#URGENT: Need brutally honest opinions on ASUS TUF vs HP Victus (or alternatives) by Friday

Hey everyone, I'm in a time crunch and need your expertise. My previous HP Omen died due to the known motherboard issue, and I CANNOT afford another mistake like that. I need to make a decision by Friday, and I want your brutally honest opinions.

Current options (I'm from Philippines, prices in USD):

ASUS TUF - $1,131.71 (PHP 65,999) - Ryzen 7 7435HS - RTX 4060

HP Victus 16 - $771 (PHP 44,995) - Ryzen 5 8645HS - RTX 4060

I'm torn because: - The $360 price difference is significant - Been burned by HP's quality control before - Avoided Lenovo LOQ due to motherboard issues - Need this for both gaming AND thesis work, so reliability is crucial

What I need from you: 1. Brutal honesty about both laptops - don't sugarcoat ANY issues 2. Real-world experiences, especially long-term reliability 3. Alternative suggestions in this price range ($700-1200) 4. Specific pros/cons beyond just specs 5. Whether the ASUS is truly worth the extra $360

Critical factors for me: - Must be reliable for thesis work - Good gaming performance (RTX 4060 level) - Build quality that won't fall apart - Decent thermal management

Please help me make the right choice - I literally have until Friday for the sale, and I can't afford another laptop failure. If you think both options are bad, please say so and suggest alternatives. I need real, honest opinions, not just spec comparisons.

Thank you all in advance. Really appreciate any insights that could help me avoid making a costly mistake.