Sager NP8150 Vs Sager NP8170

Hey I've got my heart set on the 8150, but have been eyeing the 8170 as well. I have not yet placed an order solely on awaiting on my funds to appear. Anways. Are there any incredible differences? What are some of your thoughts. I am pretty stoked the get my hands on either, I have read that pretty much everyone reveres these types of machines. So questions comments and such. My budget is sitting around 3k, so if you have an suggestions on what I would do with a build I am flexible and open to suggestion. I am not seeing on replacing this system for several years.

Now I have built the system using xoticpc's site

the 8150 comes out to 3013

the 8170 comes out to 3100

Also the 70 is 3D capable. Note though I have no care for this and this has absolutely no bearing on my preferences.

 

So here are the differences:

P170HM:
HM67 chipset lets you overclock the unlocked "XM" CPU models
Support for XTU RAM
Larger footprint
Two hard drive bays + optical (RAID support as well)
aluminum finish at keyboard/palm rest
3D Screen option (that you listed)
Runs somewhat cooler
Larger power supply

P150HM
Rubberized Finish
1 primary hard drive bay + optical
95% screen upgrades

If the extras on the P170hm don't sound necessary and the 17" screen isn't needed- the P150HM will offer better portability with basically the same hardware.

 

Hey Coxy, feel free to shoot me a PM for NBR member discounts

Also, there are a few differences. The 8170 is going to have more real estate and a bit better cooling because of the larger interior. Also, the 8150 has a 180W PSU while the 8170 has 220W, so there's a slight difference. Also, 8170 has RAID support for two hard drives if you ever need it in the future, whereas the 8150 has only 1 bay.

Of course, the biggest question you'd have to ask yourself is how much you see yourself lugging the laptop around, 17" laptops can get a bit heavy.

 

I have the 17" and it's a great laptop. I got it because I wanted a bigger screen as my current 15" is just a pain to use at 1080p. Though I do have to say it's kinda big, but it's a DTR and I don't move it too much so it's not a problem for me though it might be for you.

But $3k seems kinda excessive, what part are you planning on putting into it?

 

Personally, I'd get the 17" with the OC possibilities.

Ha, I would even do a case swap with a 17".

 

Well a little information about me and portability. I do travel often which is why the netbook I am using is pretty dandy. However. When I redploy to Alaska its going to sit in front of my TV where it will probably remain tethered in place. Because a 15\17 inch monitor does not beat a 46 inch TV. Playing Fallout 2 on that display was amazing. lol Also, the traveling I do is mostly in the form of Armored Vehicles on dangerous roads. When we move locations I take my laptop with me, but for missions it sits at the camp, like it should.

 

If you plan to have it hooked up to another screen, I'd suggest the 8150, but if you're needing 2 hard drives, I'd go with the 8170.

Edit: or the 8150 with a hard drive in the optical bay drive might work too

 

I like the idea of RAID0, but I have not really ever had any experience with it. I assume RAID0 would only work for the 80 seeing as it has to dedicated HD Bays, and not one that was converted from an Optical Bay?

How does RAID0 affect performance? I am aware that it takes data and splits it amongst the drives to make it faster. So I would assume it would make read/write speeds twice as fast? I am probably wrong in that assumption lol. How does it affect gaming? If it all?

 

I went with the 8170 model to use a SSD main drive, typical 500gb secondary while keeping my dvd/blu ray burner. It's only like 1 1/4" wider than the 15" and tiny bit thicker in a spot. Little more weight too, but I think the pros outweigh the cons.

 

Thank you for the input Aero, I do find myself leading towards the 8170, because I thought about it, what is 2 more inches (and in reality, as you stated 1.25) really isn't much.

Plus, I can get 2 750gb hds, for essentially for less than a $150 dollar upgrade, and have them in RAID0 (which would be like the 8150's single hdd but much faster)

The decisions! Ahhhhh!

 

Not much effect on gaming besides faster map loading times, but even then it wouldn't be an "earth-shattering" difference

RAID0 just increases read/write times since the computer will read/write to both hard drives simultaneously.

 

you'll be happy either way. the biggest factor is just luggability imo.

 

I have the 8170 and it's a pain in the butt to move around. As in I dread putting it on my lap to use it because it is so large, and I'm a big dude.... I agree with J.P. If you're going to have it hooked up to an external monitor anyway, go with the 8150 unless you need the second drive bay.

 

Let's trade!

 

Yes please!