Sager NP2090 Owners Lounge

Hi guys, this is probably my first post here, but I've been following along with the threads prior to this date. I recieved my laptop yesterday night (I had ground shipping and I'm in Massachusetts) My specs are:

15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800) "Glossy" LCD
Intel® Core™2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz Processor
2,048MB (2 SODIMMS) DDR2/667 Memory
120GB SATA/150 Hard Drive at 5,400 RPM

Everything else I'm sure you all have memorized by now
I bought mine without an OS and am going to install dualboot XP and linux on it (Still debating between Fedora and Ubuntu). One thing I have to note though, is that the Fedora7 DVD has problems installing, saying it lacks the drivers for my DVD drive (after checking google, seems that that happens to some brands of dvd drives). Fedora Core 6 installs fine, though the sounds didn't work out-of-box. Upon shoving in the Ubuntu 7.04 Live-CD, it didn't work properly, but I haven't had a chance to play around with it too much. An old version of Mepis Live-CD worked though including QTParted, I forget which version, but it's pretty old old. I'm at work now, but will try to play with it some more tonight. Installing XP is a pain because it doesn't have the drivers for SATA harddrives and thus doesn't recognize anything, but I believe I have an external floppy drive so I'll try that later.
Anyways, if you guys have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll answer to the best of my ability. In response to the top lights that some people had trouble with (Wow Audio, etc), mine works perfectly, and all of the ones to the left of the mute-speaker are actually heat-sensitive buttons, which is quite cool. My experience with the screen has been a good one, I haven't noticed any dead-pixels, but I haven't ran any tests yet. The view angle is also great, and at max brightness, the screen is brighter than my desktop LCD. Even with the brightness at max, with wi-fi off, the estimate battery life was about 2.5 hours when it was at 80-85%. I wasn't gaming at the time, just installing updates for Fedora Core 6. I'll run some real tests once I get all my OS's installed etc.

 

Congrats on the new machine! Enjoy!

 

Where did you order from?

 

Powernotebooks.com, on June 20-something

 

So what exactly are u having problems with? Xp isnt working correctly?

 

XP won't install because the XP install disk doesn't come with drivers for SATA harddrives (which we have) and the only way to include 3rd party drivers is by using a floppy. Lucky I have an external floppy drive, but I can't do it right now because I'm at work and my laptop isn't with me.
EDIT: This isn't the laptop's fault, it's more Microsoft's fault, and my own for buying it without an OS and trying to install XP. This happens wtih all SATA harddrives, so its pretty common.

 

So Fedora 7 will not install? thats a shame... and i have a copy ready for my 2090..

Edit: So essentially, no problems other than the SATA driver support of XP and some driver issues with Linux distros?

 

It could either be the DVD drivers or the SATA drivers, but oddly fedora core 6 worked fine without any special adjustments, so I don't know why fedora 7 didn't work. I also tried installing Fedora 7 using netinstall, which worked successfully, but it failed to start X server upon the initial boot. And yet Fedora Core 6 worked perfectly, even detected the correct resolution and everything.

 

well..hm. i guess its time to find fed core 6 to install then.
would you be happening to use x86-32 or 64bit?

 

Once I get home from work, I'll try to play around with it some more. As I've mentioned, Ubuntu 7.04 LiveCD also failed to boot, though a VERY old Mepis live cd worked. I'll go home and test the Ubuntu 6 livecd later today.

 

Do you have K/Ubuntu alternative CD? Can you try with that and let us know how it goes, also if it works see if it will pick up the media keys from fresh install.
Thanx

 

Just ordered mine, the Force model. Can't wait!

 

I'm using x86-32.

I'll try the alternative CD when I get home. Good thing I also have a desktop that I can use to burn it. I honestly don't have much of a preference when it comes to Ubuntu 7.04 vs Fedora 7, so I'll be happy with either one working. By the way, I don't have a retail XP Home CD, I have an OEM one from my desktop, do you guys know if that will work? If it doesn't then I'll just get one from my college once I go back, as they have a campus-wide license. I just wanted to install for now to test how this machine runs while gaming (first hand experience).

 

Another one joining the Compal community.
I've ordered mine with the WXGA,Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8Ghz (damn I wish I could afford better), 2Gig stick single,80gig 5400 HD (I already have a 160gig external Seagate HD), DVD writer,fingerprint reader and all the other cool stuff that comes with the lappy....oh and I'm taking good ol' XP...

Also,I've never replaced RAM in a notebook,this will be my first one.So as I have a single 2gig stick,I dunno how to install another stick of RAM.
Could anyone post a link to some page which describes the process of fitting in memory?

Oh,and can XP utilize 4 gigs of memory?


Thanks in advance

 

It's fairly straightforward to upgrade RAM in a laptop. The process is generally easier than upgrading the RAM in a desktop PC. Here's a link I found after doing a search on google.

http://laptopmag.com/Features/How-To-Upgrade-Your-Notebooks-RAM.htm

The manual for the laptop should include info on the exact location of the memory slots. I'm trying to download the Sager NP2090 manual to take a look, but it's taking a while.

In terms of Win XP (32 bit) supporting 4 GB of memory, yes it does. However, you will only see ~3.2 GB allocated because the OS reserves some of the memory for hardware devices. If you do a search on the web, you'll find plenty of pages regarding this issue.

 

It should technically work, the deal with SATA stuff has to do with not having an SP2 install XP dvd. Just change it to ACHP or ACHI I always forget(in the bios) and it should work then.

 

No, only 64 bit operating systems can support more than 3 gigs. And why do you need 4 gigs in XP anyways? XP isn't memory intensive like vista is.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong (and I seriously think I am) when I think that XP will run at lightspeed on a 4gig RAM...much better than 2gig....


Also,I will be buying the extra RAM after a year when I install 64bit Vista(I don't want to do it now because of the bugs that remain).....

 

I just finished editing my previous post right before you replied, hehe.
XP itself won't run any faster with 2+ GB RAM. It depends on what programs you run.

 

Yeah I was kinda posting that question again when mixxster replied...

 

hi, how's the screen view angle? is it good? both horizon and vertical? thanks

 

hey x8hnl8x, one more question. did you get the powerpro branded or the sager np2090??
Thanks.

 

Pictures

 

The view angle is good, I can still see at weird angles, both horizontally and vertically. But obviously the horizontal angle is better. Only thing that would mess up the vision would be if the angle is too wide for your eyes to register the whole screen properly. The screen is very glossy though, when its turned off, the screen is like a black mirror . I haven't tried it outside yet, but I'm sort of afraid of the glare. I got a Sager. And I'm still at work, so cant take pictures just yet

 

Well when you are at home take a like 30 pictures of everything lol

 

Today UPS delivered my 2090 at around 5pm, im getting used to it but so far it is awesome. If anyone has any questions i will try and answer them also if you want some pics i should be able to do that also.

 

When did you order your laptop?

 

Pictures :d

 

It would be a good idea to try to consolidate people's impressions of their new machine into one thread instead of everyone starting their own thread.

Edit: well, I guess Chaz has started consolidating... Thanks, Chaz!

 

I ordered it on july 5, also i just got the WXGA screen.

 

Screw one thread, I want to see a million threads! Hehe. You got lucky getting it so fast! I should be getting mine this week.

Take some pictures and stuff.

 

Heres a couple quick pics, if you want to see something specific ill see what i can do. http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8395&stc=1&d=1184884783
1
http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8396&stc=1&d=1184884783
sager2.jpg
http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8397&stc=1&d=1184884783
sager3.jpg

 

Does the multimedia buttons on the top right of the keyboard work for you

 

I concur, would be better to have a "1 & Only Got My NP2090" thread.

M1I9K8E9, when did your laptop actually ship?

 

Hey from the pictures I can't see the battery sticking out - did you get a 6 cell or is it really that not noticeable?

 

Mine shipped monday, also making one thread is a good idea, mabey we could get a sticky were you can post your pics and specs in.

 

Can you tell me if this notebook uses Texas Instruments or some other chip for its firewire ( could be important when dealing with sound recording )

Thanks

 

How would i go about doing that? Also i think i read somewhere about that, try the search feature if you havent already.

 

I know everyone is excited about ordering/receiving the Sager NP2090 so I've merged several threads into the Sager NP2090 Coalition! thread - it is now called the Sager NP2090 Owner's Lounge.

From now on I'd prefer it if anyone wishing to start their own thread about their NP2090 post in here - the forum is going to get cluttered otherwise.

Thanks.

 

Hey I'm wondering what type of bag you all are looking at for the 2090?

 

I'm probably just going to get a sleeve, which sleeve I do not know. I just know i don't want a separate bag for it. Unless you meant sleeve.

 

I am looking into the OGIO Politan. It looks stylish and also is able to hold the dell 1520 with a 9 cell battery which is almost equal in size of the sager np2090 from specifications of PowerNotebooks and the dell inspiron 1520 review.

 

I am going to use the backpack that I reviewed in my sig.
Tim

 

im gonna be using a ful commotion. the bag has been here for so long waiting..i cant wait.......

 

Yes, now that I ordered my 2090, I can concentrate on getting the extras, like the bag.

 

im going to the bank to make the wire transfer tommorow morning. im soo excited...i feel like a dork xD
gonna be worth it!

 

I think he has the 9-Cell battery since I can see a slight bulge on the back. See the attachment.

Either the camera angle he chose really hides how much it sticks out or it doesn't stick that much at all, which would be good news.

 

It sticks out like half a inch or 3/4s a inch

 

I was told in an email from xoticpc that the firewire chip is a Texas Instruments. I'm planning to use my new laptop for recording as well. I am planning to order one in August.

 

I'm going to use my Northface Surge backpack to carry my 2090 when I go to college. I got when travel country had a deal for $69.99.