Looking for Some 5760 (M570U) Configuration Pointers

Yeah, I'm not exactly getting a Sager 5760 per se... Hypersonic's "Aviator CX7 Duo" seems a smidgen cheaper, and it's the exact same Clevo model... right? I didn't see a Clevo forum or anything so I assume it's safe to post in this one...

Anywho, forgive my ignorance... this is going to be my first laptop, and at prices over two grand I can't afford to mess this up! Basically, I need a laptop for college, but it needs to be powerful. I'm pursuing a Bachelor of Science in game design, and I'd like to be able to accomplish at least some work outside the classroom, on a relatively portable machine. (yeah yeah, work. that's it.)

Here's the thing that scares me: I'm hearing all these Alienware horror stories about their laptops wearing out after a year, or even after a few months (which I assume is the result of overheating), and not only that, their customer service might as well be an ape with a tin can. I learned to stay away from them in the first place due to their ridiculous pricing, but the fact that a laptop's lifespan can be greatly reduced by running too hot is a real concern for me. I need this thing to get me through college, and since I'm not even attending straight away, we're looking at an upwards of five years here.

So, the first thing I wanna ask is if Clevo notebooks prove to be this durable. I see a lot of people in here with them (well, obviously in the Sager forum). How have your notebooks been holding up? Are they everything you ever dreamed of? Or are you kicking yourself for not purchasing an extended warranty?

Secondly, if I go with a Clevo notebook, and with Hypersonic rather than Sager, have you any experience with this company and their services? Judging by some aspects of their site, it looks like they actually value their customers... but you know how easy it is to fake that. Haha.

And most importantly, I need your advice on the actual configuration, keeping value, temperature, and efficiency in mind. I don't want a hard drive with 7200rpm, for example, if it's going to cause overheating issues. Below is the list I configured on Hypersonic's website that I'd like to get some opinions on - what you would change, what should stay the same, and perhaps if you even know where I could get the same configuration for a cheaper price. If I can save a couple bucks hey, more money toward tuition, right?

the page: Aviator CX7 Duo - Customize Your System

Processor
2.00GHz Intel® Core Duo Processor T2500 / 2MB Cache/ 667MHz FSB

Memory
2048MB (2x 1024MB) Mushkin PC5400 DDR2-667 SODIMM - Low Latency (5-5-5-15)

Video Adapter
Nvidia GeForce Go 7900 GTX PCI-Express 512MB GDDR3
Peering into another thread it would seem that the 512MB doesn't have much over the 256MB; it's not an option with this configuration, though.

Primary Hard Drive
80GB 7200rpm Serial-ATA Hard Drive with NCQ & 8MB Cache
In addition to the rpm concern please see below

Secondary Hard Drive
Would it be sensible/practical to conserve primary hard drive space by installing a slave drive [and what would the heating situation be having two hard drives jammed in there...what about an external drive situation]? I want to think this setup would keep the operating system running efficiently, having free range of a whole hard drive, but I really have no experience with this. The last computer I had with a master/slave relationship was an ancient desktop running Windows '95. I was seven at the time.

Optical Drive
8X DVD ± R/W Drive Dual Layer w/ DVD Recording Software

Display
17" WUXGA 1920x1200 VividView™ Display w/ Super Clear Glossy Surface

Bluetooth™ Connectivity
Internal Bluetooth™ Module for CX7

Operating System
Non-Operating System Setup (Blank HD). Only Testing and Burn-in
It'd probably make more sense to pick up a copy of XP Pro somewhere else for less than $155, huh?

Base price thus far: $2,560.00


Additional Stuff that I just have to question

Keyboard and Mouse
They have mouse and keyboard options near the top of the list, and they're looking pretty fabulous to me. Would they be worth getting, or could I pick them up (or something similar) somewhere else for a cheaper price?
Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard -- Add $99
Logitech G5 Laser Mouse (2000 dpi) -- Add $65

Dead Pixel Insurance
Guaranteed No Dead or Partially-Lit Pixels -- $149.00
I've never heard of this, but it just sounds like another way to take more of my money (not that I can complain about the overall price). Is it actually worth getting? How often to pixels actually "die" on these screens?

A Totally Kickass Backpack
They offer a Deluxe Canvas Backpack for 19" Laptops -- $39.00 , but after checking out the photo I'd say it looks kinda cheap...and they don't even show you what it looks like on the inside. Would I be better off just purchasing a backpack at a local Best Buy or something?

Warranty
What are your thoughts on spending an extra hundred per year for an extended warranty [up to three years]? Do you feel it necessary? What about the Accidental Damage Protection plan?

Cooling Pad (not mentioned on that page)
I just can't help having that ugly word on my mind. "overheat." How well do these cooling pads actually work (with and/or without fans), and how would I go about finding one that fits my laptop?


Okay well...this post turned out to be much longer than I initially thought. I'm sorry! May have to cross-post in other tech communities for this reason. But if you still have enough time to enlighten me on some of these issues I swear, I will make it up to you, somehow. I could like, advertise your website on my pregnant belly, or something. Seemed to work for that casino.

 

I rarely move mine, and when I do, it is in a sleeve, so mine shows no signs of wear and has held up well. It still looks new. I have had zero problems with mine, so I don't regret extending the standard 1-yr warranty.

I would advise going with a Sager over a Hypersonic - they are the same notebook, but Sager has better service, especially if you go through a dealer.

7200RPM drives won't produce any more heat than a 5400RPM drive, so no need to worry about that.

Keep in mind if you get the secondary hard drive, you need to swap out the optical drive to put it in. Probably be cheaper to get an external 2.5" drive.

Sager offers it for $130 as an upgrade.

I'd pick them up elsewhere, they are overpriced. Also, I'd get a Razer Copperhead. Logitech makes a good attempt at making a gaming mouse and succeed for the most part, but the Razers are superior.

If it is going to be your only machine in college for several years, it would probably be worth it to get an extended warranty. Not sure of your budget.

Take a look here, at the Sager NP5760:
http://www.powernotebooks.com/product.php?itemId=1415

 

Ohh nice, I hadn't heard of that website. I was using Sager's site to configure the notebook, but if I use the 2.5% discount at powernotebooks.com, I save about a hundred bucks. Not bad!

Thank you for answering my questions. I feel a lot more confident about purchasing a laptop now! The only thing I'm still kinda weary about is the dead pixel insurance... Makes me think that if I don't spend the 200 bucks for a measly 30-day warranty, my screen will go kaput.

 

if you get stuck pixels, you could just return it and buy again under their 30 day policy

 

Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. I don't want to blow 200 bucks just because my screen might lose pixels within the 30 days after I purchased it. How often does this actually happen to make them charge this price?

 

The LCD manufacturing process has improved over the years; the chance of getting a dead pixel is rare. Even if you do, the WUXGA (1920x1200) screen has so many pixels that it would be difficult to tell.

Don't spend the money on the no dead pixels warranty; as posted, you can simply return it within 30 days and get your money back.

 

I actually have teh Logitech G15 Keyboard and Logitech G7 Mouse.
I love them both

I also tried teh Razor Copperhead and returned it the same day I received it in the mail.
I just like how the G7 is made and how it feels in my hand.
The button placements of the Copperhead was awkward for me and I also enjoyed the wirelessness of the G7.

Also check the review on my Sig

 

Ah I see, thanks. I misinterpreted the warranty. And you're right; using the large resolution it probably wouldn't even matter if there was a dead pixel or two. I had purchased a portable LCD screen for the car a while back that did have two noticeable dead pixels, but of course the resolution was much lower. Pissed me off but served me right for going with a cheaper model.

Anywho thank you for the input and link, Kilim!