Sager NP2096 Owners Lounge

i already ordered mine (whitebook JHL90) cant wait for it to arrive now im TECHNICALLY part of the sager NP2096 but this laptop is just great i think this is definitely best bang for your buck i got the Compal JHL90 with shipping and everything for $1k already had HDD and RAM and OS so saved a bunch there and putting it together myself aswell so i saved some on labour aswell i love that i have that option because this way you get more bang for your buck

 

How is the glare from the screen? Is it super-shiny or is it reasonable?

 

Virtually no glare from the screen. This is not to say that the screen isnt super shiny. I dont know, they manage it well lol. The keyboard flex, as noted, is indeed a bit more on the left side but is nothing at all to worry about.

Battery life is more than amazing. With wifi off, power saving on(turned on half way actually, before it was on "balanced") I am easily getting more than 4 hours right now. And I do have to comment on the fingerprint scanner. Awesome haha. Its like something out of the movies. Works perfectly. Fan vent is on the left side, so using a mouse is no problem if youre right handed.

Trackpad is perfect. Not too rough not too smooth. Buttons depress normally. Keys depress with the nice laptop sound ive grown to know, so I cant comment if they are loud or soft. Definitely are not annoying however. The arrow keys as mentioned are a bit too skinny for my preference as well. I also wish the Fn key was switched with the Ctrl key, as anyone who has ever used generic keyboards are used to the Ctrl key beng on the very outside of the keyboard (left side). Also no issue with hitting the trackpad on accident (Me personally) Ok nevermind, just as i was typing that sentence my thumb must have skimmed it haha. But its not bad at all.

Appearance! This sager laptop does not do justice in those manufacturer pictures. Ill admit i was a little disappointed from viewing pictures off sites because it looks so bland and basic, despite the power it held. However, upon unboxing, this baby is a beauty. Although very simple in design, this lappy has some nice discreet colors. Chrome power buttons, lovely blue LEDS, sleek buttons for WoW video and WoW audio. The only beef I had abut it, considering its brand new, was that my Sager logo sticker began shifting, and with little force pryed up. I was actually thinking if this could be useful (Such as putting something fun in the inset where it was). Also the super glossy top does indeed hold lots of fingerprints, but that should certainly never be a gross factor. It looks gooood, even more so with no logo disrupting the smooth black surface.

My laptop has been sitting on flat on the table for the past 10 hours, ON. Currently the CPU temps are 39C and 40C for each core accordingly. Im not sure of software to determine gpu temp, but im sure its no different than what was posted earlier.

I played a little crysis. It definitely plays. Not sure of the fps though. Never got around to that.

 

great! I'll purchase this laptop ASAP

 

How loud is the laptop when playing games? How about when just doing simple tasks (internet, word processing, etc.)?

Thanks

 

Can 1 of you guys comment on the speakers? Are they loud? clear? AND are the mouse buttons sturdy, firm?

Thanks guys!

(Mines on the way 2 )

 

Hi Sphinx,

THANKS a Bunch for your hard work and posting back with various data. I am sure the rest of the folks here feel the same. +rep for your hard work and keeping us up to speed.

G!

 

I just ordered mine with 3-7 days shipping? Today is August 11th. When do you think it will arrive? In 2 weeks? I'm hoping it arrives in 1 week. I'll try to do some benchmarks once I get mine.

 

The laptop is actually pretty quiet when it is running games. The speakers are satisfactory. They aren't the best quality in terms of bass but they are actually pretty loud. I've tried the webcam on msn and it performs well. The built in microphone has to have its gain turned up but after a little tweaking I could talk at normal volume. The webcam has good lighting, even in a dark room and gets the job done.

 

hey gonwk he fixed that problem by disabling the tap to click on the trackpad. and i just got an email from RJTECH and will be shipping my laptop in the next few days and it will be here for sure by next friday

 

@ Person135 ... from the time you order ... I believe 3 Work days (M-F) for Sager to put your order together + 3-4 days UPS ground (from West coast to East coast) to you ... so you might get it in 7 to 8 days ...

Are you goning to stay up late at night and wait for the door bell ring!

@ Omaryunus ... it helps if I read all the posts before posting ... right!

 

Actually I just checked on the touchpad. There IS an issue with the touchpad regarding tap to click. I CANNOT disable it even when I reinstalled the drivers. It still comes up on mouse settings as a PS/2 device. Check out the comparison pics of the settings.

 

I found the solution to the touch to tap issue. Uninstall the synaptics drivers. Install this ALPS touchpad driver. http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/JOYSTICK-GAMEPAD-WHEELS-and-TABLETS/OTHERS/ALPS-Touchpad-Driver-71004013.shtml
It successfully allows you to disable the touch to tap. The link is for the 64 bit version.

 

So I have a question regarding shipping. My package is supposed to arrive tomorrow, and UPS has special instruction to obtain an adult signature upon delivery. This means that someone over 21 has to sign for the package, according to the UPS website.

Now I'm 18, and the package is addressed to me. It's doubtful that my parents/older siblings will be home for the delivery, so I'm a bit concerned. Will they still give me the package if I sign for it, or are they just gonna go 'oh better luck next time, see you Saturday'?

 

I left a note on my door that said "drop package off at post office" and picked it up later with no signature needed. It was a simple fix because I was on vacation and wanted it badly. I just picked it up.

 

Sphinx,

Have you gotten a chance to mess around with the Turbo Mem Yet? I've already ordered mine without it, but I'd be interested to know if this is a viable option for other purchasers.

OH! and thanks for all the pictures/benchies/impending review

Cheers!

 

I think a flash drive with readyboost might also work. I'm not sure. I read it somewhere that you can use it for RAM, but I'm not sure if it will work like turbomem

 

My laptop shipped yesterday and will arrive on the 15th. Props to all the XoticPc crew.

I'll post my impressions as soon as I receive it.

 

seen the news on the front page, do you think that the 9600 gpu is affected by the thermal deffect also?

 

EDIT: I have no idea... I hope not

 

i do not believe so since the heat dissipated from a 9600GT is NO where near a 8800GTx or 9800GT

 

well that could be because it is a diffirent clockspeed on them... and 82C is not that low (if you look at the screenshoots from sphinx). I don't want to scare anyone but there is a possibility that something is very bad...

 

82C is not that bad and he was playing crysis on mostly high settings which is alot for a 9600GT and it is idling around 52C which is pretty good compare this to some ppls 8800s idling around 70C which is much higher compared to it and most GPUs usually end up into the low 80s (under normal conditions) while doing intensive gaming like Crysis

 

I don't think 8800s is comparable because it is a much hotter gpu, and the 9xxx series should run cooler. It should run cooler than a healthy 8600gt. But sure the temperatures is not bad but we dosent really know what kind of temperaratures it should be...

 

Hey everyone! I am looking at getting a laptop for college and too replace my desktop of 5 years. I looked at the Sager 2096 and it really has everything that I need.

Just have a few questions.

How is the build quality?

Is the outside of the screen a glossy black finish or a matte? Does it attract a lot of fingerprints?

 

CoolGuy, there are countless threads with your question, I suggest browse around NBR. In short, quality on Sager computers built on Compal models is GOOD, NOT EXCELLENT (In my educated opinion anyway). I have a Sony Vaio and the Sager does not feel quite as sturdy, but is better than many other laptops out there such as most Dell, Gateway, Acer, Toshiba, HP computers.
The back of the screen is glossy, figerprint magnet for sure; I think thats hardly a factor when considering a gaming machine Though.

Hope this helps!

 

FYI, UPS called me and said I'd need a person 21(+) to sign for the package for my 2092. I was concerned because I'm 19 and i ordered it and paid for it :S

My 13 year old brother recieved it for me and the UPS guy didn't even mention it

Not sure if it depends on the UPS guy or what... but I'm assuming your age probably doesn't matter.

 

Ah, thank you! That makes me feel much better. Should be arriving in a few hours.

 

Man I always thought 21 as legal age for drinking was stupid but not being able to receive a package that you paid for when you are 19 is a new level of stupidity, you could be living on your own. Not to get off topic (my 2096 is coming tommorow!!) but can americans vote at 18 or is it 21?

 

we can vote at 18 yes.

does anyone know what cooling fans would work on the 2096? when i get one (soon!) id want a cooler to go along with it.

 

You have the option to include one for $48 at xoticpc. And the student discount does work on the np2096. I just ordered mine, you can get $25 off.

 

Hi LHogue

At 18 ... but only the ones that Brush their Teeth at nite!

G!

 

Ugh! Gotta pick mine up at the closest UPS center tomorrow. Amazing job by Xoticpc.com though. The laptop came right in front of my door in exactly 4 business days after I placed my order (actually less since I ordered at night and the laptop arrived in the morning). Too bad I wasn't there to receive it T_T

 

anyone know what the smart button is for?

 

if what you are talking about is the button next to the power button it is a power usb button so that you can give power to your usbs to charge your phone or your ipod or something like that.

 

I just read this article http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/08/12/nvidia-g92s-g94-reportedly
I know its inquirer but it is still scaring me a bit. I hope the 9600gt is not affected.

 

The thing about the Inquirer is I feel like I'm reading an opinion, with a few POSSIBLE facts sprinkled in.

 

If there really was a problem with any of the 8xxx or 9xxx series video cards in the Sager, PowerPro or Force models it would be all over these boards.

Please understand that it is nVIDIA that makes the video chip, but the ODM that makes the complete video card and thermal solution, so when it comes to Clevo, Compal or MSI laptop shells the quality of the thermal solutions is made with heavy use in mind, without the cost cutting mentality that you find in the major national brands.

Bottom line, if you don't see gobs of reports of failed cards here it is because it isn't happening. I don't mean the occasional failed video card, that is going to happen to any card, what I mean is the large percentage of failed cards that the major national brands are reporting.

 

For 8 years (from 1989 to 1997) I worked for a small company which built printer controllers for printer manufacturers. For us, a 1% failure rate in the field would have been a disaster. As I'm sure it would be considered for nVIDIA... But that would also mean that 99% of the end users would never have any reason to complain.

I don't know whether 1% is anywhere close to the failure rate of the nVIDIA chip lines in question, but I only bring this up to point out that a failure rate might be a disaster for the supplier while the VAST majority of the end users would be blissfully unaware of the problem...

 

Sphinx, do you have a youtube video of this notebook yet?

 

hey guys i just got my sager np2096 2day and was wondering how the heck do u play around with the webcam?

 

The powernotebooks website says that its length is 10.2" including battery. From the bottom, measuring from battery to front, it is 11". I bought a notebook sleeve from microsoft. Here's a link.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-15-4-Neoprene-Laptop-Sleeve/dp/B000OY71LS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1218606923&sr=8-1

I also have that basic unbox vid. It isn't too indepth though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHqJzkHf9bw

This is the best free webcam software that I found when searching for a friend with a new webcam. I don't think it has interactive features but it is great for creating vids with the webcam and uploading to the tube.
http://www.nchsoftware.com/capture/index.html


Here is a pic of it inside the sleeve.

 

thanks for showing us that sleeve. unless i find something better ill probably be ordering that one as well!

 

Can anyone tell me how to set the boot device priority on the 2096, since there is no Boot Menu in the BIOS?

I can't resist a history lesson. As noted, 18 is the legal voting age in the US. It was 21 for most of our history, but thirty years worth of public dissent in regards to asking 18 year old draftees to die in combat, while denying them the right to vote, persuaded Congress and the states to ratify the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, which lowered the voting age in 1971.

 

Well at least there is a 1 year warranty on the sager NP2096, so even if the GPU does screw up, we can always exchange it...right?

 

could anyone else who has received it post their GPU temps under max load?

ty sphinx for yours i was wondering if it varied

 

At the POST screen press F12. This will give you the Boot Order screen. Use your arrows to select the order you want and then press Enter. It will only hold that boot order for that boot up, and will go back to the default order when you re-boot (unless you press F12 again at the POST screen).

 

could someone let me know which hard drive models ship with the np2096 (from XoticPC)
trying to decide which one to get

 

Sager does not advertise or limit themselves to any particular brand.

Which hard drives are you trying to decide between...and why would brand make a difference to you?

 

is the 9600m on this exempt from the nvidia mess?