Ask the Resellers! Questions to Reseller Thread.

Is the video card on P670RE3 able to upgrade in the future?

 

Nope, Nvidia GPU is on-board.

 

Which line or model are recommended for future upgrades?

 

The DM(-G) series (870,775,770/1 and 750/1)

Sent from my Micromax AQ4501 using Tapatalk

 

Not sure if this is the correct place for this but I recently moved to Germany and I am looking for a Clevo repair/cleaning service for my p775zm. I think I need a repaste as well and I'd typically do it myself but just don't have the time currently. I would appreciate any help/advice regarding the matter.

 

Competing resellers typically do not take a system in that was not purchased from them. Even so, you can reach out to them to inquire; the worst they can tell you is "no." Alternatively, you should be able to reach out to any local computer repair shop. They may not be "officially" contracted to service Clevos, but a competent technician should be able to help you.

I'm not as keen when it comes to the locale of resellers overseas, though. I want to say XMG is out that way, but you may need to poke around to find Clevo distributors and ask them for help before turning to a local shop.

 

why do the vast majority clevo resellers sale targus bags?

did they get payed by targus?

 

We sell what we think are the best cases available. We make a small profit on everything we sell...if we didn't, we wouldn't be able to pay the bills!

 

Targus also have a good distribution setup so it's generally easy to get stock, plus they have larger bags available that will take 17"+ models which other companies don't have.

 

They are also not as expensive as other bags might be, just so you have a range of prices. Also, some people don't want to have bags with the logo of their computer on the bag (Alienware, Asus, Razer, etc...) that shows what might be inside.

 

I read in one of the threads that if you use G-sync, you can only switch between the Intel integrated graphics and the Nvidia by disabling G-sync in BIOS. Is that true?

Also, what Clevo/Sager models, if any, allow you to upgrade the processor?

Can the trackpad be disabled?

And is the battery from the P670RE3 user-removeable?

 

Yes, with the models with a mobile processor and GSync, you would need to change the graphics card settings in the BIOS.

Intel no longer makes upgradable mobile processors, they are all BGA (soldered down) for mobile chips. You need to get a model with a desktop processor. Those would be the P870, P750, P770 (Sager NP9870, NP9758, NP9778 or the -S versions).

Yes, you can disable the trackpad through a function key, or through the mouse settings in the control panel.

The battery on the P670RE is not removable where it just removes from the bottom. You would have to remove it from underneath the bottom panel.

 

I am planning to get my hands on Saged/Clevo NP9870/P870 with the new GTX1080M SLI or Single GTX1080 as soon as it comes out. My question is that EON offers 4K display with their setup. Is this something I should expect from Sager/Clevo in the next month or so? Or is my only choice for a GTX1080M SLI and 4K display EON 17SLX?

 

The 4k display on the NP9870 was just removed, and I don't think we have a time frame on it. But when new models come up, it is possible it might be available, but not for sure at this point. Plus, it sounds like there might have new options for screens available, as a lot of places have shown of 120hz screens at Computex. So there could be some changes in the works whenever new models come out.

 

4K @ 120Hz VR Ready, now this is a screen, do you know if sager/clevo shown anything on computex or another brand with the GTX1080M SLI?

 

Clevo was there, not Sager. I don't think a lot of Clevo sellers had their own booths. You could see what Clevo had as a general brand, which should be what Sager can offer sometime in the future.

No news on new models as of this point. NDAs are still in place.

 

I guess I will have to wait a month or so before knowing more.

 

Yeah, it's the unfortunate waiting game.

 

While I cannot confirm or deny anything about the new nVIDIA GeForce GTX Series until the NDA has been lifted, I can confirm that we are currently shipping the EVOC P870DM-G Gaming Laptop with the 4K UHD (3840x2160) LCD with G-Sync support @ 75Hz. While there may have been some showing these LCDs overclocked to 120Hz at Computex, we didn't see any of them when there, nor have we seen any manufacturer releases or spec sheets at 120Hz as of yet.

Since the EVOC P870DM-G Gaming Laptop uses desktop CPUs, there is no issue with Optimus because it is not supported.

 

When does the NDA get lifted?

 

Talking about the NDA date is against NDA pretty much. It kind of gives up some information there.

 

Oh, I didn't know, thanks for clarifying!

 

First rule of Fight Club... Do not talk about Fight Club

when I buy a Sager laptop from XoticPC (or anyone else, for that matter) with Windows installed, do I get a COA sticker and an actual activation key even if I get no install media? I'm also assuming that I can create install media from the preloaded OS (or download it)?

I would assume the answer is yes to both questions, but it never hurts to ask.

Also, are there any software, drivers or utilities in the preloaded image that are not available for download?

 

If you get no install media, then it is expected that you have your own Product Key.

The drivers and utilities disk will come with it whether you order an OS or not.

The only way to get the Product Key is to pay for the Windows of your choice that includes the install media.

 

To follow up on the 17.3" 120Hz 4K UHD (3840x2160) ... we have now seen a release date of about 4 weeks from now.

Of course, that could stretch out a bit longer as it so often does.

At this point our best information is that it will only be available for 17.3" LCDs.

 

Woot!? Im sure the AUO 4k displays dont do anything over 63Hz. Or is this another panel ?If so, will it be possible to know the panel details?

Also the 120Hz Panels you mentioned, i doubt it will be be 4k. Even high 4k monitors dont have 120Hz capability. The best one out there is the new ASUS ROG Swift 27" 1440p @ 165 Hz.

 

Most manufacturers don't have the sticker on the bottom of the computer any more with the windows key on it. Since the key is saved in the BIOS, and not to the hard drive, if you have to reinstall Windows you really won't need it. You can find the key through various methods if needed. A free program like Belarc Adviser can pull that up for you.

 

So just to be clear, if I pay $150 for Windows 10 Pro (no install media) how do I know it actually is a valid copy of Windows? Even the cheap laptops I've purchased with no install media have the little sticker on the bottom of the laptop with the Windows product key.

 

While that may be true of the major brands that pre-install Windows, it is not true of private branded Clevo laptops where the OS is not pre-installed by Clevo. There is no Windows Product Key embedded in the BIOS on Clevo laptops.

 

So you charge me $150 to install Windows 10 Pro but it isn't a licensed copy. OK. Well that makes some decisions easier for me.

 

Yes, I stand corrected. 4K is limited to 60Hz and can, because of current revision eDP bandwidth (hardware) limitations only be OCed to about 64Hz.

The new 4K at 120Hz has yet to be released, but has been announced, and we should see it in around 4 weeks...maybe a bit longer.

 

I understand there is confusion here so please let me clarify.

Clevo based laptops are different from the rest of the brands that pre-install Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 with the Product Key embedded in the BIOS. The Product Key is not embedded in the BIOS on Clevo based laptops.

On our EVOC Clevo based laptops we use the latest, updated Custom Prema BIOS and vBIOS. The Custom Prema BIOS and vBIOS offer very expansive Overclocking capabilities, plus other controls like battery and fans. However a Product Key cannot be embedded in this BIOS.

Next, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 installation software (.ISO) can be downloaded for free at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/home. However you have to purchase your Product Key from your dealer or the Microsoft Store.

For our EVOC models we offer Windows 10 and Windows 10 Pro pre-installed, with the Product Key, with all of the drivers updated, without installation media standard. We offer an OS Reinstallation + Drivers USB Flash Drive as an option.

We also offer Windows 7 Pro pre-installed, with the Product Key, with all of the drivers updated, and the OS and Driver installation DVDs standard. We also offer an OS Reinstallation + Drivers USB Flash Drive as an option. Installation with a USB Flash Drive is much faster than doing it with DVDs.

Then, we offer all versions of Windows 7 pre-installed, with no Product Key or OS installation media, but with the Drivers DVD, for those who already have their own Product Key. Those who choose this option can also select the faster OS Reinstallation + Drivers USB Flash Drive as an option.

I hope this clears up any confusion.

 

It will be a valid copy of Windows, it will authenticate/register with Microsoft.

 

Sure, got it. HIDevlolution will give me a product key if they install windows and I ask nicely. Everyone else that uses standard Clevo BIOS, if windows is installed, then product key is embedded in the BIOS.

 

No..."Clevo based laptops are different from the rest of the brands that pre-install Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 with the Product Key embedded in the BIOS. The Product Key is not embedded in the BIOS on Clevo based laptops."

On Clevo based laptops the Product Key is stored on the HDD or SSD.

 

My bad, I was mixing Clevo with Sager. Clevo supplies both you and Sager with the chasis. You guys use the Prema BIOS and Sager uses one of their own. And I incorrectly inferred that pat@XOTICPC's comment meant that CLEVO supplied the BIOS to the other manufacturers (like Sager). So Sager imbeds the Product key in the BIOS they put on their laptops, is that correct Pat?

 

I had to stop and double check on it. I know it is that way with a lot of the companies we carry. But looked in to this and was told Sager does imbed Windows 8 and 10 keys in to this BIOS. It might be different with other Clevo sellers, I couldn't speak for them though.

 

Almost correct...just a small technical difference. Sager uses the Clevo BIOS, but when they do their Microsoft server load of the OS, that installation process embeds the Product Key in the BIOS. It would be the same with any Clevo builder that uses the Microsoft server load of the OS, as opposed to using an OEM disk w/ Product Key. In the latter case the Product Key is stored on the HDD or SSD where the OS is installed, and hopefully in a safe place of your own making should you need to do a fresh install later.

The only difference is when it is embedded in the BIOS, you never have to worry about losing your Product Key. Even if the motherboard is replaced, and a new Microsoft server load of the OS is used, it embeds that new Product Key into the BIOS.

You end up at pretty much the same place...but the takeaway is when you are given a Product Key...don't lose it, it is like cash and if you lose it, it is lost.

 

That is a good explanation of it. Sorry for the confusion on my part.

 

Any more information on this announcement? So the 4K 120hz is indeed coming to your product line in August 2016 or so, would this also be accompanied with the new GTX1080? Are there going to be 2 mobile versions one GTX1080 (high end) and GTX1080M? Could the GTX1080 be done in SLI configuration?

At what point do you recommend/require 660W adapter?

What motherboard/chip do you guys use and would anything be upgraded to operate the GTX1080 optimally?

 

The info on new graphics cards, upgradability of MXM to new graphics cards, and release dates haven't been announced yet. Once they are announced, I'm sure there will be tons of discussion here about them. But no there is nothing official as of yet.

Most people are going to be fine with 330w for the most part. If you find that your system is using the 330w and throttling, that is when you would want to maybe look at the 2nd adapter. It depends on what hardware you have in the system (for what power draw they have), and what you are using it for.

 

Thanks for that clarification. I've done multiple installs of Windows 7 and prior Windows versions (both upgrades and clean installs), on my own systems and those I "support" (mostly family members and friends of family). I've yet to install Windows 10 on anything (but I've done four Win 10 removals on three systems ) and I anticipate reinstalling Windows 10 (and whatever might come after) at least a few times over the life of the new laptop. I just want to make sure I'm not going to end up paying for additional licenses for the same OS on the same system.

And this brings up another couple questions. If the product is stored in the BIOS, what happens to it when I flash a new BIOS? How often does Clevo make BIOS updates? Will I see only one or two or a dozen BIOS updates? I know you can't predict the future, but there must be an average.

 

Pat @Xoticpc answered your first five questions quite well.

As for the motherboard/chip question...Laptops are not like desktops where you can choose from several motherboards to fit your case. With laptops, each motherboard is proprietary and designed to fit that particular laptop case and port locals. The chip used currently is either the Intel Mobile HM170 or CM236, depending on the model.

To maximize performance we provide the Custom Prema BIOS and vBIOS on our EVOC (Clevo based) models. Have you read about the Prema BIOS and vBIOS on this forum? Just do a search for Prema BIOS and you will find several threads and posts, including videos, describing how to use it to overclock your CPU and GPU and control several functions of it, as will as battery control and fan control.

For maximum performance, we also offer the Silicon Lottery Delidded and Tested, Factory Overclocked 6th Generation Intel Core i7-6700K Quad Core Processor, 4.0 GHz (Max Turbo Frequency 4.4GHz), 8MB Smart Cache. "Silicon Lottery Delidded, Binned and Tested CPUs for cool, stable performance and GUARANTEED* Factory Overclocked Performance!"

 

The Product Key is written to a separate part of the BIOS that is not disturbed when you flash a new BIOS version. Clevo generally only makes very few BIOS updates during the life of any particular model, unless something really needs to be fixed.

 

You should start to offer @Prema vbios/bios and dual 330w for your systems

I really want to order the next P870DM with custom graphics wrap, but you're the only reseller afaik to do this.

 

I bring that up periodically. It would be nice to offer, but I'm not sure if it might happen.

 

I really wish that it would happen :|

 

@mythlogic - offer dual 330w with bridge?

 

You may want to DM them on that. I'm sure almost all sellers would have the spare 330w, but the Y bridge sounds like it might be harder to find. May need to try a couple resellers for that possibly.

 

We can do it all, but for your wrap, that you can do yourself.