P150HM questions

I'm shopping around for a good gaming machine and have more or less decided on the Clevo P150HM. In particular I think I like the looks of these Malibal guys, especially the fact that the machines can be serviced in Canada.

1. My primary use for the machine, other than everyday tasks, will be games. I'm hoping this includes emulation with software like PCSX2 and Dolphin, but it's hard to find a solid answer on how well those work for laptop CPUs. Will the 2670 be enough for this? Should I aim for a 2760 even though it's $160 more? Basically, does anybody know how well these specific emulators perform on each one?

2. Are there any downsides to getting 8GB RAM in 4 sticks instead of 2, other than ease of upgrade? I don't really see myself doing that any time soon.

3. Any chance the GTX 580 will go on sale right away? I'm looking at the 6990, but I've had ATI cards in the past and have had some bad experiences with the drivers.

4. How's the stock wireless card? I like the internal bluetooth and don't really need super speeds (my current router is still just G) so as long as range and fidelity are good that's what I'm looking for.

5. How bad is the track pad, really? It's about the only complaint I've heard about this model, and my current laptop is a 2006 Macbook Pro with an awesome track pad. For regular use and browsing would it just be a little bothersome or would it drive me crazy?

6. With Malibal or XoticPC, do they usually have big christmas sales? Should I be waiting another week before doing anything?

Thanks in advance!

 

Hey redcandle,

1.) I've run PCSX2 on my first gen i7 desktop processor, and the newest version REALLY helped out quite a bit. Honestly I think you'll be OK with the 2670QM, but as always with emulation software it'll take a little tweaking. Not sure about Dolphin, but I don't think it necessitates an upgrade to the 2760QM.

2.) Not that I've noticed. I've seen two of our computers configured both ways and honestly didn't see much of a real-life difference.

3.) No news yet on any sales running for the GTX 580M, although I don't much see a price drop until the next gen is released, normally. However, with Alienware's drop, I'm hoping Sager/Clevo will follow suit, that'd be sweet. The ATI card is really tempting, and most NBR users have reported good experience with the 6990M.

4.) Stock wireless card will be good for everyday usage, nothing special. I usually suggest at least the Intel 6230 card though, as it provides better driver support and still keeps bluetooth (if you need it).

5.) I've heard customers complain that because it is the same material as the chassis, it is a little difficult every once in a while to use, but mostly it just takes some getting used to. Personally I always use a little bluetooth mouse though

6.) Right now is probably the best time to buy, Sager really hasn't mentioned any sales (not that they would, they like to keep it a surprise) and the $100 promo they're offering is the best discount I've seen in a while.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

Thanks for the quick reply! My knowledge of Dolphin is limited (because. It runs terribly on my current hardware), but it's supposed to run about as well as pcsx2, so if that's doable I should be all right.

I use my trackpad a lot right now because there's no room for a mouse while I'm sitting in the couch, but any gaming would be done with a mouse or gamepad.

Actually, speaking of just sitting on the couch, how hot does the 8150 get during regular use (nothing intensive)?

And speaking of heat, am I correct in assuming that the extra thermal compound is recommended if I want the laptop to last me for years?

 

If you're going to be using the trackpad a lot, you might think about getting the (cheaper ) NP8130, it doesn't have a rubberized finnish on the trackpad and the case design is exactly the same. The only problem with the NP813 is that it comes with an nvidia gtx560m, but it is upgradeable, so you could wait for the next generation and get the gtx680, next year, which would be a substantial upgrade ( the techs at sager have confirmed that the upgrade to the 6 series is possible). I've read that the idle temps are in the low 40's or high 30's, so you're probably looking around there for surfing the web ( these temps are in Celsius).

 

Users have reported it being only barley warm when browsing the net or doing the like.

The ICD Compound is mainly for ones that spend long periods gaming, running benchmarks or doing intensive graphics demanding apps. Again for long periods of time.

If you are a casual gamer and such you may find no need for the upgraded thermal compound.
_

 

I would definitely not consider myself a casual gamer, and plan to spend long periods playing Skyrim and Saints Row 3

I keep reading about the 8150 having a rubberized finish, but I'm not quite sure that I understand what that means. Is it too grippy? Does your finger "stick" when you try to slide it across? Is it a problem that could be fixed by, say, putting a phone screen protector over the track pad? Or is it not very responsive and you need to press harder?

And I would need to buy a larger power supply to upgrade the video card on the 8130, right?

 

What I've read about the trackpad is exactly that, it's too grippy. And yes again you'll need a 180 watt psu and a new gpu. BUT! considering that the next generation of gpu's are 28nm they will probably have lower power usage, and then you won't need a new psu ( this is just a guess).

 

Even though Dolphin is strongly CPU based, the difference in performance that you would get would be minimal (if you would be getting any at all, due to the FPS limitation) and isn't worth the $160 if you were to opt for the 2760m.

 

Awesome, that's pretty much what I was looking for regarding the CPU

 

The 6990M is the nicest card I ever had. I can only reccomend it to you.