Official Sager NP8130/Clevo P151HM1 Owners Lounge

I don't know how AMD switchable graphics work but they don't need hardware to do it I think. I heard that you can do switchable graphics with a 6970M installed? You can just switch the GPU in the catalyst control center. That's what I read on here. I think a manually controlled switching is a lot better than automatic. But yeah... a 6970M can't be installed on a NP8130.

 

Agree with you there. I have a feeling that AMD is going to "Bulldoze" NVIDIA in the future.

Then, NVIDIA will have to "transform" their Optimus into something better haha.

On a side note, I'm very eager to see an AMD 6990m on a laptop...but that's kinda impossible right now with that amount of TDP bulging through a system...

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-6990-review/

HIS Radeon HD 6990 Crossfire review

 

Yea, I haven't heard too much about the AMD switchable graphics, but I have seen a few newer computers coming out with it. AMD has a distinct advantage here though in that they are making both the IGP and the GPU chipsets whereas Nvidia must work with Intel and their solutions. One would hope that a company controlling both parts of the equation could make a more seamless system because of that level of control. Lamp was asking about the AMD Fusion platform though which is a new integrated CPU/GPU concept they are calling an APU. Check it out:

The Future of Computing: Intensely Visual

 

Blargh, I wish that my NP8130 would be delivered already! My fault for cheaping out with UPS Ground though, hehe.. still slated for Wednesday by end of day.

 

Is it slow for you? Mine shipped today via UPS ground, estimated delivery of Thursday. 2 day shipping is pretty decent to me...

EDIT: I should say estimated Thursday, but probably Thursday by 10am since I'm having it shipped to work and that's when we get our deliveries at shipping. It'll probably come in with a pallet of cisco gear...

 

Mine shipped Friday.. but it's going to Washington state. A bit further than TX from southern California. It's really not all that slow, I'm just anxious. I was fine up until I got the shipping notification since I was expecting it to be a few weeks still given that I only ordered at the end of February.

 

I still need to wait for another day so I can get a balance on my Paypal account and/or remove my credit card so I can pay via eCheck... :-(

 

You guys are all lucky... Mythlogic isn't getting their shipment of chassis until you all get your laptops so I won't get mine until next week, so I have to spend my spring break with a bricked XPS 1530...

 

I'm waiting one more week too, because I changed my payment option at the last second. Now it won't be here for my birthday, oh well...

 

I'm ordering an 1830 soon also. One thing I was apprehensive about was the shipping, since I had it in mind that it would be dropped from high heights if I chose ground, but I made a startling discovery, after reading two research papers that studied the effects of shipping damage, apparently ground packages are actually dropped less even though they are handled more. But I guess none of this matters if you opt for the SSD and dead pixel insurance.

Here are the papers I mentioned:
http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1056&context=it_fac
http://www.ista.org/forms/Koushik_FDWII_Presentation.pdf

The important data is:

2nd day air is dropped from up to 1.63m up to 104 times
Ground is dropped from up to 1.2m up to 18 times

Of course considerations have to be made for the difference in the shape of the boxes used in the two different studies, although they are in the same balpark.

 

I don't think you should be concerned about that...I mean, it's highly regarded as "ignorance" or "failing to deal with the workload", if a worker drops the boxes and he/she might be shunned.

 

The workers always drop/toss the boxes from loading docks and so forth, it is no accident. Think about how high up the worker stands from the ground while unloading a cargo jet.

 

Also, the styrofoam should help in absorbing any shock. I doubt that a lot of packages are being tossed around the warehouse higher than 3ft.

 

I keep accidentally deleting my post by refreshing instead of clicking post, but when manufacturers design the packaging for items, they factor in shipping. Besides, even if it is damaged, the couriers have insurance. It shouldn't really make a difference in your purchase decision.

This unboxing shows just how much packaging there is: YouTube - Unboxing Sager NP8130 PowerNotebooks

Keep in mind that they've already removed the inner box from the shipping box. Also please ignore the totally incorrect pronunciation of 'Sager'.

 

I like say-jer better than say-gurr, since sager can mean wiser.

 

In the results of the studies I posted, every air shipment was subjected to 2-3 drops over 3 feet. Also something like 15 drops from 1-3 feet, and 80 impacts equal to drops from less than 1 foot. And I don't think that the styrofoam cradles help absorb shock at all. Packing sytrofoam does not compress unless designed to do so- like those soft airy packing peanuts. I think the type of packaging used for a laptop just keeps it from moving around in the box, but the hard drives and optical drives are subjected to g-force and have lots of moving parts.

 

Your concern is definitely legitimate. However, short of personally picking up the laptop at either the Clevo or Sager factory, I am not sure how else one can minimize the risk of careless handling during shipping. Even a laptop bought at a brick and mortar retailer must be shipped from from factory to DC/retailer location.

 

No matter what laptop you buy it's going to have been on/off a ship or airplane coming from Asia, with some movement and impact involved. I'm sure some break, the vast majority don't. It shouldn't enter into the decision of what brand/model to buy, but if you are really worried get something from a brick & mortar where you can check the box condition before you give them your money. That's what a warranty is for anyway.

I've never read anything about hard drive failures based on pre-consumer shipping, as power fluctuations and heat are more likely causes of failure.

 

Stop it you guys!

Stop scaring the prospective customers away! This is a great product lol. I mean seriously, how paranoid can you get about dropping?

Mr. Mysterious

 

Hey everyone

I just received my Sager NP8130 yesterday (GMT +8) and I must sy that I'm impressed at my first glance.

The keyboard is rather springy but the layout is a bit different from previous laptops that I've used so I'm trying to adjust to it.

Looks wise, this notebook has a rugged look which reminds me of the CM HAF series haha..

Just want to ask you guys, my laptop comes with Futuremark but I can't install it. I've clicked on the Futuremark EasyFMSI but nothing happens..

Do I have the correct version of futuremark??

 

Even if it is dropped, drops don't only occur with Sager boxes. They happen with Dells, HPs, Sonys, Macs, etc. Hell even the big box stores have their boxes dropped--probably even more so, I saw a Best Buy guy carrying loads of notebooks and one of them dropped so he kicked the dropped one all the way to the notebook aisle.

 

Do you have any pictures you can post? I know there are pictures on the Sager site and there is the video review but I'd like to see some more pictures!

 

Hey Windkull,

You will have to let everyone know how that wide gamut display is when you get it. My M6500 has a wide gamut display and it is beyond words. You are in for a treat.

 

Ok. I will post my photos later when I return home. Am at the laboratory now so I don't have my camera with me.

How do I attach the photos to my post?

I mean...I can transfer the photos into my HDD but what happens after that?

 

I don't mean to derail the conversation, but I'm curious. Most of the resellers offer an option for a hard drive upgrade from the stock 500GB 7,200RPM drive to a 640GB 5,400RPM drive for around $15. Why is this an upgrade? I mean, obviously you are getting an extra 140GB of storage but isn't speed more important to most people?

I could be way off the mark here. I don't pretend to know a lot about hard disks but doesn't higher RPM usually mean faster access and data transfer?
Just wondering.

 

You can upload them to Flickr, etc, then just pull from there.

I don't know. I think if I was just a regular consumer without a lot of knowledge about tech, I would probably just go with "bigger is better".

 

Yes, but in this instance it is about the size of the drive that factors into price more. Also, there is a slight, slight battery gain from using 5400RPM since it isn't spinning as fast.

 

I think that is how a lot of manufactorers look at it. The majority of consumers, especially those buying from retail stores like Best Buy, just see more space and think it's better. Look at the Mac Book Pro, the standard 15" configuration for $1,799 has a 500gb 5400rpm drive and the upgraded config for $2,199 has a 750gb 5400rpm drive.

I think a lot of the reason Apple does it is to keep those long battery lifes but they also know that the majority of people who are going to buy one of these won't think twice about the rpm of the drive or even know what that means. They just want to have as much space as possible for all of their music, videos and pictures.

 

GMT+8, that would put you somewhere in east asia / oceania region . May I ask you what reseller you get your notebook from, and for what kind of price ?
I am (I think) close to your area , exactly in Vietnam, and I try to find the best option for buying sager/clevo from there.

Thanks, Hope you enjoy your new laptop.

 

Hi Kalimdra,

I bought my Sager NP8130 for 2,259 SGD (Singapore dollars) from Mucro Asia. My specs are: I7-2720QM, IC Diamond Thermal paste upgrade, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD and 2 year of Sager Hardware warranty.

If you're looking for a reseller in the Southeast Asian (ASEAN) region, you can search for 'Mucro Asia' and 'Sgcubehubs'. Both companies are based in Singapore but they do export to other countries and I think exporting within ASEAN is not a big problem.

Try Mucro Asia for cheaper prices or Sgcubehub for a better service.

Hope this helps

 

Out for delivery!

 

Nice!!! Pictures please!

I think I'm going to order mine today.

 

Me too! Today's the day! I can't wait....jeez.

Mr. Mysterious

 

Just placed my order with JP at Xotic. JP very patiently walked me through the process of figuring out how to pay with an eCheck on PayPal! Glad we were able to figure it out.

Now the wait begins............

Any comments on my setup? Pretty standard except for the bluray drive. I don't plan to do any hardcore gaming, just WoW & SCII, so this should last me for quite a while.

Sager NP8130 / Clevo P151HM1
Display 15.6” FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920x1080) Super Clear Matte Type Screen-
Dead Pixel Warranty Standard Dead Pixel Policy
Processor - 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz, (32nm, 6MB L3 cache)
Thermal Compound -Stock OEM Thermal Compound
Graphics Video Card nVidia GeForce GTX 460M 1,536MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
Ram ~ 8,192MB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS)-
Optical Drive ~ Combo Dual Laye~ 6X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
Primary Hard Drive ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
Memory Card Reader Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
Wireless Network Intel® Advanced-N 6230 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module + Bluetooth
Camera Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
Sound Card Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
Battery Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
Fingerprint Reader Integrated Fingerprint Reader
Operating System ~Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD

 

I just ordered mine also... Paying 1300 dollars for something that wont ship for 2 or 3 weeks kind of sucks, but I'd rather have it this way then get a g53jw...

 

It really does suck but you're right. Better to wait 2 or 3 weeks for the new model than buy the old model today.

 

I just ordered mine! Whoo I'm so excited now!

This is my first Sager, and I have high expectations for it!

Mr. Mysterious

 

I am also waiting right now for a new system to arrive. I just sold my M6500 and will soon be owning a Sager NP8130. This will be my first step into the custom laptop market so I also have high expectations. I haven't looked at Sager in awhile since some years ago their systems were just unruly in terms of weight and bulk. They seem to be much better now, and as always infinitely easier to open up and perform maintenance on. I ordered from Powernotebooks.com and as was reported, their staff is helpful, professional, and top notch. As high end PC customers, we are fortunate to have companies such as Powernotebooks.com and Xoticpc.com at our side.

 

Picked mine up earlier today.. the screen is very very nice. Haven't had a chance to take pictures yet though.

 

Yes we are! I just want to thank all of the resellers for their flexibility, consideration and patience for dealing with troublesome customers like me!

Mr. Mysterious

 

Whats your order number(If you used xotic)? Mines 30447 . I wonder if they are sequential??

 

My order number from Xotic is slightly higher than yours...ordered yesterday afternoon.

 

My order number is 30459. BUT....Justin convinced me to buy from him because he would knock off the shipping price and would order rush delivery for me. Thanks Justin! Great reseller.

Mr. Mysterious

 

Hmm.. I can't figure out how to get the stock bluetooth working for the life of me. The 'Combo BT' driver wouldn't install.

Edit: the answer is Fn+F12 to enable bluetooth.

 

Are the np8130s still having issues with freezing or was that fixed in the revision?

 

I haven't heard anyone having any freezing issues for a while now. It seems to be a problem for some of the earlier machines. I wouldn't worry about it.

Mr. Mysterious

 

WHAT?

 

If you buy from sager directly, do we know OEM for HDD RAM @ optical drive

 

A safe bet when troubleshooting any freezing issue or blue screen is that you MUST make sure you have the latest drivers and OS updates. Are you running the latest service pack for your version of Windows? If not, update. Don't even bother with any included CDs unless you just don't have any spare time.

Always attempt to go directly to the manufacturer for your drivers. Meaning check the Sager site to see what parts are in your machine but only use those if it is a last resort as the manufacturer will nearly always have a newer driver. My 8130 hasn't even arrived yet, but I went ahead and checked the various manufacturer sites for drivers about a week ago. There were many things that had already been updated from the stock Sager listings and those Sager listings were mostly from February 2011.

I know it's generic advice, but it really does make a huge difference in troubleshooting errors. That and testing components under load such as running memory tests such as Memtest86 or using things like HyperPi combined with Speedfan to test your system under load for possible thermal issues.

One serious issue that was on the Dell Precision M6500 that I had was a blue screen issue dealing with USB3. I noticed that the USB3 controller in the 8130 is the same one in the M6500. (NEC/Renesas uPD720200 based 2 port controller) If you are having any blue screen related to USB3, please go here and update your controller firmware and drivers:

SONY/NEC firmwares

You will be rock stable then. Have fun

 

Ahem...he was in danger of losing me to another reseller...Pretty aggressive pricing.

It's like a war sometimes, each vendor keeps offering better deals and you don't know who to go to.

Mr. Mysterious