Asus G51vx-a1 Vs. Sager 8662 (Real info)

[EvanD]

Ok, for all of those who are wondering about this, myself included I have decided to post a thread on it. Apparently although a lot of people have money to spend on performance notebooks they do not have phones. First I would like to say that I have had great experience with xotic and they have always been very helpful. I had a notebook DVD drive fail on me while I was in Afghanistan and they were able to send me a new one in very good time. They are one of the cheapest companies around for custom laptops and always, (at least from my experience) top of the line. (Take that alienware and your overpriced garbage!) With that said, I called Xotic and I would say within ten minutes of talking to a sales rep (Joseph L) all my questions were answered. After our conversation I would definitely say that there are pros and cons to both systems.

Asus G51Vx-a1

Pros

-Led screen at 1920x1080 (sweet)
-Duel Hard drives
-Comes with lots of goodies
-Bang for your buck

Cons

-Heat Issues
-Non upgradeable (Warranty is shot when you take it apart)
-DDR2 Ram
-Slightly under-clocked from Asus to combat heat

Note: I was told that the heat issues are being combated with the new Diamond compound as well as super high end pads. I was told that they were able to bring the temp down by 10C. In short if you go with this notebook spend a couple extra bucks on cooling upgrades.

Sager NP8662

Pros

-Slightly faster notebook than the Asus
-No cooling issues
-Upgradeable (I was told the Video Card AND CPU can be upgraded within warranty)
-DDR3
-Integrated finger print reader

Cons

-Single HDD
-Inferior display (compared to the asus)
-No free extra goodies (compared to the asus)

Note: The Sager can be built with the same hardware of the Asus with a very similar price. When I refer to extra goodies I mean the asus comes with windows vista x64 with w7 coupon standard, a mouse and a sweet case built by targus.

Well, there you have it. Straight from the horses mouth. I hope this helps anyone that was stuck between the two high end 15"-16" models. I know it would have least saved me a phone call.:rolleyes:

[powerpack]

Since no one has responded I might as well. And as such why not be difficult?

On the screen: I would need to see LED, in and of itself does not insure better quality. Less power sure. I have heard better distribution of light but much more to overall quality than that. I also favor 16:10 over 16:9, personal preference I know.

Only real advantage of DDR3 is lower power than DDR2, certainly not performance. Call the LCD/RAM offset so tie. Tie is only on power not performance or quality.

What is the real advantage of two HDD's if they can't be RAID'ed? Oh and a 2nd one in a notebook with heat issues? I mean kinda like bringing a blow dryer into a Sauna.

Bang for the buck? Asus, performance Sager?

[DRY_ICE]

IMO the only better part of the deal on the Asus is the extra stuff they give you (mouse etc).

Screen 16:10 is much easier on my eyes as well as most people I know. 16:9 makes me angry actually... And though LED is supposedly better than LCD, the Sager screen is very nice IMO, and any benefit from the vibrance/clarity is struck down by the poor decision to place it in the 16:9 format. Again it's a personal preference, but I feel it's a popular opinion.

Power has a good point on the drives, and also if you need more space why not get a larger hdd, or even an external to reduce heat problems - these are performance machines after all not your run of the mill pirate computer.

Also, the quad on the Asus is really too low IMO for any seriously demanding tasks - you say future proof? By then then standard performance quads will be in the ~ 3.0 Ghz and programs will piss on 2.0 Ghz... I think it'll never be a performance processor.

...These are just a few of the arguments to bring on the subject, but ones I think the Asus model "has" in its favor.

All in all, I'd find it tough for anyone who's well informed and tech savvy to believe the Asus has any sort of real advantage against the Sager. It's simply less of a machine when compared to similar prices for components on the Sager.

[EvanD]

These are all advantages and disadvantages stated by xoticpc itself. I just posted this mainly to confirm the heat issue as well as post what they are doing to combat it. Also I wanted everyone to know that you are able to upgrade the sager no problems. Other than that the gripes brought up are purely opinion and I wouldn't list any short-comming based off opinion. I just wanted to post a couple things I noticed a lot of people were wondering about

[DRY_ICE]

Reiterating: On and using paper 8662 reigns supreme - hands down.

[powerpack]

These are all advantages and disadvantages stated by xoticpc itself. I just posted this mainly to confirm the heat issue as well as post what they are doing to combat it. Also I wanted everyone to know that you are able to upgrade the sager no problems. Other than that the gripes brought up are purely opinion and I wouldn't list any short-comming based off opinion. I just wanted to post a couple things I noticed a lot of people were wondering aboutJust so you know what you posted is as much opinion as what Dry or I posted. Sure maybe not your opinion but opinion never the less. I mean calling a LED with a 16:9 screen as a "pro" vs the other is just one example of opinion even if from Xotic. By making it pro you made it opinion. Your pro and con makes it opinion. Specs simply stated are not opinion.

I have no problem with your post. I think it was fine opinion. But do not pretend it is what it is not and in some way "superior" to others comments. I would even say you act as if your post was above comment? And that is just silly at best and if at worst no comment.

This is a forum if you don't want comment I would seriously consider a different medium for your "gripes". Your post, my post, neither has any greater innate claim to superiority and you my friend seem to imply different. So try and enjoy the back and forth have your post stand on it's own. I thought it was, it is your 2nd that sets me aback.;):)

Happy posting.

Oh, and welcome to the forums.

[DRY_ICE]

Just so you know what you posted is as much opinion as what Dry or I posted. Sure maybe not your opinion but opinion never the less. I mean calling a LED with a 16:9 screen as a "pro" vs the other is just one example of opinion even if from Xotic. By making it pro you made it opinion. Your pro and con makes it opinion. Specs simply stated are not opinion.

I have no problem with your post. I think it was fine opinion. But do not pretend it is what it is not and in some way "superior" to others comments. I would even say you act as if your post was above comment? And that is just silly at best and if at worst no comment.

This is a forum if you don't want comment I would seriously consider a different medium for your "gripes". Your post, my post, neither has any greater innate claim to superiority and you my friend seem to imply different. So try and enjoy the back and forth have your post stand on it's own. I thought it was, it is your 2nd that sets me aback.;):)

Happy posting.

Oh, and welcome to the forums.


Hell yes.....

[EvanD]

lol, forum people. I was restating what a certain individual from xoticpc told me. It was not an opinion nor did I say that either one was better than the other. Jeeez people. I just noticed that people were wondering so I called and asked and put the answer I received online. Nothing more nothing less. I guess you're right though, forums always have a way of making EVERYTHING an argument.

[powerpack]

Nice spin for a second time. I have little interest in arguing with you and not sure I am. You know as you are the one being defensive.

Just to make clear I understand you called Xotic. I understand not your opinions.

Do you understand when you say other peoples opinions you are still stating opinion? I am not clear if you do. This is not an attack on you. I liked your first post. I responded I did not attack or belittle. I commented different.

You keep pushing that "mine is not opinion" stuff? It is, your failure to recognize is becoming disturbing. Actually it is not your failure to recognize that causes concern. It is your need to not recognize and put others in a box.

Example. Your second post you stated fact and we didn't? Not nice and as explained incorrect.

Third post. You are correct and you know the entire problem with the Internet? Yea people like me with too much time on my hands. Golly did you just insult me? Hmm not sure?

I am going to miss you. I never insulted you I will not do so but you really need to work on comprehension. I mean why not call DeLL and when they tell you they make the best notebooks in the world. Post that as fact as "they told me so". I mean clearly not opinion, "they told me"? Reiteration does not remove the stain of opinion. You if you were really a thoughtful considerate person would apologize to Dry and me for your while subtle very condescending arrogant comments directed at us.

Basically your logic has a disconnect which in and of itself is your issue. Your projection toward Dry and me is rude.

Do you really think taking your ball and going home is mature? After insulting others?
Learn manners not arrogance. I know you are to busy to be bothered with any level of personal responsibility. I know you are above it all. If you treat people in the real world the same when all is not agreed upon I wish you the best.

You lack critical thought, good luck.

[EvanD]

Nice spin for a second time. I have little interest in arguing with you and not sure I am. You know as you are the one being defensive.

Just to make clear I understand you called Xotic. I understand not your opinions.

Do you understand when you say other peoples opinions you are still stating opinion? I am not clear if you do. This is not an attack on you. I liked your first post. I responded I did not attack or belittle. I commented different.

You keep pushing that "mine is not opinion" stuff? It is, your failure to recognize is becoming disturbing. Actually it is not your failure to recognize that causes concern. It is your need to not recognize and put others in a box.

Example. Your second post you stated fact and we didn't? Not nice and as explained incorrect.

Third post. You are correct and you know the entire problem with the Internet? Yea people like me with too much time on my hands. Golly did you just insult me? Hmm not sure?

I am going to miss you. I never insulted you I will not do so but you really need to work on comprehension. I mean why not call DeLL and when they tell you they make the best notebooks in the world. Post that as fact as "they told me so". I mean clearly not opinion, "they told me"? Reiteration does not remove the stain of opinion. You if you were really a thoughtful considerate person would apologize to Dry and me for your while subtle very condescending arrogant comments directed at us.

Basically your logic has a disconnect which in and of itself is your issue. Your projection toward Dry and me is rude.

Do you really think taking your ball and going home is mature? After insulting others?
Learn manners not arrogance. I know you are to busy to be bothered with any level of personal responsibility. I know you are above it all. If you treat people in the real world the same when all is not agreed upon I wish you the best.

You lack critical thought, good luck.

Wow. lol. forums...

[DRY_ICE]

It seems you've been stopped dead in your closed-minded tracks eh? Anyhow, all that power is saying, and I agree with him, is that your information is only as good as the person you hear it coming from. It's all mostly preference and opinions, and you'd do well to recognize that. Although you heard your information from a Xotic employee, it is still basically opinion.

Arguing to whether something is a pro/con while stating such things as :

"Pros

-Led screen at 1920x1080 (sweet)
-Duel Hard drives
-Comes with lots of goodies
-Bang for your buck"

Where to begin? "(sweet)", goodies, bang for buck? And if I really wanted to discredit you... which I do at this point... I'd also point out its "dual" not "duel"... we're not fighting with our hdds now are we...

Bottom line is take things for what they are and welcome disagreement - It helps intelligent consumers really get down to what are the clever thoughts and conclusions about products by deciding themselves what really seems to have been thought out. If anything, your extremely stubborn ignorance towards people like power and I shows just how well your logic stacks up.

Learn some decent manners and common sense please, especially if you're going to so brashly refute a top contributor such as power. You won't get anywhere without them; you'll just look foolish.

[powerpack]

More thought on dual HDD's in the Asus and is that advantage. If space is needed and no single HDD is sold that is large enough. External is not viable. Of course in that situation the dual is a clear advantage. You have the ability to get double the storage internal.

But consider that the users that have that exact and complete need has got to be very small in number. Now consider two HDD's doubles your chances of having a HDD failure.

Don't get me wrong for some with needs and usage two can be advantages I just suspect for most it will not be.

How do I mean advantage? Well with proper backup HDD failure not an issue at least with data loss. Also You could use the 2nd internal as back up. You would lose the size advantage but you would have greater protection from data loss on an internal level.

The above situations are real so if you have those needs two HDD's do have advantage even if they can't be RAID'ed.

For those newer to the high end mobile market. A quad is not always the best. There are many real world usage where higher clocked Dual delivers better performance. Heat is always an issue with notebooks. Less is better.

[rellim]

Just a quick point on the heat issue. I got a G51Vx-A1 from XoticPC recently and I've been running Crysis and Crysis Warhead on it at maximum graphics settings (Very High on Crysis, Enthusiast on Crysis Warhead) with 2x AA enabled. I also installed the Dox 185.85 drivers to correct the gpu underclock. I also purchased the unit with AS5 on the CPU and GPU, and am using it with a notebook cooler. The resulting temperatures even after more than an hour of gameplay is that the gpu peaks at 89C.

Granted, this has demonstrated to be clearly affected by ambient temperatures. On some of the hotter days of summer, where I myself have been sweating in my room, I've noticed the temp climb as high as 92. However, a vast majority of my gameplay experiences have stayed at 89 or below.

And as for gameplay, while I haven't gotten exact FPS numbers for Crysis, I have not experienced any lag at all.

[powerpack]

Good info. Nice getting real input. Curious ever considered removing one of the HDD's to see if it impacts temps?

With two HDD's put the pagefile on a different disk than OS.

[EvanD]

It seems you've been stopped dead in your closed-minded tracks eh? Anyhow, all that power is saying, and I agree with him, is that your information is only as good as the person you hear it coming from. It's all mostly preference and opinions, and you'd do well to recognize that. Although you heard your information from a Xotic employee, it is still basically opinion.

Arguing to whether something is a pro/con while stating such things as :

"Pros

-Led screen at 1920x1080 (sweet)
-Duel Hard drives
-Comes with lots of goodies
-Bang for your buck"

Where to begin? "(sweet)", goodies, bang for buck? And if I really wanted to discredit you... which I do at this point... I'd also point out its "dual" not "duel"... we're not fighting with our hdds now are we...

Bottom line is take things for what they are and welcome disagreement - It helps intelligent consumers really get down to what are the clever thoughts and conclusions about products by deciding themselves what really seems to have been thought out. If anything, your extremely stubborn ignorance towards people like power and I shows just how well your logic stacks up.

Learn some decent manners and common sense please, especially if you're going to so brashly refute a top contributor such as power. You won't get anywhere without them; you'll just look foolish.

Lol again. Apparently I look foolish, but you havn't even seen what I look like!

[DRY_ICE]

Riiiight kid right.

[NasGhost]

Tip for your future Evan; when you try to make a point, make sure you can back it up soundly, and make sure you check both sides of the coin before you flip it.

Like PP said, some of the things you posted are opinions.

For example; you feel that an LED Screen at 1920*1080 is a pro. I do not. I like 1680*1050 personally. And further more, with such a high native resolution, the GPU wont last as long at native res. This is where scaling comes into play. Now the more you scale, even if keep the aspect ratio, the crappier the picture will look. Period. Whats more is, since the display is 16:9, that screws with most games since most support 16:10, not 16:9.

Dual hard drives is an opinion as well. Sure, IMHO, I would love dual HDDs, but as PP said, more hardware in a laptop that already has heat issues is asking for more issues.

Comes with lots of goodies? So? What if I already have all the goodies I need? Like a sweet bookbag, the ability to make my own customized recovery discs with vlite ( which you can not do with the recovery CDs btw ), my own gaming mouse, and anything else the G51 may come with.

Best bang for your buck? Not necessarily; the NP8662 can be had for as low as like $1400, as compared to the G51 which will cost you $1600. Obviously they are not configured the same at this price, but if you are looking for whichever can be had for the absolute cheapest, the Sager is your winner.

I could do more, but Im feelin lazy:laugh: