Birthday present for myself =D

Hey guys, i been reading tons of threads about clevo/sager. Next month on my birthday i'm planning to pull the trigger to get this. my loptop is almost dead. i got a dell inspiron 1405 on 2006. Now it's time get a new laptop that will last me 2-3 years atleast. I will be using this computer for moderate gaming (I'm waiting for diablo 3 to come out..then locking myself inside my room..LOL) and editing pictures. I'm also a photographer so ill be edting raw files (18mg per file) using CS5 and lightroom. Im also planning to switch the HHD with crucial m4 256gb myself. Should i upgrade to 2860? Also i know there's not much difference between 16gb 1600 and 16gb 1333 right?? Thanks guys


COST: 2083


Sager NP8150 / Clevo P150HM
- FREE!! Continental (U.S. Lower 48 - UPS Ground Only) Ground Shipping on ALL Sager Laptops (Enter Coupon Code: "SAGERFREESHIP" during order process)
- SAGER Sale!!! - $100 OFF When you spend $1500* or more! (*excludes non-sager parts, accessories, shipping, & taxes)
Confirmation of discount will be provided after Order Processing.
- FREE Digital Copy of Battlefield 3 w/ Any Intel 120GB SSD or Higher Hard Drive Upgrade
- 15.6" FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Anti-Glare Screen w/ 95% NTSC Color Gamut (1920x1080) (ETA: 2/17/2012) (SKU - S1R317)
- NO Professional Monitor Color Calibration
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2760QM, 2.4-3.5GHz, (32nm, 6MB L3 cache) (SKU - S2R202)
- - IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
- ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 6990M 2048MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 $100 OFF (SKU - S3R151)
- No Video Adapter
- 16GB - DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (4 SODIMMS) (SKU - S4R757)
- Sager Branding
- Standard Finish
- 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache) - Default (SKU - S5R207)
- 6X Blu-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive - Special! (SKU - S7P557)
- No Extra Optical Bay Hard Drive Caddy
- No Back Up Hard Drive
- NO External USB Optical Drive
- No Floppy Drive
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- No Back Up Software
- None Standard--
- Sager Intel® Advanced-N 6230 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module + Bluetooth (SKU - S8R111)
- No Network Accessory
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- No TV Tuner
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- No Car Adapter
- No Spare AC Adapter
- No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- No Headset
- No External Keyboard or Mouse
- No Notebook Cooler
- No Thanks, Please do not Overclock my system (Overclocking will add 3-6 business days to build time)
- No Operating System Redline Boost
- ~Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's + Microsoft Office Starter 2010 - Included with OS Purchase
- No Office Software
- No Software Bundle
- Sager 3 Year Parts & LIFETIME Ltd Labor Warranty w/ Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Toll Free Customer Support - Special! (SKU - S9P211)
- No Outside of US Shipping Coverage
- Standard Production Time

 

Personally if I had $2,000 to spend I would get the 8GB 1600 speed, the standard i7 processor, and a GTX580m, the rest looks awesome. If this is from Sager, then please don't do it. Do yourself a favor and order it from XoticPC, Powernotebooks, or Malibal (the Lotus P150HM is the same as the Sager). It's just a guess though, and it isn't my money to go around using.

 

Hey Fred,

I have the same exact system on order (placed 2/10).

I too use my laptop for photography (LR3, HDRTools, NIK plugins and CS4) and gaming (SW:TOR, SC2, BM:AC). This thing is going to rock. I'll be adding my desktop's 256 OCZ SSD as the boot drive. So, it sounds like you have that covered as well.

IMO the extra $$ for the 580 just isn’t worth it. I've read and reviewed so many benchmarks and graphs and I can't justify paying for CUDA and physx, when the major differences are the 2 aforementioned functionalities.

The CPU upgrade really isn't necessary either, again IMO. I have a I7 920 desktop overclocked and it seems that the laptop is going to outperform my desktop! Check this out: PassMark Intel vs AMD CPU Benchmarks - High End

Intel Core i7-2820QM @ 2.30GHz 7,562 $499.00**
Intel Core i7-2760QM @ 2.40GHz 7,547 $378.00**

Also, the RAM speed is negligible based on real world benchmarks. It comes down to seconds, not minutes when using 300mb TIFFS. Maybe someone else can reeducate me on this one though...

Good luck!!


-kshub

 

I would also suggest getting the Professional Monitor calibration. Since you plan on doing a lot of photo editing it will help you get the most accurate colors out of the upgraded screen you have selected.

 

I agree, and besides that I can't see what you are going to be using those 16GB of RAM for, and to answer your question, no there isn't much difference, almost none to be precise but it varies from the work you do.

Besides, there isn't a point of getting the faster 2860 unless you can afford it and think that the extra speed will benefit you (not that it wont! just saying you might no need it)

 

I have color calib done from Malibal, BS! no diff. Everything else is awesome!

 

Nice! I just ordered mine yesterday as well! Can't wait to get it

 

I'll post up my stuff later, don't want to clutter up your thread. Good luck! I ordered from xoticPC

 

WOW congrats!! tell me how it goes! Which reseller did you buy it from?

IS there really no diffrence?? i wish someone would post a picture or something

Sweet! congrats! Let me know what you think!...who did you buy it from?

 

how about some free monitor calibration=D

 

Since you're actually a professional photographer, unlike most of us who just like pretty colors, I think it would be best for you to calibrate the screen yourself, with your own eyes.

 

Here is an untouched picture of a before and after we did the monitor calibration. Nothing has been altered on this picture except the size.

 

LOL! i wouldn't say i'm professional maybe intermediate ...But you may be right! Can anyone redirect me for some good settings

Do you guys use a program to calibrate this? or this is is just tweaking the settings??? It sure do look brighter and a high contrast

 

If you order calibration, it's usually done with a physical calibration unit like a Spyder 3. It generates a profile that you can use to set it. There are some stock calibration profiles floating around, but every screen is going to be unique, to they're generally of limited use.

 

Hi Fred,

I ended up going with XoticPC for my order and I'll be sure to create a post and update everyone about the new lappy.

Regarding the calibration, as a photographer who takes photos more for passion versus profession, I'll have to agree with the folks who've stated that calibration is very important. I'm not sure how vendors maintain monitor calibration once it leaves the shop, so here's something to consider. I have Spyder 2 on my desktop and it reminds me every month to recalibrate. Sometimes I notice a difference, other times I don't. If you are even somewhat serious about photography I'd suggest getting one of these:

* Spyder 3 Express
* Huey


Once you edit your photos on a calibrated monitor they look so much better when printed. I've used Shutterfly, Snapfish, and Mpix all prior to calibrating and the images are okay compared to what I print on my calibrated display, now that I calibrate all I can say is wow!

Use the money you were thinking about spending on the faster RAM and the CPU upgrade for a monitor calibrator

Best,
-kshub

 

Congrats on your order KShub!

We us Spyder 3 to calibrate the monitor. How it works is there is a software program and an actual hardware piece often called a "puck" that literally sits on the the screen. The program then talks to the puck and creates a color profile to get the most accurate colors.

I do a lot of photo work myself and have all my monitors (notebook, desktop) calibrated. When you invest in expensive computers, monitors, camera bodies, and especially lenses the least you can do is to make sure your colors are showing right.

 

If you're gonna spend $2k, get the 17".

My 2 cents.

 

Sorry, I purchased the 8170... I dunno how I missed that you were getting an 8150. I hope you enjoy it though. Mine will be coming this Wed!

Just a note on the calibration thing... I didn't get mine calibrated but I did get the 90% screen. For the price, I'm actually contemplating just getting my own spider express. It's about double the price of having the calibration done. However, from then I can calibrate any monitor I'd like, whenever I'd like. I do a lot of photography and video work so I might get some use out of it...

 

Or an IPS for photography:

Gmarket- Korean No.1 Shopping Site, Hottest, Trendy, Lowest price, Worldwide shipping available

(WARNING: GLOSSY SCREEN)

 

Anyone have a screen of Malibal calibrated screen vs stock? I was thinking of buying from them in the future.

 

Please read the below post from Sager about calibration ...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/568309-official-sager-news-thread-updated-03-august-11-a.html#post7776914

-

 

Excellent argument from the source itself at Sager.

As to the OP, it is a very nice build, is there a reason you didn't opt for a hybrid drive? It may help boost performance, and if you really don't need the BD-ROM you could even consider a primary SSD and get the standard HDD in the Optical bay drive and get an external.
I don't think you will be disappointed with the 95% color gamut matte display either, they are one of the nicest screens I've ever seen.

 

i'm thinking of just getting a spyder for monitor calibration. i'm thinking of keeping the drive but switching my primary to SSD. Also, before i pull the trigger. You guys think, its better to buy it now and not wait for the ivy bridge? I'm really at lost right now....i know there's a delay and it may not even be release on april. urghh.....

 

ivy, clevo's refreshing their models, back-lit keyboards at long last! YAY!

 

It really all depends on how badly you need a laptop. Is it a must have now or can you afford to hold off and use your current machine until Ivy Bridge is released, whenever that may be?

 

Those are some nice things to consider. I'm partial to back-lit keyboards myself.

 

Yeah its handy to have on my apple. I can type without it but when I'm looking for my top keys for stuff like pause, playing, monitor brightness it certainly helps.

I've also been reading Nvidia Optimus will be included in the next refresh. (It can be a good or a bad thing depending on how you look at it, I don't have experience with it but lots of users report its a pretty buggy graphics system)