Sager NP8662

[Nemis]

Answering Questions as required:
General Questions

1) What is your budget?
$2000-$3000

2) What size notebook would you prefer?
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen

3) What country are you buying this in?
UK

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Not any

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Gaming, Programming, School Work

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Taking it places but on my desk 60% of the time

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Yes, Games I play or will be playing: Crysis, Crysis Warhead (Sandbox 2 as well), Modern Warfare 2, Empire Total War, Kingdom Under Fire 2, Starcraft 2 and other high end titles.

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Not a care in the world, it is performance I want

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Yes, I prefer to see it but I don't mind if I don't.

10) What OS do you prefer?
-Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit

Screen Specifics

11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.

12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen? Don't mind

Build Quality and Design

13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
No, I would prefer if it didn't stand out

14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
2 years

Notebook Components

15) How much hard drive space do you want; 80GB, 160GB, 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, 1TB, or 1.5TB?
250GB would do

16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, CD/DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
Blu-Ray

17) What speed CPU/Processor would you like? Dual core or Quad Core CPU?
Not Sure



Hi all, I have been looking around the internet to buy a new gaming pc. I think the Sager NP8662 fills in what I am looking for. I liked the look of the Sager NP8660 (now NP8662) and after a long searches I can find anything else I would like quite as much. I will most certainly be buying from XOTIC PC as the prices here are very competitive and exellent value. I am primarily a gamer who likes the portablity of a 15.4" laptop so i can go to LAN partys. Other uses include programming and school. However I have a few questions regarding the NP8662 before I buy:

First is the screen:
I really like a high resolution screen (aka the 1920x1200), but with one this size on a laptop is there any ghosting, brightness or color issues.

Second is, I have no idea which processor to get out of:
P9600
Q9000
T9800
I don't care about battery life, as I see little point with a GAMING laptop. Although I would like to know which processor overclocks the most and if the T9800 is worth it over the Q9000. Another key point would be that the processor is future proof to a degree.

Third, is the Quadro FX2700 512MB better than the Geforce GTX 260M 1024MB. It says "User Upgradable" will future graphics cards fit (as I have no idea about sizes). It would be nice to replace the GTX 260M when it starts falling behind and directx 11 comes out with Windows 7.

Finally do solid state hard drives produce less heat than normal hard drives and how much faster are they. I am unlikely to get one but if the advantages are good enough then I will get one.


I am hoping this laptop will last me about 2 years (gaming wise) and maybe 3 years with graphics cards upgrades.

I would be very grateful for any replys even to answer just one of the questions. I don't expect someone to know everything.

Also when is Window 7 supposed to be coming out, all the dates I can find are very varied.

Cheers
Bob

[powerpack]

You ask many important questions for someone about to put out serious change on a system.

#1 screen. I can't comment I don't know.

#2. CPU? I would pick the P9600 with out question. Why? Well the lower TDP. I find the Quads to be heat generators that at present or in the near future will not be maximized. The T9800 while what 267Mhz per core seems like a lot? I like the 10w less TDP more in this small form factor. Both should undervolt well but I would take my chances with the P9600. I think I could OC well without hitting any thermal barrier. Oh and did I say saves money?

#3. Opinion do you game or professional? That answers your question. I have many opinions but just that. I put less stock in the future than the now.

#4. So much out there and way to complicated in this post to explain?

#5. Yes 2 years is not too long to expect for longevity.

#6. Did the best I could.

Good luck.

[Nemis]

Thanks for your reply Powerpack, so I definitely should not get the quad. Out of the T9800 and P9600, which one will overclock to a higher clock speed and FSB speed.

I game so I guess I will go with the GTX 260M. You didn't say whether it will be upgradable with future (specifically directx 11) cards, will they fit?

Has anyone else got the WUXGA (1920x1200) screen? Can they clear up my worries on it? (see above, my first question)

Cheers once again
Bob

[Nemis]

Anyone? :(