Corsair makes PC elements, gaming equipment and gear for streamers. It additionally has a line of gaming desktops. The Corsair Voyager a1600 is its first gaming laptop computer and primarily combines the entire firm’s product classes into one system.
The Voyager a1600 consists of options from Corsair’s Elgato streaming {hardware} and software program, RAM and storage from its elements enterprise and wi-fi tech from its gaming keyboards, mice and headsets. It is a distinctive laptop computer made for players, creators and streamers.
With assist from AMD, the Voyager a1600 has sturdy efficiency for gaming and creating, which is fairly nice contemplating it is solely 19.8mm thick and weighs 5.3 kilos (2.4kg). The a1600 has additionally dramatically come down in worth since its launch in late 2022, making it a lot simpler to advocate for players seeking to do all of it from one laptop computer.
Like
- Distinctive compact design
- Constructed-in high-speed wi-fi for Corsair gaming equipment
- Low-profile mechanical keyboard
- Helpful contact controls
Do not Like
- Corsair’s software program, system instruments could be complicated
Nice {hardware}
Corsair has 4 configurations for the Voyager a1600 beginning at $2,000, with an AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS, AMD Radeon 6800M graphics, 16GB DDR5 reminiscence and a 1TB NVMe solid-state drive. It runs on Home windows 11 Residence. That is $700 lower than the unique worth. There are extra choices, although.
Origin PC, a customized PC-maker owned by Corsair, additionally sells the Voyager a1600. For those who purchase from Origin, the Voyager could be configured to your liking with as much as 64GB of RAM and one or two SSDs with a wide range of fashions and capacities to select from. You possibly can even have its black lid coated with one in all 11 patterns.
The configuration I examined combines the Ryzen 7, the Radeon 6800M, 32GB of reminiscence and a quick 2TB Samsung SSD for $2,420, which incorporates $65 for the faux-marble lid therapy. That is greater than $600 lower than its unique worth. The higher deal, although, is direct from Corsair as a result of you may bump as much as the Ryzen 9 for $2,350.
Corsair Voyager a1600 (Origin Professional Version)
| Value as reviewed | $2,420 |
|---|---|
| Show measurement/decision | 16-inch 2,560 x 1,600 show |
| CPU | 3.2GHz AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS CPU |
| Reminiscence | 32GB DDR5 4,800MHz RAM |
| Graphics | 12GB AMD Radeon RX 6800M Graphics |
| Storage | 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Networking | Wi-Fi 6E + DBS Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Working system | Microsoft Home windows 11 Professional |
The laptop computer I examined lived as much as AMD’s efficiency claims. Begin up a recreation and the discrete graphics take over, driving body charges screaming up over 100 per second on Guardians of the Galaxy and Shadow of the Tomb Raider on excessive settings at 1440p in our testing. On CS:GO, the laptop computer can hit over 280fps so you’re taking full benefit of the show’s 240Hz refresh price.
Below load and with the followers on full blast, the Voyager stays cool on the left and proper sides of the laptop computer, holding your palms snug whereas gaming. It does get heat down the center of the keyboard, notably towards the highest. The followers are loud, however that is what you get with skinny, highly effective laptops.
The a1600 has a big 99Wh battery that lasted 5 hours, 4 minutes on our streaming video battery rundown check with each the show brightness and quantity by way of earbuds set to 50%. Although it comes with a 230-watt adapter for gaming energy and charging, the Voyager could be charged through USB-C with a 100-watt adapter.
The Voyager a1600 has three USB-C ports, one USB-A port, an SD card reader and a combo headset jack.
Josh Goldman/CNET
All configurations include a 240Hz, 2,560×1,600-pixel, 16-inch IPS show. It is a good display screen total, particularly in case your predominant considerations are a excessive refresh price for easy graphics and simpler goal monitoring with 1440p gaming. However if you happen to want extensive coloration gamut protection, it solely hits 75% of Adobe RGB and DCI-P3, 69% NTSC and 97% sRGB, and brightness measured at 359 nits. For these occasions whenever you want one thing brighter with higher coloration copy, it does have three USB-C ports with Thunderbolt help for an exterior show or three.
The combo of the large 16:10 show and the oddly tall hinges give the physique a peculiar look — and weird dimensions for squeezing right into a backpack’s laptop computer compartment. The cutout beneath the show is there to accommodate the S-Key Macro Bar, a strip of 10 programmable macro keys with a small coloration show between them. The bar works with Elgato’s Stream Deck software program, letting you create macro keys with easy drag-and-drop programming for every little thing from utilizing OBS streaming software program to opening an app or web site to taking part in a sound impact to triggering a voice changer.
The S-Key Macro Bar above the keyboard is a giant cause to think about the a1600 over different gaming laptops.
Josh Goldman/CNET
For the keyboard, Corsair used ultralow-profile Cherry MX mechanical switches. The clicky change provides you good tactile suggestions for typing and gaming. Despite the fact that the keys are clicky, they are not so loud that you just’d disturb anybody round you. And, naturally, there are lights. The keyboard has per-key RGB lighting, utterly programmable with Corsair’s iCue software program.
The sleek touchpad beneath it’s gigantic. So massive, in truth, that tapping the higher proper nook of it two occasions shuts down the fitting half of the touchpad so you do not by chance transfer your cursor along with your palm whereas gaming. A double faucet within the higher left nook shuts the pad down fully.
The cutout between the hinges permits the S-Key Macro Bar to point out when the laptop computer is closed.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Nevertheless, if you happen to do not need to use both, a receiver for Corsair’s Slipstream Wi-fi-compatible peripherals is in-built. It helps as much as three units without delay so you may join a mouse, keyboard and gaming headset with out having to attach three separate USB receivers. It is like having the comfort of Bluetooth however with the low-latency velocity and stability of a 2.4GHz wi-fi receiver.
Software program to match
The entire nice {hardware} packed within the Voyager would not be almost as sturdy if it did not have some helpful software program to go along with it. The AMD Radeon Software program: Adrenalin Version, as an example, has a number of choices to get essentially the most from the CPU and built-in and discrete graphics. Activate AMD SmartShift Max and the laptop computer will routinely stability energy between the elements relying if you happen to want extra efficiency from the GPU or processor.
Equally, SmartShift Eco saves battery life through the use of the built-in graphics when the laptop computer’s unplugged and strikes again to the discrete graphics when linked to the facility adapter. There are a number of different options to experiment with to enhance efficiency on or off battery energy, scale back enter lag and sharpen picture element.
The included Stream Deck software program helps you to drag-and-drop shortcuts to apps, web sites, sound results, instruments or no matter else you may want a shortcut to whilst you’re gaming, streaming or working.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Becoming a member of the Elgato Stream Deck is Corsair’s iCue software program from its gaming peripherals. This app is used for altering the keyboard lights, making key assignments and connecting Corsair wi-fi mice, keyboards and headsets. Then there’s the Elgato Digicam Hub that permits you to get management of the built-in 1080p webcam so you may alter brightness, saturation, publicity and white stability. All of this software program, whereas useful, could be a bit a lot to handle, and it does not really feel cohesive.
The digital camera’s picture high quality is nice, a bit of on the noisy facet, however sharp with good element. (There’s additionally an IR digital camera for unlocking the laptop computer with face recognition and a sliding privateness shutter to dam the digital camera fully.) Audio out and in is strong. The upward-firing audio system that flank the keyboard are supported by Dolby Atmos processing and have a lovely, clear sound. They’re going to be wonderful for informal listening or convention calls. However for the rest, you may need exterior audio system or a headset (a pair by Corsair, maybe). The built-in mics delivered spectacular outcomes, so streamers will sound good with out an exterior mic.
The Corsair Voyager a1600 is greater than only a pure gaming machine. It is an all-in-one moveable resolution for players and streamers, positive. However even if you happen to’re not planning to stream gameplay or be a creator, the Stream Deck software program and assignable macro buttons turn out to be useful for every little thing from ending a Zoom name to launching Spotify. Plus, it features a one-year guarantee and lifelong 24/7 tech help service.
The overview course of for laptops, desktops, tablets and different computer-like units consists of two components: efficiency testing beneath managed situations within the CNET Labs and in depth hands-on use by our skilled reviewers. This consists of evaluating a tool’s aesthetics, ergonomics and options. A ultimate overview verdict is a mixture of each these goal and subjective judgments.
The checklist of benchmarking software program we use modifications over time because the units we check evolve. A very powerful core assessments we’re at the moment operating on each suitable laptop embody: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fireplace Strike Extremely.
A extra detailed description of every benchmark and the way we use it may be present in our How We Take a look at Computer systems web page.
Geekbench 5 (multicore)
Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 7
Corsair Voyager a1600 (Origin Professional Version)
Be aware:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Cinebench R23 (multicore)
Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 7
Corsair Voyager a1600 (Origin Professional Version)
Be aware:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
PCMark 10 Professional
Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 7
Corsair Voyager a1600 (Origin Professional Version)
Be aware:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
On-line streaming battery drain check
Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 7
Corsair Voyager a1600 (Origin Professional Version)
Be aware:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
3DMark Wild Life Excessive
Corsair Voyager a1600 (Origin Professional Version)
Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 7
Be aware:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Guardians of the Galaxy (Excessive @1920 x 1080)
Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 7
Corsair Voyager a1600 (Origin Professional Version)
Be aware:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
System Configurations
| Corsair Voyager a1600 (Origin Professional Version) | Microsoft Home windows 11 Enterprise; 3.2GHz AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS; 32GB DDR5 4,800MHz RAM; 12GB AMD Radeon RX 6800 Graphics; 2TB SSD |
|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 7 | Microsoft Home windows 11 Residence; 3.3GHz AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX; 16GB DDR5 4,800MHz RAM; 8GB AMD Radeon RX 6800S Graphics; 1TB SSD |
| Asus ROG Circulate X16 GV601 | Microsoft Home windows 11 Residence; 3.3GHz AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX; 16GB DDR5 4,800MHz RAM; 6GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Graphics; 1TB SSD |
| Origin PC Evo17-S | Microsoft Home windows 11 Residence; 2.5GHz Intel Core i9-12900H; 32GB DDR5 4,800MHz RAM; 16GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080Ti Graphics; 1TB SSD |
| Razer Blade 15 (2022) | Microsoft Home windows 11 Residence; 2.4GHz Intel Core i7-12800H; 16GB DDR5 4,800MHz RAM; 8GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070Ti Graphics; 1TB SSD |
