College: NP8660 (M860TU) or NP5796 [similar configurations]

Hello. This is my first post though I’ve been a lurker for a few months now. I’m buying a computer for college and gaming is a big priority for me. However, since it’ll be used in a college/dorm environment it needs to be as portable as possible.

I’ve narrowed it down to the NP5796, a dream computer except for its lack of portability, and the NP8660, which has portability but…other drawbacks (I’ll get to this in a bit).

I’ve split this into three sections:
1. The builds I’m considering
2. analysis of these builds
3. the pro’s and con’s of the two laptop models

And now, without further adieu…

Sager NP8660 (Built on Clevo M860TU) PRE ORDER
- 15.4" WUXGA "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Screen (1920x1200)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® P9500 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9800M GT DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- None Standard
- ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires Vista 64-Bit to recognize Full 4GB)
- 2GB Intel® Robson Turbo Memory II
- Standard Finish
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 500GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 8MB Cache)
- None Standard
- None Standard
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
- None Standard
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- None Standard
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carying Case Optional (Select if desired)
- Spare Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- None Standard
- None Standard
- None Standard
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- None Standard
- None Standard
- ~Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- None Standard
- None Standard
- 3 Year Parts/Labor Warranty 24/7 Tech Support w/ LCD Accidental Damage Protection
$2,948.00


OR……


Sager NP5796 Custom Notebook (Built on Clevo M570TU)
- 17" WUXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1920x1200)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® P9500 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9800M GT DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- None Standard
- ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires Vista 64-Bit to recognize Full 4GB)
- 2GB Intel® Robson Turbo Memory II
- NP579x Orange Frame Trim Color
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 500GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 8MB Cache)
- None Standard
- None Standard
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
- None Standard
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- None Standard
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Spare Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- None Standard
- None Standard
- None Standard
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- None Standard
- None Standard
- ~Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- None Standard
- None Standard
- 3 Year Parts/Labor Warranty 24/7 Tech Support w/ LCD Accidental Damage Protection
$2,988.0


According to some benchmarks I’ve seen (and the extended thread about it http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=272659) the differences between the 8800M GTX, 9800 GT, and 9800 GTX are rather insignificant (a few fps is nothing in my book http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9800M-GTX.9919.0.html).

Thus I’ve decided not to wait for the 9800 GTX for the NP5796. I’m sticking with the 9800 GT for either the NP8660 (M860TU) or NP5796, depending on which one wins out here. This is also because I’d have left for college by the time the 9800 GTX is released (August 22).

As far as CPU’s are concerned I’ve chosen the Intel® P9500 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt for added battery life (25w is great). From what I’ve read, the speed of my CPU won’t effect boost my framerates after a certain point and I think 2.53GHz should be the sweet spot for the 2.5-3 years I plan to use this machine. What do you folks think about this? Will I be sufficiently future-proofed with this CPU?

4gb of memory is standard these days but here comes the problem: I’ve heard that the drivers for vista-64 are frusteratingly bad. I don’t want this to cripple my gaming experience but my only alternative that still allows me to use DX10 in games is vista 32, and that sacrifices half my ram…

Intel’s updates to turbo memory II look promising so I threw that in.

Blu-ray doesn’t intimidate me so it ain’t worth the extra $500.

A big harddrive seems like a boon on a laptop of this caliber (I’ve only owned desktops) and I read somewhere that the 320gb 5400 rpm harddrive is just as good/fast as a 160gb 7200rpm harddrive without using as much energy. I took this comment to its logical extent and gotten the largest internal drive available: 500GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 8MB Cache). What do you folks think? Should I switch to a 7200rpm harddrive even though it’ll suck more battery life (which I’ll need for lectures and general mobile use at college)?

I’m getting a spare battery for the abovementioned reason.

The warranty is, well, for insurance. I’ve never had a laptop so, though I’ve custom built my own desktop, I’m hesitant to start futzing with the innards of a laptop. Has anyone had experience with Xotic PC’s warranty/ had their laptop break and sent it to Xotic PC’s people for repair?


I’m sorry for the extra long post but this is quite a purchase for me so it’d mean a lot if you could help me make this final choice.

Here’s where it gets tough deciding between the two models (NP8660 (M860TU) or NP5796 in case you forgot).

Pro’s and Cons of the NP8660 (M860TU):

- small
- relatively lightweight
- same specs as the NP5796 = same in-game performance?
- screen size kind of irrelevant b/c I’ll be using a 22” external monitor.

Yet,

- small screen size is bad for gaming on the go
- if this is anything like the chasse the m15x is based on, I **fear HEAT ISSUES**
- the touchpad looks worse than the NP5796’s
- no numpad
- overall, looks cheaper
- won’t know specifics about overall feel until reviews come out after Aug 8th (cutting it too close to the time I’m departing for college)


Pro’s and Cons of the NP5796:

- decently large screen for LAN parties and mobile gaming
- beautiful design (orange and black are two of my favorite colors)
- runs cool, not hot (as proved by reviews of the old NP5793 model)
- purchasable before Aug. 8th

Yet,

- heavy
- loud?
- Bulky
- More expensive
- Less battery life than NP8660?

I don’t particularly want to lug around anything heavier than is necessary, yet I want my laptop to serve as a useful auxiliary monitor for when I connect it to the 22” that I’ll game on. I also want to be proud of my laptop’s aesthetic (its tough to be a PC guy in the college world of Apple fanboys).

Now that I’ve bored you to death with my fortunate troubles, I’d really appreciate it if you could advise me on which to purchase here. I’m not looking for simple votes, but lines of concrete reasoning and logic to convince me (or attempt to convince me) which purchase would be best for a person in my predicament. Thank you ahead of time for helping me out.



Oh, and I’m looking into educational pricing from Xotic PC…

 

I'm in the same situation and would like to know the same thing... good post, haha. Similarly I'd like some answers from people who have experienced both a 15.4" and 17" for gaming/transportation.

 

I don't think you are gonna appreciate my comment, but anyway:
1) most important, don't ever game any time from monday through friday! (unless you have 130+ IQ)
2) don't imagine carrying it in your backpack, because it will full of 20-30lb worth of books
3) 5796 - too heavy to carry via notebook bag
4) NP8660 - screen is too small for entertainment
5) less of 10 students in a 100 people class use notebook, pencil and paper are much better and faster. those who use laptops are either IM'ing or gaming (unfortunately i am one of them)

=> so I'll say go for 5796, and spend $400 more for an Asus EEE if you absolutely need a laptop for classes.
ps. I had 5793, 15.4" macbook pro, and sony UX230P at the same time last semester.

 

the 15.4 inch is perfect for gaming on the go and the clevo builds ussually have good cooling. if ur going to be gaming then the touchpad isn't gonna do much as a mouse is required for gaming.

 

battery life is going to suck for both of them, so i wouldn't count on using a laptop for the whole day. I once thought that I'd take my laptop to class and take notes with it, but that lasted all of a day. When I did use my laptop was in the library to work on homework, or even game when I had a break. To the person that said don't game monday-friday, I say do. It'll help you relax and give your brain a much needed break, just be careful of how much you play. If it affects your study time then you need to be responsible and cut it out. wow, i sound like an old man in this post.

I'm in a similar boat as the op though. I like 15.4 laptops cause they are more portable, but since I never really take my laptop anywhere anymore, I'm leaning to the 5796. If the 8660 was lighter/thinner, I'd get it in a heartbeat though. Performance wise, they will be the same, but the 5796 should stay cooler.

 

I use my laptop for college. For me, smaller is better. As long as it can fit in my backpack's laptop sleeve, weight is negligible. I used to carry 8.2 pound 15.4" laptop, and only got rid of it because it didn't run Electronic Workbench and AutoCad (simultaneously with other programs) to my liking.

I'd go for the NP8660.

 

Battery life will be about 1 1/2 hours.
The dimensions and weight are not really that different. The 860TU weighs about 1lb less. 1" shorter in length, Thicker in height, and .9" shorter in depth. So not really that much smaller. There is only 1 fan for the 860TU and to cool what the 5796 does in 2 fans, you can expect it to be louder. The 860TU if the eta from sager is correct will start shipping the week of the 18th so it might be very close to your college move in date.

 

Take that Densa!

...Wait, are we talking Stanford-Binet or Cattell IQ scales?

 

The NP8660 is best for college due to the size. I don't know what college you are going to but if your school is like mine there are power out lites everywhere so battery life for me isn't a problem. Take a look around your classroom i bet you can find one.

Now heres the problem. The np8660 still does not have an exact date on when it is being released. Myself along with many others have been told late July or early August. I can honestly say that i am in a bad spot if the shipping date gets pushed back.

The NP5796 is kinda big but due able. I mean its all personal preference. If you are like me and are used to carrying around a 20 pound sometimes more backpack then i don't see the problem. The upside to a heavy back pack is you don't have to hit the gym after eating a pizza. But thats beside that point.

Go Np8660 if your willing to take a chance with the shipping date.

this might not be a computer u were looking at but from what i am reading the m15x's new bios helped alot of people. So that might be an option. +stealth mod is nice.

good luck
JGR

 

Are you sure thats the right date Minkang? I thought it was the 8th

 

They're released to the resellers on the 8th, but have to be built to your specs, tested and shipped.

 

well its 3-7 days with Xoticpc so at the latest 15th it ships.

 

XoticPC has their systems built and shipped by Sager so they should be able to get it out within 2 or 3 days at the most I would think, maybe like the 11'th.

 

Good to know, KillerNotebooks.

 

I called up sager when i was comtemplating between the 5796 and the 8660 and they told me that they would receive it by friday the 8th if all goes according to schedule. Skip sat and sunday, they only operate on weekdays. They said they would need 2-3 days for system testing since this is a completely new unit and that they would start production after that. So your looking at the end of that week for building/testing to finish which is Friday the 15th. Again skip sat and sun since they dont operate and ups doesnt do deliveries on weekends. So the 18th is the next business day it should be up and shipping. This is if nothing gets pushed back.

 

just to play devil's advocate here, some good points were made about size/weight. I am used to carrying a heavy backpack so that might not be such an issue (though lighter is always better). Does anyone have experience with both a 17" and 15" laptop and could they post their opinion, as far as screen size goes? Is 15" doable or should one really go for the 17" for the bare minimum (obviously larger is better here but this is all cost/benefit analysis. so, yeah)?

EDIT: also could those of you who've posted opinion's but not voted please vote. It'll be easier for me to keep track of the tallied opinions that way.

 

you have fully thought this out... i should of done the same

 

Forget weight. The problem with 17" is that it's bulky. How are you going to take notes with a 17" notebook in class if you can barely fit it on a small desk?

Gaming with a 15" notebook isn't bad. I'm using a 15" notebook right now, and the screen's plenty big enough. My only problem is the integrated 945gm in my Acer Aspire 5610 [with an extra 1 GB ram! That makes 2 GBs! OMFG!)] *just* isn't beefy enough to play Half-Life 2 on high.

 

The 8660 is thicker than the 5796, and isnt longer by much. The 8660 is bigger than the m15x, and the m15x was only a tad bit smaller than the m17x which is a bit bigger than then the 5796. So if the 8660 is bigger than the 15x and the 17x > 5796 then the size difference between the 5796 and 8660 isn't big.

 

the 8860 may be bigger at its highest point, but you have to put it into consideration that its also thinner at the front. the m15x is the same thickness all the way through.

and roderigo, i have a 15inch 7lb laptop in my backpack and its fine. i think heavier with books and stuff may become cumbersome.

 

Thats why you need a good book bag a comfortable book bag will make it so much more easier.

 

i have my swissgear ibex backpack. its a good bag.
I carry ALOT of books and a wacom tablet so my opinion may be a bit weighed down (pun intended)

 

I have a bit of the same dilemma, but I'm going with the NP5796. Having a 17" screen is awesome, and size and weight probably won't matter that much because, after all, we won't take our notebooks to class every day. Maybe once a week, so then some extra weight is a small nuisance.
Oh, and having an internal numeric keyboard is a big plus (I'm studying engineering: so that means loads of numbers )

 

After taking yet another look at the pics for the NP5796, it occurred to me that the design of the bottom of the case is meant to ensure airflow, yet is it at all comfortable to use in your lap?

The NP8660 model has a more streamlined bottom which looks more comfortable than the oddly structured NP5796.

What do you folks think?



EDIT: Also, am I correct in thinking that the:

500GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 8MB Cache) harddrive is less battery intensive yet still as fast as the 7200rpm alternative (320GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache).

will that 8mb cache make such a big difference in multitasking and gaming?

 

hey rodriigo, i think as long as you have it in silent mode or in low usage, you dont have to worry about the vents being stuck because of your lap covering it up.

i would say the 17inch would be the more bothersome because of the fact that it is heavier, thats all.

 

Helios, I'm not bothered about covering vents and stuff, I'm talking about the actual physical case structure on the bottom of the NP5796. its built kinda wavy, not flat like the NP8660. Actually, more like steps than waves. I'm afraid that that'll be uncomfortable along with those rather ominous looking rubber nubs in the rear corners of the case.

 

Using a laptop on your laptop is usually not the smartest thing to do... Not very healthy: better to use it on a flat and hard surface at all times.
But I wouldn't know if the physical design is bothersome; ask an owner

As for the 500 GB hard drive, the current versions consume MORE batttery life and are SLOWER than 320 GB 7200 RPM drives. So unless you really need the extra storage, go with the 320 GB alternatives.

 

Extra heat on your laps cause of the laptop = bad for your sperm count and quality, just little to consider.

If the price doesn't matter much and you are going to use it on the go a lot and you are going to use an external monitor anyway, then I see no point in not getting a 15.4". In fact I am probably going to, though price had a large part on my decision.

 

hey there, once i have this issue a very long time ago, either going with the 17" or the 15.4" and in the end i choose 15.4"(M15x)!! this is a first-hand experience

A very good reason is that i always carry my notebook everywhere on college due to doing A LOT OF ASSIGNMENT. The 15" is a very good portable for gaming on the go and since you yourself wanted to carry it to a lecture or classes it will help you a lot having a 15" notebook. Plus i can pack more book on my targus voyager backpack and my body arent that tough to carry a 17" notebook lolz..

I got a friend which carry around a 17" notebook for only a week and later he just give up and put his notebook in the dorm (which after 2 months was stolen ) because it was too heavy carry, his other books wont fit and when he open his notebook, it attracted a lot of attention (especially the lecturer lols)....

Once you play games on the 15" you will get used to it and feel very comfortable on it.... and its true that 17" are much better for gaming AND watching movie!!! but you have to think about other stuff; will you be able to gaming a lot during your semester?? The most important thing is study come first...

In the end; the NP8860 is a great portable gaming laptop on the go with a great price on it while as the NP5796 would look heavy/bulky but if you have problem carrying it around then there will be a problem in the near future (back pain, lol)

 

1920x1200 is a pretty high native res for a 15.4in screen. I'd recommend the 1680x1440. Easier on the eyes, easier to game in native resolution at a decent frame rate.