited in color depth.
Processor Compatibility
The NH70 chassis supports a variety of Intel Core H-series processors, including:
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Core i5: Ideal for general tasks and light gaming.
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Core i7: Suitable for multitasking, content creation, and mid-level gaming.
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Core i9: High-end performance for professionals and serious gamers.
This range gives users the flexibility to select a CPU based on their performance needs and budget.
Graphics Card Options
A standout feature of the Clevo NH70 is its support for dedicated mobile GPUs. Depending on the reseller, you can find configurations featuring:
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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, 3060, or 3070
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AMD Radeon RX series
This makes the NH70 a strong contender for tasks that require graphical muscle like gaming, video editing, 3D modeling, and simulation.
RAM and Storage
Most Clevo NH70 laptops come with:
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Two or more SO-DIMM slots for RAM, supporting up to 64GB
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Dual M.2 NVMe slots for fast SSD storage
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A 2.5-inch bay for an additional HDD or SATA SSD
This level of flexibility enables users to expand storage and memory over time, adapting to growing computing needs.
Connectivity Features
Expect a full suite of ports, including:
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USB 3.2 Type-A and Type-C
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HDMI and Mini DisplayPort
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Ethernet (RJ-45) port
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Headphone/microphone combo jack
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Optional Thunderbolt (varies by model)
These ports ensure you can easily connect peripherals, external monitors, and networks without compromise.
Advanced Cooling Design
With support for high-performance hardware comes the need for efficient thermal management. The Clevo NH70 includes:
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Multiple fans
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Heat pipes
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Well-placed exhaust vents
This setup works effectively under load, although cooling performance can vary based on the chosen components and ambient conditions.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard typically follows a chiclet-style layout with good tactile feedback. Some configurations offer RGB or single-color backlighting for a better low-light typing experience. The touchpad supports multi-gesture inputs and provides reliable navigation.
Who Should Consider the Clevo NH70?
While the Clevo NH70 offers impressive features, it’s not built for everyone. This laptop appeals to users with specific needs and a desire for customization. Ideal user categories include:
Gamers
Support for powerful GPUs and high-refresh-rate displays makes the Clevo NH70 a solid gaming machine. It can easily handle modern AAA games with high graphical settings and smooth performance.
Content Creators
Video editors, 3D artists, and graphic designers will benefit from its CPU and GPU flexibility. Combine that with ample RAM and fast SSDs, and the Clevo NH70 becomes a strong mobile workstation.
DIY Tech Enthusiasts
If you enjoy assembling your own PC and selecting each component carefully, the NH70 offers that same experience in laptop form.
Budget-Conscious Power Users
This laptop allows you to allocate your budget to components that matter most, avoiding expensive pre-built packages loaded with unnecessary features.
Professionals with Niche Requirements
Those in engineering, programming, and scientific fields often need specific hardware. The Clevo NH70 provides the customization they need for specialized tasks.
Benefits of Choosing the Clevo NH70
Extreme Customizability
Unlike off-the-shelf laptops, you can select every key component—ensuring performance fits your workload and budget.
Impressive Performance Capabilities
With the ability to install high-end processors and GPUs, this laptop can tackle everything from gaming to heavy software workloads like CAD, Adobe Creative Suite, or machine learning environments.
Better Value for Money
By choosing and sourcing your own parts, you can often build a machine that matches or exceeds the performance of branded alternatives at a lower total cost.
Upgrade-Friendly Design
The modular architecture allows future upgrades. If your workload increases, you can easily add more RAM, swap out the GPU, or expand your storage.
Solid Build Quality
Clevo laptops are known for their durable construction, making the NH70 a long-lasting investment.
Downsides to Be Aware Of
Limited Brand Recognition
Clevo is largely unknown to mainstream consumers, which might raise questions about product reliability or long-term support.
Compatibility Risks
Selecting incompatible hardware can lead to issues. Research is essential to ensure all components work well together.
Assembly May Be Required
Some configurations are sold as DIY kits. If you lack technical knowledge, this can be a daunting process.
Varying Warranty Support
Since warranty policies differ between resellers, it’s crucial to buy from a trusted seller with a solid service record.
Lower Resale Value
Unlike Apple or Dell machines, Clevo laptops often don’t retain high resale value because of limited brand awareness.
Where to Purchase the Clevo NH70
The Clevo NH70 is generally not available through major electronics retailers. Instead, you’ll find it through specialized system integrators and resellers. Popular and reputable options include:
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Sager Notebooks: Offers a variety of Clevo-based models with detailed customization options.
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Eurocom: Focuses on high-end mobile workstations and gaming laptops built on Clevo platforms.
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HIDevolution: Known for thorough quality control and excellent customer support.
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Xotic PC: Provides extensive configuration options and accessories.
When buying, look at customer reviews, return policies, and extended warranty options for a worry-free purchase experience.
Final Thoughts: Is the Clevo NH70 the Right Laptop for You?
The Clevo NH70 stands out in a market flooded with generic, locked-down laptops. If you’re someone who appreciates hardware customization, values performance over branding, and is comfortable either assembling a system or working with specialized resellers, this laptop can deliver incredible value.
It offers the power, flexibility, and longevity that many mainstream laptops simply can’t match. However, it does come with responsibilities—doing your homework on components, understanding thermal needs, and possibly tackling some of the build yourself.
For gamers, creators, developers, and professionals with specific performance requirements, the Clevo NH70 is more than just a smart choice—it’s a powerful platform that adapts to you.
FAQs
What is a barebones laptop like the Clevo NH70?
A barebones laptop includes only essential hardware (like chassis, motherboard, and cooling) and requires the user or reseller to add parts such as CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage. It offers greater flexibility and customization.
Is the Clevo NH70 good for gaming?
Yes, when configured with a powerful GPU and high-refresh-rate display, the NH70 is capable of handling modern games with ease.
Can I upgrade the Clevo NH70 in the future?
Absolutely. Its modular design allows you to upgrade RAM, storage, and often even the CPU and GPU, depending on your chosen configuration.
Is it hard to build or configure a Clevo NH70?
It can be challenging for beginners. However, many resellers offer fully assembled units with customizable components, making it easier for non-technical users.
Why is Clevo not as popular as brands like ASUS or Lenovo?
Clevo doesn’t sell directly to consumers. Instead, it provides platforms for other companies to customize and resell. This results in lower brand visibility but more hardware flexibility.
