Any reviews on the 2096? Might switch from NP8660...

Well I pre-ordered the NP8660 but I'm beginning to think that it's really not for me. It just seems too much for me, especially since I'm not a hardcore PC gamer. I am a college student and I take my laptop with me everywhere so portability is big for me...and it seems that the NP8660 is really not that portable. I think the 2096 is sufficient for me but I'd like to see some reviews particularly pertaining to build quality, cooling, and how capable the video card is in running good games in medium-high settings. Like I said, not a big gamer as I usually play my 360 but I'd definitely like to play some games here and there.

 

then the 2096 might be for you but there won't be any reviews for a while

 

Theres a foreign review on the compal forums but its not very thourough. You'll have to wait a few weeks (likely a month) be fore real reviews can come in. You can call up powernotebooks or xoticpc and talk with them about it. They are no pressure and very helpful with what is useful and what isn't.

 

They already have test units right?

 

They've had the test units for a while now I believe but I cannot confirm that.

 

Ok I'll talk with them. Does anyone know if there's any possibility they'll have the DDR3 cards in the 2096 sometime soon?

 

no compals usually do not get gddr3

 

How do compals compare to clevos?

 

Usually a bit thinner and have great battery life/quiet (due to cooling methods). Compal's keyboards are a bit cheaper from what I have heard. Quality is similar from what I have gathered.

 

We do have engineering samples, but we never review anything but production units. These will not be in the US until next week or the week.

Reviews will follow.

 

Donald, can you share your thoughts about general impressions of this laptop? What would you recommend for my situation? I wish you could accept PMs lol.

 

My email address is in my signature.

Unless you need the very best in a gaming 15.4" laptop, the Compal JHL90 (either the Sager NP2096 or the PowerPro P 12:5 version) will suit your needs quite well. They are very nice build quality with few issues.

You can see all of the conversation about these models and their predecessors in the Compal section of this forum.

 

Those are both DDR2 versions of the GPU right? I didn't say that listed anywhere.

 

Yes, but we will actually have another PowerPro model that we will introduce within about a week that will have very similar specs, but will have the 9600M w/512MB GDDR3...stay tuned for that and a few more surprises as well.

 

Great! That sounds good, I may go with that. A few more surprises eh?

 

Hi Paladin,

Q1: On 2096 ... exhaust vent is on the LEFT side compare to 2092 being in the rear. Is that a better idea / improvement?

Q2: Will NVIDIA 9600M GT have a better Temp comapre to 8600M GT?

Q3: And what is the "InfraRed Transceiver" for? And does it have a Manual Switch Off?

Thanks,
G!

 

I'm basically in the same boat as OP, I broke down today and ordered the M860TU but now I'm second guessing myself. What kind of price difference are we talking about for the GDDR3 version? You've got me curious with mention of a few more surprises ><

 

I cannot answer those questions prior to launch...but I can say the pricing will be much closer to the NP2096 than to the NP8660.

The other surprises will have to wait as well.

 

And we're getting all these surprises within one week? I just wanna know so that I'm aware of everything before my NP8660 ships so that I can cancel the order if I need to.

 

Yes, they will be included with the launch.

 

Hmm, I was almost set on the 2096, but now I will have to wait and see.

 

Does anyone know anything about these Force or Powerpro notebooks? How do they compare to Sager?

 

They are compal versus clevo. Comparable in every way from all accounts.

 

Yeah I know they're built on compal machines but I just want to know if there's a difference in Sager branding vs Force/powerpro branding.

 

You bet there is. Take a moment and read the 3 Year Parts and Labor Warranty w/Next Business Day shipping paid both ways for the PowerPro and Force brands that is standard compared to Sager's 1 Year Parts and Labor Warranty w/3rd Business Day shipping paid both ways (upgradeable to 3 years, but with the same 3 day shipping).

In addition you get Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Toll Free Customer Service with PowerPro and Force versus West Coast business hours M-F with the Sager brand.

You will also get better memory and possibly a better hard drive...and other things as well.

Best to contact them to discuss any other differences...including the Student or Military discount on the PowerPro and Force brands that is not available on the Sager NP2096.

 

That sounds too good to be true...what kinda company gives you that kinda warranty?? Is there some kinda catch?

By the way Donald, the powerpro notebook that you're talking about (with GDDR3) that will debut next week...that's only with powernotebooks.com right? Out of respect to Justin (since I placed my order with him), I'd like to keep my business with xoticpc but powernotebooks is definitely appealing right now...you guys are both great damn it!! I feel bad for choosing only one of you lol

 

The warranty is backed by our companies direct. No catch at all.

It is a inexpensive and one of the best warranties on the market.

 

Will xotic pc also carry the gddr3 9600gt or will it be a powernotebooks exclusive

 

If it becomes available we will also have it available.

 

lol Justin! See there is a GDDR3 version coming...anything you wanna give me a hint about?

 

I hope it isn't just a new config option for the jhl90 because that thing is terribly unattractive, but hey, performance > looks i guess

 

^^ I agree, that is one ugly looking laptop....switching from such a sleek looking laptop as the NP8660 kinda sucks

 

I have been lurking here for days trying to decide between the 2096 and the 8660. I know you cannot say much about the upcoming 9600 GDDR3 model, but could you please answer if there is a chance of it being delivered in massachusetts before late august if I were to order it as soon as it becomes available. If not I will not bother worry about it. I signed up just to ask that question haha. I know it is hard to answer that but just knowing when you expect to have them in stock would be great. It seems like good compromise between the two.

 

As I said a little earlier, but maybe in another thread...shipping will begin in early August so getting one to you by the end of August will be no problem.

Oh, and next time it will be easier to just click on my email in my signature below...

 

Thanks I figured I should sign up here anyway you seem like a good group of people. I wish I didn't have to wait another week to make a decision though...If the 8660 had the ati 3870 available just a little bit earlier I would be able get the computer I really want. I feel like I am going to be regretting not getting the 8660, but need a computer before college.

 

I'm so excited lol...on another note, I just found out that the laptop I am currently using is actually heavier and slightly bigger than the NP8660 and I've been lugging this thing around every single day everywhere I go. I guess the 8660 won't be too bad...still I'd like to save some money if I could.

Donald, you may not be able to tell me but will that new powerpro model have DDR3 RAM as well? That will sell me for sure. What's the deal with only a couple of laptops having DDR3 RAM right now? I thought that was the whole point of Centrino 2 platforms...montevina processors and DDR3 RAM.

 

System memory will be DDR2/800

DDR3/1066 memory requires a different memory slot (204 pin) than DDR2 (200 pin), and the DDR3 memory is quite a bit more expensive, so only the higher end laptops will tend to use it.

 

So will it still be branded as a Centrino 2 laptop? Not that it matters, as I read somewhere that DDR3 will be only slightly faster but I'm just curious.

 

Will it have hybrid graphics?

 

Centrino 2 supports up to DDR3/1066, but will also support DDR2/667 and 800.

Yes any new model we would introduce from now on will be a Centrino 2 platform, at least until nVIDIA releases their new Hybrid platform.

 

Hybrid graphics requires an nVIDIA platform. Intel platforms do not support it.

 

I am a student from sweden that currently lives in the us (over the summer) and wonder if any of the student discounts on the PowerPro and Force brands would be possible for me? If so, how much discount?

 

Both offer minimal student discounts. Keep in mind that they sell these very close to cost whereas other manufacturers tend to mark up 100s of dollars and can then give occational "big" discounts.

 

50% off shipping fee, that's all.

 

To qualify for a $20 discount on PowerPro models and the Sager 5796, 8660 and 9262 please email or fax (775-783-1777) your Student Body card or acceptance letter, and put "Smart Pill" in the Special Instructions/Promotion Codes box in the Shopping Cart.