More longlasting/gaming viable...Sager 9260 vs 5790?

I've been running through research for months on laptops, as I need to replace an old one that went kaput. I've narrowed it down to Sager, but I still have some questions of my own that I am having trouble finding the answer to.


General Questions

1) What is your budget?

$2000-$2500. I am reluctant to go up to $3,000.

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen

3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in.

U.S.

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

I've pretty much nailed it down to these two computers, but am open to suggestions.

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?

Besides schoolwork, gaming. I want the best performance for my buck for games.

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?

I may take it around occasionally, not often. I know how big the 9260 is, but I'm getting a backpack to carry it, and I honestly don't mind carrying it around when I need it.

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?

All sorts. I've no doubt I'll be playing some of the most graphic intensive games out there...Bioshock, upcoming Warhammer MMO, etc.

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?

Not important. I know how a battery tends to die quickly in a gaming laptop, and I'll take what I can get.

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?

Not at all.

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.

I go to a University in which they have a deal with Microsoft that allows me to purchase a copy of Vista 64-bit for 6 bucks. I imagine I'll just order the computer OS-less and install vista myself.

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?

Widescreen seems to be the norm.

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.

WUXGA would be preferable, but I know that a higher resolution means that if my computer can't handle it, I'll have to change it from it's native resolution, which will by nature downgrade the graphics. With that said, I'd prefer higher, but I need something that will work with the power of my video card.



There are a few addenums which are the source of my interal debate between these two computers.

1. I need a computer that will last me for at 3+ years. I know that the Sager has the best gaming laptops for the lowest price, but I need something that is either
A.upgradeable, so it won't become obsolete, or
B.powerful enough to last for years or
C.preferably both.

In this sense, I don't mind if I buy a 9260 that doesn't have dual cards, because at one point (when I have the extra money) I would merely upgrade to the second card and do SLI. Conversely, I don't mind having the 5790 with one card so long as I can upgrade that video card when it no longer has the power to produce decent graphics of the most recent games.

2. I need the same upgradeability or staying power throughout the years out of my processor and RAM as well. How much RAM (2GB? 4GB) and what processor speed(2.2? 2.4?) should I be shooting for?

3. What is the issue involving SLI and Vista? Does Vista not currently work with SLI dual cards?

4. With all of these things in mind, which computer would give me the best graphics for my buck, while still maintaining lasting/upgradable standards throughout the years?

Thanks in advance for all of the help.

 

Maybe this'll help:

1. Do you need 2 or 3 hard drives?

2. Do you need 2 video cards in SLi?

If you answered yes to either, the 9260 might be a better notebook for you.

 

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...ame=HDX_series&a1=Usage&v1=Extreme+multimedia

 

weeeee, what kind of post was that? It is the 9260 vs. the 5790.

 

Differences:

The D900C is a desktop replacement with more power (desktop CPU and SLI interchangeable MXM videocards, less batterylife, and more storage (3 HDDs).

The M570RU is a powerful notebook with optimal power (new mobile CPUs and single interchangeable MXM videocard, better batterylife, and single HDD.

So these notebooks are both powerful, but has different features that makes them distinct from consumer to consumer.

They are both great machines, but the D900C/D901C is a bit more costly and comes with lot of future upgrades (videocards and quad-core CPU)... while the M570RU has better portability (batterylife and weight).

Its just up to you on what would fit you better.

 

I've been doing a lot of research myself lately and in my opinion, the 9260 has by far, the best long lasting/gaming viability versus the 5790.

For me, the only two real contenders are the 9260 and the upcoming Dell M1730. With the 9260, I'd recommend waiting a little bit until the newly updated 9261 is released (since it will support the added punch of quad core processing). As for the Dell M1730, it could be a great machine or a total bust...hard to say until an official announcement is made (rumoured to happened on Sep. 21).

It's all a guessing game at this point since nobody really knows which system will be able to support the holy grail...a 256-bit DX10 GPU...especially in a dual SLI setup! Depending on how much you truly value gaming viability, anything short of SLI capability with the 8800M (assuming it's 256-bit) would be a real handicap if you want the ultimate gaming experience with the most up-to-date DX10 graphics over the next 2 or 3 years...

 

I think you'll be more pleased with the 9260/9261. I've had both, and I like both of them, but the 9260 has more horsepower and is quieter at the same time. It has my vote.

 

zodttd, you've had a 570ru? or did you have a 570U like it says in your sig.

 

Go for the 9260/9261 man.

 

570RU for life ... its the best non SLI computer

 

True, but if you want to go dual 8x00 GTX or whatever in the future, GO 9260/9260!

 

570 RU... if you want a laptop... The difference its not so big i think...

 

9260 advantages:

- desktop CPU (faster FSB, higher clock speeds, and you still get speed stepping)
- SLI video cards (big difference when trying to drive 1920x1200 screen resolution).
- RAID hard drive option

5790 advantages:

- Longer battery life
- Lower Price (by $1000)

 

"big difference when trying to drive 1920x1200 screen resolution"

TRUE...

But... i work with mine...

I bring it to work or school or when i go to the river camping... or when i move from kitchen to living room ... or living room to bed room... So i guess the 1900x1200 difference (only playing) its not so important...

Ive got 4400 in 3dMark06 at 1900x1200... if you want a "brick", only for gamming, its 9260...

For me 9260 its the faster notebook ever build...

But 570ru its the best notebook ever...

best at:
(price/quality and performance/price and Portability/performance and so on...)

 

the m570ru is a laptop with serious horsepower.

The 9260 is a desktop that you can take places, and has a 1 hour UPS built in.

 

This has nothing to do with laptops but if you're taking it river camping with you, to work, and to school, and moving a lot, are you sure you want to invest your money in a laptop this expensive?

 

Iv already invest...

im very happy about this laptop... I need horsepower to work, im a computer engenering (final year), and meanwhile i am a developer database, to leart and make some money

I play a lot to, with friends mostly, i play to forget work, so when i play, i want all the power that this lappie has

for me, its the perfect non sli laptop... If i only play... the right choise is d900 family

 

I'm glad you are happy, =)

 

On topic:

I think with this score [ http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=160986&page=3 ] the 1000$ or 1000€ dont make the difference...

 

The usage focus of these two laptops are tottally different from each other:

* Portability with good Performance is the focus of M750RU
* Sheer Performance & Transportability is the focus of d900c/d901c

To anwer your question only. More performance today means more performance tomorrow. Performance level usually defines the lifespan of Personal Computers. People only buy new desktops or notebooks when they feal the one they have is already too slow for what they do. Nevertheless IMHO longivity only is a pour reason to choose a laptop over any other unless it is the only thing you care about.

People choose usually the d900c/d901 for sheer performance, upgradability and transportability. They need the most powerful thing that can be transported easily.

People choose the M750RU due to performance, portability, upgradeability and budget.

IMHO there is very little to discuss really.

A note on upgrades

Althought both can be upgraded, they can only be at an expected cost within the specs defined at a particular moment in time. Future possibilities (Quads, 8800M GTX, etc) may carry unexpected high cost's unfortunately.

This is to say that If you are on a budget, don't like the upgrade options available at a particular moment in time, you are thinking about buying one of these two and upgradability has some weight on your choice (I mean some weight not little) then simply don't buy them. I've been learning these upgradeability issues while being here for over six month, and only now I'm realising them.

Would I buy the d900c if it was today? Yes. Did upgradability confirmed my expectations? No. My expectations were probably too high, some of them were driven by this Forum and my wish to believe on the possibilities on the table, unfortunately. This is usually called marker SPIN.

Trance
PS: Are awesome purchases.