About to buy np9170/p170em and need some advice

Hey guys!

I'm about to purchase a np9170/p170em not sure from where yet, maybe lpc-digital. I jsut got a few question before I pull the trigger.

1.Should I but now or there is newer better models coming out soon or any sales coming up?
2. What is the "90% NTSC Color Gamut" option for $185 more and is it worth it?
3. GTX 675M vs HD7970M - I know the HD 7970M offers better performance but is it stable? I read that there is problems with it in a few places.
Also I see some people are waiting for the GTX 680M how long is the wait and is it worth it?
4. Do I need the "IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU" for an extra $35?

Appreciate any help..
Cheers!

 

1. Buying now is fine.

2. If you're talking about the screen, to me personally the importance of the screen is almost equal to that of a GPU. Either Matte or Glossy I think it's worthwhile upgrade from the stock screen.

3. 7970m all the way, however you might end up waiting till first to second week of july due to the backorder on them. Resellers aren't getting the next shipment until mid-june, after which they must test them, and then start shipping. If you want to wait till August, early rumors/benchmarks have the 680m at 15% more powerful than the 7970m. 7970m would last you nearly just as long, and will be a good amount cheaper in all likelihood.

4. It's worth it unless you are going to do it yourself. Lowers temps a good amount (between 3-5 degrees)

 

1) There are no immediate known plans for any newer releases from Sager/Clevo. The refresh will likely happen next year sometime, so buying now is fine.

2) The upgraded display is phenomenally better over the stock display. Value of an item is ultimately up to the buyer.

3) 7970M is fine, there were some slight delays but Sager/Clevo has been diligently working on getting the issues resolved. Sager/Clevo would NEVER just send out items known to have issues. There will be some delays, but if you get a 7970M I can assure you now that you shouldn't have major catastrophic issues with it. Others already have the GPU and have not reported any major problems with them.

As far as waiting for the GTX-680M, well, again this will be up to the consumer if the wait will be worth it for the 680M. Do you urgently need this laptop? Do you prefer one card manufacturer over the other? These are the questions you need to ask yourself.

4) Again, it is all up to the end user. The IC Diamond definitely lowers your temps over the stock compound. If you are confident in applying it yourself and think you can do it for cheaper, then sure, do it yourself. But if you are inexperienced in applying thermal paste, it might be worth the extra $35 to have the reseller do it for you.

 

I can't offer any info on anything but number one because I haven't got my P170EM yet. However there IS a new model coming not soon, most likely later this year or in 2013 (third quarter). This new Clevo is a 17.3" called the P370.
What I have read on other forums suggests that this new model offers two GPUs in SLI mode. You most likely will not need this much power, it is also much more expensive than a stock or slightly upgraded P170EM. You may have no interest in this but I just wanted to tell you that we already know of a new model rather than let you find out later after your purchase.

Tachyonic

 

The GTX-680M is out in Xotic

 

No it's not. They've added it as an option with the assumption that it might be available by the end of June.

 

can u tell me how the webcam quality is in SAGER??

 

All I know is that it's 2 megapixels and it's 720p. Other than that I haven't experimented with it that much.

 

Well, it doesn't seem to be as dark as some people with the previous gen laptops made theirs out to be.

I would say it seems to be the same quality as the MSI GT60/70 laptop webcam. MSI and Sager are both using the Bison webcam.

 

Can anyone comment on the keyboard of the NP9170/P170EM? I went to Frys yesterday to check out MSI GT70 & Asus G75VW offerings. I liked the feel of the SteelCase keyboard better, but the Asus has a better/spacious layout.

From the videos I've seen, it doesn't look like an island-style keyboard like the other two models I'm considering, but then I can pretty much type on anything. My work PC uses a M$ Natural Ergonomic.

 

It's not an island/chiclet style keyboard.

Also, the arrow keys are awkwardly placed in a spot that cuts off the right shift and insert.

 

+$495, dam, if you have the money wait for this card.

 

I held off on ordering my p170em because I was waiting to see what nvidia would come up with, but ~300$ more over the 7970m for a 10% performance upgrade? No thanks.

 

Agreed. The overhauled pricing is simply ridiculous, courtesy of nVidia. I'd stick with the 7970M... Several people have received it and are already very pleased!

 

Unless you:
1) are an Nvidia fanboy
2) absolutely need that 10%
3) do CAD work that requires CUDA cores
4) want a well-supported graphics switching
5) want to waste $300

otherwise, get the 7970M

EDIT: reread the post and realized you weren't asking if the $300 upgrade was worth it, oops

 

Does 7970M have graphics switching auto and manual like Nvidia? I heard somewhere in the forum ATI have issue power saving and switching.

 

Yes, it does. The AMD alternative for nVidia's Optimus is Enduro. However, it is comparatively newer and thus not yet fully mature. If it doesn't automatically work, you may have to manually choose which GPU to use for which application, but no real "issues" or such besides that...