Np8120

[Devils1stBorn]

Hey guys.

My system is scheduled to arrive on the 18th, with any luck...perhaps sooner ;)

I intend on providing a complete review from the initial sales experience on to the performance. My background is computer animation with an evolving skill set in video editing. yes, there are reasons why I chose this system, I will go into that later. I will upload videos covering threads for various application use in order to reach as the enthusiast (Benchmarks are cool, but I'm a hands on guy). We all know this system can game...and do it well! My attempt is to reach creative individuals who also task there systems with a suite of industry standard software as well as open source equivalents.

I'm also a Linux supporter, so I will also provide content covering a fedora 13 experience. We will go into that later.

My only regret is that I wasn't able to purchase an SSD drive. To much money at this time, but I will have one in the near future.

Much more soon ;)

[powerpack]

Look forward to your reports. Will be nice to see what you are capable of doing. I have zero experience with video editing. But I did buy a HD video camera so am starting to look at that type of stuff.

[Devils1stBorn]

Look forward to your reports. Will be nice to see what you are capable of doing. I have zero experience with video editing. But I did buy a HD video camera so am starting to look at that type of stuff.

Cool. Will have more soon. :biggrin:

[Mavtop]

I was just about to order the np8120 bc I wanted an nVidia sli solution. But sadly I was informed by Justin at xoticpc that the np8120 has just been discontinued. Now I'm bummed out bc the next best thing is the x7200. But I do not think it will even be within $500 of the price of the np8120. However, I did notice on the clevo specs page that the np8120 is slated to have sli gtx 480m's. Hopefully that will materialize.

[Maverick494]

I was just about to order the np8120 bc I wanted an nVidia sli solution. But sadly I was informed by Justin at xoticpc that the np8120 has just been discontinued. Now I'm bummed out bc the next best thing is the x7200. But I do not think it will even be within $500 of the price of the np8120. However, I did notice on the clevo specs page that the np8120 is slated to have sli gtx 480m's. Hopefully that will materialize.

It might, but dual 480m's is going to cost like 3K.

[Mavtop]

Exactly my point I didn't want to spend more than like 2500-2800 for an nVidia sli solution in a laptop. Always happens when I have the cash in hand ready to go that these things get discontinued.

[Devils1stBorn]

Well being that this will be an ongoing thread, I feel its important that I share some immediate findings. I'm coming close to the decision that the following may be a software and or driver issue. It started each time I started using FL Studio and Linux Multimedia Studio, both music creation apps. When I loaded the demo songs in FL Studio a horrible crackling noise came out of the speakers as if they were blown and music sound was horrible. I then loaded Linux Multimedia Studio (Windows 64 bit version) and it only happened with one song. After going back and forth from each app I realized the song had a "Vinyl" affect. So I decided to start up my second laptop which has an Ubuntu Studio install and fired up the Linux version and behold, same horrible crackling sound. Now I know theres nothing wrong with my other system so it started to seem like a software issue. Plus, I plugged in external speakers and got the same sound. The thing is, FL Studio made this noise with every song I loaded, so I started to think driver issues was the issue. With Windows, regular mp3 files, movies, dvds, video files all played fine with the exception that volume wasn't what you would expect from a system with a subwoofer and 4 speakers. So, now I'm thinking maybe there's still something wrong with the speakers. After playing with the settings and going with a stereo setup the speakers sound...ok. So, yes, expect to take a hit with sound quality with the speakers. I know they're only laptop speakers, but hey, I spent a chunk on it. Now, I would like to know if anyone has similar issues and if you are willing to install the demo version of FL Studio on your Windows 7 64 bit NP 8120 and tell me if you have the same result?....There's more to come, I just wanted to post quickly. My full review is not ready and theres much more to add.

[Devils1stBorn]

Ok, I have to make a correction. I was up late last night and was tired, so I may have heard differently. I now launched Linux Multimedia Studio on my other system and the sound is not identical. My Dell laptop plays the sound like a genuine old vinyl record, while my Sager sounds weak and simar to busted speakers. I unistalled audio drivers and then my hotkeys stop working. Then I reinstall the audio driver and my hotkeys start working? Frustration is starting to kick in.

[Maverick494]

IMPO if you are this much of an Audiophile, then NO speakers in ANY laptop are going to work for you anyway. Get something that is S/PDIF based and use it to output sound from your laptop.

That isn't to say there isn't some kind of driver issue causing less than desirable sound output, but you sound like you need a professional setup and not just some laptop speakers.

I know I had to do some stuff in the realtek HD audio manager to get my speakers to sound even half way decent, maybe you should look in there.

[Devils1stBorn]

IMPO if you are this much of an Audiophile, then NO speakers in ANY laptop are going to work for you anyway. Get something that is S/PDIF based and use it to output sound from your laptop.

That isn't to say there isn't some kind of driver issue causing less than desirable sound output, but you sound like you need a professional setup and not just some laptop speakers.

I know I had to do some stuff in the realtek HD audio manager to get my speakers to sound even half way decent, maybe you should look in there.

I'm trying to assure myself there's no hardware issue, I can careless about weak laptop speakers. You have the same system? A phone convo and a short period of time replicating the issue with you can eliminate an hardware issue and I don't have to worry about sending my system back. Return policy is time sensitive. And I don't want to send it out if I don't have to.

[Devils1stBorn]

This has been interesting, it seems that Linux ( Ubuntu Studio 10.4 ) has the driver support for this specific situation. Why am I leaning towards a driver bug? Both FL Studio and Linux Multimedia Studio are apps that perform pretty much the same. Now, I'm not a developer, but I'm sure under the hood software requirements have to be similar. Both apps had the same issue on a Windows 7 64 bit system. The Linux app had no such issue on the Ubuntu install. Windows 7 bug?...maybe. Thing is, tech support guy tells me he uses FL Studio on Windows 7 without an issue. So, unless he's telling me what I want to hear, driver issue for my system? Keep in mind that my hotkeys stopped working when I uninstalled the audio driver, then they started working when I reinstalled the audio driver.

Your thoughts?

Oh, on another note, I got Doom 3 to work in Windows 7 64 bit while the net seems to be filled with people wondering when will it be patched to work in it?

[mrmatt]

The reason your keys stopped working is because they are hardware keys mapped to specific functions that not all drivers incorporate. The hardware keys simply are shortcuts for specific software functions, not hardware functions. This is a common side effect of changing to non-standard drivers. As far as your media stuff I really don't know. I don't have either program installed.

[Devils1stBorn]

The reason your keys stopped working is because they are hardware keys mapped to specific functions that not all drivers incorporate. The hardware keys simply are shortcuts for specific software functions, not hardware functions. This is a common side effect of changing to non-standard drivers. As far as your media stuff I really don't know. I don't have either program installed.

That I already knew....as I said, they stopped working when I unistalled the audio drivers. Should not happen. These drivers need to be refined in the worse way.

[mrmatt]

That I already knew....as I said, they stopped working when I unistalled the audio drivers. Should not happen. These drivers need to be refined in the worse way.
So the people who make generic drivers need to make them work with the hotkeys on every computer? There is a reason they are called generic.

[Devils1stBorn]

So the people who make generic drivers need to make them work with the hotkeys on every computer? There is a reason they are called generic.

You're missing my point. The audio drivers I unistalled were provided by the manufacturer. Then my hotkeys stopped working. One driver has nothing to do with the other. All drivers I installed were provided by the manufacturer. I was clear about this.The manufacturer should be expected to develop drivers that don't show this type of behavior by simply uninstalling an audio driver and affecting hotkeys. It's showing poor code design. I will say graphic acceleration is not an issue, far from it.This other area is buggy. I'm letting people know. Theres virtually no intel on the net regarding this model.

I'm thrilled that it seems to be a software issue and I doubt I will send it back. But, I'm concerned about driver support. Good thing is thats the only issue so far.

[mrmatt]

The reason that manufacturers install their audio drivers is because that is what the computer is supposed to have. You aren't supposed to remove the audio drivers and then complain that something doesn't work. That's like saying that even though you took out the hard drive the computer should boot. If you want features from the manufacturer then you have to live with their stuff.

[Maverick494]

You claim that it is poor coding if your hotkeys don't work when you don't have audio drivers installed, but if you don't have audio drivers installed even if the keys did work wtf do you think they would control? Nothing, because there is no driver installed for your audio at that point.

So, yes absolutely the hotkeys are directly related to the audio driver. If there is no audio driver then there is no need to have audio hotkeys to control something the computer doesn't know is there. They are not independent.

[Devils1stBorn]

You claim that it is poor coding if your hotkeys don't work when you don't have audio drivers installed, but if you don't have audio drivers installed even if the keys did work wtf do you think they would control? Nothing, because there is no driver installed for your audio at that point.

So, yes absolutely the hotkeys are directly related to the audio driver. If there is no audio driver then there is no need to have audio hotkeys to control something the computer doesn't know is there. They are not independent.

All of the hotkeys did not work. I said nothing about audio hotkeys not working....that's wtf...silly rabbit. ;)

[Maverick494]

Well that is different. Still you can install their driver software and then overwrite their audio drivers with a reference driver. Did you ever try the drivers I sent you a link for in the PM?

[Devils1stBorn]

The reason that manufacturers install their audio drivers is because that is what the computer is supposed to have. You aren't supposed to remove the audio drivers and then complain that something doesn't work. That's like saying that even though you took out the hard drive the computer should boot. If you want features from the manufacturer then you have to live with their stuff.

Yet another bad example. If I uninstall audio drivers there's no good reason why my entire hotkey set should not work. I will post my review soon. Laptop kicks arsh though Just minor bugs and annoyances with sound drivers.

[powerpack]

Yet another bad example. If I uninstall audio drivers there's no good reason why my entire hotkey set should not work. I will post my review soon. Laptop kicks arsh though Just minor bugs and annoyances with sound drivers.When you say MFG you clearly mean the OEM of the notebook not the component? If you are installing MFG drivers and crying I have little to say. You do not use MFG drivers on notebooks. You use OEM's. MFG on notebook is your own risk, welcome to the real world!:p

[Devils1stBorn]

When you say MFG you clearly mean the OEM of the notebook not the component? If you are installing MFG drivers and crying I have little to say. You do not use MFG drivers on notebooks. You use OEM's. MFG on notebook is your own risk, welcome to the real world!:p

Crying? I've been here providing feedback of my experience and see what else you guys have experienced...take a deep breath....and squeuze that bug out your ass ;)

Check this out, GameMate software could not work right for nothing with my PS3. So, I format and only install chipset and video drivers...entire system becomes FAR more stable. Start loading drivers that sager/clevo provides and bugs show up left and right. Here's something that got me worried. Got a green screen and a loud ass noise. Sytem locked and had to do a hardware reset. You guys come across this?Can drivers cause that? I feel as if it was a hardware failure. Sager doesn't have tech support on weekends.

[powerpack]

OK so I have my shortcomings. I am short on notebook driver upgrades and problems that may follow.

I do think good some of you guys do and does help some so more power to you. I don't think most need to run for the latest greatest but in the end all will make their own best choices.

[Devils1stBorn]

OK so I have my shortcomings. I am short on notebook driver upgrades and problems that may follow.

I do think good some of you guys do and does help some so more power to you. I don't think most need to run for the latest greatest but in the end all will make their own best choices.

I sat for about a year before I purchased. My last system was a Dell Inspirion 6000D, so I don't go for the latest or greatest. This system, graphically has met and exceeded expectations. CS5 works like a dream on this system. I think the best way to put it is that driver issues are creating problems that have me concerned that it may be hardware. Building PC's is something I've done for years, but I won't presume that carries over to laptops. I want to exhaust all resources before I conclude a decision.

[Maverick494]

I am not that impressed with the Sager driver cycle, personally I would go with OEM's drivers over their drivers. I use the reference ATI drivers, I use the reference Realtek audio drivers, I use the reference intel 6300N drivers, etc. The only drivers I am using off the CD are the web cam and touchpad/finger print scanner ones.

[Devils1stBorn]

I am not that impressed with the Sager driver cycle, personally I would go with OEM's drivers over their drivers. I use the reference ATI drivers, I use the reference Realtek audio drivers, I use the reference intel 6300N drivers, etc. The only drivers I am using off the CD are the web cam and touchpad/finger print scanner ones.

Drivers are something that shouldn't be tough to provide. Dell for example, provided drivers and simply worked. So I believe the MFG should be able to provide solid drivers, whether OEM or not. Tech support is open today, let's see what happens.

[ArtChr]

I ordered my 8120 on May 18 and received it May 25th. There was an issue with the shipping since I had it shipped to my girlfriends work because I was not going to be in town. I made all of the previous arrangements with my CC company, and when I placed the order, the following day they said there was a problem with the shipping info and CC. I emailed and called xoticpc's customer support and they acted fast to resolve the issue and keep my order form being delayed any further, oh and they did this while they where switching offices and had no direct phone service. Kudos to xoticpc.

Now about the laptop.
1x Sager NP8120 (Built on Clevo X8100) Gaming Laptop

- Operating System: No Operating System Standard - Drivers & Utility Software Only
- Fingerprint Reader: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- Second Hard Drive: ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)~
- Primary Hard Drive: ~ 80GB Intel X25-M Solid State Drive (SSD2 Serial-ATA II)
- Optical Drive: ~ 4X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- Ram: ~ 8,192MB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires 64-Bit to utilize Full 4GB)
- Graphics Video Card: SLi ENABLED DUAL (2) 1024MB PCI-Express nVIDIA GTX 285M's (2048MB Total) w/GDDR3 DX10 Video Cards (User Upgradeable)
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-920XM Extreme, 2.0-3.20GHz, (45nm, 8MB L3 cache)
- Display: 18.4" FHD WUXGA Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Dual Lamp Screen (1920x1080)
- Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle! Oh Yeeaahh!!! :D



Ok so I love this thing, everything except the keyboard. Please tell me someone else has a problem with paying this much for a laptop and getting a $5 keyboard in it. The space bar is sunk down so low that when you rest your palms you have to have a downward hooked thumb to effectively hit it. I also often have to retype letters as some of the keys seem to be unresponsive at times when typing faster. I would also have liked to see more from the light show or not have it at all. Back lit keyboards just make notebooks look nicer IMO.

So now there is this deal with the np8120s being shipped with the ATI cards. OMG I have always loved ATI over nVidia, I made that sacrifice when buying this laptop because it had everything else I wanted in it, and I figured I have never used SLi I will give it a shot. Well I really don’t have any complaints about the SLi, I hear they run a little warmer then the ATI (I use Real Temp to monitor my CPU cores and GPU and they haven’t gone over 70° C, and the game (Borderlands) looks great, and it runs very smooth.

I am really enjoying showing it off to people too, I always get ooo's and aww's and even more comments about how much and questions why I spent that much. I purchased the Laptop instead of a PS3, I wanted a BluRay player and it ultimately came down to the release of FFXIV mmo. I also travel a lot and got tired of carrying my desktop and 20" LCD with me everywhere (and just going without it when I had to fly). So that is why I went with the laptop instead of the PS3.


So I have had the laptop for 3 1/2 months and I still love it and don't regret buying it at all.

[ArtChr]

Is there a way to set up the laptop so the Bluetooth is on when you boot, without needing to turn it on every time?

[Lickwidpain]

Hello folks, I just bought this beast as a birthday present to myself from here and thought I should drop a line. Its on back order now but I should have it by the end of September. I am not super computer savy but I have been learning alot.

Here is my spec of the beast...
cts 1x Sager NP8120 (Built on Clevo X8100) Gaming Laptop
- Xotic Gear: No Xotic PC Gear
- Warranty: 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
- Software Bundle (Not Installed): No Software Bundle
- Microsoft Office Software: No Office Software
- Operating System: ~Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- Notebook Cooler: No Notebook Cooler
- Mouse / Keyboard Accessories: Logitech Anywhere MX 8-Button 2.4GHz Wireless Laser Mouse with Mini Receiver
- Fingerprint Reader: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- Port Replicator / Dock / Adapters: No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- Spare AC Adapter: None Standard*
- Battery: Smart Li-ion Battery (12 Cell)
- Case: Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- TV Tuner: No TV Tuner
- Camera: Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Wireless Network Accessories: No Network Accessory
- Wireless Network: Intel® Ultimate-N 6300 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- Bluetooth: Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Memory Card Reader: Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Floppy Drive: No Floppy Drive
- Back Up Software: No Back Up Software
- External Hard Drive (Back Up): No Back Up Hard Drive
- Raid: HDD Raid Settings - OFF
- Third Hard Drive: ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
- Second Hard Drive: ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)-
- Primary Hard Drive: ~ 80GB Intel X25-M Solid State Drive (SSD2 Serial-ATA II)
- Optical Drive: ~ 6X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- Exterior Finish: Standard Finish
- Ram: ~ 8,192MB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS)
- External Monitor Video Adapter: No Video Adapter
- Graphics Video Card: CrossFire Dual 1024MB ATi HD 5870's (2048MB Total) w/GDDR5 DX11 Video Cards (User Upgradeable)
- Thermal Compound: - IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-940XM Extreme, 2.13-3.33GHz, (45nm, 8MB L3 cache)
- Dead Pixel Policy: Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Display: 18.4" FHD WUXGA Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Dual Lamp Screen (1920x1080)
- Current Promotion: Student Promotions! Ask us about our Cash Discounts or FREE Promotional Items & Accessory Bundles for Students - Up to 50% OFF! - Student Verification Required for Promotion

I can't even sleep!:D

[ArtChr]

Here is what is pissing me off about this laptop now. I just bought the MS 5000 bluetooth mouse and I have to wait until windows and lightshow are booted before I can try and activate the bluetooth on the panel. I want the mouse to be activated by windows not panel. In the future I plan on getting a bluetooth headset and I am afraid it will be a waste of money if I can not configure it the way I want it to work.

Biggest pisser is that they release the same laptop with ATI (I prefer ATI over nVidia every day of the week) and the i7-940XM. Can mine be upgraded with that hardware? Or did they put a different MB in there? Who knows, once they have your 4grand they clam up like a steel trap. Nice.

Hey, how about panel software that you can actually configure. grrr. A lot of money for something I can not configure the way I like it to run. Oh well. Don't think I'll ever buy Sager again.

[Maverick494]

Here is what is pissing me off about this laptop now. I just bought the MS 5000 bluetooth mouse and I have to wait until windows and lightshow are booted before I can try and activate the bluetooth on the panel. I want the mouse to be activated by windows not panel. In the future I plan on getting a bluetooth headset and I am afraid it will be a waste of money if I can not configure it the way I want it to work.

Biggest pisser is that they release the same laptop with ATI (I prefer ATI over nVidia every day of the week) and the i7-940XM. Can mine be upgraded with that hardware? Or did they put a different MB in there? Who knows, once they have your 4grand they clam up like a steel trap. Nice.

Hey, how about panel software that you can actually configure. grrr. A lot of money for something I can not configure the way I like it to run. Oh well. Don't think I'll ever buy Sager again.

You're an idiot. First the sager can be completely upgraded if you want to pay the money and buy the hardware.

Second, I have had nothing but great success with sager's email tech support and its responsiveness.

I hope you enjoy your next dell POS.

[jydog]

All owners: how is the 8120 doing. My last Sager was the 8790. It started with artifacting a little over 1 year from purchase and died a little over 1 1/2 due to video heat issues. And now here I am considering a dual GPU Sager.

Am I crazy? Is it humming along just fine? Seeing any strange behaviors here or there?

[jydog]

Did I see something somewhere about the 8120 phasing out already?

[Devils1stBorn]

Did I see something somewhere about the 8120 phasing out already?

I will have some info for everyone soon.

[Solar strom]

good discussion.

[Roadgator]

Is it true they are phasing out this laptop cause I'm not buying another EOL clevo and I had planned on order one of these today

[Devils1stBorn]

I know its been a while, been caught up. The performance of the laptop has been great. I had an initial issue which resulted in a video card being replaced and the MoBo. I tried running fedora but it can benefit from better support, so I set that aside for a little. Those of you who are animation artist and video editing pros, you can trust this machine as a benchmark for solid performance. Autodesk Softimage and Adobe CS5 are handled with ease. You can also use the file edit tweak to allow support for the mercury engine in Premier Pro...priceless!

I wont get into gaming to much because this system handles it with ease. I think questioning or comparing is something that the human eye probably can't detect. However, I will answer some questions.

Back to the creation tools. For me, this laptop was meant to be an all in one, thus far, it's done just that. Working with textures and particle systems proved to be easy. Though it is true that Quadro class cards handle animation programs more efficiently, it is often misled that cards such as these within the NP8120 can not handle the load...not the case. Working with multiple displays is an option that is easily considered with this system. Having my viewpoints open on a 46inch full HD LCD TV with playback and menu sets on my NP8120 display, workflow was a charm. Rendering also excelled.

The CS5 suite was even easier to handle. Editing HD content with Premier Pro was a breeze, even with multiple filters/effects running in real time (mercury engine enabled of course). You can use Premier Pro as a benchmark (for the most part) when considering how the remaining suite will perform. Rendering and authoring to DVD or BluRay was smooth and at a professional production pace.

I will add more later...football is on.

[Devils1stBorn]

Video card failure...again...it's going back...

Sad...disappointing...what else can I say.

I will be uploading two videos that show the problem. First, it froze and made this loud, horrible buzzing noise...then cut off...turned back on...and bye bye graphic card...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji1_gmK2ADc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-kP7ggKy_0