SAGER Notebook vs. Desktop PC

Alright, I can't seemt o post in Desktop Hardware so I'll post here since this somewhat relates to SAGER notebooks.

If I am going to buy a notebook, the best I'll probably buy is the NP5796 or the NP8660. Forget the D901C because if I want it to be good, I have to spend upwards to 3 grand.

That being said, I looked at the best PC you can buy for X USD and I found a really great build for $2000. Less then what I'd be paying for in a NP8660! Well sure I don't get portability and power efficiency. Though I sure do get great power with the 4870X2 that is included.

Now, the portability isn't bugging me, I am going in grade 12 and in that time I can save up for a small laptop to go to university. Though this isn't the thing that is bugging me the most, it's the 750W power supply.

To run this machine the components require that I have a 750W power supply. Now I understand that the computer may not always use all 750W of power, but at some point it may get close. Say when I game for example (my priority for when I use a computer), my power supply will use a lot of power. Not to mention it will have a Quad Core proccessor, 4870 X2, 22" monitor, and 2 640 GB 7200 RPM hard drives.

Now my parents are always complaining that they want the electricity bill to get lower. Well 4 people use a computer in my house. My brother, my sister, my dad, and I. My sister really only browses internet on her junk computer, my dad has a laptop, but my brother and I are the ones who like to game.

Now im wondering. Is using close to 750W of power in a com[puter for extended periods of time gonna make the electricity bill go sky high?

 

well the 5796 consumes less than 120W, so it's like running 6 of 5696 at the same time. why don't you check out the OCZ whitebook? seems faster and cheaper.

 

well, that is the maximum amount of power required. and ur power bill will only go up very high if u game 24/7.

 

to choosing notebook Vs Desktop, you have to ask yourself if u gone to or wants to bring your pc to school or work and another places. i choose notebook b/c i want to be able to do homework while i am not at home.

 

First off, a desktop will always give more power for less money. Second, don't you dare buy a $2000 pre-built PC; you can buy and assemble the components yourself for half the price.

 

Notebooks
Pros
Portable
Low power consumption
Quiet
Compact

Cons
Expensive
Lack of upgradability
Limited longevity

Desktops
Pros
Cheap
Upgradable
Long-lasting
Easy to repair
More powrful

Cons
Large and bulky
Easily becomes money hole with constany upgrades
Can be noisy

 

Thanks guys, but I am not asking for pros and cons. I don't game 24/7, but if I am not out at school or with friends, or doing homework, I am on the computer playing games. I would say maybe 3 - 5 hours a day.

 

As long as you practice good power saving procedures, sleep/hibernation mode while the computer is not in use as well as turning off the monitor and speakers, you should not see that big of an increase. It also depends on what you are gaming on now for comparison.

My desktop is running dual 4870s in Crossfire (uses a bit more power than a 4870x2) but I am using a 1k power supply because of the water pump for the cooling system. My previous setup had an 850w power supply going to an 8800GTX (all other components are the same with no water cooling). I noticed a slight rise in my power bill, about 5-10 dollars a month if that.

If you are really concerned about the electric bill, turn the AC down a couple degrees. It will compensate for the computer.

 

If you don't mind me asking, how much was your bill? Just an estimate is fine.

 

2 bedroom apartment, AC set at 76f, my desktop, my lappy, my roommates 2 desktops (one is a gamer, another a movie server) and his lappy, both of us have 28" monitors and one 36" LCD TV, living near Miami costs about 250-300 a month in electricity. It used cost about 190 a month until fuel costs started going up a few months back.

 

if your priority for using a computer is to game, and you don't see the need for moving your gaming rig around, then desktop? its alot cheaper (just so long you don't buy it pre-built, as what Kevin_Jack2.0 said.), and should run alot cooler if you get a good setup.. umm as for the electricity bill, perhaps get an iPod to blast music instead of leaving your com on to baslt music.. and off the power socket when you off you computer, as it still drains some electricity even if its 'shut down'..

 

Ok, think about it. Let make it easy. Say you got 1000w power supply and used it 24/7, full power. Around my area, my highest electric rate is about .13 cents (USD) per kwh. So, in one hour of this machine you will use 13 cents. A whole day, you are talking about $3.12. Per month, roughly $93.

Now I doubt you would use your full power 24/7. But this should give you an idea how much it would cost.

 

My electricity bill is around $86 in my house. I always turn off my monitor and put my computer to hybernation.

Hmm, this may work out.

 

You are very lucky! mine averages $350/month!

 

Now I just need to know if I need the power. I play games like Lineage II, Maplestory, Gunbound, Gunz, and these games run fine on like a 8600 GS. Perhaps I should just get a very nice notebook.

 

I am also not sure on either to buy a Sager desktop replacement or a real desktop computer... Some complete systems include nice hardware and are still much cheaper than notebooks. I configured myself on various shops some desktop systems with good hardware altogether (mobo (asus p5n or something like that), new gpu (*800 number), cpu (quad), ram, dvd, mouse, keyboard) or even a full set with pre-configured hardware including 20" display - everything ended up with a maximum of 850€ ... whereas a notebook which is slower anyways, hardly upgradeable and with the same configuration costs at least 1.700€... that's exactly double cost!


The more I think about it and my budget the more I consider keeping my old laptop. For the price of 1.700€ you can even buy a desktop computer and a light-weight notebook (or the OLPC ). Ah yes: most systems had 400-500 Watt power adapters, so I guess that's o.k..

 

I choose notebooks so I can sit in my recliner and do homework, as well as take notes in class. My new apartment also wont really have a good place for a desktop. The ability to move the computer around my area at will makes the notebook the best choice for me.

 

I had similar thoughts recently. I even ordered a M860TU (by the wonderful people at Kobalt Computers), but ended up cancelling the order. I found myself thinking too much about the cost and the real reason for buying it. While I am going to need a notebook for some travel and university, I would be stupid to use the M860TU and risk either losing or damaging it. Then I checked the prices for pre build desktop systems (where you choose every component and they build it for you) and depending on the configuration, the notebook was anything from 50 to 100 percent more expensive, for less performance.
So I ended up ordering an Eee PC and thinking if/what I am going to do about a desktop PC.
If the computer is not going to travel a lot with you then yes, buying a desktop PC is the best solution for a variety of reasons already mentioned by others.
If you can afford to get a M860TU or similar notebook, then by all means buy it! If you want to game a lot with new PC games and save money, then I don't see how you have any other option than to buy a desktop PC. If you are even very careful where you buy the components from (always consider the shipping costs!) and you can build it yourself, then you should get an even better price.

If I could afford a M860TU without having a guilty concience (sp? lol), then I would definitely buy one.

As for electricity, you will save more money going with a notebook for obvious reasons. I believe that if you practice some common logic, like turning off the monitor when you don't use it, shut down the system when you don't use it, only have downloads in the background when you also do other things with the computer and none of that hibernation/sleep modes, then the definite increase cost of electricity, shouldn't be more than double or so than what you would pay just for the notebook.
You will have to make up your own mind. Both ways can become black holes for money.

You could always just use your old laptop or buy a new low powered/specced laptop to use for school etc and buy a game console like an Xbox 360 (my favourite) for all your demanding gaming needs and still save money.

So the question is, what can you afford and what types of games you want to play.

 

I believe these guys have hit the nail on the head. Your decision should be totally based on what you will use/need it for. Personally i believe that if you are going to buy a Sager to reduce power costs then your crazy! Desktops are way more price efficient for what you get. I just bought a M860TU, however i also have 2 home build quad core desktops. I did not buy the Sager because it was more powerfull (which it isnt). I bought it so that i can use it at school, while im in town, while im away from my house(live with gf alot). So like everyone has said, dont buy it to save money on power bills because you could easily build a desktop for WAY cheaper and then just give your parents money towards the power bills lol, only buy it if you NEED it. Else a desktop is way better.

 

never heard of lineage II before.. but the rest of the games mentioned above, all are not graphic intensive, and can be easily handled with a mid-range laptop..

but if you're ever gonna play games like crysis, COD, (and all the other resource intensive games that are 'used' for benchies) then go for a desktop? wayyy cheaper.. tho it'll be hard to bring it to lan parties =D

chose laptop cos i can bring it around, stay over someone's house and game overnight without having to fight over a desktop.. and power usage is also brought down abit cos of the automatic downclocking thing, so my laptop uses wayyyy lesser power than my desktop of about the same specs.. good choice for me..

you'll have to decide based on a few major factors such as:
1) do you need to bring your rig around?
2) budget? (laptop budget or desktop budget?)
3) performance (do you NEED high performance?)
4) Upgradability (you want to keep up with the latest stuff?)
5) power consumption (tho quite a small factor..)