Build quality and design? Excellent!

I just had a meeting with a couple of my team members, and we all had our laptops. One had a 2011 Lenovo Thinkpad model, and the other had a Gateway gaming laptop from 2008.

Now, while I did like the other two models, it seemed quite clear that my NP9150 looked like the best built and best looking out of the three. The Clevo is smoother, simpler, and sturdier. Functionality wise, the Clevo trackpad was the easiest and smoothest to use. The keys on the Thinkpad were just as "hard" to press as my Clevo. Guess what; it is COMPLETELY based on personal preference. I had a hard time typing on the Thinkpad. Why? Because I was used to my Clevo.

Next up: so many complain about the keyboard layout on the Clevo, but seriously, please realize that in current Thinkpad models the Ctrl and Fn buttons are SWITCHED. Yes folks, Fn is on the very left rather than Ctrl. My buddy said he had to remap those buttons to get back the correct usability for gaming purposes. Additionally, the numbers/letters on the Clevo keyboards are translucent, thus making it easier to see the keys with a backlight. The numbers and letters are not translucent on the Thinkpad.

Going on to the gateway, the build seemed fine and was holding up well enough for it's age, but it still didn't seem as solid as the Clevo. The Clevo NP9150 is the most solid PC laptop I have ever used in my life. I say PC because I have to give Apple credit for their well built Macbook Pros. Just as a quick note, I have never used an Alienware, but I hope I do eventually so I can get a broader idea of where Clevo stands on the design quality scale.

So, for those questioning the build quality of a modern Clevo, go ahead and continue your research, but realize if you purchased right now you would not be disappointed.

 

I have always been a fan of Clevo builds. Never failed me once and the styling isn't half bad either.

 

Thanks for the post.

One thing that caught my eye though was that your friend had to remap the ctrl and fn keys. I didn't think that was possible because fn key was tied to the BIOS and not possible to remap. The fn key sends no code like the ctrl key does, it's just a hard toggle. But maybe different in Thinkpad. I'm just curious because I had that issue with a laptop in the past and there was no way to remap it.

 

in many thinkpads a remap is as simple as a BIOS setting. I did it in my x220, and I believe most models from 2010 on have this feature
Lenovo to enable Fn key switching in BIOS, new models only | ThinkPads.com

 

Good to know, thanks. That is a good feature to have, although I still don't like the idea of the Fn and Ctrl keys switched.

 

I think the alienware bezel is a little stronger than the clevo's.

 

Yeah, I think Clevo has pretty solid construction even though they're all plastic, but the one thing that bugs me is the really easy to scratch glossy bezel.

I hope the next refresh has a matte bezel.

 

Its a bit of a trade off, but id rather carry the extra .25-.5 lbs for stronger plastic.

Guess clevo didn't feel that way about it.

 

Clevo is nice. But the track pad for 9150 sucks, and i dont like how the screen wobbles from small desk shakes. I had a sony fw vgn series and the screen was rigid. The best ive had.

 

Screen wobbles, hmm, might need hinges tightened. My screen is solid as a rock.

 

I have no problems with screen wobble or any flex in the chassis, but the rubberised trackpad is the work of the devil. Very strange design choice.

 

I dunno, I don't have a problem with the touchpad. Then again I use a mouse 99% of the time with my Clevo.

 

Turn mouse sensitivity to max if you are going to use the trackpad. The trackpad itself is really smooth for me.

 

no the hinges are really tight, but the top the screen still wobbles from flex of the screen or something. It has movement while typing on bed, where my old computer is rock solid. maybe because the lid is taller?

 

What was your last laptop? I don't get any wobble when typing. Then again, I always use mine on a desk or table.

 

The only AW laptop I would say definitively beats sager, and a lot of other brands in build quality and feel is the M18x. Dat aluminum chassis /drool. Built like a tank.

 

My M17x R1 had an aluminum chassis.

 

I'll add one bit to the quality. I am currently in the process of returning my P150EM due to numerous little niggling little quirks.

• Sharp edges around keyboard
• Tab key which sometimes does not work
• Occasional missed keypresses
• W + E keys will then not recognize Space bar, several other combos also
• Win Key on wrong side, Del key moved over, Home End others in weird spots
• Power button is stuck now and won't lift
• Sound from speakers and headphones OK, but barely even after tweaks

Take my issues with a grain of salt, much of it revolves around the keyboard, but that is the primary input device and is somewhat major. Many of these issues are minor, but for the price it seems there should be a bit better quality. Also, this isn't a 1 in 10000 issue from all the posts I have seen so that has me doubting the longterm happiness with this laptop. I like it, it performs well and looks good, but it's going back due to my lack of confidence.

 

Interesting post. However, here are my responses:

1: (sharp edges around keyboard) I have not had one single instance where the slightly "sharper" edge has bothered me. It truly isn't even sharp, at least in my opinion, let alone bothersome.
2: (tab key some times does not work) I rarely have a key not respond for me, if ever. Hopefully you are returning for an exchange, because a working NP9150 keyboard should respond very well 99%+ of the time. My tab key works flawlessly.
3: (Occasional missed key presses) This happens on all keyboards. I have had it happen even on Macbooks. It relates to the rare faulty response issue in that sometimes a key will for some reason not register, but that again should be extremely rare and it is unfortunate it is happening often enough to bother you.
4: (W+E+Space and other combinations will not work) Yes, that one is very true. There is one ghosting issue that prevents me from throwing a grenade while skiing in Tribes: Ascend, at least to my memory. I know I remember some combination screwing me up in that game, because if space bar stops working and you stop skiing in a firefight, you are basically dead. All other games I play are not affected by this ghosting issue. My only recommendation is to buy an external keyboard.
5: (Power button is stuck) I don't have this issue, but if that is a problem you should return for an exchange.
6: (Sound from speakers and headphones is OK, even after tweaks) True thing. You just have to live with the speaker quality, unfortunately. That is one problem Sager needs to address. As for the headphone quality, you can buy an external USB DAC such as the X-Fi Go! Pro that will provide very good amplified audio for headphones and speakers. I personally own the X-Fi, and it completely destroys the onboard audio output.

I hope this information helps you with your decision.

 

You are right in that this is a good machine and mine is faulty. I like it and it works well, but is seems the quantity of issues is far higher than for my Dell Latitude E5520 that I use at work for instance. Everything about that laptop is a matter of "it just works", same with my wife's new Gigabyte P2542G, and both of those are $500 cheaper that my Clevo. I guess I expected a better quality build was well as better performance.

As for the return I am debating just an exchange/repair RMA or a full refund. I'm leaning toward refund and then wait till the next model of Clevo or some other brand with a 680M.

 

I think the quality on my NP9170 is okay, but there are several issues nagging at me:

1. the screen bezel was messed up right out of the box. Basically, the area at the bottom of the screen has little blotches all over it that let tiny plastic particles fall off it and they then get on the laptop shell and need to be wiped off.

2. there is 1 button on the keyboard that doesn't light up much, and another that lights up too much

3. The L button, . button, and shift button all need extra pressure to register

4. The w button (Used to move forwards in almost every computer game) will suddenly stop registering randomly. As a result, I can be walking around for awhile, then suddenly stop even though I still have the w button depressed. Needless to say, this is 100% obnoxious.


Here are the good things: (Just to keep this positive because I do really like this laptop)
The colors on the keyboard backlight are very vibrant, and I have recieved a ton of compliments on it.

It has ample power for whatever I want to do.

The fans are very quiet, I only really notice them when I am playing games while overclocking

The graphics card (GTX 675) is very overclockable, I have been able to get over a 20% overclock while still remaining under 80 degrees celcius without any cooling mods. I plan on getting a external cooler and also modding the cooling system in the near future (Just to see how far it can go)

The sound is actually very nice as long as you do the following: Adjust the THX thingy so most of the sound comes out of the subwoofer, max out the crystalizer, and then use higher quality recordings. Low quality sound sounds horrid on this computer, but higher quality stuff sounds just like it should. The same goes for headphones: low quality sets sound even worse than they already do, high quality sets actually sound very nice.

The laptop isn't too heavy. It is big enough that people don't steal it (You would look pretty obvious when you stuff one of these in your shirt) and it is balanced well enough so it doesn't feel like it will fall out of your hands when you are walking around.

The keyboard is pretty quiet, compared to others I have used.

The design is nice overall. I do not like the glossy bezel around the screen (Reflections) but other than that it looks like a monolith. It isn't like an Alienware where it is just a lightshow, it looks like a serious laptop.

The first thing I did when I bought it was to take it apart. It is very easy to take apart, and the interior is nice and neat so it is easy to work on without worrying about damaging it.


about the issues:
I really am not sure what to do about these things because I really need to have the laptop for school and rma-ing it would take a long time.