XoticPC - np9130 - Skinned - a software dev's perspective

So, I like gaming as most people do, but I'm more casual than most. I needed a powerhouse laptop to compete with my desktop of the same for my development of applications and databases. I decided to go with the Sager NP 9130 and deck it out with the necessities that I see fit for my use.

Here are the dates from the start in case others are trying to do something similar so you know what you could be in for:
- 07/24/2012 -- Phase 1 - Ordered
- 07/25/2012 -- Phase 2 - Sent for Building, etc.
- 07/30/2012 -- Phase 3 - Getting Skinned.
- 08/22/2012 -- Shipped
- 08/24/2012 --Received

I know that it's like a car wrap skinning a laptop, but I was hoping for the shorter side of the "5-13" days quoted for skinning since it was just the back of the laptop and not the keyboard side getting skinned. That is quite the span of time saying it will take "40 to 104 hours" to take apart your laptop, apply the 3m vinyl, and then put it back together. There should be a delineation between the options: like Skinning "A" (monitor backing) estimate "X" hours and then Skinning "A + C" (monitor backing + around keyboard) estimate "X" hours).

Edit:
The reason it has taken so long is that the first round of skinning didn't go so well, so they had to order the skin a second time and try again. I guess that's good to know they won't let crap go out.

Something that would also help, if there were auto emails that went out at standard times in addition to the "Phase" emails just stating something, anything to let us know that something is happening, that would save us contacting XoticPC multiple times just to be told "it's in day X of your 5-13 day process". How about saying like "we have been swamped and your laptop #4 in queue to get skinned". You could Spam me every day with an auto email ever incrementing my number in the queue line. It would make those of us spending thousands of dollars with XoticPc over other competitors feel better.

I don't expect special treatment in getting my laptop more quickly, but if it works out, I won't complain. I'd rather it come slower with no issues than shave a few days off and have issues.

I know my fellow developers are going to be super jealous of this little 15" powerhouse, especially all skinned up.

When I get it in, I'll update this thread with my perspective on it and how I use it (which will be including VS 2010/12, VMWare, etc.)

Here is the config (shortened for unnecessary text):
Sager NP9130 / Clevo P151EM1
- 15.6” FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920x1080) Super Clear Matte Type Screen (SKU - S1R324)
- Sager - 3rd Generation Intel® Ivy Bridge Core™ i7-3610QM (2.3GHz - 3.3GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache, 45W Max TDP) (SKU - S2N224)
- IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
- nVidia GeForce GTX 670M 1,536MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 with Optimus™ Technology (SKU - S3N501)
- 16GB - DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (4 SODIMMS) (SKU - S4R368)
- Custom Fitted Laptop Back LCD Skin (Below)

Spoiler

View attachment 82349

- 240gb Intel 520 Series Solid State Drive (SSD2 Serial-ATA III) (SKU - S5R070)
- 6x Blu-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive - Special! (SKU - S7P557)
- Internal 9-in-1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD/Mini SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS/MS Pro/MS Duo)
- Bluetooth Included (See “Wireless Network” Section Below)
- Sager - Bigfoot Networks Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 (3x3) (SKU - S8R056)
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader


AND HERE IS THE FINAL PRODUCT...

Spoiler

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My Thoughts:

Overall I'm pleased with the final results of the laptop. The combination of the I-7 processor, RAM, and the Intell SSD really make it snappy. Even though the skinning took forever, it is pretty cool to finally see it done. I run all of my development software effortlessly on this rig now, which include:

• Camtasia
• Adobe After Effects
• Adobe Photoshop
• Visual Studio 2010/12
• Sql Server 2008
• VMWare Workstation (with multiple VM's running at once)
• and more...

I haven't played any games yet, but probably worth downloading a trial of one or two just to check it out. :thumbsup:

 

what kind of skin did you get? I know their carbon fiber is pretty popular..

If I were you I would do an unboxing video and film yourself combing over every inch of that skin for bubbles/tears/scratches/etc just in case there's an issue. I remember seeing someone have an issue where they didn't realize until a few days after that their skin was messed up and they charged them to replace it..

Ninja edit: They covered some of the skin issues, but since he didn't document some of them originally, he had to pay to get the one's he noticed later fixed. I understand that they wouldn't be able to know if it came that way or if he did it after he got it though. Just something to think about

http://forum.notebookreview.com/reseller-feedback-forum/648269-my-sager-np8170-xoticpc.html

 

That's a good idea (to film it). I didn't think about that, plus it would make a good video regardless for those interested in the skinning vs not to skin process.

For the skin, I ended up going with the blue flames (#605) because I do a lot of speaking gigs for coding, and have to meet with clients. As much as I'd want a game avatar or BFG on it, I had to be a little modest.



Hoping for the best.

 

Received. Updated original post.

 

Wow it looks beautiful! Congratulations, enjoy it while you can

 

Glad you got the laptop! As great as those pictures look they really don't do it justice. The machine looked absolutely beautiful when I was checking on it on the last day. Good to hear you're enjoying it.