A Gamer's Perspective of the NP 8660 Chassis

At first I didn't think this thread fit in the Gaming (software and graphics cards) sub-forum. However, after thinking about it, seems most suited here, as this is the sub-forum of game-talk, after all.

So, I've been looking over the chassis of the Sager NP 8660 (Clevo M860TU) more closely as of late and its dawned on me that...the mic-in & speaker-out jacks are located on the front of the notebook...right in front of the trackpad.

How do you gamers feel about this sort-of design? It seems to me that it would be SUCH A HINDRANCE to gameplay. I'm personally used to the mic/speaker jacks being located on the left of my laptop. I could imagine it being alright on the right side, too. But the front? I just picture it getting all tangled up when trying to play hard...Do you feel this would be a hindrance, one that would significantly impact your purchase decisions? I find this to be such an odd decision for OEM to make when designing their chassis'.

You can see pictures here and here.

 

My previous laptops had also the jacks on left and it felt indeed better, but you'll get used to it in no time.

Another thing, that why should you use headphones? Buy Logitech Z2300 or something and enjoy the quality.

 

I wish they were on the side because when I lie down and put your knees up you wreck the connection and the cable for the headphones.

 

It would bug me to no extent I think. To the point where I wouldn't buy a laptop with the jacks at the front. I also think it makes a laptop ugly

EDIT: Why the hell did I write this I am exaggerating to the Nth degree. It wouldn't be too bad, but I would prefer to have it on the left side.

 

Well I don't really mind that much with headphone jacks on the front. There are design flaws which irritate me far more. For example, the positioning of USB ports. Being a user of a USB mouse, I find it extremely annoying if the USB ports are located on the right exactly at the front where I'd put my mouse/hand >.<

Anyways, I don't really see that big a hindrance in the headphone jacks on the front so if someone could clarify...
I understand the point drummer mae but are there any others?

 

Its not a really big deal, except if on your lap, but its still OK. A lot of laptops have ports on the front now. Personally, I have my laptop plugged to an external monitor when I play games so it doesn't really bother me.

This shouldn't stop anyone from getting this laptop.

 

I think you're making it a bigger issue than it is. So, the headphone jacks have been moved to the front front side . . . you'll adopt and get used to it. I once had a notebook with the [Fn] and [Ctrl] keys switched, and I hated it from the pictures. In less than a week of ownership I forgot about it.

So, don't fret over something as trivial as this.

 

i think its really annoying to have the headphone jack in front of the laptop

 

You all raise valid points. I use my laptop 80% of the time sitting at a desk. The other 20% of the time I'm sitting on my bed (I know, it's not good for the laptop, lol). It would no doubt irritate me on my bed, but I only do serious gaming when I'm seated at a desk/table, so it is only at these times that I could really get flustered and regret my decision making.

Are there any gamers out there with this laptop (I'd imagine there ought to be quite a few) who could comment on their experiences?

I use a 7.1 surround sound set-up at home. At school, however, I like the low-keyness of a Logitech Headset (I forget the line that I use, but I have a preference)

Holy random thing Batman!! I too am annoyed by the # of usb ports (I constantly have 3 items plugged in, and occasionally I like a 4th open for a usb mem stick). I am also annoyed as to their location, but it wasn't until you said this that I realized how irritating it could be. I also use a usb-mouse (right-handed). As I type now, if I had to plug a usb mouse into those 2 side spots, my hand/mouse would NOT fit...ugh...even if I were to use the back-left usb port on the laptop, I'd still be restricted from plugging in my external keyboard and speaker system on the right, given my hand/mouse again...This is going to require some serious reconsideration, dang.

I reiterate...dang.

 

If I'm using only the notebook alone, I too find the position of most of the port to be irritating but when I'm at school, I don't use any mouse or external stuff so its OK.

When I'm at home, my notebook normally fully plug-in by other accessories (Monitor, keyboard, mouse, headphone and cooler). The mouse problem solved as my cooler has an USB port at the back, my keyboard and cooler's USB plug into the two USBs port at the back. I then actually found the two USBs at the right side to be more convenient to access my pendrive.

The only problem now is the headphone, the jack is in front thus the headphone wire will go pass the keyboard, luckily its long enough so I basically just let it go around it.

TBO, the position of the port is never my concern as I'll get used to them.

 

If you are gaming with the touchpad I guess it could be a hinderance but I can't imagine that ever happening. I refuse to use the trackpad unless I'm just browsing the internet with the computer in my lap and even then I hate it. A mouse is so much better imo even for just trolling the forums and I would never attempt to game with a touchpad not even with something as intense as solitaire so its a non-issue.

 

Doesn't bother me, I've got my 5.1 Logitech System plugged into the headphone jack and my firewire cable plugged into the mini firewire port. I have the lines run along the sides of the laptop and then to the back of it.

At first I thought it would be an issue, but seeing most Clevo designs have the speaker outputs like this and noone who own one complained about it. I decided to still try it. Result is, it actually does not get in the way once the lines of the devices are organized correctly (and not all over the place) and in fact, I am happy, especially for the firewire port, to be on the front, the ease of access is greater now than when I had to plug everything to the right lower end of my Toshiba.

I expect my next laptop (once I've upgraded this one to its fullest potential and send it back when its reached that point) to have the ports positioned here as well.

 

I've never had a notebook that didnt have jacks in the front, but if you use headphones this is a must. I mean i believe i would get annoyed if my wires went to to back of the laptop

 

As I use headphones only I love it when the headphone jack is out front. As for USB connections. 2 are on the right side and 2 are in the back. I generally plug my notebook cooler and my mouse into the back ones and any flash drives I have into the right ones. About the NP8660 itself there are not really any design flaws to this notebook other than the hard drive runs too hot and the power connector tends to unplug easily when moving the laptop around.

 

Agreed. I plug an 'L' shaped connection cable into my M860TU (did so with my previous laptop too) and I wouldn't want it to be anywhere else. It doesn't get in the way of my hand, or get snagged and has yet to cause a breakage which I doubt it will do and is one of the least likely to out of any of the plugs connected to it.

But what's so good is that you don't have to reach around the back to continuiously unplug it if I want to use headphones instead of an awesome stereo. Hehehe, why get a pathetic laptop audio system when you plug straight into something with much better sound.

Leave the back plugs for more permenant fixtures like USB's for the cooler etc and have all your quick changing adapters at the front.

The same goes for a mouse. There are USB's on the back of this model. Use them if you feel the mouse plug will get in the way. With so much choice it really makes it a fault of the mouse by the way if it's connector is in the way in either place. In my opinion though, the mouse at the side is just fine for gaming.

 

I've had two notebooks that had audio jacks in the front. My main reason for getting gaming notebooks was to game with it in my lap. I did that alot with those things, and at other people's houses, they don't want mixed sounds going around from multiple games playing at one time so headphones are the only option. On both of the notebooks, I caused some problems to the jack it's self because of too much bending. Usually it wasn't a problem when using my L shaped jack on my sony headphones, but headsets usually have strait connectors that will stick out of the notebook over an inch, and will eventually get bent over time from gaming with it on your lap. The jack on one of the notebooks actually quit working all together, and the other just had a few issues unless the cable was held at an angle. Never EVER had a problem with notebooks with the audio jacks on the left or right sides.

My verdict, if your using the laptop actually on your lap with headphones, the front ports are something you do NOT want to get.

 

Sounds like a majority consensus on it not being a problem...hmmm...

I do not use my notebooks on my lap very often and when I do, I probably will not be using a headset. So, no problems here, thankfully.

It seems like it will just take some getting used to...so, my decision is made...I'll get used to it.

However, by all means, let everyone continue discussing this. This obviously hit a small chord in the community of gamers out there and I'd like to hear more reactions on laptop gaming from you all, out of shear interest. Besides being rushed by the January 6th deadline, I've been wanting to hurry because of the Left 4 Dead game that just came out (one of my good gaming friends from school just got it and I am just about the biggest gaming/zombie nerd there is, so when you combine the two, good god). Ha-ha, it'll be the first game I've bought in like 2-3 years!! Woot!!

Alright, carry on and thanks for the input everyone!!