*** Official Sager NP8170/Clevo P170HM Owners Lounge ***

Would I notice a significant difference, between a 4x and a 6x Blu-ray drive?

 

Upgrading it later could prove to be much more expensive I think.

 

If you were watching a movie, not really. The only benefit is maybe the blue ray playback software may have an easier time of caching the movie data, so you would be less likely to have an occasional stutter. I have not used my blue ray like I thought I would, but when I did the cheap software that came with the machine would stutter once in a while, but who knows if a faster drive would fix that.

If you had a data disk then yes it would read the data at 1.5 times faster, but I doubt anybody is using blue ray for anything other than movies. you would need to have a blue ray burner and buy 6X media to see the faster data rates.

 

Question, is it possible that I can upgrade my gpu to the 6900 card later on that i've been seeing people talk about?

 

If sager supports it, yes.

 

Sooo, any new ETA for these machines?

 

So a couple of observations from the manual.

Looks like they are using a synaptics touch pad. That is a big plus to have better driver support and control over the pad. Cudos for that.

Clevo/Sager is probably using the THX pro DSP software to improve lackluster sound. This is something I have been trying to do using SRS sandbox and Breakaway Sound Enhancer. I really hope they have done more than just add THX pro software to improve the weakest part of the Clevo/Sager package. We shall hear in time.

 

Same ETA at this time...by the end of the month.

 

WiDi 2.0 is important to me. The thing is Sager claims Intel isn't supporting it.
So will Sager be using Optimus on future models?
Also what about HDMI input that is something I would love to have!

 

Sounds like you need the M17x R3, Steve. Lol.

 

I posted a response in your "new to Sager" thread, Go have a look. I think it offers you an idea to consider.

 

Talking about the M17x R3, I changed my mind like 20 times between the M17X R3 and the NP8170. Wish the M17x R3 had 485M or 6970m

 

I was looking at the R3 as well but if you upgrade the screen to a 1080p it get considerably more expensive that what I have speced out on the NP8170.

 

There is a special discount of $225, on the 3d bundle (1080p 120hz lcd + 3d glasses). Just look at "Dell Recommended".

 

The biggest problem with Alienware is Dell I did look at buying one and the cost is WAY up there and they have only slightly better customer service than Dell. Reseller.com rates them a 2.86 out of 10! That's less than Dell's!
If AW was like it used to be and had great CS then maybe as it does have HDMI input but I'd rather have a Sager that works with a few less features than a AW or some other brand that has poor tech support and doesn't care about their customers.

 

Alienware is owned by dell, so when you send it in, it goes to a Dell facility. pretty sure at least. And more than likely Ralph I would have gotten the R3 if it came with 485 or 6970. Still might if they add the 485. It's between that, an 18x from alienware, or a refresh of the x8100.

 

I don't really need the 120hz I just want 1080p. I see that screen as adding $350 to the price. Am I missing the discount?

What really kills me is the $250 upgrade from 4 to 8 gigs of ram.

 

You are missing a $225,00 discount to get the bundle. Just look at "Dell recommended" page, at third page, there is a m17x there with a special discount.

About the 4 to 8gbs of ram. Buy it aftermark, it will be cheap.

 

Guys, this is a Sager forum, too many more posts about Dell will surely get you guys the wrath of the mods to stay on topic.

 

Sorry.

Getting back to the topic. I might be ordering my NP8170 soon... probably from MALIBAL...

What's the best ETA for anyone who ordered a NP8170?

 

The ETA for the resellers is end of January. Assuming schedule is still on track, the first people to get theirs will be late first week/early second week of February. It’s a long wait for the ones who have ordered. I am interested in this laptop, but as I elaborated in another thread, Getting the Wife (WAF) on board for an upgrade is not going to be easy, especially since I just got done paying for the one I have.

 

You s!r should wait for at least Ivy Bridge...you have an awesome laptop right now...why you want another one? Are you a pro gamer?

 

I understand the need / want to update. But you do have a nice machine. Unless it doesn't handle the games you have how you want them I'd wait until a game comes out that really challenges it then consider an upgrade. I'm sure you can even overclock the GPU a decent amount too if you haven't already.

 

Me a pro gamer? not even close, I am probably not even an amateur. I do know my stuff in the FS world though.

Thanks, I know that I have a pretty darn nice rig. In the past I always had mediocre performing systems, and my Sager 8760 is my first high end system. But once I drank the evil elixir of speed and power, I feel this overpowering need to upgrade. It is so unlike me and I can't explain it, but it is there. In the end I probably will have to wait for IB, but I will make sure I know as much about these new machines as I can just in case.

 

We experience the same addiction as adrenaline junkies; we need a more powerful fix each time. It's an expensive habit. But we enjoy it. Oh yes.

 

You might as well wait to see if the 6970M comes available for the W870CU.

It's already working in the W860CU, after all.

 

I would have held on to my NP8662 a bit longer if it weren't for the spill I had on it a while back. It's running fine except for some wonky USB things, but I can't even hook up an external USB Blu-ray without it disconnecting my other USB ports. Mouse and keyboard and for the most part USB hard drives work fine for some reason. That, and I really want dual drives for an SSD + HDD plus Blu-Ray and 1080p. My machine would cost at least $400 more to fix permanently (after dumping $150+ into it) so would rather put it towards a new machine with all the stuff I want. If it were working perfectly, to be honest it plays the games and stuff I want, but no blu-ray and no 1080p.

 

I am trying to figure out if I can run a GTX460M reliably, let alone anything newer. I have conflicting information regarding that. Plus the main game (Flight Sim) I use has ATI driver problems that rule out their products.

I know you have been limping along since your wine spill (IIRC) or was it tea? I am sure you will be very happy to get into a 8170 and out of your 8662. It will be a nice speed and screen size upgrade.

 

Guys, is 8gb enough or should I go for 16gb?

I'll use just for gaming/programing/multimedia.

Thanks.

 

8 GB should be more than enough mate. I'm going for the same.

I use Visual Studio 2008, UDK and Unity 3.0 heavily in conjunction with 3dsMax and Photoshop. Also Bad Company 2, Black Ops and the Steam Suite on the game side and I'm doing allright on a 4 Gig PC setup...Im sure the * gigs on the laptop should be more than enough. Anything more would be overkill...atleast imho.

Look at it this way...get the 8 gigs(Im positive it should be enough for the 'programming' work side definitely) and check it out. You always have the option to upgrade the RAM...2 free slots infact(correct me if Im wrong).

 

My programing isnt anything that use too much resource, its java. May be other things, but I dont think nothing which will use much resource.

By te way, i'll get only 8gb from them, the other 8gb, if i get, will be from aftermarket for sure

 

Yes, this machine has four slots. 8GB option utilizes two of those four slots. 8GB is quite affordable at $80-$100 for decent RAM, so you can always throw in another 8GB later if needed. But I think 8GB is way more than adequate for most people. Heck I've been running some virtual machines on my current notebook with 4GB (only recently upped to 8GB) without much problem.

 

@wingnut: When is your P170Hm coming in?

I'm on the fence now...P150 or P170...configs are the same....cooling and battery life will seal it for me.

 

The NP8170/Clevo P170HM is still on backorder until end of January. Only thing the re-sellers are telling us. When the exact date is, none of us know. I'm getting antsy tho

 

Exactly. No definite date. Actually my PayPal eCheck hasn't cleared yet so I am not *officially* in the queue to get mine unless XoticPC wants to be nice and do me a favor.

 

A rare statement coming from a java developer.

 

I thought Paypal tries to clear them within 5 business days?

 

Woot! My eCheck cleared... now where's my NP8170?

 

Lol you would post that simultaneously with my previous post.

 

Yeah, I noticed that lol. I will have to now pester XoticPC to no end... :evil grin:

Email from XoticPC:

Dear Valued Customer,
We wanted to inform you that your order has been updated with the following status & additional information:

New status: Phase 2 (Sent for Custom Building / Testing / Burn In & Final QA)
Some additional notes placed on your order:

Hello,

Your PayPal eCheck has cleared and your order is now approved for production.

Thanks
Xotic PC

That makes it sound like it'll be built and shipped on schedule. No mention of delay? I hope this is accurate.

 

I think it is quite easy to explain really. If Sandybridge resulted in only a 10% increase in CPU performance, only an extra 5-10 minutes of battery time and the GTX 485M Vs the GTX 285M was only a 10% - 15% increase in performance instead of over 60% - 70% then you probably would not care either way.

Sandybridge offers a lot more battery time, a significant increase in CPU performance, the GTX 485M is (apparently) on par with the Desktop 460 and the ATI offerings are expected to be cheaper and still as powerful. Some benchmarkers suggest the 485M is 70% faster than the ATI 5870 and then you have the overclocking headroom and USB 3.0 as well as the potential of improved sound.

You say you probably will not be upgrading due to (WAF) considerations but all of the above is my summary of why you feel the need to upgrade which you consider to be out of character.

The only reason why I even upgraded from the Sager NP8662 to the W860CU was due to unforeseen circumstances otherwise I would not have even bothered.

 

My Inspiron E1705 is 5 years old today. Everything cleared on my order with Malibal it seems. Apparently my new laptop will be delivered in 10 days or something. Perfect timing for when I play Crysis 2 and Planetside Next.

Also I can't wait to play with the AVX instruction set.
(Oh and yes I had saved up and budgeted up to 4K USD. I'm glad it was much cheaper than my expectations).

Code:

    P170HM  Satori P170HM $1,364.00
    Customizations:
    Display: 17.3" 1920 x 1080 FHD LED Backlit GlassView Display
    Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-2920XM, Extreme 8MB L3 Cache, 2.50GHz           $895.00
    Memory: (16GB) 16384MB, PC3-10660/1333MHz DDR3 - 4 SO-DIMM                 $270.00
    Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 485M 2GB GDDR5                         $495.00
    Hard Drive: 120GB Intel® X25-M SATA2 SSD Drive                             $235.00
    Optical Drive: 8X Multi DVD+/-R/RW RAM Dual-Layer Drive
    Wireless: Internal 802.11B/G/N LAN and Bluetooth Card
    Cooling: IC Diamond 7 Thermal Compound, CPU & GPU                          $40.00
    Warranty: 3 Year Ltd. Parts and Labor Warranty with 24/7 USA-Based Support $149.00
    Extras: Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Web Camera
    Extras: Integrated 9 in 1 Card Reader
    Extras: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
    Extras: MALIBAL Software & Drivers Disc
    Extras: Standard Black Carrying Case
    Product Subtotal:      
    $3,448.00                        
    Shipping: UPS Ground $61.45
    Tax: $0.00
    Total: $3,509.45

 

Whoa, nice. All that but no Blu-Ray or second hard drive for storage? I would have gone for a faster CPU but I'm happy with the GTX 485m instead!

 

Nice laptop. Wont you get a blue ray driver?

It doesnt looks like you did this systeam by the 8170-S1, it has discounts and comes with 2 hard drives. Take a loot at it.

 

I didn't see the point for blu-ray. I'm planning for this laptop to last me 5 or 6 years so I hope blu-ray doesn't fully replace DVDs by then. Also I only have like 500 MB of personal files and I tend to use steam and uninstall games after I play them. I'm not one of those data hoarders. I've never even filled my 70 GB HD on my current laptop.

 

NOOOOO!!!!

Update from XoticPC:

We received a status update from Sager that the NP8170 model is back-ordered until approximately the beginning of February. We apologize for this delay and any inconvenience. Once the item is in stock at Sager, your order production will be completed as quickly as possible.

 

I was wondering how you got to phase 2 so fast, I think that is the message you were supposed to receive in the first place. Probably an error on their part.

edit: wait...February? Mine said January when I ordered a few days ago. I wonder when we'll actually receive these things.

 

I guess I was half expecting a slight delay. But if I get another delay notice come beginning of February, I'm asking for my money back and holding on to it for a month to see if AMD comes out with anything to beat or compare with the GTX 485m for cheaper.

 

It seems there are the same delays every single time a new Sager system comes out. I would have thought they would be better prepared by now.

 

I don't understand why they do this. Especially since they only shipped what seems a handful of units. I would think they would ramp up production and start shipping when ready, not sporadic units here or there.

It's just frustrating. I have the money ready to spend and I spend it, but can't get it.