The Chillblast Defiant Gaming Laptop is the second example of a portable device I’ve tried from the UK-based manufacturer, and after my joyous experience with the Fnatic Flash, I was keen to see what this new machine could offer. Well, after about 20 hours with it, I can safely say I’m a fan despite some apparent limitations.
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Naturally, it’s going to be difficult not to compare this system to the Fnatic Flash as they’re both from the same company, but it’s clear there’s a difference right from the off. The Defiant is a beast, weighing in at a relatively hefty 2.53kg compared to the 2kg Fnatic. Aesthetically there’s a difference too, with the Defiant boasting pronounced vents on the back with neon blue lights around the grates, creating a sort of jet engine vibe.
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Speaking of jet engines, this machine can make some noise. Any graphically-intense game will have the fans spinning like Beyblade with a championship to win, but as I was mainly playing with headphones, I wasn’t too bothered by it. Still, it’s something to be mindful of when playing around others.
In terms of hardware, the Defiant comes with a Tactus NLCZ motherboard, Intel Core i7 - 12700H processor, 16GB of RAM, Samsung 980 1TB SSD, and a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card. Add to this the laptop’s 16-inch, 165hz, QHD display, and we have a more than decent setup to play with.
Furthermore, the laptop comes with Windows 11, an SD media card reader, a headphone jack, and a variety of ports: three USB 3.2; one USB Type-C; an Ethernet; one HDMI; one display. It also offers Bluetooth and is Wi-Fi enabled. While the three USB 3.2 ports are located on the left and right of the base, the ethernet, display, USB-C and HDMI are found on the back of the machine, along with the power supply input.
As for power, in our review of the Fnatic Flash, I noted how the battery life drained quickly when playing most games. Sadly, I can confirm that’s the case with the Defiant, even struggling to finish two runs of Vampire Survivors when starting at about 65% power. Then again, that’s not a dealbreaker for most of us. After all, gaming laptops aren’t trying to be Steam Decks. They’re portable PCs that are easy to set up wherever you happen to be based, so as long as there’s a power supply within reach, the Defiant is ready and able.
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When plugged into the mains, I was able to enjoy triple-A titles with comfort and practicality. Revisiting Elden Ring was where I started, and I encountered nothing but smooth gameplay while swashbuckling around the Lands Between. Similarly, when playing Resident Evil 3, I was able to sprint through the zombie-infested streets of Raccoon City without my accelerated pace proving too taxing for the Defiant’s hardware.
The one game I did find some issues with, however, was Fortnite. Epic Games’ battle royale worked well enough on the Fnatic, even if I have to ease up on the intense visuals, but the Defiant required more barebones settings, and even then I encountered some vicious lag at times (from the hardware, not the internet connection). While It’s possible the issue could be resolved with a bit more tinkering of the settings, it’s still something to consider.
Overall, the Defiant offers some strong performance for a mid-range system, delivering smooth game experiences even when pushing for more high-fidelity visuals. While the weight is a bit much and the battery life leaves something to be desired, it’s a fine choice for anyone looking for a gaming laptop that doesn’t break the bank.
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Review unit provided by manufacturer. For full specs and pricing, check the Official Chillblast site.
Featured Image Credit: Chillblast