Questions about SAGER/CLEVO (Which should I go for if I want this?)

This is very much like a "Which notebook should I get" thread, but I am asking some specific questions about the SAGER/CLEVO series of notebooks. Feedback is the name of the game here.

Onto my queries:

1. What laptop should I get considering I want the following?
   • 17" Screen (IPS Preffered)
   • NVIDIA 970M (Either VRAM Version is fine)
   • 16GB 1600MHz RAM
   • 1TB 7200rpm HDD (With additional space for my own 2.5" Crucial MX100 SSD *IMPORTANT*)
   • The best construction available with a budget limit of $1,499 USD or $1,699 CDN.
   [*]For the recommended model, is the chassis design all aluminium/metal? If not, what parts are/are not? (Be specific please! ie: Palmrest, Bottom Plate, Panel Back, Sides, Front)
   
2. Assuming the two above questions are positive, which reseller should I go to? (Canadian preferred if it's just as good as the US option, because I can save tax + travel that way)

I'm nervous about purchasing SAGER/CLEVO after having a a bad buying & support experience with MALIBAL back in 2012, has SAGER build quality (and overall quality) improved since then? How so?

Thank you all in advance for your help!

 

1. The P770ZM does look very promising. Desktop 4790K, 970/980M, 1TB 7200RPM, 17" 1080P (don't know if it's IPS), up to 32GB 2133MHz RAM... Probably the best single GPU laptop on the market.
2. Too lazy to do that, sorry. However Clevo/Sager definitely stepped up their game form their previous models. Probably not the whole, but most of the laptop consists out of aluminium IIRC. Atleast the new P650SE does, so I think it would make sense this one does too.
3. Either XoticPC or Eurocom. You might want to talk to Derek here on the Sager forums.


And come on, doesn't this machine look amazingly sleek/sexy/stylish? Maybe not as flashy as an Alienware, but it sure has class.

Btw, from XoticPC you can get the following for around $1800 (I know it's a little bit over your budget, but I just wanted to give you an idea of what you can generaly get):

- i7-4790K (or for $100 you can get an 4690K)
- GTX970M 6GB
- IC Diamond + Copper cooling upgrade
- 1x8GB 1600MHz RAM
- 1TB 7200RPM HDD
- Win 8 (probably free to upgrade to 8.1)

 

1. The P770ZM does indeed look good - but I highly doubt that it will be anywhere near my price range. (It also seems to have a soft-touch/rubber finish, which I really want to avoid if at all possible.)
2. The P650SE looks nice, but there are noticeable bezels that separate the aluminium palm rest from the rest of the chassis. This makes me think that it's only pieces here and there that are aluminium - and this may change for larger models too. Not to mention that the P650SE only has space for 2x7mm drives or 1x9.5mm drive. (I cannot use a 9.5mm 1TB HDD + my current 7mm 512GB SSD in the same machine because of the stupid way they set up the bay)
3. Unless Derek can fix the above hard drive problem or help me get a P770ZM within my price range, I don't see how he could help..

The machine looks nice, but I need something built well, with space for 2 x 9.5mm drives, under $1,499 USD / $1,699 CDN.

 

Too be honest I doubt you'll find anything like that within that price range. I realy think you need to add just $200-$300 more. Of course, I understand that you might not have the money for that right now, or can't justify it, but I realy think it's worth adding a little more. Nothing else except this Clevo comes to mind and I think this is as close as you can get with your budget. And I doubt the new AW 15 will be within that price range with a 970M (I think it doesn't even come with 7200RPM HDD's. Alienware have completely lost their mind this year).

 

Thing is, I got exactly that from ASUS for $1499 in their G751JT-CH71.

The only issue with it is that the sound is imbalanced and the power jack is loose. Other than that, it's everything I wanted.

They don't seem to be working on either issue, hence why I'm looking for a replacement..

 

Try this one then: XOTIC PC | Sager NP8278 (Clevo P170SM-A) 17.3" Gaming Laptop

 

That's the same model I got from Malibal multiple years back. (At least the same chassis design, P170xx) Mostly plastic, extremely clunky - I didn't mind getting rid of it.

 

Well the Asus has a soldered gpu and less vram along with less storage options while being bigger.

 

I think you really need to increase your budget by a bit otherwise, you are really limiting your options.. The Clevo P670SE should be within your budget but it will be a TN screen.. I would personally say that return your current G751 and try your luck with a new one... They should have fixed quite a few issues...

 

If you're willing to go to a 15" laptop, the Eurocom M5 PRO might fit the bill. Go configure a system on their site and see if the price works for you.

Part of the current issue is that there are few 17" IPS displays out there. I mean, the new Acer V Nitro and the ASUS G751 use the same LG panel. But most panels at that size are TN.

 

With your requirements of a 17.3" and 970M your options are:
NP8278 - You mentioned this is like the one you had before and didn't mind getting rid of it.
NP9772 - You mentioned you want to avoid soft touch rubber finish
NP9377 - Out of your price range.

That leaves:
NP8298
NP8671
The NP8671 (P670SE) could be a good fit, have you checked that out?

There are no IPS options I can think of