Nemo N173 Review: A Budget Friendly 17 Inch Laptop for Students and Creators

Introduction

If you are shopping for a new laptop on a budget, the Nemo N173 is worth a closer look. This 17 inch machine is built for students, creators, and professionals who need a computer that can handle heavier workloads without breaking the bank. It is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 5 6600H, comes with 32 GB of dual channel DDR5 RAM, and a 1 TB NVMe Gen 4 SSD for storage, all available for $600 at the time of this review.

Nemo is a US family-owned business that designs computers for everyday users who want both quality and performance at an affordable price. The brand also backs the N173 with a 2-year warranty and an extended 90-day return window, which adds some peace of mind for buyers.

Who the Nemo N173 Is For

This laptop is aimed at users who need solid performance for everyday tasks and creative work without spending premium money. Students juggling multiple applications, creators working with large files, and professionals who need a dependable machine for video calls and productivity will all find something to like here.

The large 17.3 inch display makes it a good fit for people who spend long hours in front of a screen. The full HD IPS panel delivers good colors, and the anti-glare finish helps keep visuals clear when working near a window or outdoors. Viewing angles hold up well, with no noticeable color shift when tilting the screen.

Build Quality and Display

The N173 is a large laptop, and the overall build is mostly plastic. That keeps the weight down, but the chassis still feels solid and sturdy in hand. The 17.3 inch full HD IPS panel is a highlight. Colors look great out of the box, and the anti-glare coating does a decent job of cutting reflections in brighter environments. Brightness can be adjusted for indoor or outdoor use, which adds flexibility.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard features a full-size layout with a dedicated number pad on the right side. Keys have a soft, responsive feel that is not too clicky, which makes it comfortable for long typing sessions. Backlighting is adjustable, so working in low light is not a problem.

The trackpad is a wide multi-touch surface that handles standard gestures smoothly, including pinch to zoom and two-finger scrolling. There is also a built-in fingerprint scanner integrated into the trackpad area for one-touch login, which adds a layer of convenience and security.

Ports and Connectivity

Port selection is a strong point here. The N173 covers most connectivity needs with a wide range of options for USB accessories, media tools, and external displays. You can connect multiple monitors via HDMI, though there is no DisplayPort option, which is a minor disappointment. Still, the overall input and output selection offers solid versatility for most use cases.

Webcam and Audio

The webcam is a basic 2 megapixel front-facing camera. It is more about convenience than quality, but it gets the job done for video calls and online meetings. An indicator light turns on when the webcam is active, and there is a privacy shutter you can slide over the lens when it is not in use. The built-in mic performed well in testing, including during gaming sessions with in-game proximity chat.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the N173 is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 5 6600H, a six core, 12 thread processor that can boost up to 4.5 GHz. The H suffix indicates a high performance chip, the kind typically found in gaming laptops or professional machines. These processors are designed for heavier workloads and better thermal headroom compared to U-series chips, which prioritize battery life for ultrabooks.

Memory comes in at 32 GB of dual channel DDR5 RAM running at 4,800 MHz. That is especially helpful when running multiple applications, working with large files, or doing creative work like video editing or 3D rendering. Dual channel memory lets the CPU access memory across two lanes, which increases throughput and helps reduce performance bottlenecks.

For storage, there is a 1 TB NVMe Gen 4 SSD, one of the fastest consumer-grade storage options available. Read and write speeds are much higher than older SATA drives or even Gen 3 SSDs. The system boots almost instantly, applications launch quickly, and large file transfers finish in seconds. A full terabyte of space gives plenty of room for games, creative projects, or general use.

Graphics and Gaming

Graphics are handled by the integrated Radeon 660M GPU, based on AMD’s RDNA2 architecture with six GPU cores clocked at 1,900 MHz. Do not expect AAA gaming to run well on this chip, but many esports titles like Valorant, CS, League, and Fortnite can run at 1080p 60fps. Configuring the VRAM to a higher output in the BIOS can help ensure smoother gameplay and more consistent performance across sessions.

Even though this chipset is not primarily designed for gaming, the integrated graphics still deliver respectable performance that carries over into productivity and creative work. The N173 can handle 3D rendering, artwork, music production, and video editing without feeling underpowered.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is solid for a machine this size. The 53Wh battery should net between 4 to 6 hours of everyday use like web browsing or video streaming. Heavier workloads will drop that down to a more modest 2 to 3 hours. The included 100 watt USB-C charger helps here: just 15 minutes of charging provides up to 2 hours of use. A 140 watt power station delivering a stable 50 to 60 watt output also works well for convenient desk charging.

Buying Advice

At $600, the Nemo N173 offers a compelling mix of performance and features for the price. The Ryzen 5 6600H, 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1 TB Gen 4 SSD are specs you would normally expect to pay more for. The 17 inch display, full keyboard with number pad, and solid port selection make it a practical choice for students and professionals who need an all-rounder.

The main trade-offs are the plastic build, the basic webcam, and the lack of a DisplayPort option. Battery life is also average under heavy loads, though the fast charging helps offset that. If you need a large screen and strong multitasking performance on a budget, the N173 is a solid option worth considering.

Conclusion

The Nemo N173 delivers strong value for budget conscious buyers. It combines a high performance processor, generous memory, fast storage, and a large display in a package that handles everyday work and creative tasks with ease. The 2-year warranty and extended return window add extra reassurance. If you are looking for a dependable 17 inch laptop that will not stretch your budget, the N173 is a practical choice.