Portable Laptops With Nvidia GeForce MX150 (mobile GT 1030 ...

This article explains what to expect from laptops with Nvidia MX150 graphics chips, as well as provide a complete list of portable devices equipped with these chips.

The Nvidia GeForce MX150 is a discrete graphics chip based on the Nvidia Pascal architecture, primarily meant for ultrabooks and ultraportable laptops, as more capable alternatives to the integrated Intel HD and Iris/Iris Pro graphics. You might also come along configurations built on the Nvidia MX130 chip, but although the naming might suggest these two are similar, the MX130 is in fact based on the older Maxwell architecture, thus a lower-end alternative.

As solutions for thin-and-light notebooks, these are designed with efficiency in mind and have low power requirements, which makes them suitable for compact builds. At the same time they are also more affordable than the higher tier Pascal graphics options, thus proper options for budget full-size laptops.

The GeForce MX150 chip is the mobile version of the GP108-based GT 1030 desktop chip. It comes with 2 GB of DDR5 memory, a 64 bit memory bus, a core speed of 1468 Mhz (with Turbo up to 1532 Mhz) and Direct X12 support. It’s meant as a successor for the Nvidia 840MX/940MX chip, designed to offer a boost in raw performance, corroborated with a low TDP.

Nvidia announces the MX150 to be 3x faster per Watt than the 940MX, with improvements in video rendering, image editing, and other fields as well.

Update: Int he meantime Nvidia offers updated versions of the MX130/Mx150 chips, and you can read all about the newer GeForce MX230/MX250 GPUs in this article.

MX150 and MX150 Max-Q ?

Important Update: You should be aware that Nvidia actually offers two different MX150 chips:

• a full-power version with a TDP of 25W (Device ID: 10DE 1D10 in GPU-Z), for which we’ve listed the performance numbers mentioned in the table below, which mostly equips 15 and 17-inch notebooks;
• a lower-power MX150 (Device ID: 10DE 1D12 in GPU-Z) version meant for ultraportable laptops, with a 10 W TDP, lower clock speeds and thus roughly 30% lower scores in benchmarks and games. Nvidia doesn’t call this Max-Q, but in order to make things simpler, we are going to call this variant Max-Q throughout this article in order to differentiate this version from the full-power 25W variant.

You’ll find more details on how the full power 25W version of the MX150 performs and how it compares to the 940MX with GDDR3 and GDDR5 graphics in this review.  You’ll also find what to expect from the 10W Max-Q variant from our detailed review of the Asus Zenbook UX331UN, which is one of the better Max-Q thin-and-lights you can find in stores.

We’ve also gathered some relevant benchmark results for the 25W Nvidia MX150 chip, based on our own reviews and Notebookcheck’s larger pool of data, and here’s what you should expect:

MX150 2GB	Intel HD 620	GTX 1050 4GB	GT 940MX 2GB	GTX 960M 4GB
TDP	25 W	~10 W*	40 W	~25 W**	60 W
3D Mark 11	~4500 points	~1630 points	~7600 points	~2600 points	~5250 points
3D Mark – Time Spy Graphics	~1075 points	~360 points	~1700 points	~630 points	~1200 points
3D Mark – Fire Strike Graphics	~3350 points	~840 points	~5450 points	~1550 points	~4000 points
Rise of the Tomb Raider – 768p Med	~45 fps	~11 fps	~67 fps	~21 fps	~49 fps
Doom – 768p Med	~55 fps	~16.5 fps	~77 fps	~28 fps	~58 fps
GTA V – 768p Med	~100 fps	~23 fps	~117 fps	~70 fps	~108 fps
Witcher 3 – 768p Med	~43 fps	~11 fps	~68 fps	~20 fps	~51 fps

* the Intel HD 620 graphics is integrated withing the 15W Intel CPUs, so its TDP cannot be quantified ** available in different versions, with TDP’s between 15 and 25 W

Based on these results, the MX150 chip is roughly two times faster than the older Nvidia 940MX in games and benchmarks, with similar TDPs. That’s somewhat off from Nvidia prediction of 3x improvement per Watt, but keep in mind that these results are dependent on each implementation and drivers, and can vary between SKUs. Not by much though, as Nvidia is not going to cannibalize the GTX 1050 chip with this lower end model, which is roughly three times faster than the 940MX, but with a higher TDP. The MX150 is also nearly as capable as previous years’ mid-level chip, the GTX 960M, which needs a lot more energy.

The GeForce MX150 makes its way inside a fair amount of ultraportable computers with dedicated graphics and a much greater number of budget and mid-range fullsize laptops with prices between $500 and $800. We’ll gather them all below. First, here’s the list of 14-inch and smaller options.

Model	Screen	Hardware	Graphics	TB3	Weight
Acer Switch 7 Black Edition	13.5-inch IPS touch	Kaby Lake-R Core U /  max 16 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	Yes	1.15 lbs / 2.53 kg
detachable tablet with keyboard folio, aluminum build, automatic AutoStand, fanless cooling, 3:2 ratio 2256 x 1504 px screen with Wacom digitizer and pen support, 37 Wh battery
Starting price: $1699 / 1999 EUR
Acer Swift 3 SF314-52	14.0-inch IPS FHD glossy non-touch	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150	No	3.75 lbs / 1.70 kg
detailed review in here, simple design and metallic build; good backlit keyboard and trackpad; glossy non-touch screen with a pretty poor IPS panel; solid performance; Coffee Lake Core U quad-core variants announced for the second half of 2017, runs cool and quiet; 48 Wh battery
Starting price: $699 – more details and latest prices
Acer Swift 3 SF314-54	14.0-inch IPS FHD matte	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150	No	3.2 lbs / 1.45 kg
updated 2018 mode; with nicer build, more compact format and a matte IPS screen
Starting price: $699 – more details and latest prices
Acer Swift 3 SF314-55/56	14.0-inch IPS FHD matte	up to Whiskey Lake Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	No	3.1 lbs / 1.36 kg
detailed review in here – new 2018 model; simple design and compact metallic build; sturdier, thinner and lighter than the SF314-54 versions; available in several colors; matte screen with a good IPS panel; solid performance; Whiskey Lake Core U and MX150 MQ graphics; SF314-55 with M.2 storage, SF314-56 with 2.5″ storage; runs cool and quiet; nice speakers; 48 Wh battery
Starting price: $799
Asus VivoBook Slim S410UN	14.0-inch IPS FHD matte	up to  Kaby Lake-R Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	No	3.2 lbs / 1.45 kg
smaller version of the 15-inch model reviewed here; nice and light build, plastic main chassis, good backlit keyboard and trackpad, average matte screen, solid performance, runs a little noisy under load, 42 Wh battery
Starting price: from $749 – more details and latest prices
Asus Zenbook 13 UX331UN/FN	13.3-inch IPS FHD matte	up to Whiskey Lake Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	No	2.5 lbs / 1.13 kg
review available here, compact and light 13-inch laptop, multiple screen options, KabyLake-R quad-core processors, Nvidia MX150 MQ graphics chip, 50 Wh battery
Starting price: from $999 – more details and latest prices
Asus Zenbook 13 UX333FN	13.3-inch IPS FHD glossy/matte	Whiskey Lake Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	No	2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg
review available here, ultra-compact form factor, either glossy or matte screen, rather dim panel, miniaturized keyboard, Whiskey Lake quad-core processors and Nvidia MX150 MQ graphics, punchy speakers, matte screen versions from 2.4 lbs, 50 Wh battery
Starting price: from $999
Asus Zenbook S13 UX392FN	14.0-inch IPS FHD glossy/matte	Whiskey Lake Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	No	2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg
review available here, ultra-compact and light form factor, excellent unibody craftsmanship, glossy screen with 400+ nits panel, fairly limited IO, Whiskey Lake quad-core processors and Nvidia MX150 MQ graphics, 50 Wh battery
Starting price: from $1199 – more details and latest prices

Asus Zenbook UX430UN	14.0-inch IPS FHD matte	Kaby Lake-R Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150	No	2.75 lbs / 1.25 kg
detailed review here, updated hardware over the original UX430UQ; slim design, metallic build, good backlit keyboard and trackpad, matte IPS screen, not the best gaming performance, gets hot and noisy under load, 50 Wh battery
Starting price: $1199 – more details and latest prices
Asus Zenbook 14 UX431FN	14.0-inch IPS FHD glossy/matte	Whiskey Lake Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	No	3.2 lbs / 1.45 kg
most affordable ZenBook in the lineup, metallic Mil-grade build, larger and heavier than other options, mostly available with a glossy screen and 250-nits panel, Whiskey Lake quad-core processors and Nvidia MX150 MQ graphics, punchy quad speakers, 47 Wh battery
Starting price: from $799 – more details and latest prices
Asus Zenbook 14 UX433FN	14.0-inch IPS FHD glossy/matte	Whiskey Lake Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	No	2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg
review available here, updated version of the UX433 series, ultra-compact form factor, either glossy or matte screen, 300-nits panel, Whiskey Lake quad-core processors and Nvidia MX150 MQ graphics, punchy speakers, matte screen versions from 2.4 lbs, 50 Wh battery
Starting price: from $999 – more details and latest prices
Asus Zenbook Flip UX461UN	14.0-inch IPS FHD touchscreen	up to  Kaby Lake-R Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	No	3.3 lbs / 1.49 kg
convertible form-factor, premium metallic build, nice backlit keyboard and trackpad, average matte screen, solid performance, runs a little noisy under load, big 57 Wh battery, mostly available in premium configurations with i7 CPU/16 GB RAM/512 GB SSD
Starting price: from $1299, but premium configuration – more details and latest prices
HP Envy 13	13.3-inch IPS FHD/UHD touch	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	No	2.95 lbs / 1.33 kg
compact, slim and well built, packs an IPS panel with small bezels, available with Intel UHD 620 graphics on the base-level configurations, higher end models get a down-clocked version of the Nvidia MX150 graphics chip, 54 Wh battery
Starting price: $1099 – – more details and latest prices
Huawei Matebook X Pro	13.9-inch IPS glossy touch	up to Kaby Lake-R  Core U / max 8 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	Yes	2.93 lbs / 1.33 kg
premium build and aesthetics; decent backlit keyboard and trackpad; good IPS screen with 3:2 aspect ratio and 3000: 2000 px resolution; some performance issues with demanding loads, but handles daily tasks fine; runs quite warm and noisy; 58 Wh battery
Starting price: $1199 – more details and latest prices
Lenovo IdeaPad 720s	14.0-inch IPS glossy non-touch	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150	Yes	3.26 lbs / 1.48 kg
review here – slim and well built, packs an IPS panel with small bezels, nice keyboard and trackpad, good IO, potential performance and wireless issues (details in the review), 56 Wh battery
Starting price: $899 – more details and latest prices
Lenovo ThinkPad T480	14.0-inch IPS matte or touch	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150	Yes	3.96 lbs / 1.78 kg
business laptop, fairly slim and very well built, FHD or WQHD matte IPS screen options, touch FHD also an option, excellent keyboard and trackpad, good IO, solid performance, but can get hot, 25W version of the MX150 chip, 2 batteries – up to 72 Wh in capacity (24 W internal + 48 W)
Starting price: around $1049 for the MX150 versions
Lenovo ThinkPad T480s	14.0-inch IPS matte or touch	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	Yes	2.99 lbs / 1.37 kg
business laptop, slim and very well built, FHD or WQHD IPS screen options, excellent keyboard and trackpad, good IO, solid performance, gets hot, poor speakers, 57 Wh battery
Starting price: around $1199 for the MX150 versions
MSI Prestige PS42	14.0-inch IPS FHD matte	Kaby Lake-R Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150	No	2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg
2018 model; compact design with slim bezels and light weight; metallic build; backlit keyboard; full power version of the MX150 chip and an unique cooling design with two fans and three heatpipes; 50 Wh battery
Starting price: $1299 – more details and latest prices
Razer Blade Stealth	13.3-inch IPS matte or UHD touch	Whiskey Lake Core U / max 16 GB RAM	MX150	Yes	2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg
updated version with more compact design and narrow screen bezels, two screen options: FHD matte and UHD touch, Whiskey Lake quad-core processors and Nvidia MX150 25W graphics, 53 Wh battery, base configurations start at $1399, but with UHD 620 graphics
Starting price: from $1599 from MX150 models – more details and latest prices
Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air	13.3-inch IPS FHD glossy non-touch	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U / max 8 GB RAM	MX150 Max-Q	No	2.86 lbs / 1.30 kg
nice aesthetics and metallic build; decent backlit keyboard and trackpad; good IPS screen, but with a glossy layer and no touch; solid performance; runs quite warm; 40 Wh battery; affordable, needs to be imported from China in most regions; comes with Windows 10 Home Chinese only, so you’ll have to buy and reinstall Windows
Starting price: $999

And then there’s the list of 15.6-inch and larger full-size notebooks with GeForce MX150 graphics. There will be a lot more options in this class, and as a result, we’re not getting as in depth here as with the ultraportable ones above.

Let us know in case we’ve missed anything, and also check out this link for another selection of full-size notebooks with MX150 graphics.

Model	Format	Screen	Hardware	Battery	Weight	Price
Acer Swift 3 SF315-51	Clamshell	15.6-inch FHD glossy	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U	48 Wh	4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg	$699
Acer Swift 3 SF315-52	Clamshell	15.6-inch FHD matte	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U	48 Wh	4.0 lbs / 1.8 kg	$699
Acer Aspire 5 A515	Clamshell	15.6-inch FHD matte	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U	48 Wh	4.75 lbs / 2.1 kg	$599
Acer Aspire E 15	Clamshell	15.6″ IPS FHD matte	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U	62 Wh (?)	2.4 kg / 5.3 lbs	from $599
Acer Nitro 5 AN515	Clamshell	15.6-inch FHD matte	up to Kaby Lake Core HQ	48 Wh	5.45 lbs / 2.46 kg	–
Asus Vivobook Thin S15	Clamshell	15.6-inch FHD matte	up to Kaby Lake-R Core U	42 Wh	3.6 lbs / 1.65 kg	from $599
Asus Vivobook N705UN	Clamshell	17.3-inch FHD matte	Kaby Lake Core U	42 Wh	4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg	from $799
Asus Vivobook 15 X510UN	Clamshell	15.6-inch HD/FHD TN matte	Kaby Lake Core U	42 Wh	3.6 lbs / 1.6 kg	from $499
Asus Zenbook Flip UX561UN	Convertible	15.6″ IPS FHD touch	Kaby Lake-R Core U	52 Wh	1.9 kg / 4.2 lbs	–
Asus Vivobook Pro N580VN	Clamshell	15.6-inch FHD/UHD matte	Kaby Lake Core HQ	47 Wh	4.18 lbs / 1.9 kg	from $899
HP Envy x360 15t	Convertbile	15.6″ IPS FHD touch	Kaby Lake-R Core U	55.8 Wh	2.17 kg / 4.8 lbs	from $1199
HP Envy 17	Clamshell	17.3-inch FHD matte	Kaby Lake-R Core U	55.8 Wh	6.7 lbs / 3.05 kg	$799
HP Spectre x360 15	Convertible	15.6″ IPS UHD touch	Kaby Lake-R Core U	79 Wh	2.00 kg / 4.42 lbs	$1079
MSI GV62 7RC	Clamshell	15.6-inch eDP-IPS / IPS FHD matte	Kaby Lake Core HQ	41 Wh	4.85 lbs / 2.19 kg	–
MSI GL62 7RC	Clamshell	15.6-inch eDP-IPS / IPS FHD matte	Kaby Lake Core HQ	41 Wh	5.2 lbs / 2.35 kg	–
MSI PL62 7RC	Clamshell	15.6-inch Tn HD / eDP-IPS FHD matte	Kaby Lake Core HQ	51 Wh	4.85 lbs / 2.19 kg	$799
Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro	Clamshell	15.6″ IPS FHD glossy	Kaby Lake-R Core U	60 Wh	1.95 kg / 4.3 lbs	$1199
Samsung Notebook 9 Pen 15	convertible	15.0″ FHD IPS touch	Whiskey Lake Core U	54 Wh	1.4 kg / 3.45 lbs	$1599

Here’s a short glossary of the terms mentioned above:

• Types:
  • clamshell: traditional computer whose screen closes on top of the keyboard and does not flip into any sort of tablet mode;
  • convertible: 2-in-1 laptop whose screen rotates or converts to a tablet mode (or similar), but cannot be detached from the base;
• Resolutions: HD ( 1366 x 768 px), WXGA+ (1440 x 900 px), HD+ (1600 x 900 px), FHD (1920 x 1080 px), WUXGA (1920 x 1200 px)  FHD+ (2160 x 1440 px), retina (2304 x 1440 px), QHD (2560 x 1440 px), WQXGA(2560 x 1600 px), QHD+  (3200 x 1800 px), UHD (3840 x 2160 px) – also see this post.

That’s about it for now, but as I’ve mentioned in the beginning, this article is a work in progress as I’ll be adding new products weekly as they are released.

If the Nvidia GeForce MX150 chip does not offer what you need, you should also check our lists of laptops with Nvidia GeForce MX130 chips (lower tier, more affordable options) or Nvidia GTX 1050/1050Ti and GTX 1060 graphics (higher tier, more powerful).

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