Sager NP7280 Review 2

NP7280 Report Number 2

This is the second half of my report on the Sager NP7280. Before I begin a few comments.

First, I broke protocol (for me) by ordering from PCTorque instead of XoticPC. The only reason I did was Chase credit cards have always been an ordeal for me to use. I don’t really know why but having to verify a purchase and I.D. info repeatedly only to have orders denied so they can ask you the same thing again, frustrates both the card user and the vendors. So I dumped them and got a CITI card which allowed me to do what I tried with Chase. Namely pre-inform them I was making $2K purchase, name of the vendor and their address. I do this as part of my anti-fraud and anti- I.D. theft repertoire. Sensible card issuers appreciate this I have found. On a whim I decided to try PCTorque, not for lack of love for XoticPC.

Second, my order took MUCH longer than it ever has with XoticPC, communication regarding order status was also MUCH less than what I was used to with XoticPC. But they did explain that certain things were beyond their control since they basically take orders and an assembler builds and ships the units. I lay it off to my being spoiled by XoticPC because the PCTorque were always polite when they responded and for me that counts big considering the way I’ve known some vendors/companies to behave.

Third, my unit arrived a month after ordering. I immediately began loading my OS and software. Things went smoothly and FAST. The only thing slowing me down was certain software insisting it update itself immediately on installation or the online verification stuff by software like Avid Media Composer.

And now my report:


The bad – The computer worked perfectly and I was SOOO happy, then one morning it refused to boot. Power adapter green light was on. Front panel of computer denoting I was running off wall plug power was on. Contacted PCTorque, they directed me to SagerNotebooks. (SN), SN responded quickly via email (THANK YOU!). Suggested I remove the CMOS battery for 5 minutes. Problem solved! Not! After an all day use of the computer, the next morning same problem. SN, was ready to give me an RMA but I offered info as to the upgrade from the OEM Apacer 6GB RAM to 12GB of G.Skill 10666 RAM. SN, advised they only use Samsung, Apacer, Kingston 10600. So I put the Apacer modules back in, reset the CMOS again. Problem solved! Not! Computer worked fine for two days then same problem. SN, whose rep was a guy named David was exceedingly patient throughout. We prepared to have the unit sent back. I wanted to remove certain things in case the computer was a lost cause so decided to reset the CMOS again. To deactivate Adobe and Avid stuff for example.

The good – But this time I got a brand new CR2032 battery because I became suspicious of the original. This time the problem really was solved. I’ve since put the G.Skill 10666 modules back in and have no issues.
Since the new CMOS battery, the machine has booted and come online swiftly. I’m finding my reasons for getting the machine, while probably overkill for me is a good decision. I’m able to work on video editing and animation tasks faster. If and when I have to get to a library or other campus location as opposed to working at home, I can. A towercase or desktop wouldn’t be a viable option in such cases. I’m a very happy camper now. I can’t say enough good things about the SN rep David who stayed with me all the way and always responded quickly.

 

Well sometimes it's just better to buy the ram with the machine the configuration you wanted. Maybe the ram you bought was bad? What was your specs? Sager is the last true DTP and boutques company for their machines sadly your not going to find anything better than this for those parts. Which video software do you use?

 

Certainly can't argue with the concept of buying the RAM with the machine. I didn't do it and this may be a factor in my misfortunes. However, my RAM isn't bad, the machine behaves oddly. Since my last review it appears that if I put more than 6GB RAM in it, I will see the boot failure. I've had to replace the G.Skill with the Apacer modules again and am seeing the computer behave properly at this time.

Sager last true DTP, true, true, true and that's why I have loved Sager since I discovered it several years ago. Video software? I assume you mean for my editing. I employ several depending on what I want to do at any given time and how fast I want to do an editing task. This I use Avid Media Compser 5, Adobe Priemere 5.5, Camtasia Studio 7, and Corel VideoStudio Pro X4. Oh and something called TMPGenc which I am only now getting acquainted with.

I want to have the machine at its max of 12GB RAM so am now hunting for Apacer 10600 memory to hopefully avoid the failure to reboot issue when I bring it back to 12GB. Could order from SagerNotebook or Xotic but being a bargain hunter of course I'm looking for less costly sources at the moment.

Off topic: The 7280(2) is a chick magnet! Take it to a college or university library and the thing draws ladies like raw hamburger draws flies. The pretty blue lights, notebook size, the vivid screen just seems to make them come over and ask questions, about it, marvel at demonstrations of its capacities, and just linger about unless you shoo them away to get work done. I never considered a computer sexy. Too bad I'm a married old foggy.

 

Yeah i know what you mean sometimes you just get a dud and have misfortunes. I have a friend where he get's the best machines and they always end up terrible condition most of the time but lately he's been very lucky. Yeah i love Sager too and higly respect them but i love all the companies anyway though. I am going to check out some of the programs you use i already use a couple of them. Yeah your going need a lot of ram when totally multitasking converting and working on a video, and then working on a photo as an example lol. I do half of that the processor can't handle all of them for me even when overclocked. I wouldn't realize it but your totally right it is a chick magment! I would so be over that lol keep them interested but yeah i totally understand never let lose of the one you love for the one you only like. The Clevo M980NU is also a huge chick magment despite the bad ccfl screen lol. I wish you the best of luck to solve your problems and i hope nothing else happens and yeah that power brick for this machine and the M18X are bloody huge wow never seen something like that both compete against each other lol.

 

Well, problems still happening with my computer. Refused to boot again after several days of lawless operation. I cut power via the surge protector strip, waited 5 minutes and turned it back on. This time it reported in the boot up screen Error 271 Date and Time settings, and CMOS checksum bad. I know I had specifically set the date and time. Only recently I has also installed a brand new CMOS battery as a precaution. So this sucks big time. have contacted SagerNotebooks again and unless something drastic happens will likely return the computer. HATE doing that because when this computer is working it is such a dream to use.

 

Hmm, sounds like something is draining the CMOS battery extremely fast...Best to get it RMA'ed. Appreciate the review, however, it should help out a lot of future 7280 users.

 

Yeah i hope you fixed that that's extremely important!! Man someday i will own one of these machines i swear by it! I just been going crazy about Audio recently.

 

You know, that's funny you said that about the credit card, I first ordered my 9280 through XoticPc a couple years back, but we had so many issues with it in the end we just went with PCTorque, and it all went smoothly with them. Back then PCTorque was awsome, they responded to emails within hours, even sunday nights, and my order was shipped in 2 days! Got to my door about 5 days after they billed my card, it was quite amazing really.

I think Xotic would have been 4-7 business days on top of the shipping, which was kind of slow compared to what PCTorque quoted me. So I was extremely happy with PCTorque. But lately they have really gone down hill, I ordered an X7200 from then in Febuary never to have the order process, they never billed my card, and took 4-5 days to even answer simple emails. In the end I will probably end up going to XoticPC, mainly because when I have dealt with them, they have been rock solid, and professional, not to mention they have a large forum presence here on NBR which goes a long way with us. Also I did order a NP8170 from them after the X7200 fiasco with PCTorque but I ended up changing my mind a few times and they were very cordial through it all, and I just ended up not ever getting a laptop since I couldn't make up my mind at the time. Since the 6990M is around now, I'll be ordering an X7200 from them and finally get what I really wanted all along. Just to be clear XoticPC is great and I would send my grandma their way, but I still think you guys are a bit slow on the order processing is all, but I always heard people say they would rather have it done right than fast...so hey, I'm just impatient

 

Computer was RMA'd, "David" continued to be very responsive communication-wise and in doing so actually halted my very frustrated decision to simply ask for a refund and buy a Toshiba Qosmio X775-Q7272 - Core i7 so I could get my work done. Right now, I've reverted back to using my NP 9261 while awaiting the hopefully fixed NP7282.

The tech sent it back the first time with a statement a RAM chip (Their Apacer) was bad and further comments that didn't fit what I described as the problem. I figured OK, and expected it to work. There was no change in the computer's behavior. Now they are as I requested, changing the motherboard, I asked for that or a new machine and don't understand why they didn't do that in the first place. All this is stunning to me as I'd expect better of a $2.4K notebook of Sager's reputation. Indeed, all the Sager's I've owned I never had a hint or trouble with them beyond missing or a need for replacement chassis screws. And a new HDD caddy which got bent when I was upgrading HDD capacity, thus obviously my fault. It's severely disappointing to be dealing with this kind of thing with Sager.

I was asked if I had tried to overclocked the machine. The answer is no, I'm anti-overclocking and think it is a rather foolish thing to do, no offense meant to anybody, I just think it is begging for trouble. But I felt as if they were looking for a reason blame me for the faulty machine. Maybe that's just my mounting frustration with the situation and they're innocent.

 

brianvp, the credit card issue with XoticPC was new for me. Prior to the 7282, I always ordered my Sagers from Xotic. It's my belief that these days credit card companies are engaged in two actions.

1. Making it harder to commit fraudulent use of customer cards. We should thank them for this. However, some are overdoing it. Why one company process is fine and another a pain may be due to list card company maintain. I don't really know.
2. With new consumer protection laws passed to halt past abusive card company practices, the companies are seeking ways to regain millions they used to get from, for want of a better word, bilking customers with shady billing methods. One such new ploy is claiming you're late with paying a bill when actually you're not. You send in timely payment as per a mailed statement, you use the card again shortly afterwards and they claim the new charge is due during the same billing period you just paid the statement payment. So they can tack on finance and interest. I combat this by mailing my payment via return receipt to have proof I sent payment on time (ahead of time actually), and make no new charges for a month. You usually get usage inductions mails and emails to encourage you to return to using your card more so they can stick it to you again.

Now about XoticPC, I must say I regret giving PCTorque a whirl. All the things you said are true, except one. My card was processed promptly, but hey don't communicate very well except prior to the sale. I also couldn't track my order after having a username and password during the ordering process. The few times they did however come across as polite the few times I got an answer from them. Now, Sagernotebooks which apparently serves PCTorque is very communicative (DAVID). I must say however, whether my computer works or not will be a major factor as to whether I will buy another Sager notebook again. I love what they provide customers in the way of a DTP notebook. Given the money you pay and getting the type of frustration I'm dealing with, especially returning a machine that is so obviously faulty after an RMA is a bit much. While serious eyeing the Toshiba Qosmio X775-Q7272 - Core i7, I have also grudgingly begun preliminary steps to building an i7 based towercase. I have no desire for either machine and prefer to have a working Sager NP7282. So this shows how far my faith in getting a working 7282 has fallen. If I end up doing either, I can just imagine my colleagues at the university asking why the Sager Preacher (me) has a Toshiba or is no longer preaching to them about getting a Sager.