About to pull the trigger and am looking for some feedback

I'm probably going to pull the trigger on this unit in the next few days - I'm selling all my 2 desktops and 2 laptops and going to a single unit - I do mostly REVIT, AutoCAD Architecture, 3dsMAX - play a few games every now and again :

I have a few questions/comments (in bold italics) that I would appreciate some feedback on

$2001 with the 6990m

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EUROCOM Racer; 15.6-inch Full HD 1920x1080; MATTE (Non-Glare); LED Backlit Display

$100 option to go with the matte display, is it worth it?

I know I can go with a 17" lappy, but they're HUGE and I want to stick this in a back-pack when I ride to work (bike or motorcycle)


Biometric Fingerprint Device Integrated Fingerprint Reader for Secure Data Access and Easy Management of Passwords

It's standard

VGA Technology 2GB GDDR5; AMD Radeon Mobility HD6970M (BlackcombXT); 256-bit; 960 Stream Processors; DVI-SL; DX 11; MXM 3.0b; 75W-100W

I called and will get the 6990m for $75 upgrade - All the latest releases of my software really do not utilize the workstation class video cards, in fact the 6990m is overkill for 90% of what I do, but it'll be nice for certain viewport conditions

2.30 GHz Intel Mobile Core i7-2820QM; 4C/8T; 8MB L3; w/ HD Graphics; 32nm; uPGA988B; 45W; DDR3-1066/1333/1600

The 2720 is $200 cheaper, but has 6MB of L3 cache. I would spend the money for the 2920xm , but in all honesty I can not justify the extra $400 since I can't O/C it... or can I?


Memory Configuration 4GB; 2x 2GB; DDR3-1333; PC-10600; CL9; 204-pin -

These guys really over charge for memory... I'll stick the 8 GB I have in there and/or buy new for 1/3rd of what they are asking

Built-in Web Camera 2.0 Megapixels; Webcam; Built-in

It's standard

USB 3.0 Built-in 2x USB 3.0 and 2x USB 2.0 Ports

It's standard

1st Hard Drive. 250GB; G-Force Protection; SATA-300 NCQ; 7,200rpm; 3Gb/s; 16MB cache; ST9250421ASG

I have a couple SSDs that are not being used right now and will slap one in


Optical Drive 8x Multi DVD +-RW/-RAM Burner; Dual Layer; Tray Load; SATA; w/ Software

I would love to have the drive caddy for a second on-board hard drive, but not for $132!

Wireless LAN 2-in-1; 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth V3.0 Module; Half Mini-Card PCIe Adapter; Intel 6230 Centrino Advanced

I understand that this a great unit, yes/no?


Built-in Subwoofer Built-in Subwoofer Module

It's standard

Internal Card Reader 9-in-1 Card Reader; MMC/RSMMC;

It's standard

Standard Battery (internal) 8-cells Smart Li-lon Battery

Standard AC Adapter 180W auto-switching 100-250V AC Adapter

Freaking brick, are there any aftermarket units that big?

Warranty Plan 1 Year Return to Factory Depot with 1 Year of Tech Support

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Is there a better / less expensive alternative? did I miss any goodies?

 

Have you seen this thread regarding Eurocom?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...isclosure-my-very-bad-experience-eurocom.html

 

I'd get the 2720 CPU, wait for the 6990, and get more than 8 GB RAM. My sister does a lot of AUTOCAD work and you go easily above 11GB under heavy load. Also, the matte screen if you don't have an external monitor to hook it up to, but I'm kind of thinking you would since you do a lot of graphics design. Just my 2 cent.

 

What the do you need the 2820 for? I would just get the 2720. To be honest, I would just get the 2630. But maybe your needs are more CPU dependent than GPU. If it was me, I would get the 2630, save almost 360 bucks and upgrade something else. But I'm guessing your mindset is that CPUs are harder to upgrade than GPUs,HDD, SSD, etc.

As for the 100 dollar screen upgrade. I have heard that it was well worth it and that those who upgraded never had buyers regrets.

You should get the 6230 wireless card instead of the stock. Thats about all I can help with.

 

I would second on buying from Eurocom, beware of that reseller.

 

Echoing this statement.

 

Hmmm.. That whole Eurocom thing is a bummer. Certainly has me re-thinking my strategy. Sounds like I may be better off with an nvidia version from a better vendor.

Yes, I am waiting for the 6990 (that's if I go with Eurocom) I'm working in Germany right now and won't be home until the end of August, so it'll work out fine.

I plan on eventually filling all four slots with 4GB dimms, but not at their price.

Yes, the apps I use will gobble up all the CPU you can throw at it - unfortunately none of them utilize all four cores until you hit the render button - you can get away with a really fast dual core for modeling, but need the quad for rendering. Sure, I could go for the 2720, but the 2820 would be that much faster with the added benefit of the 8GB of L3 cache vs 6 on the 2720.

As for the rest of the upgrades, their prices are too high to justify - I would rather get bare bones and upgrade it myself. I would take it with no RAM if I could.

Thanks for the tip on the wireless

 

I believe there are other Canadian Sager re-sellers in Canada if you prefer to order in Canada or else you can always order from the US re-sellers.

I too am a Canadian and would like to order in Canada, but if the final price (include tax + brokerage fees) are more favorable from US re-sellers, I will order from US since our dollars are higher. If there are problems you would have to ship it either way, so it doesn't make that much of a difference, unless you live near the re-seller and can just bring it in.

I too would stay away from Eurocom after reading plenty of horror stories about them, and their prices are sky high compare to other places where you can get the exact same system for way less.

 

The 2820QM is (almost?) never worth it. There's a very small difference and I can't even think of a single instance where that difference is worth it. Quite literally 4% better in benchmarks, and I can't see the cache making more than 10% of a difference either (just a guess).

 

after reading a lot of posts on different threads it seems like u shouldnt order from eurocom, if im not mistaken one employee started to troll a thread after just creating the account and then he was caught by some of the other posters. doesnt sound too profesional. many other resellers post here who have good track records when it comes to customer satisfaction. examples: reflex(from canada), xotic, malibal, mythlogic and another from canada whom i cant remember and much more.

 

Canadian customer and I bought two M570ru's from Eurocom. I'm in the market for a new laptop - Eurocom is on my shortlist but of course I'm looking at all my options (as you should) - and here's what I can tell you about Eurocom:

All my experiences with them have been positive. Now let me qualify that: I'm a good customer. And by that I mean that I can go with the flow in situations where there is some fluidity. I have technical expertise so I know what I want and need before I approach a buying situation. I'm informed and my expectations are realistic and I encounter very few scenarios that "surprise" me - and when I do, I deal with it in a cool headed way. As a customer - what I'm looking for and what I bring to the table is "reasonableness" For the most part this is a successful strategy for me.

EXPERIENCE: I sent both my laptops back for some pretty extensive warranty repairs in the dawning hours of my 3 year warranty period. Had they as a company wanted to play games with me they certainly could have. One of my units required a near complete replacement (GJOD requiring a new MB, a new screen, the case itself (hinges broken and cracked casing...) There was no hesitation at all in honouring their warranty. The units were never dropped or abused in any way but one was a daily driver - logging 6 to 12 hours of use daily for 3 years and maybe 20 national and international flights and trips..... Had they wanted to play games and be difficult they could have - but there wasn't even a hint of hesitation. Units were repaired -- I paid for overnight shipping - I was happy.

DISCLOSURE: I've no special relationship with them at all. I live across the country. I don't know them in any personal way and my contact has been fairly limited (a couple emails and a couple calls in the last 4 years with J Shore and their parts and service people). I've no insider relationship or privilege with them. I assume I'm a small and insignificant customer.

OPINION: How do I evaluate what I read here on the forums --- basically this: my business experience and world experience has shown that people who have problems are often people who are problems --- they bring or invite or escalate things into a problem. You all know these people -- you've got one or two in your group of friends. They always have problems and dramas -- and create drama where they go.

I am willing to believe the owner on Eurocom may be a bit of a RICHARD. But I also know a RICHARD alone does not a successful business run. Businesses run by RICHARDS in RICHARD ways close. Period. These guys must be doing something right because in the 4 years or so since I bought my laptops we went through the worst prolonged economic crisis in the world since the great depression. And these guys are still here. So I conclude that the owner may be a RICHARD but he doesn't run his company like a RICHARD.

But when a RICHARD meets a RICHARD --- you have a sword fight.

When I read these complaint threads I look for clues as to how to interpret what's going on. You read the thread critically and draw your own conclusion....

MORE ON RICHARDS: And although I am cautioned by some of the tales -- when I read critically, for the most part I see that it's the RICHARDS that are having problems -- it's the RICHARDS that are screaming and chiming in at every opportunity. Some of these RICHARDS are RICHARDS-by-proxy in the sense they didn't even have their own RICHARDS in the fight. They are stand-in or stunt RICHARDS - they've just seen a gathering of RICHARDS, and came by to start swinging their own. And with all those RICHARDS (stand-ins and otherwise) in a room, you eventually get a RICHARD orgy where it's nearly impossible to tell who the principle RICHARD really is or was --- you just get a whole bunch of RICHARDS. .

Read the threads. Looks for the RICHARDS, or the RICHARD moves - decide on the risk/reward ratio.... get your RICHARD-o-meter out and determine the likelyhood of a RICHARD encounter and your own personal RICHARD tolerance.... And buy from where you feel most comfortable and get the best value for your money in the way you evaluate the equation.

But also know the risk -- and know what kind of customer you are. Are you a RICHARD? Do you react to or whip out your RICHARD at the slightest speed bump? What's your policy with respect to RICHARD and RICHARDNESS
And before he weighs in (as he does in any post that comes close the mentioning Eurocom) I should state for the record: -- Crylo -- I don't think you are a RICHARD. I think you are a pop-cycle.

Anyway - thanks for letting me swing my own.

 

dude too many Richards. but here is the thread to where the president was caught trolling. http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...ery-bad-experience-eurocom-3.html#post5440598

 

Thanks for all the help.

I will probably avoid Eurocom:

1. They were, at the time I started my search, the only place I could find the 6990m on preorder for a 15" unit

2. They have a cool trade in program

Subsequently I have found US based companies (I am ordering from and shipping to the USA) that will put the 6990m in the 15" unit AND have way better accessory prices.

I am also starting to think 17", I am no road warrior - just back and forth to the office a few times a week is all I will do. The 3 lbs really won't kill me.

 

As I always will, I recommend Mythlogic in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their base prices are a bit higher, but after adding extra options, the price balances out. Also, like Eurocom, and unlike most other US options, they build the PCs themselves rather than Sager. Their customer service is great and they are a wonderful company to work with

 

Ann Arbor??? I'm like 30 mins from there. Thanks for mentioning this!

EDIT:

They are quite a bit more on average since they force you on the IC Diamond compound (which is a $40 option at other sites) and base labor warranty is 4 years instead of 3. Also they start you off at lower specs, but the upgrades are considerably cheaper.