Help needed for important decision

Hi
Now my Toshiba has died I need to buy a new laptop. I want to buy something powerful so I’ve decided to go for a Clevo P 170 em with gtx 680. To make sure it’s what I’m looking for, I’ve read almost all the reviews and all discussions about this model. Unfortunately, instead of feeling confident I’ve got only doubts. I need your help guys. Can you please tell me:
1. Is the fan noise very distracting in idle mode?
2. Is the sound quality from the speakers and the headphones really that bad? Will improving it with Creative Sound Blaster change it?
3. Is the keyboard good enough for such an expensive laptop?
4. And lastly: Is it really worth buying or should I have a look round? Any recommendations?
Any help much appreciated

 

1) I have the NP9150 with a 7970M, but the answer should probably be the same. The fan is noticeable, but it isn't distracting. It is louder than most laptops, but it won't annoy you or anything.
2) The speakers do have terrible sound quality. The sound quality is perfectly fine through headphones.
3) I have no issues with the keyboard. I actually love typing on it. The keys are very responsive.
4) Yep, worth buying.

 

1. Is the fan noise very distracting in idle mode?
- Wouldn't surprise if it's as quiet as your Toshiba or quieter. The 680M runs cool.
2. Is the sound quality from the speakers and the headphones really that bad? Will improving it with Creative Sound Blaster change it?
- Why are you using laptop speakers? And a cheap external USB DAC/Headphone amp will sound better than any laptop headphone output anyway.
3. Is the keyboard good enough for such an expensive laptop?
- I enjoy using the keyboard a lot. I like the tactile feel and response, and the lighting is excellent.
4. And lastly: Is it really worth buying or should I have a look round? Any recommendations?
- I highly doubt you'll find a better price for the 680M. 680M is looking to be the fastest mobile GPU and at it's price, it should be. But 7970M is still the clear price/performance option. The 680M scores very well in synthetic benchmarks, but it's superiority is not reflected in games in quite the same way.
- But if you want the fastest there is for the money, can't go wrong with your current decision.

 

I was looking for a machine with the 680m in it, and as far as I know, the only other choice right now is the MSI GT60/GT70 0NE, and it doesn't even start shipping for the next week or two. Plus the base price on the 17" is ~$2,500 to start. I paid a little over $2K for my Sager.

That was one of the reasons I went with Sager. I was able to customize the machine to match my budget. You're usually much more limited with the bigger companies like MSI and ASUS.

Also, I don't believe any of the ASUS machines use Optimus. I want Optimus to try to squeeze out the maximum battery life by using the Intel video while surfing, etc. And as far as I know, ASUS doesn't have any machines with the 680m in it so far.