Another XoticPC Review!

So, my previous laptop was an Asus G50Vt-X1, which I got in 2009. It's specs are Core 2 Duo P8400, 4GB DDR2 RAM, and a 9800M GS with 512MB of GDDR5 ram, and a 1366x768 display! Needless to say, it's been time for an upgrade for quite a while!!

I beat around the bush quite a bit, embarking on a project, creatively called "Portable Desktop," where I was trying to use some tricks like using a pcie riser card to fit the majority of the components into the footprint of an Xbox 360. That attempt failed and I used that as my main pc for a while, transferring the components into the Cooler Master Elite 110, which I do NOT recommend if you plan on tinkering a lot, these are not easy to work in and definitely lean more toward "set it and forget it" builds.

It's actually been about two years since I was first thinking of getting a new laptop, but then switched direction and did those mini-ITX shenanigans. Mini-ITX is still my favorite PC form factor, and I will certainly make another attempt at the Portable Desktop, but I realized a laptop is still where its at for portability, and I was pretty sure that technology had caught up and 1080p gaming on most titles, especially the 8 year old Red Alert 3, would be more than adequate with a 970M.

I originally thought I wanted a 17.3", but when I saw the great price for a Sager NP8640/Clevo P640RE, I realized that 14.1" would be better and besides, I preferred smaller, which is why I went with mini-ITX, so why would I go with a larger laptop? And I couldn't resist the price, at $1066 for a 970M!


As far as ordering and everything, my experience was basically the same as this guy's; I made an account on June 1, waited to order for five days for some reason, then ordered on the June 6. Went to Phase 2 on June 8, shipped the next day, and received it on the 17th!

It ended up being a little more expensive, as I bought a WD Black 1TB, but didn't realize the HDD bay only accepted 7mm drives! So I finally got a 2TB Seagate drive. It's great, have enough storage for almost all of my steam games, and I don't notice any loading time difference due to it being 5400 RPM instead of 7200 RPM. Not sure why I didn't check the manual; I guess cause Clevo's manual download page is not the easiest to find and the manuals contain more than one model sometimes. But that's ok, I'll use the WD Black as a portable dump drive.

I bought an Everki Studio to fit with the slim theme, and now use the laptop mostly in a "Battletop" configuration; on a monitor stand with two other monitors.



Could use some cable management of course, but other than that, this is my final setup until I build a new desktop. Ok well, I intend to build a chair and move those power bar functions onto it, but other than that yeah, final setup.

TL;DR: Laptops have become powerful enough to play all the games I play. I went with Sager because its one of the few brands that allow you to change certain components. XoticPC had a great price on the NP8640, so I went with them and was not dissappointed!

Also, shout out to Emily.M, who helped me in the chat! For whatever reason I was not able to rate the conversation.




PS: I noticed you don't have an accessories page, I was wondering about how to buy a second power cord? Obviously I should have done that at configuration, but I only realized that I needed one after I had my everything configured.



Thanks,

LC

 

I'm really digging your desk set up, and I want to do a similar configuration myself at some point. But it looks pretty good. I bet having the computer elevated like that is nice for airflow.

I hope you love the new computer. I'll pass the shout out on to Emily on Monday when I see her again. Thanks for choosing to purchase it with us, and thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. If at any point you have questions on it in the future, just let me, Emily, or anybody else know what we can to do help. Thanks!

 

Thanks, glad you like it! It was inspired by a post on r/Battletop:

https://imgur.com/a/a3BmM

Not sure how much it helps, but probably better than nothing. I also have that 120mm USB fan underneath.

It's great! Not quite built like a tank like my old Asus was, but definitely not going to fall to pieces. (If only we could mass produce carbon fiber eh?)

While I intend to build another desktop later, this will definitely be my mobile Battlestation for many years.

Yes, actually; I was wondering how to purchase a second power adapter? I'd like to leave one in my backpack and leave one plugged in here, since it's a little difficult to get at once it's plugged in. I guess I should have selected that option, but you never really know till you get it all setup sometimes right?


Thanks,


LC

 

Oh yeah, sorry about missing that. You could either contact anybody in our support team again and they can set up an order just for the spare adapter. Otherwise, you can purchase them through Sager's site directly. Either option would work. There isn't a spot on our site that is just a link for that one specific charger though.

 

No worries! I do tend to spam paragraphs. ><

I figured that would be under the "Accessories" option, but it seems to be broken for both Firefox and Chrome. Maybe its related to the issue preventing me from rating the chat?



Thanks


LC

 

Ok, so the screen has deveoloped a row of dead/stuck pixels.

It persisted after a reboot. Not sure how long its had it since I was just using it power other monitors.

EDIT: So they appear to be stuck pixels, as they are constant and always green.

 

Does it stay there if you move the screen? Does it appear or disappear if the screen is tilted at different angles?

You may want to contact our support team about that.

 

Wow, thanks for the quick reply!

Screen orientation doesn't seem to make a difference; not sure what you mean by 'move the screen'; do you mean my other monitors?

Was doing some research, should I try anything or contact support first?


Thanks

LC

 

Sometimes, if there is an issue with the cable that connects the screen to the motherboard internally, it might only show up if the screen is tilted back at certain angles, but not others. So if the screen is opened all the way and pushed back as far as it can go, it might not have an issue (for example), but if it is at a 90 degree angle, it could show up if it is the cable. It's a small chance it might be the case, but wasn't sure if it was or not.

Yeah, feel free to research it if you would like. If you contact our support team though, they might know if there is anything to help out or if it should be sent back to be replaced basically.

 

That definitely looks like screen has issues, I can watch for your support ticket and help out.

 

Sorry, I gather you guys are closed by now so I'll open a ticket tomorrow.

Thanks for the quick responses!


EDIT: I just remembered that I got up early this morning and accidentally whacked the HDMI cable. Could that be it?

 

That shouldn't affect the internal screen really.

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I hit the cord, not the laptop itself.

I did get into the laptop a couple of times to install storage, maybe I jostled something, so does that void the Sager warranty?


Also if I have to RMA it, can I take out the drives?

 

I dont think you loose your warranty by changing drives or HDD's. Trust me i have done way more than that with my system and if my seller saw what all, he would probably jump out the window.
But its rather difficult to dislodge the cable since it tucked away rather neatly in a not so easily accessible section. Though sometimes it does happen if the cable is not 100% locked in, and the laptop is jerked around or not placed down gently. (Has happened to me once after i finished changing to my 4k panel, but that was because i was a bit hasty)

 

No, you don't void warranty by changing drives, just as long as you don't damage the system in the process. Physical damage wouldn't be covered basically.

You should be able to take out the drives. Maybe want to leave the C: drive in, but the rest would be fine to take out. All of that would be covered in the instructions for RMAs typically.

 

Hmmmm, I'm really not comfortable with that. I have a password on the system, would that mean I would have to take it off? I mean, I'm sure you have good people, but I don't know them personally and it introduces an unknown. I'm kind of surprised you wouldn't just put in a usb with linux or your own windows system to test on.

I haven't actually gotten around to trying anything yet, I think I'll just use that pixel switcher. If that doesn't work, then I'll see about the RMA.

Though I'd really rather not send it in with the C drive if possible, could we work something out?



Also, I'm trying to find an adapter or cable to go from mini display port to HDMI or DVI for my other monitor. I'm really confused about the DP 1.2 thing; does the cable have to specifically state that its 1.2 compatible?

Like this cable, its mini DP to HDMI but doesn't state version, should that matter?


Thanks

LC

 

You can send in without the C drive, that should not be an issue.

 

Awesome, thanks for clearing that up.

 

Ok so according to the warranty, I have to ship it back in original packaging?

Does that mean the warranty is void if I don't have the original packaging?

 

No, I don't think I've ever heard of that as a reason to void the warranty. Shouldn't be an issue. If you are doing an RMA for repair, it doesn't have to be in the same box. It is best to send it in that box, as it is designed for the computer. But if you don't have it you would want to just make sure it is well packaged and protected.

 

Awesome, thanks. I guess I didn't keep it quite long enough. Lesson learned! ><

 

The RMA instructions should also give some good guidelines on how to pack as well

 

Thanks!

Also, about that; I've been lucky enough to never have to RMA something so I'm not quite sure what to do; I assume I use the RMA via your website?


Thanks

LC

 

Yes, that would set up a ticket for the RMA. One of our support team members will reach out to you with the information needed for sending the computer in.

 

Thanks, I'll get the ball rolling on that, um, soonish. It's so hard to give this up as its my only gaming computer right now. ><

 

Hopefully it comes back soon, and you don't have to worry about issues persisting. Should be worth it in the long run.

 

Did you submit a request yet? If so PM me so I can help!

 

I have not yet. Hard to go back to my old machine. Been playing No Man's Sky!

Thanks for checking in tho, I should get on it soon I guess. ><

Oh, and I assume the serial number is on the machine itself?

I'm also a little nervous about the packaging, wish I would have kept the original box longer.

Is there some standard way to indicate to shipping companies that the item is fragile?


Thanks

LC

 

Serial number is on machine You can write fragile all over the box although no matter what you do UPS tends to treat packages the same. The best way to pack will be double boxed of course.

 

Ok, kind of figured.

Figured this as well, thanks. LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of foam! Oy.

 

But yeah might as well get this done asap. Since the new models are out and parts availability might become an issue later on.

 

Didn't consider that, thanks!

 

Ok, finally started the RMA process!

EDIT: In the ticket I said there was a row of stuck pixels, correction, its actually a column, for correctness sake!

 

Ok, finally sent out the laptop just now.