Ordering a New Laptop. Opinions/Suggestions?

I'm configuring a laptop to go off to college with. My major is computer engineering, and I have a very nice desktop. I'm looking to add a nice laptop to the mix since my old Asus G50vt-x1 is meeting its maker.

Important parts to me are in bold.

$1550 or less

So far, this is what I came up with on Xotic PC:

1x Sager NP9150 / Clevo P150EM
- Warranty: LIFETIME Ltd Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime -24/7 DOMESTIC Based- Toll Free Telephone Tech Support (Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)
Includes FREE Shipping Both Ways for Warranty Repairs (SKU - X9R009)
- Software Bundle (Not Installed): No Software Bundle
- Microsoft Office Software: No Office Software
- Operating System: ~Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's + Microsoft Office Starter 2010 - Included with OS Purchase
- OS Redline Boost: No Operating System Redline Boost
- XOTIC PC Redline Boost™ Extreme Performance: No Thanks, Please do not Overclock my system (Overclocking will add 3-6 business days to build time)
- Notebook Cooler: No Notebook Cooler
- Mouse Accessories: No External Mouse
- Keyboard Accessories: No External Keyboard
- Headsets: No Headset
- Fingerprint Reader: Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- Port Replicator / Dock / Adapters: No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- Spare AC Adapter: No Spare AC Adapter
- Car Adapter: No Car Adapter
- Battery: Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Case: Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Sound Card: Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- TV Tuner: No TV Tuner
- Camera: Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Wireless Network Accessories: No Network Accessory
- Wireless Network: Sager - Built-in 802.11 Wireless B/G/N - Stock Wireless Card + Bluetooth (SKU - S8R110)
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth Included (See “Wireless Network” Section Below)
- Back Up Software: No Back Up Software
- Memory Card Reader: Internal 9-in-1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD/Mini SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS/MS Pro/MS Duo)
- External USB Optical Drive: NO External USB Optical Drive
- External Hard Drive (Back Up): No Back Up Hard Drive
- Optical Drive Bay Hard Drive Caddy: No Extra Optical Bay Hard Drive Caddy
- Optical Drive Bay: Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti DVDRW/CDRW Drive w/ Software (When selecting a Hard Drive in the Optical Bay, No Optical Drive is Included) (SKU - S7R455)
- Primary Hard Drive: 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache) - Default (SKU - S5R207)
- mSATA SSD Drive: No mSATA SSD
- Exterior Finish: Standard Finish
- Branding: Sager Branding
- Ram: 8GB - DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) - SPECIAL! (SKU - S4P369)
- External Display Video Adapters: No Video Adapter
- Graphics Video Card: nVidia GeForce GTX 675M 2,048MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 with Optimus™ Technology (SKU – S3R518)
- Thermal Compound: - IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
- Processor: Sager - 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2670QM, 2.2-3.1GHz, (32nm, 6MB L3 cache) (Supports 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Processors) (SKU – S2R174)
- Dead Pixel Warranty: Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Monitor Calibration: NO Professional Monitor Color Calibration
- Display: 15.6" FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Anti-Glare Screen w/ 95% NTSC Color Gamut (1920x1080) (SKU - S1R303)
- Free Shipping: FREE!! Continental (U.S. Lower 48 - UPS Ground Only) Ground Shipping on ALL Sager Laptops (Enter Coupon Code: "SAGERFREESHIP" during order process)
- Xotic Gear: No Xotic PC Gear
- Outside of U.S. Shipping Coverage: No Outside of US Shipping Coverage

Bolded are the obvious topics of discussion in any rig. I'll give my personal reasoning for each and your input is appreciated.

- Upgrade to the 95% color gamut matte screen. I spoke with Hutsady, a rep with Xotic that posts around here frequently, and he said that EVERYONE loves this screen upgrade. Frankly, I'll be looking at the screen anytime that I'm using the laptop. Matte finish works for me as a college student with the random light sources that I'll be around.

- Intel 2670QM Processor. I love to game, so the options were that I could go down to the NP9130 and get a lesser model and graphics card, while one-upping the processor to a 2760QM and getting 1600mhz ram, or I could do what I have in this configuration. I went with this option for the added GPU power and newer model.

- NVIDIA 675m Graphics Card. I stated my reason for getting it above, but I'm a graphics power nut. I LOVE my games at high settings. The better the graphics card, the more peace of mind I have

- 1333mhz RAM. Getting the $50 off special with this ram opens up the option for me to get the 675m in the NP9150. Ram clock speed barely influences gaming and everyday activities. My only question about this: what are the timings of Xotic PC's ram, both 1600mhz and 1333mhz? Maybe that's somewhere on their site. Criticize me if it is.

- IC Diamond Thermal Compound. Is this gunk worth it? I refuse to apply it myself. I understand it's easy, and I've done it with my desktop, but I just don't want to do it to my computer. It's more peace of mind for me to get them to do it if it matters. No, I do not plan to overclock this laptop as I want it as stable, quiet, and cool as it can be. Will the IC Compound significantly change the temperature of the entire laptop and indirectly lower the noise of the fans (since they work harder whenever the temps are higher)?

I know this is a wall of text, but it's a big purchase, and I'd like input from others with experience using this site, sager laptops, and computer hardware in general.

I'm looking for both reassurance and suggestions.

Thanks!

 

Looks nice, wish it was me. good luck to ya!

 

Thank you Best of luck to you too!

 

if you don't need it right away, wait two weeks and get the new ivy bridge CPU instead. price is the same, CPU performance should improve 10-15%. battery time should also improve. Also the new Ati 7970 might be available then.

 

See, I've heard many varying perspectives on that. Some people say that the price will be substantially more expensive, while others have said similar or moderately cheaper. I know they're technically built using the same architecture, so the performance increase isn't as big of a jump as it has been in the past.

That being said, I'm not opposed to waiting. I just need another reason to wait other than the processor. That graphics card could be a point of interest. How will the price be on that?

Any word on when the 660m will come out? In college, that wouldn't be a bad card to have since it's lighter and more efficient. I'm just power hungry, though...

 

If your planning on using college internet all the time this shouldn't be to much of a problem, (or maybe I'm just spoiled on UofM internet) but it can be nice to have a nice network card...

 

no, price of 3630 should be the same. 10-15% is not bad at all. pretty much like going from 2670 to 2760. no one know for sure about the gpu. I would expect around the same price or slightly higher than nvidia 675m. 660 should arrive the same time but is not in the same class, 675 should be around 30-50% faster and 7970 even more.

 

Thank you, I had the same question about the price because I have--like the OP--been hearing a lot of contradicting answers. I'll take your word on this one. Now... we wait.

I'm also a computer engineering major and will be transferring to a university this fall (from junior college). I'm looking at the W150ER instead though since I don't game too much but still want a 1920x1080 15'' with good specs, just in case I relapse. Plus its a bit lighter in weight, not much, but I like that. EDIT: And it has two hard drive bays! I have a good 180GB SSD already, so it caught my eye.

 

Thanks Mk017. Great information. I'll also take your word for it on that. I wish AMD would release more information on their 7xxx series. They're keeping really quiet about it.

I'm definitely in a debate with myself on whether or not I go ahead and order it or wait for IB and a possible graphics card upgrade. Only problem with waiting for the graphics card is that, if it's higher priced that the 675m, it could potentially be out of my price range.

And JTrauma, best of luck to you in engineering school!

 

Best of luck to you as well! I forgot to say

 

I am getting the almost exatly same spec as yours except for matte screen. Wonder if it is worth wating for the next CPU and graphic cards, considering the possible price increase.

 

you are welcome, w150er is a very good choice. best compromise between power and battery. you might also want to look at the 95% NTSC Matte screen. so much better than the stock screen. good luck with your purchase

 

no problem, 675m is a great card and I am sure you will be happy with it. I personally prefer nvidia. better driver support and it has been out a while and won't give you any surprise. new card tend to have drivers bugs and minor problems when first come out.

 

Yes the 95% NTSC upgrade was a no-brainer since I was previously considering the NP9130. The lower price of the W150ER lets me feel a little better about the extra 70 bucks However I probably would have ordered it on the NP9130 anyway due its highly positive reviews.