How did you guys get over the plain aesthetics

From what i'm reading, I can get a nice build from various websites such as xotic, powernotebook, ibuypower, ETC, built on a Sager chasis, for a lot better pricing than a lot of other gaming laptops, but I can't get over how plain they look. The Msi's, alienwares, even the plain jane Asus look so much more aesthetically pleasing. Did it not bother you guys at all when buying?

 

For me, not at all. I find the Alienwares and ASUS to look offensive in "trying-too-hard" way. Of the two, I hate the ASUS G-series the most as they decided to make their 15" laptop the same size as an 18" Sager just to achieve a faux-stealth look. I do like MSI look though. Still, I much prefer the understated looks on the 17"+ Sagers, and even the ThinkPad-ish looks of the 15" Sagers. Now, I also get the perk of my gaming laptop fitting in alongside all the the ThinkPads, Latitudes, etc. at my workplace without making me look silly. Once the Sagers/Clevos get back-lit keyboards, it is no contest in the looks department for me.

 

Performance > Appearance IMO...

But Sager/Clevo are gonna have backlit keyboards in the coming months.

 

To me...Clevo/Sager 15.6' size model looks like a Matrix design model . Simple, no "hey! look at me!" but surely well designed...

"Taste and colours..."

 

Yeah, I also much rather have that pure 'business' look than 'look at me!! I'm a gamer!!!!"

In my youth, I yearned for Alienware simply because of its flashi-ness. AW knows how to market their gear when it comes to looks.

With time and maturity, I'm all about performance and a 'business class' look now. I wouldn't be caught dead in public with something that was so flashy and high profile, such as an AW machine.

Look at the P270WM: it's huge (epically enormous), it has blue LEDs everywhere, a backlit keyboard, but you know something? It still has that 'understated' look to it. I think the only 'high profile' portion of it is the backlit keyboard, but I am confident that there will be some FN key combo that will allow it to be disabled without the use of software.

 

When do you think they will have back lit keyboards?

 

Ivy Bridge launch window (sometime in April).

The P270WM is the only machine that will (hopefully) defy that. LBO's estimation of February gives me hope.

 

Didn't bother me at all. I think it looks professional. IMO Alienware laptops look kind of childish. Asus's are alright, but they look cheaply made. I think, well maybe not the most aesthetic laptop, Sagers look pretty sleek.

 

How did I get over plain looks? I grew up and started working I'd be embarrassed to show up with something like Alienware in public. So I'd rather hide the nerd in me deep inside rather than parade it to everyone around me for social reasons.

 

I came from an Asus G73 to the clevo setup and the only thing I miss is the backlit keyboard which is soon to be sorted so there should be no contact, sadly Asus win the war with their marketing ploys otherwise everyone would be running a clevo/sager.

I actually love the build it looks sleak with its all black no badge appearance on my UK version and just the THX and HD silver badges and best of all the alluminium palm rest and touchpad.

The biggest factor of all being the hardware there is no contest imo the cooling and output features also win hands down.

Looks are nice yes but in a desktop replacement that rarely leaves the house what is the point.

 

I couldn't care less about the plainess of my Sager. It works well. mucho better than that POS HP DV6 that I returned. You want pretty? Slap a rainbow decal on it. sigh.

 

Kind of a shallow reasoning behind it, but I am buying this laptop for gaming as well as school work. It will be with me in classrooms monday-friday. Classrooms dominated with an 80% Macbook Pro market. You know very well all those kids are proud of their classy Macbooks. Although I know the guts of my computer would be better, I don't want it to look like an ugly duckling out there ya know.

 

This is exactly the reason why I do not want a Clevo actually. For me, it will not go to a place where I would look silly with it, so I don't need it to be able to. I don't like how heavy Asus or AW systems are so I'm sticking with MSI, a bit better designed IMO. Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Sager/Clevo, but they can't be professional without being boring. If they could pull off a gaming series of cases that isn't silly looking (unlike AW), I would look into it.

 

Are you kidding? The professional aesthetics of these machines was probably one of my top 5 reasons for getting a Clevo/Sager.

 

A lot of you guys use the term professional when describing it. I don't really agree with that. The term is plain. The reason professional laptops have the "plain look" is simply because businesses are not going to pay for employees to have a fancier looking laptop.

 

A plain look is a professional look, businesses value functionality over design. If Clevo or lets say thinkpad/latitude etc is not a professional look then what is? Instead of paying extra for LED lights or curved chassis, you get to maximize hardware and performance where it counts.

Hmmmm.... which laptop doesn't seem to fit in here.

Spoiler

 

I wouldn't be caught dead pulling out an Alienware laptop at a business meeting. There's a reason why thinkpads are the de facto laptop in the business world, which is why I'm looking forward to purchasing a Sager from one of the resellers here soon.

 

One shouldn't worry about what others think of their tools, as long as the tool does what they want it to do. It's actually kind of funny in the early days bland computers gave us a canvas to place stickers, spray paint the back panels etc but nowadays people are afraid of ruining the aesthetics of their macbooks.

Another plus of sager is you know for a fact that you're not a chump for overpaying for under powered hardware.

 

This is solely depends on the reseller. If you buy from XoticPC, PowerNotebooks, or Malibal, then you would be correct. However, some resellers price it too high.

Another way to look at it is that some people LIKE the looks of the AWs regardless of who else cares. If they like it better, then they are willing to pay for it for the privilege to own one.

 

just to point out, your laptop is also less likely to get stolen if it looks plain, which matters to everyone, including a college freshman. i just tell people my laptop is Korean and then they stop asking questions.

 

Nothing to get over. The plainness you call was exactly what I wanted.

You will understand in due time. (meaning when you get older. )

 

That statement would imply that as we get older we all desire the same things and grow further away from being individuals. If that truly is the case, whats the point of living?

 

Well your tastes change over time. Just like how most people outgrow cartoons and playing with action figures.

imo Alienware and MSI are way to flashy and bulky. What's the point of all those lights when you're gaming? I like how the Asus G series look but they're still too big.

 

I'm trying to force the sager look on me, since I would be paying significantly less for one of these than an MSi (which I think look great) Can anyone post some pictures of there sagers? Stuff always looks different than in stock photos and youtube videos.

 

Don't force it if you really dislike it. Buy MSI if it will make you happier, we are all different people and want different things. Some people are willing to spend extra to get the looks/weight/screen they want, there is nothing wrong with it. If I would buy MSI with even slightly worse specs for the same money, it would drive me insane since in the back of my head I'd know that I could have got better hardware somewhere else without LED lights, backlit keyboard etc. If you buy a Clevo, and its plain looks will also constantly bother you over gains in performance, then don't do it!

By the way, consider Force 16F2, which is MSI barebone with rather subdued Sager-like looks at a lower price. MSI GT683R vs. PowerPro R 11:36 Shootout - YouTube

For pictures check out reviews in Owner's lounges.

 

Why are you forcing yourself to like it? It's not as if someone has a gun on your head. If you cannot get over the appearance, there are always other choices.

I used to like flashy laptops, not anymore. Besides, flashy laptops just don't go with my work environment.

 

The aesthetic minimalism is actually a big selling point for me.

 

I love the understated look! One of the reasons I'm looking at getting one! Wolf in sheep's clothing. Alienware, whilst they look cool, are way too flashy. I can just imagine pulling one out at work...

 

Yup, I'm not saying that I'd prefer a boring looking machine rather than a well-styled one. But, I also prefer a smooth, sleek look without umpteen edges, lines, colors, and lights.

Comparing a MBP to a Alienware from an aesthetic POV is comparing apples and oranges. One represents a classy look like a Mercedes Benz or BMW. The other represents a muscle car look like a Mustang or Corvette. I wouldn't mind if the Sagers/Clevos ended up in the first category, but I sure am happy they aren't ending up in the latter group. A plain-looking BMW may not have the "pimp my ride" vibe to it, but all the same you appreciate it and enjoy it.

 

I play STOR and Skyrim on my MacBook air

And I would trade all the nice looks for better performance any day.

 

I agree with the aesthetic minimalism is exactly why I love their looks...I see it as timeless. In a few years all of our computers will be relatively slower anyway and I don't want something that is analogous to a Ford Focus with sticker flames on it.

 

I've never really had a second thought about it's aesthetics. Performance and the components itself came first. It's simple and chic and not overwhelming. If I really wanted I could just get a skin for it too.

 

maybe im just getting old, i find the design good actually.

 

It's minimal, simple, sleeper status. Doesn't show off, doesn't visually tell others to "come and get me". What matters is the power inside, and I don't think there is anyone out there can lug a colorful laptop (assuming same specs as the P150) and be able to look professional at the same time.

p/s i found this Custom Vinyl Lettering for Walls, Automotive and Business. Vinyl Lettering designed online. . Idk how is the quality but I'm sure you can get some personalized letters than the boring "Sager" or the plain non branding. I'm having a hard time to think of any word/phrase to put on when I have the Clevo though I'm very pleased with the current Malibal logo

 

I don't think they look all that plain. I'd describe it as a nice simple look.

Alienware looks ridiculous, personally I think Asus G73 looks the best ( talking about looking at it from the front, at the screen, don't care about the stealth back ).

The best laptop you can buy and it looks cool is the HP EliteBook 8760w. It's not even subjective. It has the best screen ( if you choose dreamcolor option, different tech than all these other screens, I believe they are IPS screens ) nVidia quadro cards. The only problem is it will cost you close to or even over $5000 fully loaded and at least around $3500 with average parts in it.

Clevos with 95% matte screens are a poor man's version of that HP and they come pretty close to it in terms of performance/color reproduction.

The rest doesn't compare ( Alienware doesn't even give you firewire or expansion slots, ???? for that price, Asus has unfortunately gone the same way and that is the reason I chose Clevo over Asus )
.

 

The plain ness is part of why I bought it, its not a target, its not shiny with LED lights everywhere. I want a good looking screen, a lot of power, and really nothing else matters. Im not getting this to have the most bligged out rig out there.

I'm much more likely to buy a BMW M3 or something along those lines rather than a Cadialic with blinged out wheels and exhaust. I value how something performs over how it looks.

 

@op: if the looks bothered you enough to create a thread about it, I suggest just save up for an AW or get an MSI, wouldn't be fun using something everyday for 2-3 years and the first thing that comes to your mind is "fugly pc".

personally though I love the plain design, guess i'm just getting older lol

 

Less is more.

 

If you want Aesthetics whip the back panel off, stare in awe at a Graphics card that requires not just one heatsink but two to draw away the masterful heat it produces and compare it to the weedy little 128bit version of the 560M built into the motherboard in the new Asus models.

Oh but wait, it has curves. Pffff I like to leave the curves on my women I need power from my laptop!

Although if she had a backlit keyboard......lets not go there.

 

The question should be turned to "How could one buy a hideous lump covered in flashing lights and gizmos"

Simple fact of life is. Something or someone that tries to show off are poor underneath the skin.

Welcome to Clevo Yiddo! Happy to see you managed to find a replacement machine for your pilfered G73!

 

It had nothing to do with it fella, I made the switch after you messaged me telling me you were benchmarking higher than I was.

I had a nervous breakdown and jumped ship. :wink:

 

This statement just blew my mind. It's a pure desktop replacement, a workstation of a kind, there is no point to being flashy, although some people find it nice. Ugly as hell or not, it's the beast inside I wish to unveil

 

I too, find the Alienwares to be a bit much. However I find the MSI's to be perfect. They have the flashiness, but managed to style it maturely and make it look clean. Unfortunately, I probably can't justify spending the extra for the MSi just for the aesthetics. I've been hearing a lot about a backlit keyboard sager, can anyone tell me when this will be available?

 

I too prefer the understated "outward" appearance while competing with most power for the buck. No one else has to know I have as powerful of laptop as they do (or more). I know it.

While I am now significantly older, I will say I have most always leaned toward this idealism. Even seeing an outwardly "stock" appearing automobile able to out-run another with $25,000.00 extra chrome, custom fire pin-striping, 12,000 watts of bass stereo and blinding neon glow always appealed to me. Of course, that "stock" appearing car may have had the same investment monetarily...but it was put where it counted...in performance. Often while purposely not "advertising" that fact.

I have rarely felt the need to seek confirmation or acknowledgement from others to recognize what I have for myself.

 

The backlit keyboard is for desktop replacement model, it's not portable compared to say 15.6 inch models.

Anyway, it's due May - June.

 

I would pick an aliewares look over it -if I was friggin twelve years old.


Sent from my samsung galaxy s2 using tapatalk

 

My 22 yr old son was playing Arkham City on my P150HM. He thinks it is pretty cool - he thinks the rubberised finish is very Gotham.

I also like the total absence of badges or logos. First thing I did was remove the two stickers on the palm rest.

 

This suggests to me that the 15.6 inch models will also be getting an illuminated keyboard. Clevo P150EM | Channel Authorized Manufacturer Showcase

 

Wrong, same chassis as current model, just with backlit keyboard

 

Ok? But that was what I was asking for... the backlit keyboard. He said it was only going to be in the desktop replacement model, but this clearly says illuminated keyboard and the screen sizes are 13.5-16.9 inch.