Considering a Sager NP6370 - Opinions?

Hi,

I am looking for a new Windows laptop and I am considering the Sager NP6370 through XOTICPC. I want this laptop to last for years, and I was hoping to gain some insight from this forum. I apologize if this is a repetitive type of thread, I looked for a "Pre-Order Configuration Questions" type thread and could not find one. Here is my build:

Configuration:

• 17.3" Sager FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Matte Screen (1920x1080) (SKU - S1R401)
• Sager - 3rd Generation Intel® Ivy Bridge Core™ i7-3630QM (2.4GHz - 3.4GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache, 45W Max TDP) (SKU - S2N224)
• IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
• nVidia GeForce GTX 660M 2,048MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 w/ Optimus Technology (SKU – S3R524)
• 16GB - DDR3 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (SKU - S4S822AP)
• 500gb 7200rpm (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache) - Default (SKU - S5R207)
• Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti DVDRW/CDRW Drive w/ Software (SKU - S7R455)
• Sager - Bigfoot Networks Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 (3x3) (SKU - S8R056)

Subtotal: $1,234.00

Questions:

1) Where does the "second hard drive" go? Would it replace the optical drive?

2) Any general configuration suggestions that you would recommend? Warranty extensions, etc?

I realize there are a few things in my configuration that I could save money on by doing myself. I just plain don't feel comfortable doing any sort of thermal paste application, and as far as the RAM, I only upgraded that to 16GB to put me over the $1,200.00 requirement to receive the $50 discount, so in my mind it's like getting 16GB RAM for less than I would buying it separately.

I apologize if my post seems lengthy, and Thank You in advance to any and all responses.

 

Hey Droks,

This computer has two HDD bays, so the second drive won't replace the ODD, it'll go into it's dedicated spot.

The build looks solid. Something we normally see on a build like this is getting an SSD instead of the mechanical drive if the budget allows it. Maybe remove the RAM upgrade and get the SSD instead. If you have any questions be sure to let me know or hop on over to site and get a chat going with me.

 

That looks nice man. Since you're already in the 1.2k range, perhaps you could look into the NP9150, which starts at $1230. It comes stock with an i7 3610, GTX 670m, and it's upgradeable so you can swap gpus down the road if you want more performance. Either way, you can't go wrong with Xotic... I've ordered 2 laptops from them, and their service is top notch. Enjoy!

 

I like you failwheeldrive. Thanks for the kind words!

 

lol thanks Derek, I like you guys too.

 

Skip the RAM and IC Diamond upgrades. I have one and it is a great laptop, I opted out of the 9170 because of cost. 660M runs games well enough for me.

 

Wow, customer and reseller flirting on the forum. Whatever next? Lol

 

What can I say, we've gotten close since I call and change my order 6 times a day lololol

 

In that case my entire configuration will be swapped around. I was playing around with a SSD + HDD configuration at first but I got confused and thought that I would have to give up the optical drive which is not something that I want to do. Here is the new build:

Configuration:

• 17.3" Sager FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Matte Screen (1920x1080) (SKU - S1R401)
• Sager - 3rd Generation Intel® Ivy Bridge Core™ i7-3630QM (2.4GHz - 3.4GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache, 45W Max TDP) (SKU - S2N224)
• nVidia GeForce GTX 660M 2,048MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 w/ Optimus Technology (SKU – S3R524)
• 8GB - DDR3 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (SKU - S4S423P)
• 128gb Crucial M4 Series Solid State Drive (SSD2 Serial-ATA III) (SKU - S5R061)
• 500gb 7200rpm (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache) (SKU - S6R210)
• Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti DVDRW/CDRW Drive w/ Software (SKU - S7R455)
• Sager - Built-in 802.11 Wireless B/G/N - Stock Wireless Card + Bluetooth™ v3.0 (SKU - S8R110)

Subtotal: $1,179.00

Quick question on the price as I can't go much further without being prompted to create an account - does XOTICPC charge sales tax on Sager models?

This time around, I did not opt for the Thermal Compound application nor the Killer Wireless and also went with the standard 8GB RAM configuration and went for a 128GB SSD/500GB HDD combination.

I realize it is sort of a subjective question, but is the Diamond Thermal Compound worth the $35, and is the Killer Wireless worth the extra $50-60? What kind of temperature differences could I expect to see out of the extra $35? As far as the Killer Wireless - I will be using Ethernet for the most part, sometimes using Wireless - will the stock wireless card provide a solid connection with no issues?

I also took a look at the NP9150 (thanks failwheeldrive) and it looks great but I would really prefer a 17'' laptop.

Thank you very much to everyone for your replies.

 

Hey Droks,

I should have told you to check out the NP9150, it's the 17 inch version of the NP9150. All the good stuff from the 9150 in a big 17 package

As far as tax goes, I think you have to pay tax if you live in Nebraska, but you don't have to if you live anywhere else. The thermal compound is a really good choice, especially if you don't want to open your laptop up and repaste the heatsinks yourself. Normally people skip this option when they want to do it themselves for a little cheaper. People usually see temperature differences of -2 to -5 degrees from a good paste job, sometimes more.. Lots of variables can affect it. I don't have experience with Killer Wireless, but I have heard lots of people recommend it. I have the standard wireless card in my NP6165, and it's fair... I use the laptop from across the house from my wireless router, so my connection isn't great. I wouldn't blame the wireless card, since pretty much any wireless device sucks when I use it on this side of the house lol. When I'm close to the router my speeds are excellent. I guess it's up to you, whether you think you'd use the wireless enough to benefit from it.

 

I would upgrade the WiFi card to either the 6235 or 6300 Intel, you will be able to use Wireless Display then

 

The NP9170, yes? I took a look at that model and the specs are very similar but it costs around $1,300 after the cash discount and the only real upgrade is the 2GB GTX 675M, and that's without an mSATA configuration. I like the fact that the GPU is user serviceable though, however I am not so sure that it accounts for such a price difference.

Thank you for your suggestion.


In any case, I have a few gripes with the NP6370's design. I hate how the Mic is near the Trackpad, it's a small thing but that is how my mind works. That is amongst other things as well, such as the placement of ports and the Trackpad itself. Just the little things that really bother me. I took a look at XOTICPC's video review and it just doesn't seem like the model for me.

I think I am just going to have to enter the 15.6'' market. I was also considering a 17'' MSI GE70 but I have my gripes with that as well - perhaps I am too picky, but in the end this is a large purchase (to me) that I want to keep me content and last for years.

I'm going to look more into the Sager laptop models and see what I can come up with.

 

I agree that the NP9150/70 are pricey, but right now they are both offering the 675m free of charge. Normally its 100$ to upgrade, and it's a great video card. Of course, things start getting much better once you enter the 7970/680m territory, but those upgrades can be done down the road to keep your laptop up to date with software. The upgrade potential alone is worth the price of entry in my opinion. You also get a better cooling system and back lit keyboard, which is a huge plus for some people.

Good luck in your search!

 

I am actually strongly considering the NP9150 now per your mention and have been looking into it. I started a new thread and I would love to hear any insight that you have on that model.

Thanks for all of your help and responses.