Sager NP2096 Owners Lounge

Hi folks,

I realize Sager NP2096 has not shipped yet ... but, I figured why not start a Thread that deals strictly with NP2096 (Compal JHL90).

Owners of Sager NP2096 please post:

- First Impressions

- some Benchmarks if you can to help future owners!

- Your evaluation of nVidia 9600M GT

- Post your Temperature Readings of CPU - HDD - and especially GPU.
Please take your Temps at the Start-Up of your laptop and the 15 minutes and 30 minutes later in IDLE mode (meaning running no Intensive CPU or GPU applications).

First ones to receive their Sager 2096's if you want post some pics!

G!

 

I ordered it on July 22. I can't remember for sure but I think they said on the phone that it will ship the 28th. Verify.....Somebody. Will be sure to run 3dmark06 and am planning to make unbox/features video for youtube. If anybody is interested in an ubox/feature vid of the canon pixma mp470, check youtube. I just uploaded one the other day.

 

Hi Sphinx,

Looks like you got it with all the bells & whistles!

G!

 

Ordered one of these to replace my Sager NP5320.

Anxiously awaiting its arrival.

 

I ordered mine on 7/22/08.. but i when check my statues i am still on phase 1... lol anyway, i am excited as well, first time buying a Sager

 

I will be a first time Sager buyer soon also. I plan on purchasing the NP2096. I'll be sure to post some Everest results as soon as I get it.

I am replacing my Dell XPS M1730 with this. I'm not a gamer, though need some juice for CS3, so didn't think I need such a huge laptop. 17" is too bug for me. I compared this model with either same or very similar specs to other 15.4" systems from Dell, Alienware, HP, and Sony, and this one beats all of them in price and specs. It almost seems too good to be true. Any previous Sager owners that can comment on Sager?

 

How much faster would it actually make the computer with the Intel Robson Turbo Memory? Is it worth $45?

 

Hi estunum ... my cousin has a NP2092 with WSXGA+ screen and it is one heck of nice laptop ... looks great and works great. Feels Sturdy and Solid. FYI, NP2092 is the last year model of 2096.

You already know about the 2096 ... has all new Montevina paltform, Intel Pxxx CPUs, and bigger FSB, and new Intel Wireless 5300 ... oh & of course a decent nVidia 9600M GT card ... all in all it should be a really good machine.

G!

 

Hi eclipse ... see this post ...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=237309

Use the $45 for Robson ... to max out your memory OR put another $10 on the $45 and go from P8400 to P8600 ... better deal ...

BTW, if want more answer just use the above NBR search for more posts.

Hope this has helped.

G!

 

I'm probably going to end up with the 2096 too. Its great value, and while I know that Sager has a great reputation, can I just ask...how do we know that it'll be any good?

 

Can anyone comment on prostar? They have worse customer reviews than powernotebooks but they're also cheaper. Their JHL90 is the same as the sager 2096 but it's a bit cheaper and they also offer free shipping. I'd like to hear more opinions about prostar. Thanks.

 

Hi ARom ... well 2096 probably doesn't look as snappy as it's predecessor - the 2092 ... but it is not a total dog either ...

I am sure you've seen these pictures ... but you can compare them next to each other ... From Left ... the 1st 2 are 2092 pictures and the last 3 are 2096 pics.

G!

 

Hi Picard, if you read Gophn's Clevo Guide

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=91510

... you'll see Prostar located in California had some problems ... and ratings a little bit in the tank. The 2 Preferred and Recommended Resellers here at NBR by many of the users are "XoticPC" in Nebraska and "Power Notebooks" in Nevada ... BTW, these 2 Resellers prices are always Lower than "Sager" ...

BTW, I just priced 2 equal set-up with Prostar and one of the other resellers that I mentioned ... and the Prostar was higher by $46 ... your Shipping with the other companies UPS Ground shouldn't be more than $37 to $40 (if you are in US) ... Soooo, Prostar and the other 2 companies prices are about the same ...

So, it comes down to you doing some reading here. Read some posts here about the 2 companies and decide who do you feel more comfortable with ... their Customer Service and Reputation ... just in case you have a problem with the laptop!!! Will they try to Help you or give you the run-around.

I guess you can call them and see which one ... YOU feel more comfortable to deal with ...

Hope this helps ...

G!

 

I guess wait till "Sphinx454" gets his and we use him as the guinea pig sorry Sphinx454 ... just kidding

Sphinx454 has promised when he gets his in, he will do a review of it and post back here and link to his youtube review.

G!

 

I've asked this like 3 times but I don't remember if I ever got an answer. Where does the battery go on this laptop? It doesn't go on the back, I remember someone saying it goes on the side but I can't quite picture that.

 

it goes on the back, but bulges out a bit

 

Hi Doc Z ... as awayish said ... goes in the back ... but as they say A picture is worth Thousands words ... so here it is

Hope this helps,

G!

 

I can run all kinds of tests But don't have any heat sensors. I'm sure that I'll run 3dmark06. I am going to make a youtube vid of the unboxing and another vid showing the laptop, its ports, maybe some startup times, and a maybe a few others that I think of. IDK if I really want to write a review. If I have time, maybe. We should all be getting an email soon that says it shipped because on the sager website, it's posted that the eta is late july......one day left.

Also, on the Compal Forum in NB, somebody has purchased a JHL90 barebone and posted pics. This is the same computer the 2096 is based on.



Also, I found a polish review of the JHL90 on notebookcheck.com. It is somewhat converted to english but you can't read the sidenotes. There are lots of CLOSEUPS! This was a great find for me because it is a great review site. An English Version will probably be there soon. Check It Out!
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pl&u=http://www.notebookcheck.pl/Recenzja-Compal-JHL90.9910.0.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DTest%2BCompal%2BJHL90%2Bi%2BBlueBerry%2BJHL90%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-USfficial%26hs%3DcXi%26sa%3DG

Here is a site for easy translation from polish to english also if you are confused on some words that weren't translated.
http://www.poltran.com/pl.php4

 

Hi guys, I have been researching for weeks now on a laptop to buy. I was battling it out with XPS 1530 vs HP dv5t. I was pretty 40/60 on those choices that is until i found thee... (I am a casual gamer - playing games like DotA and future Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3)

I have decided on this machine for its spec +warranty + pricing!(oh and did i mention windows XP?) Sometimes I believe its just too good to be true. The only drawback I have is receiving the machine. I am studying abroad and leaving on August 23rd - is this ample time for it to be received? I looked over at XoticPC's website and usually 2 weeks is the expected arrival time.

If any of you guys can share experience with my "drawback" please share, as I would like to be part of the "NP2096 owners lounge"

 

Thanks.

Anyone think this will have heat problems? The HP dv5t is also a 15.4'' with the same gfx card and apparently it's a bit on the warm side.

 

Hi melee,

I don't know where you are living ... but when my cousin ordered his 2092 from XoticPC took him 16 calendar days to get it ... he is in CA and they are in Nebraska. So their estimate of 2 weeks is close.

If you do not live in California ... then XoticPC ships directly from CA to you ... UPS Ground Shipping takes about 6 days or so ... even if you are in East Coast ... for example NY.

Or you can play it safe and pay about $65 for their 3 day Guarantee delivery ... which is only about $20 or so more than their cheapest shipping (UPS Ground Ship). You will see all the Shipping Methods and their cost at the Checkout.

If you have made up your mind and need it by August 23 ... I order right-away so you can check out the laptop and get it going and all checked out way, way before your August 23rd date ... since you are going overseas.

Hope this helps ...

G!

 

Hi Picard,

Q1: HP dv5t that is running "WARM" ... does it have the "nVIDIA 9600M GT" ... becuase it also comes with "9200M GS"?

Q2: Also, is it running warm when is in IDLE mode or running Video Games?

If it is running warm ... how warm is warm ... becasue I had a Sager NP2092 and the darn 8600M GT was running in 80'sC in IDLE mode ... NOT GOOD ... to me anyway.

Thanks,
G!

 

Hi Sphinx,

Download HWMonitor program from CPUID and run it ... I find it an extremely useful program ... it gives you Temps for CPU, HDD, and GPU (Graphic Card) with Current Value, Min (lowest of your initial reading), and the Max (your highest reading).

BTW, notice they also have other very useful programs ... CPU-Z and PCWizard ...

http://www.cpuid.com/

I personally as soon I start my laptop and activate this program, leave teh screen on my laptop desktop and watch my Temps ...

So, if you would run the program and record Initial and 15 minutes and 30 minutes later in IDLE mode ... no other program running (neither CPU nor GPU intensive programs) ... then report those ... then that will tell us if nVIDIA has actually fixed their Die Packaging Problem and therefore the Excessive Heat and failing GPU problems.

Thanks,
G!

 

Hi gonwk, thank you so much for your input. I live in california and expect it to be here in 2 weeks. As I am a complete newb in the laptop world, are there things that people usually do after buying a laptop for it to have optimum performance? Especially the Sager laptop.

I know people change the startup and unistall uneccessary programs, but i heard some where that sager computers come clean ^__^ So any tips there would be wonderful.

Also, what OS did you get your Sager? Windows xp/vista?

 

Hi melee,

I did some searches and quick scanning using NBR Search Button on top & google and some pointers from Chaz, one of the Mods here ... and here are some URLs that most likely will answer your Q's about

- How to Setup a new Laptop (or desktop or computer) correctly
- What Antivirus & Firewall software are needed
- Best Freeware Antivirus software
- Vista or XP ... which one is Better
- How to Tweak Vista software
- How to Tweak XP software
- Laptop Safety Tips
- How to Maintain a Laptop

Couple of the URLS are old ... but the info still holds true and useful ...
I have not placed them in any Special Order ... just have bunched them up here for you and others reading pleasure ...

See Gophn's info about Notebook Care:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=91510#conclusion


For Vista ... Use this Tune-Up Guide:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166532


Detailed Windows Vista and XP Tweaking Guide:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=110329


XP vs Vista vs SP1 vs 2008 vs 32 vs 64 benchmarked:
Can't decide between XP or Vista ... then read this ...
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=242891


Best Free Antivirus / Firewall / Antispyware Programs:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=190538


5 Steps to Setting Up Your New Laptop:
Simplistic pointer ... but useful
http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/usingyourlaptop/a/laptopsetup.htm


Setting Up A New XP-Based System:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=12803122&pgno=2&queryText=&isPrev=

Hope this was helpful ...

G!

 

9600M GT

From what I read it gets warm when idle or doing minor things like surfing the internet then gets hot while gaming.

Apparently very warm. I'm computer noob so I don't know what's good and all but some people were saying 93/91 when gaming. If you lift the back end apparently that cools it down a bit, but still...

I guess it's best to wait for this one to come out too before ordering. I don't want to order something I'm going to regret.

Also can anyone comment on the Asus M50Vm-B1. I wasn't sure which is the better choice.

 

Ya, the DV5T topped out at about 91 when put under a stress test, but dropped to 81 when the back was lifted 1/2 in. These results were with the 9600GT. I actually ordered a DV5T but am seriously considering the NP2096.

 

Uh oh I hope the 2096 has better cooling...

 

Should I purchase the 3 year warranty?

 

What people need to realize is that Turbo memory in the new Centrino 2 platform is version 2.0 which is a significant improvement over the original version.

As you know Turbo Memory 1GB (Ver. 1.0) on the original Centrino systems was divided into 2x 512MB with 512MB to Vista Ready Drive, and 512MB to Vista Ready Boost.

It had its minor boosts under Windows Vista if it was used to Windows Vista spec.

With the launch of Intel Centrino 2, Turbo Memory got upgraded from Ver. 1.0 to Ver. 2.0 (2GB/4GB).

However only the 2GB module with driver version 1.6.1.1004 has been released.

At this time when the 2GB module is paired with the 1.6.1.1004 driver it will not show much of an improvement as it is being utilized just as Turbo memory ver. 1.0 was. (512MB to Ready Drive / 1.5GB to Ready Boost)

The true Turbo memory ver. 2.0 requires a driver software update that will be released by Intel, with the rough ETA of sometime in Q3 08.

Once this driver update is released you will then have a Dashboard with the option to select how the 1.5GB of space should be used between the following 2 options, Vista Ready Boost or Intel Pinning.

Intel Pinning will allow you to use the Dashboard to drag and drop your most used applications or files into the Turbo memory module (it is smart enough to not duplicate files already pinned. The whole Office 2007 suite will only take up about 600mb) and it will remain in the module, until removed from the Dashboard by the user.

This will make the 1.5GB space a mini SSD for your most used applications and from internal testing this has shown a great performance boost in the application load time for the applications that have been pinned.

It’s quite a great alternative to a Mini SSD drive for the cost!

 

Hi Picard,

OK ... so we are comparing Sager NP2096 (Compal JHL90) vs ASUS M50Vm-B1 ... Look at their Specs side by side and decide what is more important to you ...

1) If you are a Gamer NP2096 has the 9600M GT graphic card which is rated much better than ASUS 9600M GS.

2) With Sager 2096 you have Screen choice ... you can get WSXGA+ which is much better screen than the WXGA+. With ASUS you have no choice.

3) ASUS does come with 2 year warranty ... but ASUS has already figured that into your price ... so really to me that it is not a Selling point ... since you can get a Sager 3 year (1 year more than ASUS) warranty for $139 ... from Power Notebooks or XoticPC.

4) Sager gives you more of Hard Drive choices ... where as with ASUS at the low end you are stuck with their 320GB SATA 150 (SATA I) ... which is slower than Sager's 320GB SATA 300 (SATA II) ... So, I figure if I am paying for the HDD ... why not get the newer, better and faster for the same money.

To me ... I feel like I am getting more for my $ from Sager ... might be true or not ... just my feeling ...

So Picard ... read some more reviews here at NBR and see what you think!

G!

 

Hi dyson,

Most of the folks here would recommend to pay the $139 and get the 3 year warranty for 2 reasons ...

1) Peace of mind (if something goes wrong past your 1 year warranty ... then you are not out few hundred dollars)

2) Better Resale value (if you ever want to sell your laptop ... people would buy it faster with the extended warranty)

But at the end ... comes down if you have the extra $, go for it ... if not ... do what some folks do ... just wing it and take your chances ...

Hey dyson ... sorry it does not sound like much of decisive advice ... almost like a Lawyer talk ... straddling the fence ... but that is what everyone else told me when I was asking the same Question.

G!

 

Hi Paladin44,

THANKS for your "detailed" explanation on Turbo Memory Option.

G!

 

The Asus uses a 9700m GT, not a 9600m GS. Although i still think they are comparable due to the GDDR3 in the 2096.

Edit: Also the 320/5400 HDD offered is SATA II, i believe that they are seagates. It has a WSXGA+ screen too. You may want to check XoticPC's site and see what you can get, it is actually very comparable and should be just as good performing. Although i like Sagers CS much more.

 

^--^
Which ASUS. Are you talking about the ASUS M50VM-B1 that he was asking about (9600M GS), or the G50V-A2 (9700M GT)?

 

As someone pointed out on the Xoticpc forums, the tag "preorder" has been removed from the 2096.

Hopefully that means they will start shipping them soon!!!!

 

I was talking about the A1 and A2, sorry. I would also suggest looking at the FORCE and POWERPRO models to compare to the 2096. Sorry if this isnt the right thread, just figured i would help with the person who was looking for other options.

 

Did you see this thread about when they will start shipping?

 

oops.. Sorry about that, I didn't see it. Thx for pointing that out to me.

 

For anyone that's concerned about the NP2096, there is another viable option. The Zepto Nexus A15. The configurations are very similar to the NP2096. What stands out is the fact this notebook supports for Nvidia MXM platform, which means you will be able to upgrade your notebook for years to come.

Here are the specifications:
Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 (2.53GHz) processor
4GB DDR2 RAM
max 500GB (5,400 RPM) hard drive
NVIDIA Geforce 9600M GT (512MB) graphics card
15.4" WXGA (1280x800) widescreen display
DVD Burner, optional Blu-ray drive
Optional Intel Turbo memory (up to 4GB)
802.11a/b/g/n wireless
Built-in 2.0 megapixel webcam
Windows Vista operating system
The Zepto Nexus A15 will start shipping in a month's time starting at $1,183.


Just a suggestion...

 

i placed my order for the NP2096 on the July 29th and it just got moved to phase 3 today. can't wait to get it and play around with it!!! I'll definitely post a review of the laptop on youtube when I'm done playing around with it.

 

Cossack7V7, that is just not true nor is it good advice. Please see http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3708647#post3708647 and the posts thereafter.

 

Pricing of NP2096 has dropped by 10 bucks!! Quick, get your refund before its shipped .

 

when are people expecting to receive their 2096's? i have a 2092 and i'm kind of interested in trading it in for the new 2096. Not sure if its worth it yet since no reviews are up yet but we'll see..

 

Expect reviews to come starting next week, as people have already gotten to Phase 3.

 

I ordered last week. My first laptop!

Does anybody know when PCTorque will start shipping? ....or how i would find out what phase my order is in?

 

is it worth it to return my 2092 and get a 2096. 9600mgt and the new intel core sets are def getting to me. But why did sager downgrade the wifi card and hoe come no matte screen as of yet? i'm also considering the fact the monitor kinda sticks oiut at the sides instead of connect like the usual sager design.

 

So has anyone gotten their notebook yet? Would anyone care to share their first impressions and/or give a short review?

 

Hi Yoyoman ... just out of curiosity why did you order with PCTorque and not XoticPC!?!?

Not to make you worry or anything but see this URL on "PC Torque" ... I hope they gave you a heck of discount ...

BTW, did you order with Credit Card!?!?

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/PC_Torque

Anyway, post back when you get the machine.

Thanks,
G!

 

I just looked on the wireless network option, and it displays the 5100 a/g/n option. Although there are less antennas and such, I wasn't too concerned about it... until I saw the "a/g/n " part. At my college, it only supports "b". I'm wondering if this can be changed by a hardware upgrade (internal or a wireless router option) or a software upgrade (I highly doubt it but better to ask and know than not at all).