Sager 8662 Configuration

Well, I've pretty much decided on getting a Sager 8662 but I have a few questions.

1) How upgradeable is this laptop? If I were to get the cheapest graphics card (9800M GTS) and cheapest processor (P8600) would I have the chance to upgrade to the next 'best' thing a few months down the road?

2) How much of a difference is there between the 9800M GTS and the GTX 260M? I don't really want to spend $200 more for very little difference, I plan on getting the GTS and upgrading to something even better than the 260M when this 'something' is released, is this a good idea?

3) Would the P8600 be efficient enough to do what I need to do? Mostly some photoshopping and gaming. (would like to play most new games on high) If I needed to, I could upgrade this later on down the road? (Even to quad cores?)

4) When I pick Canada as the shipping destination, it shows me the UPS for Canada but it doesn't add in any tax.. Does this mean I don't have to pay for any GST/PST or is it some sort of glitch?

Configuration I have chosen:

- Display: 15.4" WSXGA+ LCD with Super Glossy Surface (1680X1050)
- Processor: 45nm Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 / 3MB L2 Cache, 2.40GHz, 1066MHz FSB
- Video & Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTS Graphics with 512MB DDR3 Video Memory[-$200.00]
- Operating System: Genuine MS Windows® VISTA Home Premium 32/64-Bit Edition
- Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 2 X 2048MB[+$50.00]

Price: USD $1,389.85 Converted to Canadian: $1695.62 (Is this accurate?)

This is what it says for price:

Sub-Total:$1,349.00
Sales Tax:$0.00
UPS(Canada Standard):$40.85
Total:$1,389.85

PS Would it be cheaper to order from xoticpc from Canada?

 

Welcome to the NBR forums.

thats a pretty bang for the buck configuration, should be able to do gaming and everything else fine.

you can upgrade to:
- CPU: tops out at T9800/X9100 (dual-core) or QX9300 (quad-core)
- RAM: up to 16GB of DDR3 (when 8GB sticks become available)
- Videocard: tops out at Nvidia GTX 260M

if you do not need the higher videocard, then don't get it.
- the GTX 260M runs about 10-15% faster than the 9800M GTS
- its up to you if its worth it or not

the CPU is fine for overall usage, later on you can upgrade the CPU yourself.

this system is quite easy to upgrade any of the components.

you should contact XoticPC for full details of taxes and such... because it will be required to be paid for when the item reaches you.

I also would recommend to look at the same system from a Canadian vendor:
- www.eurocom.com

their prices should not be taken seriously, you should contact them and negotiate the price to XoticPC's for the same configuration.... they will usually match it (in CAD of course).
... then you wont have to deal with import taxes.

 

Ok thanks, I don't really want to have to go through all the dealers and negotiations so I'll most likely get off sagernotebook site or maybe Xotic.

As for the GTX 260M you say it is 10-15% faster but is it really noticeable? When gaming will my FPS be that much higher? How much would 15% increase be in FPS, like 10FPS? And also, how much cheaper would it be to upgrade the GPU from 9800 to 260M on my own?

Thanks a lot.

 

it will be well worth your time to at least try this... because taxes with shipping can go up as high as $400 ..... not kidding.

its very easy to deal with Eurocom, they are one of the three Clevo importer OEMs of North America... like Sager and Pro-Star is.

Pro-Star is another good vendor to purchase from since they have a flat Canadian customer rate that includes all shipping and taxes costs... so no headaches or surprises.

I hope you realize that you will lose money, NOT save money when upgrading the videocards.... seriously.

You cannot just go pick up a new videocard from anywhere, it has to be from a notebook vendor that sells these kinds of custom notebooks... and the GTX 260M is going for $400-500.

So even if you save $200 by getting the 9800M GTS, you will have to fork over about ~$400 for the new card.... sorry no trade-in/upgrade programs.. usually.

the performance difference will probably not translate into +10FPS in all games.... it will depend on the game really.

If a game plays at 100FPS with a 9800M GTS, it might gain 10-15 more FPS with the GTX 260M.

If a game plays at 50FPS with a 9800M GTS, it might gain 5-7 more FPS with GTX 260M.

....etc...

 

If you get the UPS(Canada Standard) shipping, UPS is going to charge you brokerage fees. I have no idea how those fees work, but I know when I bought my Xbox360, I was charged a $100 fee for something I bought for $250.

If you're going to go for the cheaper shipping, you should probably call UPS and find out in advance what they plan on charging you.

If you get the expedited shipping, there is no brokerage fee. Though, you will still pay a sales tax when the mail man delivers you your package. For reference, I think I paid $100-150 CAD on my laptop.

 

I'm more comfortable giving the GTX 260M up to 20% over the GTS. It's worth the upgrade. But don't even worry about that. Go to Eurocom, configure it with the 260M and P8600, then get them to price match Sager, because the price is about $700 to high.

It's 100% not worth going cheaper now if you expect to want a 260M later down the line.

 

I'd say the same as these guys, go with the GTX 260M. CPU is fine. I am ordering a M860TU soon and I can tell you that if you order from the us, you will have to pay GST AND PST plus shipping and brokerage fees. So if your order is of 1695.62$, you add 13% tax (This is Quebec PST tho), plus brokerage fees (around 100$ CDN). You end up with a total of 2016.05$. You will have to pay the taxes and brokerage fee when your package arrives. I'd say take a look at eurocom so at least you know both prices.
Here's a guide for canadian imports from Livesoft that helped me

 

Throw the price match at Eurocom, seriously. Why pay $500+ extra to get it from the states?

 

Thanks a lot guys but I just checked out pro-star site and for 290USD it includes all tax and duties + shipping which seems like a great deal.

I'm just wondering how pro-star's reputation is, any good?

With that site I get grand total of 1,848 which means.. around 2,070 CAD is this a good price with the GTX and 2.4GHz?

 

My M860TU is a Pro-star, and they're pretty easy to deal with. An important note is that you have to cover the shipping to them, if you have an issue.

No it's not good, because that's a $1534 (1861.13 CAD) config in the US. Why not get the same price from Eurocom?

 

I meant it's USD 1848 with tax and all though.

 

Help me understand, because I'm a bit ignorant to tax, duties, etc.

If you order from Eurocom, how much do your taxes and duties total? Is it more or less than the 290 you listed from Pro-star?

 

Pro-Star is like Sager..... a Clevo importer OEM.... which there is only three of them in North America.
- Sager
- Pro-Star
- Eurocom

So they should be good to get your system from.

FYI, I got my barebones through them.

 

Well with the price you gave me, plus 12% tax = 2084.32 which does not include shipping.

 

Is that price including the price-match?

 

How much will it cost you to ship the notebook back to the States, if something goes wrong?

I'd been searching for it, and here's a topic someone made on buying from Pro-Star.

 

I'll make it clear for you guys..
Order from Eurocom : 5% tax (GST) and 39$ shipping
Order from US : 13% tax + 100$ brokerage fees + shipping (let's say 40$)

Warranty : Most US resellers will make you charge for shipping which will be more expensive and a longer wait than from a canadian reseller. Some of them however pay the return shipping (So only one way shipping).

So it is quite a advantage to buy from Canada.. But Eurocom has higher prices (though negociable).

The flat rate of pro-star isn't much of a discount. You just don't get surprises when getting the laptop. It is pretty much equivalent to a normal express shipping + taxes.