Intel Sandy Bridge Recall Update

[JP@XoticPC]

Hey all,

Just thought I'd post this since it is rather interesting news... Looks like Intel will still ship out faulty chipsets!
(http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20030936-1.html)
All I can say is the next few weeks should be fun. :eeek2:

[hizzaah]

that's bs...

[Oldie]

Well if you're sitting on a CPU and you really want a mainboard for it, you may be willing to put up with the annoyance of exchanging it at a later time. I've seen more than one person looking for current SB boards on the various FS/FT forums out there.

Personally I'm just pissed because I really want my pre-ordered NP5160 in my hands. ;)

Retailers just need to make it crystal clear that the units have a known defect.

[Maverick494]

Well if you're sitting on a CPU and you really want a mainboard for it, you may be willing to put up with the annoyance of exchanging it at a later time. I've seen more than one person looking for current SB boards on the various FS/FT forums out there.

Personally I'm just pissed because I really want my pre-ordered NP5160 in my hands. ;)

Retailers just need to make it crystal clear that the units have a known defect.

Want to know what is more annoying?

in this segment of the laptop market there is literally no options. Not one single OEM or ODM at this point has an AMD/AMD platform. Granted AMD has been slow to release on its bulldozer line that is supposedly competing with sandy bridge and doing better than it in some cases, but even without that there is 0 competition in this segment.

AMD has a chance to kick intel in the balls and get to market with a gaming laptop platform that could steal a rather large and growing market from intel. If they managed to get their llano chips to market now I see no reason they can't take advantage of this lapse by intel to break into the market with the OEM's using their bulldozer chips by Mid March.

I am so thoroughly tired of the fact that we have 0 competition from AMD at this point in the game that I have been petitioning every where to get AMD eyes opened to the fact that they are missing a huge opportunity with this intel flub. I even got a response to a face book discussion post from an MSI person (who knows who or if they are placed to do anything about it) saying that it was a great idea and they would forward it on to the right people.

I get a feeling though that AMD is going to likely miss this window though and we will continue to be handcuffed to intel+nvidia in this segment with no way out. At this point I would even take an AMD Phenom II based machine with a 6970M in it just so I didn't have to wait until late march to order.

[Dirty LJ]

Well if you're sitting on a CPU and you really want a mainboard for it, you may be willing to put up with the annoyance of exchanging it at a later time. I've seen more than one person looking for current SB boards on the various FS/FT forums out there.

Personally I'm just pissed because I really want my pre-ordered NP5160 in my hands. ;)

Retailers just need to make it crystal clear that the units have a known defect.

I'm in that boat. I accepted my G73SW-A1 order despite the fact at a later date I am going to have to send it in to have it fixed.

Also considering the fact that its only supposed to affect 6% of the chips I am willing to take that gamble.

I hope you can get your machine soon.

[jdh5918]

Does this mean that Xotic is going to be able to ship SB laptops within the month, as opposed to the "late march/early april" previously quoted? I've been sitting here on my money waiting for an NP8150 or news about the G53SW, but it's really going to suck to wait til april to get one.

[Dirty LJ]

Yes, My G73SW-A1 is en-route to me now. Waiting on UPS (should have paid for next day air)

[JP@XoticPC]

Does this mean that Xotic is going to be able to ship SB laptops within the month, as opposed to the "late march/early april" previously quoted? I've been sitting here on my money waiting for an NP8150 or news about the G53SW, but it's really going to suck to wait til april to get one.

Haven't heard anything officially from Sager or ASUS yet, and their websites haven't been updated to reflect this info...But if I do hear something, I'll keep everyone posted on this thread.

[hmonglisboi]

For me, I wouldn't mind getting mine shipped to me and then later having to ship it back for the newer chipset. I have patience.

[powerpack]

For me, I wouldn't mind getting mine shipped to me and then later having to ship it back for the newer chipset. I have patience.I can see why you would. But they don't want to send and replace. They want to collect ship and be done.

[hmonglisboi]

I can see why you would. But they don't want to send and replace. They want to collect ship and be done.

So would that mean that they will continue to send the bad chipset? Would there be any way for the customers who are affected to later in the future have their bad laptops replaced?

[DSuds]

So would that mean that they will continue to send the bad chipset? Would there be any way for the customers who are affected to later in the future have their bad laptops replaced?

If it goes bad you could of course have it repaired. But this is the big question. Do you want to sell a $1000 item knowing you will have to do $100 of work on it at some point in the future or just wait...

[hmonglisboi]

I did some research. I guess those who already preordered will have to wait. I guess I will then.

[bdaniel]

Here is another article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20030920-64.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

Supposedly Intel is supposed to ship fixed Sandy-bridge boards in mid-February.

[Dirty LJ]

I did some research. I guess those who already preordered will have to wait. I guess I will then.

I preordered mine and it is being shipped to me now. I don't know what they are going to do with orders put in now though.

[Crimlin]

Just picked up a g73sw-a1 jan 24 and so far have no problems with it, but if worse case scenerio my laptop goes. I hope i can get the motherboard replaced before its too late.

[edikshion]

I preordered mine and it is being shipped to me now. I don't know what they are going to do with orders put in now though.

I SHOULD HAVE PREORDERED MINE!!! >:(((((( , how long does it take xotic to build it?

[edikshion]

I preordered mine and it is being shipped to me now. I don't know what they are going to do with orders put in now though.
sorry for the double post but does this mean the np5160 is ready now too?

[Keeper]

sorry for the double post but does this mean the np5160 is ready now too?

No, it doesn't. Sager has not started shipping any of their models as far as I know, Asus are still shipping at this point as though (last I head) and Dirty has the same machine as myself.

[edikshion]

No, it doesn't. Sager has not started shipping any of their models as far as I know, Asus are still shipping at this point as though (last I head) and Dirty has the same machine as myself.

arggg!!! im like buying other useless things just to get me by right now! If anyone has information on when the np5160 is coming out of its preorder stage please let me know!! I really need it for school and other things!! :]

[erisalit]

I heard that the latest from Sager is that the NP5160 and NP5170s are going to be shipping out mid March.

[edikshion]

I heard that the latest from Sager is that the NP5160 and NP5170s are going to be shipping out mid March.

>:O omg......

[Keeper]

arggg!!! im like buying other useless things just to get me by right now! If anyone has information on when the np5160 is coming out of its preorder stage please let me know!! I really need it for school and other things!! :]

If you really need it soon, depending on what you need it for, I would just buy a netbook or something for school for a few hundred bucks. Either that or change your order to something that is available.

[edikshion]

If you really need it soon, depending on what you need it for, I would just buy a netbook or something for school for a few hundred bucks. Either that or change your order to something that is available.

nah i dont need it THAT bad but... just really want it. I sold my computer parts to save up for this baby!

[edikshion]

If you really need it soon, depending on what you need it for, I would just buy a netbook or something for school for a few hundred bucks. Either that or change your order to something that is available.

i see your from reno..... do you happen to know Tommy Nyuguen or however you spell his last name? Azn kid?

[Keeper]

i see your from reno..... do you happen to know Tommy Nyuguen or however you spell his last name? Azn kid?

I can't say that I do, it's a fairly large place.

[dstryr]

i see your from reno..... do you happen to know Tommy Nyuguen or however you spell his last name? Azn kid?

I know a Tommy Nyuguen from the 95020 haha.

[edikshion]

I know a Tommy Nyuguen from the 95020 haha.

95020? whats that zipcode? He drive a subi, dated savanah like years ago rofl

[kaige18]

I heard that the latest from Sager is that the NP5160 and NP5170s are going to be shipping out mid March.

Its not just the NP5170s and NP5160 but also as sager has stated -

"We estimate that we will resume limited quantity shipment of Sager models NP5160, NP5170, NP8130, NP8150, and NP8170 in the middle of March 2011."

[sm0kie]

Didn't Intel say that distributors could resume shipping the old boards, as long as the configuration uses the non-faulty SATA slots?

[kaige18]

Didn't Intel say that distributors could resume shipping the old boards, as long as the configuration uses the non-faulty SATA slots?

1 more month till I get my Sager....hopefully. Can't stand using this piece of crap anymore.....

[SmogHog]

1 more month till I get my Sager....hopefully. Can't stand using this piece of crap anymore.....

Don't be surprised if you get it sooner.

[Chal]

Don't be surprised if you get it sooner.
Why do you say that? it says ETA: Mid March. :( I've had mine preordered since mid January lol. I kinda am leaning towards the GT555m now. The only laptop I noticed that has it is the new Y570 which looks cool but no 1920x1080 resolution :( Wish the NP5160 had the GT555m :(

[SmogHog]

Why do you say that? it says ETA: Mid March. :( I've had mine preordered since mid January lol. I kinda am leaning towards the GT555m now. The only laptop I noticed that has it is the new Y570 which looks cool but no 1920x1080 resolution :( Wish the NP5160 had the GT555m :(

The E in ETA means estimated or educated guess.Is the time based on a conservative estimate or liberal estimate.Probably it was more conservative when it was posted.

The B3 stepping chipsets have been in production for about 4 weeks.

They started to go out to OEM notebook makers soon after that.

I think if you're near the top of some preorder lists you will get notification within the next 2 weeks unless other problems develope.

There's no knowing exactly how many,which models and exact shipping date but some will be getting theirs sooner than the thought.

[Chal]

I just wish that it had a GT555m :( do you know of any laptops that have that? or if Sager is going to be releasing a 15inch model with it?

[singleshot71]

Damn, I thought that ETA stood for
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eta
Boy I feel stupid ;)

[kaige18]

The E in ETA means estimated or educated guess.Is the time based on a conservative estimate or liberal estimate.Probably it was more conservative when it was posted.

The B3 stepping chipsets have been in production for about 4 weeks.

They started to go out to OEM notebook makers soon after that.

I think if you're near the top of some preorder lists you will get notification within the next 2 weeks unless other problems develope.

There's no knowing exactly how many,which models and exact shipping date but some will be getting theirs sooner than the thought. Please don't get me excited. I ordered it on the 26th of January so idk how close to the top of the preorder list

[justaguy]

@ Chal
Dell just came out with the SB laptop. It has the GT555m and 1080p

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-l702x/fs

[JP@XoticPC]

Good news, everyone!

http://www.asus.com/News.aspx?N_ID=Bdmf9rXuqU29SRsi

Looks like ASUS will be ready to start shipping fixed SB models soon!

[vai1296]

DAMN IT! I just got my G73JW-3DE Monday and now I see the Dell XPS 17 that has the same specs and if i actually do a similar build to the G73 and gt555m i7 2820 3D comes out to 1850 about! Compared to the 2360 i paid for the G73...so not fair!

[Anomander]

@ Chal
Dell just came out with the SB laptop. It has the GT555m and 1080p

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-l702x/fs
Interesting. They have a Mid March ship date on those too.

[powerpack]

DAMN IT! I just got my G73JW-3DE Monday and now I see the Dell XPS 17 that has the same specs and if i actually do a similar build to the G73 and gt555m i7 2820 3D comes out to 1850 about! Compared to the 2360 i paid for the G73...so not fair!
Yea but it's still a DeLL.

[AfterEphex]

Please don't get me excited. I ordered it on the 26th of January so idk how close to the top of the preorder list

To give you an idea, I preordered my 8170-S1 on January 13th and I'm still waiting ... Hopefully, now that ASUS has issued a statement we will hear something good from Clevo/Sager.

[Anomander]

Dang, I'll be waiting for awhile. I just put my order in last week, but that was only because I was still looking for what to get and didn't know anything about the recall until i was ready to order. Oh well.

[hizzaah]

Yea but it's still a DeLL.

true that.. i'm currently using a dell inspiron 1545 i got as a graduation gift. thankfully it came with a 3 year warranty cuz this third year has been hell!

they're coming out to replace everything except the hd, proc, and ram next week. and i mean everything. including the whole shell.. it's ridiculous.. not that i necessarily need everything replaced, but my warranty is up in like 2 months and the service rep was being quite generous with the free parts lol. plus i'm giving this thing to my mother when i get my 8150. lucky her. getting basically a brand new laptop for free

[erisalit]

DAMN IT! I just got my G73JW-3DE Monday and now I see the Dell XPS 17 that has the same specs and if i actually do a similar build to the G73 and gt555m i7 2820 3D comes out to 1850 about! Compared to the 2360 i paid for the G73...so not fair!

if you are spending that much, you should also look at the Sagers. The gt555m seems like the best Optimus enabled GPU in a notebook right now. Couple that with the 9 cell (as you must, if you order the Dell), and you should get some very good battery life (the Dell specs say 5 plus hours!), when you are not gaming anyway. I wish the Sager NP5170 came with the option of the gt555m. It is a $150 upgrade on the Dell. If it were offered as a similarly priced upgrade on the NP5170, that could be worth the extra cost, compared to the 540m (which is roughly equivalent the standard 550m that comes with that Dell). of course, on the Dell you do have to strip out all that bloatware. The Dell touts 3D capabilities too. Not sure if that means some sort of special screen or if the NP5170 is equally capable of 3D, assuming you use the glasses.

[Chal]

@ Chal
Dell just came out with the SB laptop. It has the GT555m and 1080p

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-l702x/fs
Only problem is.. I want a 15 inch :( the Sager NP5160 is perfect for me as far as specs and price, except I want the GT555m :( if you know of a 15 inch with those specs, please let me know! :D

[Keeper]

Dell is bad, just sayin.

[kaige18]

My Sager 8150 just got update to Phase 2! It said production will take 6-12 days before it is shipped. I can't wait!

[Vmuse]

While I wouldn't recommend Dell for any gaming (even Alienware), for just everyday normal use they aren't that bad. And service will 100% depend on where you are since they outsource it.
I worked for QualXServ which is one of the companies they outsource to, and in all honesty 90% of the problems I came across were user caused, not a problem with the machine itself. I also didn't care about Dell's bottom line and didn't report half the stuff I could have that would have resulted in a warranty voiding, but that's another story.

[13thbaktun]

how did apple get the 2nd gen sb chips in the macbook pros?

[Keeper]

how did apple get the 2nd gen sb chips in the macbook pros?

I don't think they use the Cougar Point chipset, which is where the problem is. The chips themselves are fine, it is simply the chipset with the issue.

[cmansocked]

My Sager 8150 just got update to Phase 2! It said production will take 6-12 days before it is shipped. I can't wait!

So the 8150 is available now? I cancelled my order but if it is available I'll place it again. What about for other brands?

[SmogHog]

true that.. i'm currently using a dell inspiron 1545 i got as a graduation gift. thankfully it came with a 3 year warranty cuz this third year has been hell!

they're coming out to replace everything except the hd, proc, and ram next week. and i mean everything. including the whole shell.. it's ridiculous.. not that i necessarily need everything replaced, but my warranty is up in like 2 months and the service rep was being quite generous with the free parts lol. plus i'm giving this thing to my mother when i get my 8150. lucky her. getting basically a brand new laptop for free

This is why I've been a strong advocate of getting a warranty to cover PARTS and labor for the time you expect to keep the notebook.

Just about 100% of the people that post the configuration of the Sager they have ordered or thinking of ordering have only the basic 1 year parts coverage warranty listed.

This means that they're rolling the dice thinking their motherboard,screen,graphics card,drives,CPU etc will not falter during the ownership period.

The extra $149 to cover your investment for 3 years needs serious consideration.

[k_bolt]

Hello, I was under the impression that the Sager NP8150 wasn't available because of all the freezing issues reported among the NP8130, 8150 and 8170. Is this so?

And if so, does the fact that they are available for purchase again mean that the freezing problems have been fixed? I would love to buy this machine but I've had enough bad luck with notebooks to last a couple years. Please, any help would be appreciated.

[SmogHog]

Hello, I was under the impression that the Sager NP8150 wasn't available because of all the freezing issues reported among the NP8130, 8150 and 8170. Is this so?

And if so, does the fact that they are available for purchase again mean that the freezing problems have been fixed? I would love to buy this machine but I've had enough bad luck with notebooks to last a couple years. Please, any help would be appreciated.

Even though owners were experiencing freeze ups,Sager said they could not duplicate the issues on their test machines but they did post some newer drivers on their support site to possibly help those with freezing issues.

I recommend you order without Windows 7 installed and install it yourself along with the newest WHQL drivers you can find.

If you're unable to do this yourself then order with it installed.

All new models are now shipping with B3 stepping series Intel series 6 chipsets.

[JBossch]

Hello, I was under the impression that the Sager NP8150 wasn't available because of all the freezing issues reported among the NP8130, 8150 and 8170. Is this so?

And if so, does the fact that they are available for purchase again mean that the freezing problems have been fixed? I would love to buy this machine but I've had enough bad luck with notebooks to last a couple years. Please, any help would be appreciated.

I followed the thread on NotebookReview about the freezes for a while. It seemed like it mostly died out a little after the new drivers were released with a number of posters saying they fixed the issue. But, like I said, I stopped following the thread a couple weeks ago. Maybe someone else with firsthand experience can provide more info.

As far as I know, I'm pretty sure all the posters complaining of freezes had pre-recall machines.

[k_bolt]

Thanks for the quick replies. Do you think it's safe to get one of these machines now, since the new drivers have been released? I'd like to be absolutely sure that the problems have been fixed.

Does anyone have any idea how long these Sager machines will be available on XoticPC? I'd like to wait a bit before finally purchasing, just so I can make sure I can ask around and see if anyone with post-recall machines have had any of mentioned freezing problems.

[Maverick494]

Thanks for the quick replies. Do you think it's safe to get one of these machines now, since the new drivers have been released? I'd like to be absolutely sure that the problems have been fixed.

Does anyone have any idea how long these Sager machines will be available on XoticPC? I'd like to wait a bit before finally purchasing, just so I can make sure I can ask around and see if anyone with post-recall machines have had any of mentioned freezing problems.

My post recall 8130 has 0 issues.

[erisalit]

I have kept up with the freezing thread (because I gave serious thought to going with an 8170 instead of the 5170 I wound up buying) on notebookreview and some post recall machines had freezing problems and the driver updates did not solve all the freezing problems for everyone. My overall read on that was that the problem may be different for different people, and may be an intermittent problem that only shows up on some machines. Bottom line is they have not really gotten to the bottom of it and have not figured out a fix that works for everyone. So far I have not seen anything about the freezing problems surfacing on any other Sandy Bridge machines, but it may. Until they figure out the problem, I would hesitate about buying an 81xx, but I am no longer in the market for a new laptop anyway.

[k_bolt]

Is there any alternative machine that you could suggest, just in case these freezing issues aren't fixed?

[k_bolt]

I have been looking around at alternatives and I've found none. This is the machine I want, I wish it would be fixed so i could get one.

[Maverick494]

I have been looking around at alternatives and I've found none. This is the machine I want, I wish it would be fixed so i could get one.

The problem is that it sounds to me like it is such a small percentage of machines that are doing it (so far I have not see a post saying anyone from Xotic's customer base has experienced it first hand) that you have a very high chance of having no issues.

I have an 8130 that I have been subjecting to everything I can to get it to screw up and nothing is going wrong.

[k_bolt]

The problem is that it sounds to me like it is such a small percentage of machines that are doing it (so far I have not see a post saying anyone from Xotic's customer base has experienced it first hand) that you have a very high chance of having no issues.

I have an 8130 that I have been subjecting to everything I can to get it to screw up and nothing is going wrong.

I get what you're saying but I hate taking gambles with money, especially since I've been saving up for a while now

[Maverick494]

I get what you're saying but I hate taking gambles with money, especially since I've been saving up for a while now

if a 95+% chance of success is gambling can I play in your lottery?