Premade Laptop

[Bigwalnuts]

I have been looking for gaming laptops from numerous sites, as I don't have the knowledge or experience to build my own. I plan on using it for MMOs and online FPS (bf3 kthx) 95% of the time. I came across Sager NP5160 on Xoticpc and had some questions (keep in mind my budget is 1100 max)

1. Is Xoticpc reputable?
2. Is the $25 thermal compound worth it and will it help / be needed?
3. Any other sites you'd recommend?

I have a Sager atm and it works just fine, except for the Hitachi hdd which I had to replace a few months ago. I looked at Asus and they were a lot more expensive for about the same stuff.

Specs of this laptop that I plan to get
I7 2720q
nvidia 540m
Stock 320gb hdd 7200 rpm
6 gb ram

---------- Post added 2011-05-09 at 03:46 AM ----------

xoticpc com/sager-np5160-clevo-w150hn-p-2999.html?wconfigure=yes

[Cyanotical]

in order?
1. looks like a wholesale retailer, no reason not to trust them, google it if you are unsure
2. no thermal paste is worth 25$, but will you need it? unfortunately yes
3. newegg.com, tigerdirect.com

[Knirps]

I have been looking for gaming laptops from numerous sites, as I don't have the knowledge or experience to build my own. I plan on using it for MMOs and online FPS (bf3 kthx) 95% of the time. I came across Sager NP5160 on Xoticpc and had some questions (keep in mind my budget is 1100 max)

1. Is Xoticpc reputable?
2. Is the $25 thermal compound worth it and will it help / be needed?
3. Any other sites you'd recommend?

I have a Sager atm and it works just fine, except for the Hitachi hdd which I had to replace a few months ago. I looked at Asus and they were a lot more expensive for about the same stuff.

Specs of this laptop that I plan to get
I7 2720q
nvidia 540m
Stock 320gb hdd 7200 rpm
6 gb ram

---------- Post added 2011-05-09 at 03:46 AM ----------

xoticpc com/sager-np5160-clevo-w150hn-p-2999.html?wconfigure=yes

I just got my laptop from Xotic PC, and I have to say they have the BEST customer service I've ever seen.

I mean, they contact you, with a phone call, when you place your order to make sure everything is right. They leave detailed information in the 'phase' area about every thing your laptop is going through so you always know how many days it's going to take, dates, and what they're doing. It has to be the absolute best CS I've ever had, especially because I messed up my shipping addresses. They also send you logs of the chats with sale's reps, and if you like the guy, you can put his name in your order to make sure he oversees the production so it's someone you've already talked to about the customization options...

Anyway...

I did a hell of a lot of research over those thermal compounds. I found out that the stock compound lasts between 6 months and a year, and the Diamond one lasts 2-3 years, and will help a lot more by keeping your PC 1-3 degrees cooler while running at max.

It's worth the money.

I got an ASUS because I found the Sager's to be overpriced...I wonder what models we were looking at that we have opposite opinions. Hehe. Oh, then again, ASUS did just come out with a new base model. <shrug>

Anyway, I'd say go through Xotic, because they have, imo, the best customizability options, such as screen matte or glossy and such (which is a huge factor for me), with the widest range of options. Like, other sites would only list one manufacteror of RAM, with 6, 8, and 10. While Xotic had options for different brands, DDR speeds, sizes, and gave the set-up they'd use.

Good luck and I hope you like your laptop.

EDIT: Also, yeah, TigerDirect if you want more premade and less custom laptops, but still at a reputable dealer.

[Marksman79]

I just got my laptop from Xotic PC, and I have to say they have the BEST customer service I've ever seen.

I bought my new ASUS college laptop under a month ago from xoticpc.com, and I have to fully agree. You can talk with the same sales rep each time you have a question, and even get him to oversee your order! Also, they have a (fairly hidden) price match guarantee which you can show them a website with a better deal (on the base model, even if the site is not customizable) and they will match it (they would not budge over a $20 discount for me). To find a better deal without any effort, using Google Chrome, download price blink extension. It will find you a better deal instantly, if one exists.

As for the laptop, ASUS is most certainly not overpriced. My laptop cost $1,164.24 (before $150 mail-in rebate), $1,014.24 after mail-in rebate. ASUS N61JQ-B2 (Upgraded to 6g DDR3 1333mhz RAM)

I run WoW on Ultra in Stormwind with ~30 fps using it.

Only two minor downsides to it:
1. Camera not great, only 2.0 mega pixels
2. 2 hour battery life max, keep this power hog plugged in.

I have no complaints.

[ispano]

My NP7280 came from there. No, you don't need THEIR thermal goo, since you likely won't be OCing the thing. It may not happen on other models, but with mine, there was actually a gap, between the CPU/HSF and GPUs/HSF. Was stupidly annoying, since it seems that's kind of normal. It was a tiny gap, but still.

Note: They don't build it, Asus likely would, they're just a third party.

[Bigwalnuts]

Thanks guy appreciate all the feedback. I still stand by my previous statement saying they are overpriced. Yours may have been only 1000 after MIR, but it doesn't have a sandy bridges series processor.

[Knirps]

My NP7280 came from there. No, you don't need THEIR thermal goo, since you likely won't be OCing the thing. It may not happen on other models, but with mine, there was actually a gap, between the CPU/HSF and GPUs/HSF. Was stupidly annoying, since it seems that's kind of normal. It was a tiny gap, but still.

Note: They don't build it, Asus likely would, they're just a third party.

Mine was 'built' by them because I got a different screen. I guess that's what's different about Xotic, they actually can go and do those things and I've never seen a complaint about Xotic builds vs a non-customized build, like that the screen is wobbly or something when Xotic does it.

Another reason why I got them to do the paste was because I have no idea how to mess with a laptop's innards, and wasn't about to start on a two-thousand dollar laptop so that I could mess it up and kill it. ...I'd rather be able to call them on it and get it under my warranty. But, to each their own.

---------- Post added 2011-05-09 at 02:14 AM ----------

Thanks guy appreciate all the feedback. I still stand by my previous statement saying they are overpriced. Yours may have been only 1000 after MIR, but it doesn't have a sandy bridges series processor.

I think it has a higher starting price simply because of the build. Such as...a backlit keyboard, the type of cooling it has with the 'jet' build, rear exhaust. But, those were things that I really wanted, so on a base level, I think it was more expensive. But I put that money into it because I felt that it was worth it. Never again will I suffer from the dreaded melted hands, lap, or power cord because my heat intake/exaust is placed absolutely retardedly. And, backlit keyboards are friggen hard to find.

EDIT: That is, my laptop compared to the Sager. I got a G73SW-A1 and customized it up to 2.3k. But, I plan to make that baby last, and got a skin on it.

[ispano]

Mine was 'built' by them because I got a different screen. I guess that's what's different about Xotic, they actually can go and do those things and I've never seen a complaint about Xotic builds vs a non-customized build, like that the screen is wobbly or something when Xotic does it.

Another reason why I got them to do the paste was because I have no idea how to mess with a laptop's innards, and wasn't about to start on a two-thousand dollar laptop so that I could mess it up and kill it. ...I'd rather be able to call them on it and get it under my warranty. But, to each their own.

---------- Post added 2011-05-09 at 02:14 AM ----------



I think it has a higher starting price simply because of the build. Such as...a backlit keyboard, the type of cooling it has with the 'jet' build, rear exhaust. But, those were things that I really wanted, so on a base level, I think it was more expensive. But I put that money into it because I felt that it was worth it. Never again will I suffer from the dreaded melted hands, lap, or power cord because my heat intake/exaust is placed absolutely retardedly. And, backlit keyboards are friggen hard to find.

EDIT: That is, my laptop compared to the Sager. I got a G73SW-A1 and customized it up to 2.3k. But, I plan to make that baby last, and got a skin on it.

Yeah, no, they still don't build it. I had a delay in mine, and I had a different screen from the standard. The delay reason? Sager didn't have the screen in stock. And I got mine via Xotic as well. Another way to tell is that you get Sager's warranty when you buy from Xotic. A company like for example Origin, who actually builds and customizes them, doesn't give you Sager's warranty, only theirs.

[IplayWoWpoorly]

I purchased an ASUS gaming laptop from XoticPC last summer and was completely satisfied. I will definitely look them up when it comes time to buy another.

[Knirps]

Yeah, no, they still don't build it. I had a delay in mine, and I had a different screen from the standard. The delay reason? Sager didn't have the screen in stock. And I got mine via Xotic as well. Another way to tell is that you get Sager's warranty when you buy from Xotic. A company like for example Origin, who actually builds and customizes them, doesn't give you Sager's warranty, only theirs.

I actually lost my ASUS no-dead pixel warranty because I got a different screen, and got Xotic's instead.

Look, I'm sorry, I don't know if you have had every experience known to man. But when Xotic says THEY are building something in THEIR workshop and you lose the companies warranty because you get a new screen, and then you find posts about how Xotic's workshop always produces good results because they have good people there and so-and-so hasn't gotten a bad screen or whatnot...you tend to think Xotic puts that bit in, not ASUS.

But you're a SAGER and I'ma ASUS, we is different, yous about to hit snarky town.

[ispano]

I actually lost my ASUS no-dead pixel warranty because I got a different screen, and got Xotic's instead.

Look, I'm sorry, I don't know if you have had every experience known to man. But when Xotic says THEY are building something in THEIR workshop and you lose the companies warranty because you get a new screen, and then you find posts about how Xotic's workshop always produces good results because they have good people there and so-and-so hasn't gotten a bad screen or whatnot...you tend to think Xotic puts that bit in, not ASUS.

But you're a SAGER and I'ma ASUS, we is different, yous about to hit snarky town.

Do you happen to remember what state it was shipped from in your case?

[Knirps]

Do you happen to remember what state it was shipped from in your case?

It was 'sent' somewhere for the screen, 'sent' somewhere for the testing, then 'sent' somewhere else to get the skin applies. My UPS tracker says it came out of... Lincoln, NE?

I googled where factories and stuff where, I couldn't find where they were. Xotic -says- they do the skins in house, so I think the ship-from place isn't much of a help because the skin was last.

[ispano]

I was just curious. Xotic is indeed in NE. Rare for me to make a mistake, but a mistake it was. I must have glossed over the last bits of your first post, especially the part about ASUS. Some ASUS models are built wholly by ASUS, and some seem to be a bit variable. Mine was shipped from California, where Sager is.

[Knirps]

I was just curious. Xotic is indeed in NE. Rare for me to make a mistake, but a mistake it was. I must have glossed over the last bits of your first post, especially the part about ASUS. Some ASUS models are built wholly by ASUS, and some seem to be a bit variable. Mine was shipped from California, where Sager is.

I specifically picked ASUS and Xotic because of the way I read their manufactoring process to be. ASUS builds their laptops and modifies parts for them to be what they want because they are the company that designs them, not like a Dell or whatnot, which is basically a glorified nerd throwing parts together and seeing what sticks in simplest case available.

I picked Xotic because they have the means and the...I guess, knowhow, to go in and add on to what ASUS does while either not voiding ASUS's warranty or giving an equally good one and not ruining the build that ASUS makes.

And, it's all good. After so much text, everyone starts to gloss over the details and look for the first and last statement to reply to.

[ispano]

Oh right, I need your sig, it's like gospel. Also, I like ASUS' laptops, but prefer Sager. Mainly because no one else makes a laptop like the NP7280(And other laptops based on the X7200 of course)

[Knirps]

Oh right, I need your sig, it's like gospel. Also, I like ASUS' laptops, but prefer Sager. Mainly because no one else makes a laptop like the NP7280(And other laptops based on the X7200 of course)

Well, it was all totally new terrority for me. I spent at least 2 months searching and searching... I started with going to every 'big name' site, or named site at all, (Dell, HP, Sager, ...NWFalcon I think it's called, etc) then trying to search all of CNET and NoteBook Reviews... The thing that I was hung up on throughout my search was the lack of backlit keyboards. The only two I can even remember now that had them were Macbooks and ASUS, I think two other laptops had them.

I had never heard of ASUS, but after checking out their site I was like... <heavenly noises>...this is what I want. My hubby kept trying to get me to go to IBuyPower because his desktop is better than mine, and from there, but I just didn't like how little customization there was, and how little information there was. I never even found out how they do their cooling (through the keyboard, under, whatever).

I'll admit I didn't delve too deep into Sager after I found ASUS and instantly wrote off anything without a backlit keyboard or extensive information on cooling. It's like...I don't know. I can always change everything inside a laptop...but I can't rebuild the case. I can't rebuild the cooling. And a backlit keyboard would be...uh...nigh on impossible to self-rig.

Oh, and now that I've checked your sig in more detail (which I assume is your Sager?), how is the Bigfoot Networks Killer card working for you? I've found recently that it seem like my internet is throttling WoW's bandwith, etc, usage, and I got the Bigfoot card, too.

[ispano]

No that's my desktop, my Sager is this one: http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np7280-...wconfigure=yes
With the 980X and SLI'd 480Ms. The 990X and 485Ms didn't exist when I got mine. Yes, a desktop CPU, no other laptop(aside from others based on the Clevo X7200) do that. I also personally have no problem without a backlit keyboard, I rarely look at the keys, and if I do in the dark, the screen brightness is more than plenty.

As for the Bigfoot, it's a desktop card, you won't see it in laptops. WoW hardly uses any bandwidth at all, all the big foot cards are designed to do is offload things and use a better tcp/ip engine to drop your latency a bit.

[Knirps]

Ah, I see. The description of that laptop is amazing.

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-g73swa1-...wconfigure=yes is the one I got, and down on Wireless Cards it has a Bigfoot, that's what I was refering to. But obviously there are different ones for laptops and desktops.

That is kinda cool that you've got the desktop processor in a laptop. I guess that wasn't as big of an issue with me. I'm no whiz when it comes to PCs/laptops, but I thought the whole thing about the difference between the CPUs was because of heat issues. I saw people talking in Notebook Reviews about custom builds with desktop CPUs in them, I just think it's overboard. >.> Then again, I don't plan on trying to process the entire internet or something on my laptop. lol Not to mention the cost it must carry, to alter the laptop and just the pricetag. I think that Sager starts off 300 more than my ASUS. What'd you end up spending, if I might ask.

[ispano]

It was $4,000. And I only go to Bigfoot's website for driver updates, so never noticed they made a wireless card. I'm not as concerned with latency via Wireless since it's wireless and too many things can interfere with it. The tradeoff to having a desktop CPU and SLI'd mobile GPUs, is that you can't push the system or game on the battery, and it also weighs a little over 12lbs

[Knirps]

Jeeze, I hope that baby lasts.

Also, I hate batteries.