Buying NP8130/P151HM1, should I buy from XoticPCs or Malibal?

Both configs will be more or less identical, coming in at around $1400. Which company would be better to order from and why (warranty/shipping time/repair time/reliability/etc.)?

 

Hi, here's some info about us. In terms of shipping times - we can ship out a P151HM1 (8130) within 4 business days and if you are in California - can have it delivered in one business day via UPS Ground.

One of our customers in California just received his Lotus P151HM1 in 3 days total! http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/594987-yes-got-my-malibal-laptop-3-days-d.html

Also, our warranty includes Free shipping both ways, Free labor on all upgrades and Lifetime 24/7 USA-Based Support, including around the clock support on this forum.

In terms of reliability, we have zero complaints with the BBB in 7 years, which is a perfect track record of trustworthiness and reliability.

For repair times, it really depends on what needs to be serviced. Most of the time, if something fails on your notebook it will be a hard drive or RAM, which are simple to replace. In the event that a part like this goes out - we can simply mail you a replacement and you can install it and ship us back the defective part at our expense. If you ever have to ship back the entire notebook for service, we will pay 3-Day Shipping both ways and the average repair time is 3-5 business days.

If you have any other specific questions about our company - please feel free to PM us anytime.

 

I don't think you could go wrong with either.
Both have stellar reputations in the community.

 

Well I just purchased my 8150 from XoticPC and so far I don't have any real complaints. I am in CA so I was expecting a little bit of time in order for it to get here. XoticPC had Malibal beat on price from the same config by about 200 bucks so that's why i went with them. However, Sager seems to be a little backlogged right now, as they confirmed the order about 9 days ago, but Xotic still hasn't received it for the RAM install. So really, since price is the same, if you're in CA I'd say give Malibal a try. I just went with Xotic because their price was so much better than everybody else at the time.

 

Hi, you must have been comparing two different models because our price is never $200 more than a Sager reseller. In fact, since we have a low price guarantee, our price should always be lower.

 

You do know that Malibal has special offer for NBR member don't you?

 

Welllllll, now I do lol

Little late for that.

 

I may have exaggerated a little bit on that figure but they were the same models.

Right now I can't remember off the top of my head the exact price that was listed for the specs I had chose, but Xotic also had a free 8GB RAM install that was thrown in on top of everything so that kinda helped make my decision.

 

Hi, we have a RAM Promotion as well, and it doesn't add any time to the order process... we also have Free Shipping for NBR members and we can deliver notebooks to California in one day via ground shipping.

One of our California customers just received his Lotus P151HM1 in only 3 days from the order date!

 

Well jeez just make me feel bad about ordering from someone else why don't you. Hey, I already rec'd you guys up in my first post primarily because of your shipping times.

While you may be persuasive, I'm not canceling my order just to go through more hoop-lah. lol

However, if I may digress quickly, how is it that Malibal doesn't add any build time to put the RAM in, doesn't it have to be shipped to Vegas from Sager in order to be installed?

 

Well I think I'll probably give Malibal a shot unless anyone has anything to say for Xotic PC to change my mind, it is nice that I'm in California also so that definitely helps.

 

NEWBIE question....Why is it when u order to Malibal, it says Lotus rather than sager/clevo?

 

I'd say choose the one closest to you.
Because when your PC need to repair, you have to send it back to them.

 

We sell our own brand... so ours has MALIBAL branding on it. We aren't Sager resellers.

 

Quick plug for Malibal, if you don't mind. Its always nice to add another member to the Malibal NBR Crew
Anyway. When I was looking to purchase my laptop, the 6970 was the way to go. The performance was on par with the 485 and about half the price. Right before I was set to order, Malibal, and other Sager resellers, pulled the 6970 from their websites. I sent Malibal a question regarding the availability of the card. They told me they had a couple left and would gladly put one in my machine. I was psyched, not only because I learned I could get the card I wanted, but also because I had the whole situation resolved, initial question, response from Malibal, then figuring out payment, submitting it and seeing my order confirmed, in the space of an afternoon. Their response time was stellar.
A few days later, the 580 was released and the 485 dropped significantly in price. I felt that the $25 or so upgrade from the 6970 to the 485 would be worth it, but I wasn't sure if Malibal would agree to my request to switch the card. They of course responded right away and were happy to perform the switch. I received my machine, 485 installed and running perfectly, about a week later. These guys know what their doing. Sorry for the long post...

 

Oh wow I didn't know that with the reduce in price, it was only $25 dollars more.

May I ask when did the 485m got reduce in price?

 

Edit: started a new thread on the issue, as it's not really related.

 

What about P150's? ^^

 

Lotus P150HM ships in about 5 business days on average.

 

For me, the question is who offers a 30 days zero stuck pixel guarantee. I'm willing to pay. I haven't seen this option on Malibal's site.

 

Hi, we just added a 30 Day No Dead Pixel Guarantee to every configuration page on our site. This guarantee covers both dead and stuck pixels. The price is $75.

 

Personally I didn't go with Malibal because Sager just sounds better (in my opinion).

 

And yet you ended up putting the Clevo name in your signature. Also, we can sell laptops without any branding on them.

 

About any seller can request the logo's removed, it is easy to do upon request. I agree with nllptr, the Sager logo looks nice and it sounds good.

 

the good about sager/clevo they arent tatted up like alienwares, sorry to all u die hard fans, but i couldnt be seen in a profesional enviroment with one. however they are great machines or use to be when i had one. also u cant go wrong from any of the resellers who post here, maybe ****lt but just do your homework and u will hopefully be fine. also we all like a good review and posting a score at resellerratings.com is alway appreciated.

 

I just ordered from malibal their staff is very friendly and really helped me get what I need. Also malibal has more discounts than you think try giving them a call.

 

A bit Cheesy eh?!?

 

Is it possible for the user to remove the branding from their case?

 

no its not like a sticker its like the branding on a car, but its part of the casing not just attached. the only way you can take it off is by getting a new lcd back cover and replacing it.

 

Regardless of the make any branding has a adhesive back and can be removed. An easy way to do this is to use a Hair Dryer to soften the adhesive and it will come right off.

 

yeah that sounds safe... just heat up your laptop screen with a hairdryer. and before you tell me about the computer getting hot, i know it does, but not hot enough to remove the branding.

 

Are there really extra discounts offered by phone from Malibal other than the RAM promotional price and the free shipping?

 

Hi, the RAM, Free Shipping, and Cash Discounts are the three main deals we have right now.

 

Awesome, I'm just about ready to order my new Lotus P151HM1, what are the differences between the wireless cards? what makes each one better than the last? Thank you.

 

Dude don't get that... It is pointless to base a buying decision on something you don't need. Why don't you need it?

1. If I am correct, MALIBAL has only had a handful of incidents concerning the screen out of all their sales this year. The likelihood of a bad screen is VERY small.
2. It is a waste of money. You are paying $75 for the 30 Day Dead Pixel Warranty when you already have a 30 Day Return Policy. What the 30DDPW covers that the 30DRP doesn't is the shipping costs. (Maybe $50-70 one-way). So pretty much, you shouldn't worry about that at all.​

 

yeah it costs about $5 less than shipping it back for the money back guarantee. also if you are getting a blu-ray player they will match to the pro-star's p151hm 4x blu-ray player heres the link. Prostar P151HM Gaming Laptop | Clevo P151HM Gaming Laptop | Sager NP8151 Gaming Laptop | Custom Built Cheap Gaming Laptop

 

The 30 Day DP is a good investment if you consider
1. The customer does not want to have anytime without the machine
2. If you do not want to pay return shipping to the seller and re-shipment back to you. (You maybe ahead $10?) If you pay shipping back to your seller ($30-$40) and re-shipment of your laptop ($30) you are within $10 off the DP Warranty and you do not have to part with the machine.

Just some food for thought.

 

What's the RAM deal?

 

yeah but through malibal the shipping back to you will be free

 

PM a rep for the promotional code, it got me $35 off when I used it

 

Out of all the laptops my family, friends, and colleagues have bought, we have never seen any dead pixels, but I heard that a previous CS teacher once got a computer with a dead pixel near a corner.

I wouldn't buy the warranty though...

 

So I live in Hawaii...is there any way I can get in on this free shipping deal? UPS shipping costs are crippling if you live in the pacific.

 

Hi, we can give you $50 off ground shipping or 40% OFF Express or Expedited shipping. Please PM us for details.

 

I feel for you, shipping is expensive to Hawaii, VI, PR etc. When checking prices make sure to look at what each seller charges. You will find many sellers are already very competitive on their standard everyday shipping prices compared to some sellers that offer "discounts" on increased pricing.

 

I did exactly as you said and went to checkout a PC on XoticPCs, only to find the cheapest option being $64 to Hawaii anyway. Does XoticPCs have any offers for shipping at the moment, because your pricing is still a bit higher than Malibal.

 

Great thread, a lot of info! I might be buying soon enough a Sager/Clevo/Malibal...and this cleared up many questions!

 

Does Malibal receive their laptops from Sager like the other resellers? I'm curious since they don't carry the Sager tag on their laptops.

 

Either one is fine, they are both good reseller so flip a coin fella

 

Agreed, although I prefer Malibal, you really can't go wrong with either.

 

im thinking of ordering the 8130 from malibal.. two queries for u malibal guys: 1.) is there an option upgrading the ac adapter from 120 to 180 watts?? if yes, how much is the additional costs??
2.) can the brand name LOTUS be changed to SAGER??
tnks...