Can Clevo PA71 Older Laptop Still Compete in 2025? (Review)

If you’re a gamer or a power user, chances are you’ve heard of Clevo, a brand synonymous with high-performance laptops. The company has introduced many gaming laptops, including the high-end gaming laptop Clevo PA71.

The Clevo PA71 is a powerful gaming machine that can manage heavy workloads, 4K gaming, and multitasking with ease because of its great features and high-quality parts.

So, if you want to know about this laptop, then have a look at this review first to make sure that your decision is right.

The Clevo PA71 is a high-performance gaming laptop known for its powerful specifications and features, which were developed by the Taiwanese Company Clevo.

• Model: Clevo PA71 i7-8750H
• Price: Approx. $1700 USD (Based on the Upgraded Parts)
• Manufacturer: Clevo (Taiwan)
• Target Audience: Gamers, creators, and power users looking for desktop-level performance in a portable design

Many users praise this laptop for its vibrant 4K display support, strong build quality, and smooth gaming experience. The laptop features a GTX 1070 graphics card for a smooth gaming experience with high-quality visuals.

Clevo has been a good company in developing the best gaming laptops with budget friendly prices. Despite PA71, one noteworthy gaming laptop of the company is the Clevo NH70.

1. Processor (CPU)

A good processor swiftly retrieves the data from the storage and performs the necessary actions to deliver the operations. Clevo PA71 features a highly efficient Intel Core i7-8750H processor, belonging to the 8th Generation.

It can run heavy games seamlessly and ensures a perfect gaming experience. Furthermore, the 2.80 GHz quad speed is enough to fulfill multitasking requirements for a better user experience.

2. Graphics Card (GPU)

Graphics cards are necessary to provide optimum resolution and pixels to the users for a high-end gaming experience. Considering this factor, the company has installed an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card in the Clevo PA71 laptop.

It is one of the most powerful cards currently available for gaming laptops. With numerous mapping units, shading units, and ROPs, the GTX 1070 reduces glitches and ensures the smooth display of images, videos, and games, like the performance of the GTX 970.

3. Memory and Storage

The PA71 includes 32GB DDR4 RAM with lag-free multitasking and stable gameplay.
For storage, it offers the best of both worlds:

• 500GB PCIe NVMe SSD: for faster boot and load times
• 1TB 7200RPM HDD: for storing large files and game libraries

Users can also upgrade the memory up to 64GB RAM and replace drives as needed, thanks to its modular design.

4. Display and Design

The 17.3-inch 144Hz Full HD IPS display provides sharp visuals, vivid colors, and smooth motion; ideal for gaming and content creation. The screen also supports color calibration, ensuring accurate color reproduction.

Its aluminum chassis adds durability and a premium look. Despite being a gaming laptop, the design remains sleek and minimalistic.

5. Audio and Camera

With Sound BlasterX Pro-Gaming 360° and ESS SABRE HiFi DAC, the Clevo PA71 delivers immersive audio, clear highs, and deep bass. You won’t necessarily need external speakers or headphones for casual use.

The built-in 720p HD webcam supports video conferencing and live streaming, making it suitable for creators or gamers who stream online.

6. Battery Life

The Clevo PA71’s 60Wh Lithium-Ion battery provides around 4-5 hours of regular usage and up to 10 hours for light productivity work.

For gaming, expect around 2-3 hours, depending on load. Fast-charging support ensures you can get back to gaming quickly.

Pro Tips for Battery Efficiency:

• Keep your cooling vents clean using compressed air.
• Use hybrid graphics mode when not gaming.
• Avoid gaming while charging to prevent overheating.

7. Keyboard and Build Quality

The RGB backlit keyboard with per-key customization enhances your gaming atmosphere. Key travel is responsive and tactile, providing a comfortable typing and gaming experience.

The touchpad is smooth and accurate, with multi-gesture support. Overall, the PA71’s build quality is solid, with strong hinges and minimal flex across the keyboard deck.

8. Connectivity and Ports

This laptop is fully equipped for modern connectivity needs:

• 1 HDMI Port
• 1 Mini DisplayPort 1.3
• 1 DisplayPort (USB Type-C)
• 3 USB 3.0 Ports
• Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 5.0
• Ethernet Port & SD Card Reader

Such variety ensures you can easily connect external monitors, gaming peripherals, or VR headsets.

6. Customizability

One of the biggest advantages of Clevo laptops is their modular design. The PA71 supports:

• RAM upgrades up to 64GB
• SSD and HDD upgrades
• User-accessible internal layout for easy upgrades or cleaning

In real-world tests, the Clevo PA71 performs admirably across gaming, editing, and productivity tasks.
Titles like Apex Legends and PUBG can run smoothly above 100 FPS at 1080p on high settings.

Rendering tasks in Adobe Premiere or Blender are also handled efficiently, due to the i7 processor and GTX 1070 combination.

However, as newer laptops now ship with RTX 4000-series GPUs and more efficient CPUs, the PA71 may feel dated for competitive esports or 4K gaming. Thermals also tend to get warm during prolonged sessions, requiring external cooling for optimal performance.

The Clevo PA71 proves that a well-built gaming laptop from a few years ago can still hold its own in 2025.
With its Intel Core i7 CPU, GTX 1070 GPU, 32GB RAM, and stunning display, it’s an impressive choice for users who value longevity and upgrade potential.

However, gamers seeking cutting-edge ray tracing or longer battery life might consider newer Clevo or ASUS ROG models. Overall, it’s a reliable, high-performance laptop that continues to deliver excellent value for its class.