Dell 1730 XPS SLI or Sager NP 9262 SLI

Yes, I am a newbie.Hey we all have to start somewhere..lol. But it's really good to hear they both come highly recommended.
Do they offer a first time buyers discount?.LOL
That would be so sweet.

 

It does suck that they both don't have a HDMI option, you would think It would at least be offered on such expensive and high end gaming laptops, but I could live without it.
I can just use my PS3 to play HD movies, but it would probably get ignored for gaming when I get my laptop..lol

 

Gophn thanks for the link,looks like I got a lot of reading and catching up to do.

 

HDMI port is not needed... just get a cheap DVI-HDMI adapter (about $5-15) and you are good to go.

 

Damn, beat me to the punch....I was going say DVI=HDMI....minus the sound of course.

 

Gophn's a strapplin' young dude, he likes to lug things around, extra audio wires, adapters, etc...

 

Actually, I am a college student that is under 130 pounds, with a 20 pound notebook backpack.

 

I got my np8660 (or should I say am getting) from Powernotebooks.com. was very easy, and great customer service, I talked to Donald there for nearly half an hour, very personable, and they won my trust, and support.

 

Is that 130 lbs. with the 20 lbs. backpack included?

Either way, looks like ya got some bulkin' up to do! How tall are ya?

 

Add another 12 pounds for Clevo notebook.lol.

 

~130 lbs without backpack... 5'7"

I have taken martial arts since I was young, and it seems I cannot bulk up, my metabolism is extremely high... as my doctor puts it. Lucky me I guess.

 

Lol, me too! Not a student... but a girl.

On topic, I think if the OP likes the lights of the XPS he should choose it. The Clevo looks plain by comparison (but then colours isn't everything)

 

Agreed. Sort of comes down to whether you like this


or this


keeping in mind that the latter will simply walk all over the likes of the former, like so

 

love it shyster, I also prefer to hide power, modesty is the key

 

Personally I like the fact that the Clevo doesn't scream steal me when people first see it like the Dell, but hey that's just me.Plus I like the rugged looks of the Clevo it looks like it could withstand some abuse.(Not that anybody's gonna be hammering nails with this thing but accidents do happen)While the blinking and flashing LED's look cool for a little while on the DELL I wonder how many users just turn them off after the novelty wears out.When I'm on my laptop gaming I really don't want to see flashing lights like I am at a dance club.
I would prefer power over flash also,not that the DELL isn't a powerful gaming laptop but I'm pretty sure we all agree a Clevo would outperform it .
A backlit keyboard would have been a nice addition on the Clevo as a option.

 

Since i'm a newbie and just recently got into PC gaming,What OS is best for gaming Vista or XP? Which ones 32 or 64 bit? First of all I know most people are going to say XP but I would also like the option of playing games in DX 10 does this offer any significant performance or graphic performance over DX 9?
Vista 32 bit was my first experiance in any OS and i'm pretty comfortable using it.(like I said i'm a newbie).
I have also read reports of people doing a DUAL BOOT of both Vista and XP, Is that hard to do?and How do you switch between OS's? I know some newer games have both options of DX 9 and DX 10, When you pick either options does the game automatically switch between OS's or do you have to do it manually?Sorry for all the dumb questions but I just wanted to through that out there.
I'm leaning more towards Vista 64 bit because I am already familiar with Vista so any opinions would really help.

 

There is no flashing lights on the M1730, has never been flashing lights unless you run a plugin with winamp and the lights beats with the music. I am laughing my ass off here hearing people talk flashing lights. You know there is a difference between just lights that is lit, i.e leds and leds that flash like a disco.

In fact they are not annying at all. At least I can see spot on where the laptop is in the dark and it lits up my room very nicely, not to talk about the lit up keyboard.

 

@IKAS V - I've never done a dual boot myself, but you have to partition the drive, as for how to actually do it, I'm sure there are guides and it's not hard, just takes the time to install. The problem, IMHO, is that when you install software, if you want it on both systems you have to install it twice. Things like movies or videos wouldn't be a problem, but office and games would be. But, if you wanted to only run games on XP and whatever else on Vista, no problem.

 

Exactly. I have all my leds turned off, I use them for showing off only
But the illuminated keyboard is unbelieveble..it's just perfect for night time.
But I sure would`ve liked a Quad

If you want performance, go either XP 32 bit(best gaming OS) or Vista 64(getting close).

 

A backlight keyboard would be a very nice option to have available; whenever I get up very early, or stay up very late, I've usually got to keep the lights off (aah, the wonders of a NYC apartment ), so a lit keyboard would be key 'cause right now I have to tilt the screen over so it illuminates the keys, which makes the screen itself almost unviewable.

 

I`ll wait until it gets dark and I`ll take pics of the spaceship and of the illuminated keyboard to enlighten the feeble minds

 

It's really easy just follow one of these guides..

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_vista_and_xp_with_vista_installed_first__the_stepbystep_guide.htm

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dualboot_vista_with_xp__stepbystep_guide_with_screenshots.htm

You chose which OS you want to use when you start up the computer. Then it stays the same until you make a restart. You can play some games in DX9 mode even if your're using vista. This option doesn't change the OS. It's just to get a slightly better frame rate since it's less demanding. (I guess..)

Good Luck

 

You guys are the best.
Thanks! And i will be looking for those pictures Eleron911.
Do you really have a Porshe ?VERY NICE!

 

The D901C is nice in the fact that with the ICH8 chipset you have a ton of different options. I had 3 separate customers order identical systems Vista 64 and XP Pro. They ordered 2 hard drives and had very specific requirements. They wanted the OS's completely separate in case of failure.

So yes, you can partition one (or multiple) drive(s) and use a boot manager to handle your different OS's, or install one to each drive seperately. One of the nice features of the D901C is that with a quick F2 to the BIOS setup at boot, you can switch between the boot drives and boot to one of the completely separate encapsulated OS's or the other. It brings bullet-proof to the next level. You may give this consideration.

 

I took some pics , I`m posting the ones of the unit with lights in the room for refference and then without it.

 

WOW! Killer that's great news.
Thanks for the info, I guess you just have to buy both OS,
most come with the actual disc right.
Do you need different drivers for both OS? or do you use the same one?

 

Here's a pic with temps for those naysayers...
About the OS, Vista and Xp use different drivers, which can easily be found on Dell`s site.

 

Very,very nice eleron911, your not making this decision any easier.
Backlit keyboard looks awesome.

 

Ok. The backlit keyboard is fantastic - that ought to become a standard option on every notebook. However, it's particularly appropos on this one because, and don't take it personal Eleron911, but that keyboard is u-u-ugly in normal lighting conditions. The other lighting effects, well, let's just say that they're not to my taste (remember, folks, taste is subjective, so what I like don't mean squat if it ain't what you like).

 

Well, I did not take pro-pictures, it was on auto settings. But trust me when I say this, backlit keyboard IS A MUST for people sharing space with others
And I really love this feature,however , I turn all the other LEDs off.

 

Wasn't there someone who posted a couple of months back about trying to rig up a DIY keyboard backlighting system? That's the sort of thing that I would find so very useful that I'd be willing to jury-rig it myself if I had some pointers and guidance on doing it.

 

A DYI would most certainly increase inside temps. I'll take the laptop apart one day and you`ll see what I mean.
But then again, I so rarely use the onboard keyboard,I rather NOT TOUCH the laptop.
That's why there's a napkin over it in the pics...I`m obsessed, I know

 

To some degree, I suppose, although the keyboard is usually separated from the interior of the case so, provided that the bulbs themselves were insulated from the metal backing sheet for the keyboard, I doubt if the lights would increase internal temps much since you wouldn't be adding that much additional heat, and the interior doesn't rely on radiative cooling so the increased temperature of the keyboard itself wouldn't impede the transfer of heat out of the system. You could also, I suppose, find light sources that emitted as little heat as possible - no need for wonking big incandescents or hi-intensity halogens.

 

The problem with laptops is that most of them are designed to vent air between keys also. Add a heating component there, and so much for that. Hot air is denser than cold air, but the keyboard would hold it as a net, therefore increasing the ammount of heat in the chassis.
We are talking of course of a few degrees at most.But still, I fear that it does increase the temps..
I`ll try it tomorrow and see.

 

Not sure if there is much room inside a laptop keyboard for this, but if I were to attempt it, I would use this guide as start to get an idea on how I would do it. EL wire produces practically no heat as well. The biggest problem you will run into though is where to put the inverter that powers the lights. I guess you could just tape it to the outside of the case somewhere There is also EL tape, which is what may actually be feasible for lighting a lappy keyboard. Again it has an inverter that is not small, about a one inch cube.

 

You'll need different drivers for the two OS. I don't think this will cause you any trouble.

 

???? Huh????

 

the keyboard in the 1730 is solid there is no venting in it.. i have it out of the system and the led's are built inside the keyboard itself

 

Cool guide; thanks for the link! Since the entire endeavour requires an extra helping of creative thinking, there's almost surely a way to stuff that inverter in somewheres, even if it requires a little dremeling and whatnot.

If I really feel adventurous, I just may take a shot at this on my Vaio - once I get a replacement for it, that is.

EDIT: Reality always ends up being stranger than we imagine; however, last I checked, hot air was still less dense than cold air - except in Congress, where those with the most hot air tend to be the densest of people.

 

:laugh: more like foul/polluted air!

 

You have to acquire both OS's then install them, one to each drive.

• Have your two hard drives installed
• Install the first OS (say XP Pro)
• You will need to install all your drivers and programs you want to use while within XP Pro
• When you are ready to install your second OS, reboot, hit F2 to enter setup
• Change the Boot Device Order to set your second hard drive to boot first
• Install your second OS (say Vista)
• You need to install all your Vista drivers and programs you want to run within VIsta
• Any time you want to boot between the two use the F2 and change the boot order of the disks

This is two completely different OS's, so think of the drives as two separate computers. Drivers, programs, desktop any user settings will be exclusive to each drive/OS.

Data can be stored on either drive and accessed. This would be movies, MP3's, save games, pictures spreadsheets/work junk... whatever. Ideally, the data could go on a third drive OR better yet, a third drive utilized with backup software on each OS to back-up pertinent data from each drive in case of failure. So the data is on the drive with the OS and backed up on the 3'rd drive.

Another way to do it would be the RAID1 array partitioned with the two OS's, problem being that Vista wants to control everything and once that even starts to get messed up it seems to always spiral out of control rather quickly. If you are using XP Pro for work, and Vista for your DX-10 gaming this strategy could be something for you.

Another thing is that people automatically assume that a RAID1 array is a backup which it is not. If data is corrupted and written, it is going to be duplicated to the second drive and both data streams will be garbage. RAID1 kind of goes back to the old adage, "Nothing can be made foolproof because fools are such an ingenious group of people." It's a great system but not without its limitations.

 

Thank's Killer!
I just sent your co. a E-mail with a few questions.
Sorry it took so long but I finally realized your tag wasn't your name but an actual retailer of the Odachi/Clevo(DUH!,sometimes I am really slow)
You have some very nice option's that other retailers do not offer(Quad Core 9650)and the Laptops in your gallery look amazing!
VERY NICE website by the way, I was extremely impressed.Hey any chance you guys offer any first time buyers discount/promotional offers?

 

Thanks, I like to do every customization I can and really view it as an art form. Right now I am trying out a different carbon fiber customization process that should take that to the next level.

The site is in desperate need of some updating, I have some graphics I threw together to change the look and feel of it to be something very different. If you go to the site and from the root put in /new_interface.html you can see some mock-ups. I am very open to suggestions/comments vvia PM or email. It is mocked up with tables so it works like it should in Firefox, but not in IE right now. It will be CSS and work in both when done.

 

Right, that's why it raises above.
I should stop posting after 1 AM

 

Killer you are awesome! How do you like my new Avatar..LOL
Thank you so much.
I am always amazed at how nice and informative everybody is on this site.
Now that I know how my laptop is going to be configured (pretty much)the only question is do I wait for the GTX SLI that's hopefully coming out very soon.
I almost forgot I can't wait to see how your system is going to be all pimped out at the Notebook shoot out..LOL.You have to show us some pic's and post the specs soon.
You guys can't begin testing them soon enough(GTX SLI),maybe you are right to wait.But I would really like to get a laptop as soon as possible.
THANKS AGAIN KILLER!

 

Your avatar looks good. I wish I could get the 9800 GTX Sli to send in for the review unit to just blow the doors off everyone else. Unfortunately, this contest comes just three weeks before the GTX is due out

Anyone interested can follow along on this thread.

 

Cant wait to see what your results are in the competition.
When exactly is it?
GOOD LUCK!
Just want to also add the newer graphics on your site look great so far.Good Job!

 

cant wait to see this lappy beat the pants of the competitors!! go the 9262!!

 

To KillerNotbooks:
What kind of benchmarks can we expect from a 9800 M GT in SLI with a Q9650?
Some 3DMARK06 scores would really be nice.
Also on your website you sort of say that a 1900x1200 resolution screen is not really needed for gaming.(I am guessing you really cant tell the difference from the 1680x1050 screen.)
1.If get the 1900x1200 screen can you adjust it to a lower resolution?(Say 1680x1050 or even 1400X900)
2. It says you ship orders within 10 days.Does that include the Odachi?
I have read on some other sites that 901C is back ordered. Tell me it's not true.

 

What raid set up is best for backup safety and added performance? 2-3 hard drives? can you get a Raid 1 set up with 3 Hard drives?How about Raid 5?I know you need 3 Hard drives for it and the performance is slightly slower than other Raid configurations, is it worth it?
My newbie brain is about to explode!
I keep getting different answers when i google it so any help would be greatly appreciated.