New XOTICPC Sagers

Somebody recommended XOTICPC to ge a new laptop and I'm looking at the new ones because they claim to have better cooling. Any particular values or models to avoid in the incoming models? I'm trying to keep my spending to under 2K.

 

Xotic selling a Clevo machine or something else? Since you mentioned Sagers, there are two new models (I'll use the Clevo names as they're more widely known) the P6x0 and the P7x0 (obviously replace 'x' with 5 or 7 depending on screen size). The first has been out for a while and there is a review of it - and its cooling - on notebookcheck.net. The second is literally just being shipped now but no reviews that I'm aware of yet and obviously too early to know if it is the first Clevo with 'issues' (that are not down to Nvidia or Intel).

I personally was after a 17" with an optical drive and Win 7 so I went for a P170SMA (see sig) which also has the benefit of being a mature design with all teething issues gone (at least the ones I checked from the owners lounge thread) and I'm very happy with it so far.

 

I purchased a Sager 8278-S from XoticPC last month. I looked at the newer Sager 8671, but decided to stick with the 8278-S as it was more mature, was upgradeable (CPU and GPU can be replaced on the 8278-S, on the 8671 they cannot), and had an optical drive. Being a more mature model, I knew I would not have driver issues and such, which was important to me. Installed Windows 8.1 on it without a hitch, and driver installations were a breeze.

Cooling-wise, I am quite pleased with the 8278-S. I have been trying out all sorts of games on it, and so far no cooling issues. I am running the Nvidia 970m and not the 980m though, so I cannot speak for that cooling with that card.

So far I am VERY pleased with my purchase, and Derek from XoticPC was very helpful in answering any questions I had.

 

It really comes down to what you're looking for in a computer. Some are ticker/heavier then others, better video cards, desktop CPU's vs notebook versions, upgradable GPU's in some models. What will you be using the computer for? And will you be mobile with it like a college student traveling between classes often or will it sit on a desk most of the time. Some more information will help narrow down a good recommendation.

 

Sorry to slightly hijack, but glad to hear you're enjoying it!

 

Does Sager solder any of its components?

 

Negatory, All parts are mainly sourced from the respective manufacturers with the base system from Clevo. Don't believe they do any fabrication on site other than just servicing and possibly reflowing solder to components.

 

Just a friendly reminder to avoid GTX 880Ms if they still sell them. I would NOT recommend this graphics card due to thermal and throttling reasons.

 

Depending on which model you're looking at. Some the CPU/GPU can not be upgraded and some can. The easiest way to tell is if there is an option for a different one on the configuration page. If there is just one option, its soldered or integrated onto the mother board.

 

Quite ironic that you yourself have one

 

Yes, I only found out the hard way. I'll be switching to next generation cards when I can.

 

so all the available Sagers on XoticPC have user-upgradable CPU and GPU options?

 

Not all of them. The easiest way to tell is if there are other CPU/GPU options on the configuration page for that model. If there are options and future hardware works then yes you can. If there are no other options then no, it can not be.

 

Check for the HQ suffix after the cpu model. If this is the case, the cpu is non upgradeable. As for the gpu, I believe the P650 series has soldered gpus.

 

So I guess some of the models with default Geforce 980M are soldered in? Strange for such a powerful card.

 

Agreed, but I think for the majority of the population they wouldn't even think of upgrading their GPU. It changes once you get up to the people that get the powerful machines like the ones that visit here. Sager/Clevo have been able to upgrade pretty much all their previous notebooks that used top end GPU. That has just changed with some of the latest ones.

 

It's also due to the thin/light form factor those models use. The thicker machines all still allow for GPU upgradability. The thinner ones do not and would likely just be due to the form factor. Need more space for a GPU that can be changed to accommodate for multiple heatsinks and other changes required. Designing a machine around a single GPU allows the option to design the cooling specifically for that one option and through optimizing it can make the machine thinner as a result.