First Time Checklist

Some parts of this also apply to prebuilt desktops

• Check box for obvious shipping damage
• Check laptop for dents and scratches
• Check packaging (confirm new model)
• Check power brick and cord damage
• Check for cracks, fractures or impact marks
• Open and close lid (check hinges)
• When setting up Windows for the first time, don’t connect to the internet, therefore you won’t have to deal with unnecessary Microsoft services
• Verify actual specs are what you bought (HWInfo and model number)
• Check all keys multiple hits (enter key)
• Check for dead pixels (black and white screen tests)
• Check all ports working (check snugness and fit)
• Check profiles and fan speeds (noise)
• Check RGB across diff profiles (dark room and well lit)
• Check for backlight bleed
• Check trackpad for motion and click feel
• Check different resolutions
• Take system image “out of the box”
• Remove bloatware (McAfee, etc.)
• Update Vantage software (if available)
• Update bios (check Discord for best current version). However if you don’t have any issue with it, don’t. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken. [First time users, don’t update Bios]
• Update NVIDIA driver (check Discord for best current version)
• Connect to wifi and run Windows update
• Take system image “updated” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9BGn4MivJw
• Charge battery and confirm 100% as start point
• Review Discord/Reddit for any new issues experienced by new owners
• Install benchmarking and hardware info tools
• Confirm benchmarks measure up to other users of same model (Cinebench for CPU, aida64+heaven for combined load stress test, 3Dmark timespy/firestrike for an overall benchmark, shadow of the tomb raider for a non-synthetic benchmark)
• Download some programs and games and enjoy your new device