2090 impressions - list of gripes

Just got my 2090 about a week ago, I've been on it almost nonstop since then, and I thought I'd post my first impressions. First off I want to say that the guys at SAGER (specifically Frank) were really great throughout the order process, I’d recommend going through them for anyone looking to buy a laptop.


Specs:
- Display: 15.4" WSXGA+ "Matte" Type Super
- Arctic Silver: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Dead Pixel Policy: Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Processor: ~Intel® Core™2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz
- Video Card: 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce
- Ram: ~ 3,072MB DDR2 667 PC2 5300 (2 S
- Intel® Robson Turbo Memory: None Standard
- Optical Drive: - Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X
- Primary Hard Drive: ~ 160GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA 150)
- Memory Card Reader: Internal 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/
- Camera: Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- TV Tuner: None Standard
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audi
- Speaker Systems: Integrated System Speakers - Inc
- Wireless Network: Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 496
- Wireless Network Accessories: None Standard
- Battery: Spare Smart Li-ion Battery (9-Ce
- AC Adapter: 110/220V 120W Auto Switching AC
- Car Adapter: None Standard
- Docking Station / Port Replicato: None Standard
- Fingerprint Reader: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
Total before tax / S&H: $1,452.00
OS: XP Pro SP2


Now since you probably already know why it's amazing (price to performance ratio - battery life) I'll tell you what irks me about the design/function of this machine –

Function

- The control button switched with the fn key is brutal, control being in the bottom left corner is so crucial especially for gaming I'm going to try to figure out some way to mod it to make my ctrl button the size of both the ctrl+fn keys.

- Delete key is not in the top right either, instead the pause/break key which I don’t think I’ve ever used.

- AC adapter runs really hot


Form

-This has been mentioned on here before, but the top cover is full of fingerprints about 10 seconds after I picked it up, not that big of a deal but still a minor cosmetic annoyance.

-The headphones jack is an uncomfortable position (left side near front), especially if you’re using nice headphones with a ¼ stereo jack with 3.5mm adapter, prevents you from resting you arm in that area. Now that I think about it the USB ports sticking out of that side could be better positioned, I would have preferred a few ports on the back where they are out of my sight and desk space.

-The material surrounding the keyboard (where your hands rest) feels cheap and can run annoyingly warm, particularly on the left side.

-The quick launch buttons next to the power button seemed cool enough at first, but I find myself accidentally hitting them when I’m trying to brush some dirt/particles from that area.



And on a personal note, I’m having an issue with mouse lag, I have a Logitech USB corded mouse and no matter which port I use I still have a noticeable delay between my hand movement and the cursor on the screen, kind of sucks for gaming but I’m still on the hunt for a fix.

That’s all for now for my list of gripes, but I should say that overall I’m pleased with this purchase and machine, It runs games like a dream, the monitor is great, and it seems durable enough but only time will tell.

 

i've had my sager since june(?) and well let me just say the ctrl fn switch thing its not that big of a deal. You get use to it really quickly. My laptop was shipped to me with the quick launch buttons not working properly but after i fixed it i really wish i hadn't. its so crazy responsive and sometimes when i adjust the volume using the fn key the mail or web buttons gets triggered somehow. just another gripe. oh yea the battery sticking out of the back makes storing in a bag hell

 

i'll have to agree and disagree with you in some points

function

- agreed, i'm still not used to the fn and ctrl buttons switched, not sure why it couldn't be reswitched like some laptops are. actually, not sure why all laptops don't have ctrl key at the corner!
- del key is in an OK spot, not having problems with that. have some problems with the caps lock placement though, sometimes i hit it but i guess it's because i type too fast and im not a fan of typing on the laptop
- agreed, ac adapter can run real hot sometimes but I trust Lite-On! (didn't even know they make ac adapters)
- just to add, i wish theres was a way to disable the touchpad alltogether when not in use. sometimes when im typing my palm touches it and i accidentally delete everything im typing! fortunately the elantech touchpad software has a feature that disables the tapping feature while typing, so thats OK.

form

- fingerprints and smudges are a dead give away for high glossy stuff, so no one can really complain but only deal with it! i gave my notebook a good paper towel wipe down, mainly the screen which i somehow got smudges on. Outside i could care less since im not looking at it most of the time. very easy to clean anyways
- no complaints with the headphone jack position, i use a headset and i just loop all the extra cord around the back, i dont really rest my arms that close to the laptop anyways. I agree though, that maybe a few USB ports in the back instead of the side, so i dont accidentally break off a flash drive! but i do like the simplicity of the design, with just the battery sticking out and a exhaust vent in the back.
- i agree with the cheap feel for the interior, it's got a very hard, industrial grade plastic surrounding it. first thing i thought of when i got the NP2090 was "cheap!" in more ways than one. but you get used to it quickly. i just pretend its the same stuff made from the IBM ThinkPads. Plus it makes the laptop feel more ruggid, definately makes it more durable than some Dell's and HP's i've used.
- i've accidentally activated a few button on the panel area when wiping away dust, but thats really my fault. i should wipe it off when the laptop is OFF! but i still think they are cool, much better than regular buttons.

im using a regular IBM optical mouse and I get no lag whatsoever. it seems like the people who do get mouse lag is primarily getting it from Logitech models. weird.

i'll agree with you here as well, I am very pleased with the laptop (aside from a few BSOD's, 1 reformat, and some driver issues...) but overall a good buy. It seems ruggid and durable now and I hope i can still say the same when i graduate college with this baby still working.

 

yeah, I have a logitech cordless mouse and i dont get any mouse lag. my mouse is 2.4ghz though.

I think the build quality is ok. I actually like the plastic of the interior, except that the flex near palmrests and some keyboard flex in the left make it feel kind of cheap. Its also kind of annoying that some of my keyboard buttons feel louder/different than others. But these are very minor issues

The only serious issue i have is the microphone. Its extremely staticky, making it completely useless. Anyone tried their microphone yet and have this problem?

 

Yes, I like everything about this notebook other than the microphone. Compal needs to look at this as having a feature unusable is worse than having it at all.

 

that happens to me too. if anyone has any way to fix that it would be greatly appreciated