NP 9262 Questions

Hi, I'm a relatively newcomer to the laptop world and hope this helpful forum can assist me in understanding np9262 laptop better.

For Reference this is my intended configurations From XoticPC:

*Edited to remove None-Standard options*

SAGER NP9262 Ultimate Custom Laptop (Built on Clevo D900C / D901C)
- 17" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel Core 2 QUAD Q9450 2.6GHz w/ 12MB L2 Cache - 1333MHz FSB
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9800M GT DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- None Standard
- ~ 4,096MB DDR2 800 (2 SODIMMS) Dual Channel Memory (Requires Vista 64-Bit to recognize Full 4GB)
- Standard Finish
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 320GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 8MB Cache)
- HDD Raid Settings - OFF
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11 a/g/n
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (12 Cell)
- None Standard - Drivers & Utility Software Only
- 2 Year Parts & Labor Warranty 24/7 Tech Support

I've finally decided to get an np9262, however I prefer to buy my operating systems from my college which offers a massive student discount. If I were to buy the np9262 without an operating sys5tem, by choosing the

None Standard - Drivers and Utility software only

from XoticPC, Will I be receiving all of the necessary drivers and software to run my laptop if I ever choose to reformat my system in the future after an os install?

Also, I would like to know if the os bought from my school will any different from an os from XoticPC. The reason I ask this is because I have friends who have laptops. Their windows xp seems to offer them certain functions that are uniquely laptop. Like battery power notification and such. Are these features standard in all os disks regardless of its purchase source? Does it just vary because the os detects and differentiates between a desktop and a laptop? Also these references were made from observations of XP laptop and XP desktop. Does the differences exist in Vista also? I ask this because I intend to switch to vista.

On another note, I had intended to order my system today; however, after reading the threads in this forum, I found mention of the August 10th price drop in processors? Is this a very valid statement? I intended to get the

~Intel Core 2 QUAD Q9450 2.6GHz w/ 12MB L2 Cache - 1333MHz FSB

but heard that soon the Q9550 will receive a price drop that will render its price equal to the 9450. Should I definitely wait for this possible price drop?
I intend to use this laptop for programming, graphics editing, and gaming so a more powerful processor is definitely welcomed.

I would also like to know why turbo memory isn't offered for the np9262, and what is the battery life for this system under the following circumstances:

class room Microsoft office with web searching, and various class room related activities. (I'm not officially in college yet, so I don't know how the classrooms are run .)

max res and mex specs for gaming.(any will do the more rigorous the better so I can better understand the battery limits.)

compiling code, running computer science related software (I'm going into that major, but my knowledge isn't profound so enlighten me if you can), rendering graphics in 3ds max, processing adobe illustrator and photoshop effects, and etc.

Should I buy an extra 12 cell battery from xoticPC or is there a cheaper source?

One last question, I intend to use this system as a desktop replace at home, but at the same time I would like to take this system for traveling. I know its 12lbs+, but that isn't a problem for me as I am used to lugging around massive quantities of weight in my backpack. However I can concerned with the systems temperature. I will be using it extensively for 5+ hours consecutively under heavy load at home plus various 2 hour intervals at school. What kind of usb fan would you guys recommend and any tips to keep the system cool. The reason the system will be be able to run for such a long time is because I will have to plugged into an outlet whenever possible. I'm carrying the ac adapter and a power strip with me at all times.

Those my questions. I would like to thank everyone in this forum in advance for help and for bearing with my long posts.

Thank you

 

Ok, I'll hazard a few potential answers:

1) The no-OS option will provide you will a disk containing all of the drivers and the hardware-specific utilities needed - all the software you need other than the OS itself.

2) The OS you get from the school will be different from the OS you would get from XoticPC, but principally in the licensing terms - that is, how you can use the software, how long you can use it, whether you can transfer it to a different machine, and whether you have to give it back when you leave school. Otherwise, it won't be different; in particular, things like battery notification are hardware-specific utilities that, as noted above, would come with the drivers/utilities CD, and are not a part of the OS.

3) It's probably worth waiting until Aug.11 just to see if prices drop because, in any event, nothing would be shipped until Aug. 11 because right now there's been a delay in shipping from Clevo - the ODM - and so Sager, the OEM for the 9262, won't begin shipping the 9262s until then. No guarantees on the price drop, however.

4) Battery life - what battery life? If you're going to be running it in class and will be unable to plug it in, then you'd be best to set the power control settings as low as you can deal with, and you should probably be able to get through a single full class; however, if you've got three classes back to back, you might be in trouble. An extra battery might be a useful option in that case, but it's going to still take time to swap batteries because the battery on this one is held in place in the case with screws.

5) Cooling is definitely not a problem on this system, provided that you take care of it. Specifically, follow Gophn's guide for cleaning it out on a monthly basis. Gophn also has standard guidelines for obtaining a cooling pad to place under the system.

 

this laptop is designed to sit on a solid desk and be plugged in at all times. the battery life is about an hour and is not desiged to be in classrooms so you may want to pick something a little more mobile. 12lbs does not sound much but you must factor in the brick, accessories and the extra battery you mentioned. carry around all that and the 12lbs goes to about 20lbs.

the real issue is not so much about weight as it is about battery life. you will be swapping batteries every hour and constantly be worried about battery life. i just don't think you will be a happy camper in the end if classroom use is a requirement.

for your system setup you can achieve the same thing (except the quad core) by going with sager's other offering 17" gaming laptop which is based on the mobile chipset and has turbo memory. the d900c is based on desktop chipset and does not offer turbo memory, although turbo memory is widely reported to be a gimmick.

 

this laptop does not have any power management settings or power control settings for it's video card. the only things you can do is turn off the wireless, lower the screen brightness (not the best thing for a highly lit classroom) and turn off hard disks, which in the end do not add to much savings. about an hour and 10 minutes i would guess with light internet surfing.

th OS you get from sager can be installed as many times as you like without re-activation warnings or anything like that, on a sager system only.

 

thanks for the great replies. They were truly helpful and informative.

 

I was under the impression that turbo memory wasn't much more than a glorified permanently attached thumb drive for the prefetch capabilities in Vista. Which I personally hate as the first 5-10 minutes after your boot time is unusable for gaming or anything intensive as the HDD activity is so high that anything else will stutter.

 

You can increase the batterylife in this beast by using RMclock to downclock/undervolt the CPU so that it throttles the speed dynamically when needed.

And you can use RivaTuner to setup downclock speeds with hotkeys.

 

Thanks for the reply, I guess I will consider under clocking inside classrooms.

 

performance wise, the Clevo D901C is a beast, indisputably the KING!!! portability wise, it's a beast of burden. power brick and all, it's quite heavy. I just wish Clevo would make a lighter version with Quad Core, dual HD's, SLI, eSATA, HDMI, and backlit keys. I would not hesitate to lay down whatever exorbitant price "they" want for such a machine, portability and performance uncompromised.

 

I'm w/ u a 110% here...also w/ a fingerprint reader ...like its bloodline cousins. And uh..of course the Nehalem processor!