NP5165 Questions

Hello,

I'm currently in the process of getting a new notebook. I currently own an M11X R1, and want to step up to something a bit bigger and more powerful, while still being portable.

I've narrowed my choices down to the Alienware M14X and the Sager NP5165, but I need more information on the NP5165 to make an informed decision. If any owners of this could answer these questions, I'd appreciate it.

Just so you know what I am looking for, a brief rundown of what I am looking for:

• Portability; Nothing over 8lbs or 15" monitor.
• Battery Life; At least four hours away from the wall, but more is superior.
• Switchable Graphics; I love having this option, and want it on any laptop I buy, whether it is manually switched or automated.
• Runs cool; I want something I can use as a laptop or on the go without BBQ'ing my legs.

Here are my questions regarding the NP5165...any help would be greatly appreciated.

1. Does the NP5165 run hot? The only review I could find of it online had it even hotter then the M14X under load, and that's one thing I want to avoid. ((Here is the review, for reference.))
2. How is the build quality? Does it feel solid, or is it flimsy? My M11X is a solid little tank, so I want something that is equal or better.
3. How is the keyboard quality? Does it have any significant flex or trouble spots? Is the layout good?
4. With Optimus enabled, how is the battery life? Can it last four or more hours untethered from the wall? I don't know if the reviewers got a bad sample, but it had a poor showing in the review I found. ((Here is the review, for reference.))
5. Can you use the general drivers from NVIDIA for the video card, or do I need to use the ones provided by Sager?
6. Are there any other things that I should be aware of regarding the NP5165?

 

I have the NP5165 from Mythlogic.

1) Yes, it does run quite hot, though it depends on which game you are playing. When playing BF3 BETA, the CPU get's as high as 94C, but most games do 80-85C. But there is an option to make the fan go 100%,I think it's FN+1, then the temps go down to under 90C. When on the integrated graphics and surfing the web it doesn't run hot at all, and the fan almost never turns on.

2) I had the M11X R2 and it had awesome build quality. The Np5165 doesn't feel as solid, but it's still good, and way good enough for me atleast.

3) No flex on keyboard for me, I really like it.

4) I took a few battery tests for fun. Watching a 720p movie with brightness at 3/7 the laptop lasted for 2 hours 40 minutes. Surfing and watching a youtube video every once in a while, lasted 3 hours. The battery life on it is pretty bad for beeing optimus. but it'still not bad, just OK.

5) I always downloaded the latest one from the nvidia site. Got the latest bf3 beta driver atm, 285.38.

6) Best allround laptop I have owned (and I have owned G73, M17X and M11X). Not too big and not too small and can play the latest games almost maxed out at 720p. Please don't choose the M14X. The screen on it is NOT GOOD, with a color gamut at around 45% (same as M11X), and the NP5165 has the 95% color gamut screen option and it¨s a MATTE screen, which is AMAZING! I sold my M11X beacause of the screen beeing too little and the colors on it was bad + it was so glossy it was a mirror when I was trying to watch movies on long bus rides. Now I couldn't be more happy with my NP5165!