Considering Sager 8170... Feedback Request

All,

I'm considering the Sager 8170 built around the HD6990 and i7-2670. I had a few questions that I was hoping the group could help me with. This rig will be used for anything between browsing to heavy gaming.

1) How is Sager these days in terms of reliability compared to brands like Alienware and Asus?

2) I've heard there was temperature concerns with the HD6990. How is the cooling on the 8170? Does it keep temps cool? How is the fan noise when idle, browsing and gaming with the HD6990 installed?

3) I see several screen options available. How does the stock screen perform?

4) For those who have or have had Sager notebooks, how has your ownership experience been?

5) Are the Sager extended warranties a good idea? What about pixel performance plans?

Thanks in advance!

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...607872-clevo-sager-notebook-review-index.html

Find the review for the notebook that you want and check out the Owner's Lounge.

 

To OP, I have an Asus g73 with 5870m, it had a lot of poeple on here complaining of issues, but I have had mine for over a year and a half, and not 1 issue yet.

I also bought a Sager about 8 months ago brand new off of Craigslist from an employee of Sager. I love it. Again, not one issue. I didn't get an extended warranty, nor pixel protection, but it has been great and I love it. I have the stock screen and it works well for me, even in daylight out on my porch.

I read about heat issues on the 5870m's and the 6870m's, and the 6990m's, but I think that there are a lot of people that come on here knowing there are many people with a lot of knowledge that can help. I am also of the belief that people with issues will come on here for answers, and that people that have no issues will simply play and work with their laptop, instead of coming on here to say how happy they are.

I love my Asus, I love my Sager. One has the AMD card, one has the NVid card. Both have been great for a long time now. I can't comment on AW, but I would have no hesitation buying either a Sager or Asus lappy again. And if you do have an issue, simply RMA it.

 

1- Quality is very good, but your best bet is to treat it properly, no drops dings or bangs.

2- Cooling is pretty good, if you want you can always get a 3rd party notebook cooler, it's a great investment.

3- Stock performs very well, if you get the upgrades it's just added eye candy on an otherwise sweet cake.

4- Currently working on a 4 year old Sager, knock on wood it's running great, except the battery, doesn't last longer than 30 minutes, but i'm always plugged in anyways.

5- Warranties including the pixel warranty is purely ease of mind, only you can make the call on that. If you normally get extended warranties on electronics then it should be an easy answer for you. Most lemons will be obvious within few months of ownership which is well inside the warranty period.

 

I'm loving mine. It's quiet and cool. I like how it's so customizable too.

 

1) How is Sager these days in terms of reliability compared to brands like Alienware and Asus?

I bought my 8170 and it was my first sager. very happy with it, and I feel more confident with a gaming laptop that's not made by dell. i've had bad luck with their pc's in the past.

2) I've heard there was temperature concerns with the HD6990. How is the cooling on the 8170? Does it keep temps cool? How is the fan noise when idle, browsing and gaming with the HD6990 installed?

The fans do bug me i'm not gonna lie, but other than that my tempts have been great with my 6990m and i bought the cooling paste for 40$ which def seems worth it. i never get temps to even 80c, but my house temp is quite cold.

3) I see several screen options available. How does the stock screen perform?
I have the stock screen and its not bad at all, though heavy glare with bad lighting or outside.

4) For those who have or have had Sager notebooks, how has your ownership experience been?
so far so good.

5) Are the Sager extended warranties a good idea? What about pixel performance plans?

i didn't buy anything, my screen came in looking great so no worries there. i'm happy with the one year plan.

 

See my sig for a full review.

In terms of fan noise... I can barely hear it but that's just me.

Only had my sager about a week so cant comment on longevity, but so regrets thus far.