Few Quesion's About Sager NP8662

Hi guys,
I'm thinking on buying the NP8662 because it seems as if its the best laptop out now, however i'm a bit noobish when it comes to this, so any help answering my questions will be appreciated :

1- I've heard that you can customize Sagers, but which exact parts can i upgrade? (Other than RAM and hard drive). Is it possible to easily replace the processor or even the GPU? Also what about the optical drive? Can i customize it with a DVD burner, and then replace it with a bluray drive in the future?

2- What resolution would be better? 1680x1050 or 1920x1200? I know the obvious answer will be the latter (Full HD ), but i've never used either resolutions before, and would like to know if the 1920x1200 will be a great upgrade or overkill on a 15.4" screen?

3- For any owners out there, how is the machine? perform as you expect it? Satisfied with the build quality? Any issues?

Sorry for all the questions, but you know, i can't throw away $1500+ without being sure

Thanx

Seven

 

1) You can customize just about everything. Regarding the CPU, you can SAFELY upgrade up to a Q9000 2.0GHz Quad Core. But theoretically you can go all the way up the food chain to the QX9300. Though you'll serious heat issues.
You can also change out your optical drive, just find out which ones are supported.

2) 1680x1050 is better because of the size of the screen. Unless you want to use a magnifying glass to read stuff. I'm also pretty sure you won't be able to enjoy 1080p on such a small screen. Get yourself a decent LCD monitor for that. As some of the other users will advise you, use that money on getting better RAM or a better CPU, or just buy more milk and cookies.

3) I don't own one but I wish I did.

 

I don't know much about upgrading a laptop, so I can't really help you there, however...

2) I have the 1680x1050 screen and it looks great! I know it isn't FullHD, but I felt that the 1920x1200 would be a little tough on the eyes on a 15.4" screen. However, that is completely a personal preference. If you can get to a local store or see a friend's screen and see the difference on couple laptops, that would be the best way for you to decide.

3) I am fairly satisfied with the overall performance with the games I have played so far. The only real issues I found so far are the high HDD temps and a loud Blu-Ray drive. The latter will most likely be a simple replacement or tightening of some screws. The HDD temps are borderline high, but I have been told that they are acceptable. Personally I would just like to see them a few degrees cooler to be on the safe side. Check post #115 for similar info.

As for the build quality... well, I hate to share this but if it helps... the other day I got out of the car and dropped my brand new NP8662 (in a minimally padded bag) onto the concrete floor of the parking deck. I damn near **** a brick right there!
However, after getting to work, inspecting it physically and running several benchmarks and a couple games for a few hours when I got home, there seemed to be no serious damage to the computer. I have a very small dent in the lid where the computer landed on the AC adapter, but other than that, nothing! I really need to get a good laptop backpack and stop using this cheap a$$ shoulder bag though!!

I hope that helps.

 

you should be able to upgrade:

1) CPU
2) GPU
3) screen
4) optical drive
4) HDD
5) RAM
6) WiFi & Bluetooth

 

Hello there, to answer your question;

1. Most of the parts can be upgrade (CPU, RAM, HDD) or replace on broken (GPU) easily by end user. It is possible for you to replace the DVD drive with a Blu-ray one in the future provided it is using SATA connection.

2. Depending on what you need and the best solution is to see one in the shop yourself. As 1920x1200 can be overkill in some people eyes on the 15.4" screen. Primarily text tend to be very small in that resolution and can be unreadable for some. 1680x1050 on the other hand, is more "readable" but as you mentioned, you lost the 1080p capability. If you have a HDTV lying around and don't watch Blu-ray on the go, I would suggest you to go for the 1680x1050 as it tend to goes easy on game as well.

3. Although ours is slightly different machine, but the built quality is essential the same (I think), which is great .

As for the Quad, they are not necessary an "upgrade" depending on what you do and what program you use. IMO, nothing is "future proof" even the top of the line processor today, technology is evolving quickly and the "GHz" is not the only thing that changed. So getting the best bang out of your buck is more practical.

Hope these helps and have a nice day.

 

As everyone else will say, this laptop is really great. So much power in a 15'', you won't regret it, as long as the first thing your are looking for is performance. Except for the hard drive temp, there's no issue at all.

 

thanx for the info guys, much appreciated

 

what cables does this laptop come with? eSATA?

 

for those who have one, how is the screen on the NP8662?

 

@Ovreagr

Going back to what you said about the high HDD temps, could it possibly be because your hard drive is a 7200 rpm? i.e will the 5400 rpm HDDs be cooler?

 

this is not a bump

 

Of course it isn't
There was a thread back then if I remember correctly where people posted their HDD temps and the model/rpm they had.. And there wasn't much of a difference between the 2 speeds honestly, so go with 7200 if you want performance(slightly), 500gb if you want space, or 320gb 5400 if you want good price/performance.

And I would like to know too if the screen if still dark on the NP8662?

 

The screen is horrendously dark on the NP8662. It's just terrible. Sometimes you can literally use it as a mirror, because of how dark it gets.

Then when you turn it on, it's PiMp

 

LOL, i thought u didn't have one

 

The screen from what I have seen is brighter than my old Sony Vaio SZ and my friends Vaio TZ, and they're respectable screens so I'd say the NP8662's is good.

 

I just got my np 8662 today and i have to say tat it is amazing. The 1680 x 1050 is a perfect resolution. I havent played any games on it yet but I am in the process of downloading World at War. I have windows 7 installed and it is working great. My first laptop I ever bought and I am just loving it. I also reccomend xotixpc.com if you are going to get it.

 

congrats
Thanks for the input, and let us know what u think after u test some games on this baby

 

Sorry for interrupting. I'd like to ask about battery on Sager NP8662. Experts say that we have to calibrate the battery every 30 cycles of recharging by fully discharging it. Does it mean that we just leave the laptop on until it turns off automatically after the battery level 0%? Thanx

 

you just have to discharge it to a low capacity... it odes not have to be zero %.

I just discharge it to around 10% and then charge it back to full.

My battery is still over 95% efficient after 3 years of use.

 

so "discharging" doesn't mean the battery level 0% (empty)?

Thanx a lot.

 

thats correct.