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Origin PC Eon15-S does budget gaming with class

It can be as sedate-looking or tricked out as you want and it's feature-filled for the money.

Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Lori Grunin
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1 of 19 Sarah Tew/CNET

Origin PC Eon15-S (2017)

If you turn off the colored keyboard backlights, it can masquerade as a boring old laptop.

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Connected for the money

Two Mini DisplayPort connectors -- the one on the right supports G-Sync on an external monitor -- a USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, USB 3.0 and SD card slot sit on the left side.

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More connections

Two audio jacks and two more USB ports are on the right, next to the vent.

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Touchpad and fingerprint reader

The touchpad can be a little temperamental, and the fingerprint reader has some sharp edges.

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Gamey but not glitzy

It incorporates some of the design touches you typically see on gaming notebooks, but they don't scream at you.

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Thin enough

It's not ultra skinny, but I'd trade some thickness for airflow.

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Front

It does look thinner from the front than the side.

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Lid

If you don't like basic black, you can get a custom paint job and other more attention-grabbing decoration.

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Just a little bevel

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Removable battery

You don't find removable batteries much in laptops these days. It also has big, solid rubberized feet.

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Battery and vent

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Backlight

The Flexikey utility lets you program three color zones or the usual set of cyclical color effects.

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Membrane

The quiet membrane keyboard is pretty good, with decent travel and noticeable feedback.

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IPS display

The display has better color and contrast than some of the other IPS panels, and certainly is better than the TN displays we've seen in competing laptops.

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WASD

While the WASD keys are visually distinctive, even with the backlight off, I wish you could program their backlights separately from the rest of the keyboard.

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Because you need to work, too

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Matte display

Though you can see the reflection of the keyboard in this shot, there doesn't seem to be a lot of reflection in general, even when playing in the dark.

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