Do we agree?

[StarTrooper3000]

I've got an idea on what I want to get, but I'd like to see others' input...

General Questions

1) What is your budget? <3000, preferrably ~ 2000

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen

3) What country are you buying this in? USA

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like? Dell, HP, Gateway, etc

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook? Web surfing, random gaming (mostly older stuff, but I like the idea of being fast enough to run the latest if I choose), MS office, photo editing, video editing, music editing, engineering software

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?

Taking it around occasionally, for school and whatnot

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?

yes...idk what yet -- look at my current specs...I can't play much of anything

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
More is better, but I currently make do with my 1 hour.... : (

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
*sigh* is there a place I can actually go see and touch the laptops on this site? I'd REALLY prefer that, but I can do with pics too.

10) What OS do you prefer? (more details below)
Win7 will probably be where I go


Screen Specifics

11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? (more details below)
Widescreen
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.

Basically, I'd like to see 1080p perfectly...

12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen?
Either

Build Quality and Design

13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
I prefer sleek looks, and a backlit keyboard....

14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
As long as possible. My current Dell is still running from >4 years ago, so I think I can get some serious time out of a gaming laptop

Notebook Components

15) How much hard drive space do you want; 80GB, 160GB, 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, 1TB, or 1.5TB?
I want an SSD drive primary for apps and a large secondary for storage

16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, CD/DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
Yes. Is there really a foreseeable future for blu-ray drives? I want at least a DVD burner, but blu-ray isn't out of the question

17) What speed CPU/Processor would you like? Dual core or Quad Core CPU?
Quad.

[Maverick494]

your only option is the G73. Nothing else here has what you want and a backlit keyboard.

[StarTrooper3000]

Fair enough -- I'm resigned to that. What is better for me than the g73 if we toss out the aesthetics?

(Not that I don't like the g73, i am just curious of the options)

[powerpack]

NP8295 for pure performance NP9285, has a desktop CPU. NP8120 for pure gaming. I like NP8760 for value and performance. But I bought the G73.

[Maverick494]

Fair enough -- I'm resigned to that. What is better for me than the g73 if we toss out the aesthetics?

(Not that I don't like the g73, i am just curious of the options)

2000 dollar price range:

Sager 8760 or 8850.

3000 Dollar range:

Sager 8850 or the 9285.

Best options (IMPO):

Sager NP8850 (Built on Clevo W880CU) Gaming Laptop - PRE ORDER ETA 6/25 (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2798{76}2438{94}1074{ 92}2668{187}2744{88}1728{194}2594{186}1532{93}2588 {112}656{98}2494{96}2514{97}2604{104}674{168}1453{ 116}696{117}705{120}703{110}2770{169}1449{119}1898 {100}734{164}1441{107}689{106}2665{121}694{108}710 {109}711{170}1591{173}1175{167}1452{103}2707{113}1 413{111}1414{69}714{196}2719)
- 17.3" FHD LED Backlit 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1920x1080)
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Intel® Core™ i7-720QM, 1.60-2.80GHz, (45nm, 6MB L3 cache)
- -Stock OEM Thermal Compound
- nVidia GeForce GTX 480M 2,048MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 (User Upgradeable) - ETA Middle June
- No External Graphics Card
- No Video Adapter
- ~ 6,144MB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires 64-Bit to utilize Full 4GB)
- Standard Finish
- ~ 4X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- ~ 80GB Intel X25-M Solid State Drive (SSD2 Serial-ATA II)
- ~ 500GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 8MB Cache)~
- HDD Raid Settings - OFF
- No Back Up Hard Drive
- No Floppy Drive
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Intel® Ultimate-N 6300 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- No Network Accessory
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- No TV Tuner
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- 11.1V Smart Li-Polymer battery pack 3800mAh, 42.18Wh
- No Car Adapter
- None Standard*
- No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- No External Keyboard or Mouse
- No Notebook Cooler
- ~Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- No Office Software
- No Software Bundle
- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime -24/7 DOMESTIC Based- Toll Free Telephone Tech Support (Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)
Includes FREE Shipping Both Ways for Warranty Repairs
- No Xotic PC Gear

2904.00


Pros: SSD primary drive, 6GB DDR3, Bluray, Full HD screen, GTX480M

Cons: i7-720 is far less powerful than the desktop i7-930 in the next machine, no idea when this hits the street with Xotic


OR

Sager NP9285 (Built on Clevo D900F) Ultimate Custom Laptop (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2577{76}1296{94}1074{ 92}2046{187}2744{88}1728{194}2594{186}1532{93}1789 {112}656{98}2494{96}1053{97}2608{192}1943{104}675{ 168}1453{116}696{117}705{120}703{110}2770{169}1449 {119}708{100}734{164}1441{107}689{106}1695{108}710 {109}711{170}1492{173}1175{167}1452{103}2707{113}1 413{111}1414{69}714{196}2719)
- 17" WUXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1920x1200)
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Intel® Core™ i7-930 (2.8GHz) 8MB L3 Cache, 4.8 GT/sec QPI, LGA 1366
- -Stock OEM Thermal Compound
- nVidia GeForce GTX 480M 2,048MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 (User Upgradeable) - ETA Middle June
- No External Graphics Card
- No Video Adapter
- ~ 6,144MB DDR3 1066MHz Memory (3 SODIMMS)
- Standard Finish
- ~ 4X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
- ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)~
- None Standard -
- Raid 0 Stripe Enabled (Requires 2 or 3 Hard Drives. Combines Hard Drives for performance)
- No Back Up Hard Drive
- No Floppy Drive
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Intel® Ultimate-N 6300 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- No Network Accessory
- Integrated Digital Video Camera
- No TV Tuner
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (12 Cell)
- None Standard*
- No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- No Fingerprint Reader
- No External Keyboard or Mouse
- No Notebook Cooler
- ~Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- No Office Software
- No Software Bundle
- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime -24/7 DOMESTIC Based- Toll Free Telephone Tech Support (Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)
Includes FREE Shipping Both Ways for Warranty Repairs
- No Xotic PC Gear

3044.01 (cash price is under 3K)

Pros: Desktop i7 CPU, GTX480M, 3 HDD bays, Bluray, (?)Available now(?)

Cons: Battery life is going to be measured in minutes, this thing is a beast and weighs as such, no SSD (RAID 0 instead, but still not an SSD), 1900x1200 screen (ok this may not be a con to some, but I think that a regular 16:9 screen is better when you want 1080P).


Now it is time for you to go OMFG these are twice as much as the G73 with less Ram! They also have the GTX480M in them which is twice the price of the 5870.

The bottom line is that if you want 2000 dollar value the 8760 is like the best choice (since we are talking other than the G73) for bang for the buck at 2000.

If 2000 is the real ideal range then I think:

Sager NP8760 (Built on Clevo W870CU) Custom Gaming Laptop (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2660{76}2438{94}1074{ 92}2669{187}2744{88}1852{194}2594{186}1532{93}2587 {112}656{98}2494{96}1053{97}2608{104}675{168}1453{ 116}696{117}705{120}703{110}2770{169}1449{119}1898 {100}734{164}1441{107}689{106}2665{121}694{108}710 {109}711{170}1591{173}1175{167}1452{103}2707{113}1 413{111}1414{69}714{196}2719)
- 17.3" FHD LED Backlit 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1920x1080)
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Intel® Core™ i7-840QM, 1.86-3.2GHz, (45nm, 8MB L3 cache)
- -Stock OEM Thermal Compound
- ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD5870 1024MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
- No External Graphics Card
- No Video Adapter
- ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires 64-Bit to utilize Full 4GB)
- Standard Finish
- ~ 4X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
- ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)~
- Raid 0 Stripe Enabled (Requires 2 or 3 Hard Drives. Combines Hard Drives for performance)
- No Back Up Hard Drive
- No Floppy Drive
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Intel® Ultimate-N 6300 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- No Network Accessory
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- No TV Tuner
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- 11.1V Smart Li-Polymer battery pack 3800mAh, 42.18Wh
- No Car Adapter
- None Standard*
- No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- No External Keyboard or Mouse
- No Notebook Cooler
- ~Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- No Office Software
- No Software Bundle
- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime -24/7 DOMESTIC Based- Toll Free Telephone Tech Support (Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)
Includes FREE Shipping Both Ways for Warranty Repairs
- No Xotic PC Gear

2129.00

is a great setup when compared to a G73 when priced in that range. You can bump the RAM in the 8760 and leave the CPU at i7-720 if you wanted as well.

*You can save 90 bucks off these if you already have a copy of windows to use.

**Note that the 8760 has the new i7-840 in it.

[Slowboto]

Do you need e-Sata or Express Card connections? Always an important question to ask because a few people have missed that. If so then discount the rest.

A lot of good suggestions in here and yet the G73 might be more than enough with a wireless card upgrade and the SSD you mentioned, that should satisfy all your needs and save a few hundred dollars in the process. G73 is a powerful computer as is that will probably be able to handle any newer games at higher settings for at least a year or two. You mentioned though that you play mostly older games so your covered in either case.

1080p screen, backlit keyboard, sleek looks, quad core processor, lots of RAM....for the needs you listed this laptop works more than well enough and should last you a few years with no issues.

Of course if you need those added connections then this doesn't work. Also depends on what you want to upgrade. The other options with the better processors are more future proof but a 720 isn't bad at all and for what you have listed right now it should be more than enough I think. That is just my thoughts on it unless you are dead set on spending more than $2000.

A1 with SSD and 6200 is $1905. You get a Blu-Ray player with this one.
A2 with SSD and 6200 is $1809. No Blu-Ray.

It's up to you, if you decide you want to upgrade things like the processor then the others start looking better. Just throwing out my suggestion to see if we can't save you some money as well.

[StarTrooper3000]

Extensive, Maverick, extensive : ) Thank you. It is interesting to me that you chose a 5400 RPM HDD with the SSD configuration...any particular reason? or was it just a quick config? (Similarly I wonder about the choice of 1333Mhz/1066Mhz RAM, isn't the i7 Extreme required for 1333? A little explanation of this would probably prove helpful, thanks) Is the difference between the Sager 8850 and 8760 the graphics card capabilities? I don't necessarily mean the ones you showed me -- they look pretty much the same in all other capacities.

Another question, why not upgrade the thermal compound? If someone is dishing out thousands of dollars for a new laptop, wouldn't another $45 be a drop in the bucket at that point? Just wondering. I hear it can provide degrees lower temps.


@slowboto, not knowing what eSata does, I feel like I wouldn't miss it (I think it provides a slot to directly connect a HD? or am I off?)...similarly though, I'm finding out what my Express card slot does and I am liking it. Turning those options off was one of my hesitations toward the g73. : ( I haven't ruled it out yet.


And, as a side note, I am going with a SSD when I buy -- for the shear speed of load times. Wouldn't it be a good idea to go with a 160gb drive for my apps, since everything is getting bigger and bigger? Do you guys find you're filling 80 gigs of space on your primary? (I know I'm being conservative and still uncomfortable in the confines of my 60gb HD.

[Slowboto]

Extensive, Maverick, extensive : ) Thank you. It is interesting to me that you chose a 5400 RPM HDD with the SSD configuration...any particular reason? or was it just a quick config? (Similarly I wonder about the choice of 1333Mhz/1066Mhz RAM, isn't the i7 Extreme required for 1333? A little explanation of this would probably prove helpful, thanks) Is the difference between the Sager 8850 and 8760 the graphics card capabilities? I don't necessarily mean the ones you showed me -- they look pretty much the same in all other capacities.

Another question, why not upgrade the thermal compound? If someone is dishing out thousands of dollars for a new laptop, wouldn't another $45 be a drop in the bucket at that point? Just wondering. I hear it can provide degrees lower temps.


@slowboto, not knowing what eSata does, I feel like I wouldn't miss it (I think it provides a slot to directly connect a HD? or am I off?)...similarly though, I'm finding out what my Express card slot does and I am liking it. Turning those options off was one of my hesitations toward the g73. : ( I haven't ruled it out yet.


And, as a side note, I am going with a SSD when I buy -- for the shear speed of load times. Wouldn't it be a good idea to go with a 160gb drive for my apps, since everything is getting bigger and bigger? Do you guys find you're filling 80 gigs of space on your primary? (I know I'm being conservative and still uncomfortable in the confines of my 60gb HD.

Yeah, eSata is for the HDD, can connect to the external ones and transfer faster. Express card has some potential uses, I myself decided I didn't really need one.

The 160 SSD is definitely a nice grab, a few have said that the 80 does fill up rather fast since the OS takes a nice chunk and then games or programs can take sizable chunks.

[StarTrooper3000]

Okay, glad to see I was on track, thanks. Any input on the thermal compound?

[jbermi]

I find the 80 GB SSD adequate for me, it has all my non gaming programs, including win7 and office 2007 (home and student edition) a formatted 80 gb has 74.5 available and i have about about 49.7 GB free. so I am not using that much.

also prices on the intel drives may come down now that best buy is tocking the 40 and 80 GB models in store and 160 online only, hopefully the demand from them will drive prices down.

[Maverick494]

It is interesting to me that you chose a 5400 RPM HDD with the SSD configuration...any particular reason? or was it just a quick config?

Because it is just a storage drive and programs you don't use as much drive. Speed of access there is less important than with the primary drive. Plus it shaved a few dollars off the price.

(Similarly I wonder about the choice of 1333Mhz/1066Mhz RAM, isn't the i7 Extreme required for 1333? A little explanation of this would probably prove helpful, thanks)

For the i7 mobile chips the 720+ is capable and using the 1333 RAM, for the desktop CPU in the DF900 you need the i7-980 to get the 1333 ram capability. So the two with the mobile chips get 1333 (which is only an advantage in bandwidth and not necessarily speed).

Is the difference between the Sager 8850 and 8760 the graphics card capabilities? I don't necessarily mean the ones you showed me -- they look pretty much the same in all other capacities.

As far as I can tell the difference is only Nvidia in the 8850 and 5870 in the 8760.

Another question, why not upgrade the thermal compound? If someone is dishing out thousands of dollars for a new laptop, wouldn't another $45 be a drop in the bucket at that point? Just wondering. I hear it can provide degrees lower temps.

You could do this, absolutely no harm. Is 2 to maybe 3C something you are really worried about on these chips? I don't think so considering my max CPU temp in about 80 degree rooms is like 68C @ 100% load. The max is 100C. Now if you are going to be running in really hot environments then it is probably worth it. Personally I think that, sager at least and probably others, do a pretty decent job with the stock compound.


@slowboto, not knowing what eSata does, I feel like I wouldn't miss it (I think it provides a slot to directly connect a HD? or am I off?)...similarly though, I'm finding out what my Express card slot does and I am liking it. Turning those options off was one of my hesitations toward the g73. : ( I haven't ruled it out yet.

That is the biggest question you need to answer: is the backlit keyboard and warranty the thing that makes the G73 the better choice compared to any of the three sagers listed for you considering the options they provide.

The last big thing is are you willing to wait 6-8 weeks to get a G73? is it worth it? We just had another PSOD on a unit in the tech support forums, not to mention lots of crackling sound from the G73 for a few users. It doesn't mean a unit you get will have these problems, but outside of one keyboard issue on an 8690 there really aren't any sagers having issues being posted about.

Now I admit one, possibly two, of the sagers might have a wait time but it is not likely to be 6-8 weeks and I don't know what kind of issues the sagers with the GTX480M might have, but the 8760 w/5870 is rock solid.




And, as a side note, I am going with a SSD when I buy -- for the shear speed of load times. Wouldn't it be a good idea to go with a 160gb drive for my apps, since everything is getting bigger and bigger? Do you guys find you're filling 80 gigs of space on your primary? (I know I'm being conservative and still uncomfortable in the confines of my 60gb HD.

That is a great idea and I was just building these units based on your budget(s). Personally, I am waiting until I can just get a single 500+ GB SSD for a decent price, but I don't have a dual hard drive capable laptop so I don't have an option other than that because 160GB and even 256GB is too small for a single drive solution.