The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Clevo/Sager deals

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by drmiller21, Sep 4, 2012.

  1. drmiller21

    drmiller21 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    This will be my first laptop purchase. I've been a technician for almost 4 years now, so i know how to build, troubleshoot, and all that jazz. I'm in between buying the NP9130 and the NP9150. I'm leaning more in the direction of the NP9130, as this computer will be more for gaming leisurely/on the go. I already have a good desktop for running on ULTRA HIGH settings. The reason I'm here is when is the best time to buy? I know they are running 16GB ram and the HDD upgrades for free. Is this a normal promotion that they run a lot or something that is pretty rare? Are they known for having better deals around black Friday/holiday times? I've been looking at all the resellers, and they all look like they run the same specials/prices. Any help and info is always appreciated!
     
  2. Renaissance 2K

    Renaissance 2K Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    43
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Get ready to facepalm.

    Most sources I've read recommend buying a laptop in August because that's when most manufacturers and resellers have their Back to School sales. The promotion you cited is one such example.

    If you find a site that's still holding that promotion, I'd jump on it ASAP because it's about to be retired until the next big promotional period rolls around. I imagine Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving in the USA) would be the next best time to check.
     
  3. Support.3@XOTIC PC

    Support.3@XOTIC PC Company Representative

    Reputations:
    1,268
    Messages:
    7,186
    Likes Received:
    1,002
    Trophy Points:
    331
    The back to school specials are still going but we dont know for how much longer. Sager doenst run many specials so when they're up you do want to take advantage of them.
     
  4. drmiller21

    drmiller21 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks for the Info guys! I might be contacting Xotic tonight to price one out.
     
  5. extide

    extide Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    296
    Messages:
    701
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You may also be interested in the W150ER and the W350ET systems, they have the 650m and 660m respectively and are a bit smaller, have a smaller power supply and whatnot. They are more meant for general computing versus specific gaming, and are also a bit cheaper. They, however, have non-upgradeable GPU's, so if that is not an issue for you then they are worth a look!
     
  6. drmiller21

    drmiller21 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    The biggest selling point for me on the Sager NP9130 / Clevo P151EM1 is how it's built. I like the fans and video/ac ports in the back of the computer. And this will be mainly for gaming both playing and creating (low end creating)
     
  7. drmiller21

    drmiller21 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I think i've made my decisions and im ready to buy... How much trouble is it to do the 3% back deal? What is your experiences with it. How much longer, generally does it take to get your product? I'm on the fence about just paying the %3 or not. Thanks for any info/comments!

    Also would you opt for the 500GB Hybrid Drive or the 750GB Drive? Do you get a noticeable performance increase with the hybrid drive?
     
  8. Kiol

    Kiol Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    23
    Messages:
    200
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    If you can afford it, get a real SSD for the OS/main apps and an the 750GB HDD( free at the moment ) for mass storage

    There is a huge difference in loading times with SSD.

    My iPod takes longer to boot
     
  9. tommytomatoe

    tommytomatoe Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    59
    Messages:
    579
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I paid via bank wire. This pushed my build time an extra three or four days. Also, my bank charged a hefty few for the wire, so my 3% savings was more like 1.5% savings lol.

    Next time I do this I might opt to overnight a money order or do it electronically. This will be cheaper than bank wire. :)

    Bank wires take time to clear so it can be anywhere from 3 days to a week. You can, however, get your build started by using a credit card to authorize the amount due. They will cancel this hold on your account once the cash gets there. This will expedition the build process if you are in a hurry :)

    Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
     
  10. Support.3@XOTIC PC

    Support.3@XOTIC PC Company Representative

    Reputations:
    1,268
    Messages:
    7,186
    Likes Received:
    1,002
    Trophy Points:
    331
    Bank wires will add a few days for it to clear. As tommytomatoe mentioned you will have to pay any fees the bank charges so check with them for those. You can also send an check/money order but most resellers do have a clearing time for those which will also add time to the build. If you're not in a hurry to get the computer its a good way to save a few bucks but if you want it faster its better to use a card to pay.
    Some resellers will have ways to speed up that clearing time so do ask about those possibilities.
     
  11. drmiller21

    drmiller21 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks for all your help Hutsady! Do you guys make commission on laptop sales? If so ill contact you directly if not ill jut place the order online
     
  12. Support.3@XOTIC PC

    Support.3@XOTIC PC Company Representative

    Reputations:
    1,268
    Messages:
    7,186
    Likes Received:
    1,002
    Trophy Points:
    331
    You're very welcome, feel free to get ahold of me when ready to place the order and i'll be happy to help you finish it out. Email, phone, or live chat works great.
     
  13. C:\TEMP

    C:\TEMP Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Actually the back-to-school promotion is keeping me from buying a Sager right now... What do you want with 16GB RAM and 750GB HDD? I can't imagine myself using more than 8GB of RAM and 320GB HDD is already more than enough for me.

    I wish I could get a discount if I don't select the extra RAM and HDD upgrade... That would be a lot better IMO :rolleyes:
     
  14. extide

    extide Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    296
    Messages:
    701
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Lol, 16GB of ram will make your computer faster, especially if you don't have an SSD, as all that "extra" ram will be put to use as disk cache and speed up your system. The prices won't get lower, I would buy it now, as when the sale is over you will still pay the same but just get less.
     
  15. C:\TEMP

    C:\TEMP Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    The current Autumn Savings is what I was talking about... a discount without RAM and HDD upgrade. Now I can have 680M and pay $100 less :D
     
  16. Zymphad

    Zymphad Zymphad

    Reputations:
    2,321
    Messages:
    4,165
    Likes Received:
    355
    Trophy Points:
    151
    For me, no matter what combination of promotion or deals other resellers or builders had, Larry at LPC-Digital gave me the best deal. And he is quick to replay either email or by phone. He's replied to me on email I know when it was 2 AM his time.

    Just ask him about his maximum discount. He'll beat the price of any Sager discount/promotion. And even though Xotic-PC sometime add non-Sager deals/promotions to Sager since they are Asus/MSI/Alienware reseller also, Larry was still able to beat the price for me. Just the best overall deal I thought.
     
  17. Jamesy_

    Jamesy_ Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks for the suggestion to look at the W150ER (NP6165) and the W350ET (NP6350). I was looking at a 150EM (NP9150) for Photoshop and Lightroom [No gaming] and systems you mention seem like they might fit the bill nicely. I doubt the non-upgradable GPU would be an issue.

    Any thoughts on consdiering the lesser models? I would go for an SSD and spinner along with a DVD drive.

    Also, I notice you are using the Vertex 512 - what are your thoughts on that drive - it is the one I am considering.
     
  18. Support.3@XOTIC PC

    Support.3@XOTIC PC Company Representative

    Reputations:
    1,268
    Messages:
    7,186
    Likes Received:
    1,002
    Trophy Points:
    331
    If you're not going to be gaming the NP6350 will be a really good option. The two hard drive bays makes it great for Photoshop so you can do the SSD and HDD set up and still keep your ODD. The biggest advatage you'll see from the NP9150 is the backlit keyboard.
    For SSD's we always recommend the Intel 520 series as they have top read/write times but also hear good things about Samsung, Crucial, and the Vertex drives.
     
  19. Jamesy_

    Jamesy_ Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks Hutsady - is the back-lit keyboard to literally see the keys in a dark environment? Is the 9150 the only one that has that feature out of NP6165/6350/9130/9150?

    BTW, I am in the same boat as the OP. Is Black Friday or Christmas or January the best time to buy if I am not in a hurry?
     
  20. Support.3@XOTIC PC

    Support.3@XOTIC PC Company Representative

    Reputations:
    1,268
    Messages:
    7,186
    Likes Received:
    1,002
    Trophy Points:
    331
    You're welcome. Yes thats exactly what its for, plus with the 6 different colors it just looks cool.
    It is the only 15.6" model that has it.
    While its typical for there to be sales for the holidays they probably wont be much better if at all then the Autumn sale currently going on. We wont know until that time of year and we see whats offered.
     
  21. Jamesy_

    Jamesy_ Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Any thoughts on revamped system offerings surrounding the launch of Windows 8? Any anticipated deals with respect to that?
     
  22. Support.3@XOTIC PC

    Support.3@XOTIC PC Company Representative

    Reputations:
    1,268
    Messages:
    7,186
    Likes Received:
    1,002
    Trophy Points:
    331
    Not much coming down the pipes. The next thing we'll probably see is a CPU refresh of the current line but it will still be a Ivy Bridge, but its not anything specifically coinciding with the launch or Windows 8, just a refresh as Intel typically does a few times with their CPU's. Usually not a huge change either.
     
  23. extide

    extide Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    296
    Messages:
    701
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The Vertex 4 is pretty good, quite fast. However now the Samsung 840 Pro is at the 'top of the heap'. It should be available around October 15th, so I would suggest getting that drive specifically.
     
  24. amirfoox

    amirfoox Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    260
    Messages:
    626
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Wow, reading those reviews, the 840 is a beast - perfect sequential reads/writes as usual, but so much higher when it comes to random read/writes that it jumped to the head of the class. I would feel really bummed right now that I got the 830 just a few months ago, except I use FancyCache which ups these statistics by 10 (I'm talking about thousands, here, way off the charts) and yet I only see 1-2 seconds of actual usage difference between people that don't use it.

    So all in all, this is getting a tad ridiculous ;)