Buying a used Sager

I have been going back and forth about buying a new gaming laptop. I just happened to come by a semi local (3 hours away) used Sager P8150 with a i7-2670QM and an ATI 6990M. He said it's clean and works good and even has about 2 months of warranty left. He offered to load up BF3 and let me play it to check it out.

Is it a bad idea buying used gaming laptops? Anyone have any stories about their experience doing this? How were the P8150's and 6990's?

 

it is quite likely its completely legit, but also slight chance that it might have a half dead card that has been revived by reflowing the solder etc. maybe run a CPUZ and GPUZ to make sure the CPU isnt a ES/QS version.

 

How were the 6990m's?

 

They were last generation's top of the line GPU

 

The 6990M were good cards. If you dont mind what is the price? You may be able to get something brand new for not much more.

 

Thanks, and he is asking $900.00

 

Consider the NP9130 for the most comparable current computer. . The 670MX in there is very simlar to performance to the 6990M plus you'll get Optimus so better battery time on basic use. It will run you a few hundred more though.

 

Strictly speaking on behalf of the sale, I would throw caution to the wind. 2 months of warranty left - if it was a year warranty, then ask yourself why they're dismissing it already.

And as Hutsady mentioned, you can get a brand new machine for not much more; just something to consider.

Unlike a car, it will be difficult to assess the state of the laptop, or if it's been serviced or had any abuse that you can't determine at first glance. So if you go with it, see if they will give you some sort of money back guarantee period that you can fall back on. 2 months of warranty is not that long.

 

I bought one used sager the previous user broke one of the CPU Heatsink Screw/Spring Sockets they also Crushed the Capacitors when they took it apart also found a few screws attached to the speakers cause of magnetism of them. Looked ok on the outside so yes beware. They als stripped the Screw Sockets for X Bracket-Heatsink on the back of the MXM Module. Metal Plate I/O was bent as well. Invertors were damaged missing some from top that were beside the crushed Capacitors.... All while the outside looked fine and hell it even booted fine.....for the sale didnt boot well for long 1 week later weird booting and freezing then i took it apart and discovered all the fun problems

 

$900 is a semi decent price if you know you can suck up the maintenance cost. (which is mostly time ([if get problems like volkov did), not so much parts]. Only GPU tend to go sudden death and cost alot. Say if you are unlucky and replace a 6970m/6990m/580m out of pocket, it would cost around 1.1k . A similar new machine will cost around that.)