Sager NP8170 or NP88150, need opinions

Hi all,

I'm on the edge of buying a sager notebook and I have a few questions. I'm looking for a performance notebook, but I'll also play games (of course!).

First, I've never had a notebook with a 17" screen, so I'm wondering if it's worth it to get such a screen instead of a 15" one? The additional cost is about 200$ and I get 3D glasses.

Second, here's the specifications I want for a Sager NP8170 or NP8150:

• Full HD LED-Backlit Display features 95% NTSC Color Gamut in Matte Finished Surface (1920 x 1080)

• Nvidia GeForce GTX 485M GPU with 2GB GDDR5 Video Memory

• Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM Processor ( 6MB L3 Cache, 2.00GHz)

• 12GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 3 X 4GB

• 750GB 7200rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive

• 8X DVD±R/RW/4X +DL Super-Multi Drive & Software

• Internal 802.11 B+G+N Wireless LAN + Bluetooth Combo Module

Is it a good idea to:

• Get a 80GB solid state drive for the os and the regular 750GB drive? 140$

• Get a Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN + Bluetooth Combo Module?

• Get the IC diamond Thermal Compound for 40$? I've read on the forum that it might be better to get a "Cooler Master NotePal U3 Notebook Cooler"...

Thanks in advance for any help/comments!

 

As far as I know you can only put one hard drive in the 8150. The only way to have 2 hard drives on that model would be to install a hard drive caddy in the optical drive slot, but then you wouldn't have an optical drive. The 8170, though, can take 2 hard drives and still have an optical drive.

If you use bluetooth. If you don't use bluetooth, the $10 upgrade to the Intel Centrino 6300 is worth it for the improved range and speed of the wireless.

Thermal compounds cool the computer from the inside (making your fans more efficient at removing heat from the computer) and notebook coolers cool from the outside (by simply cooling down the case). I got the IC diamond upgrade and even running 3dmark11 it was cool enough to keep on my lap. IC diamond works very well at cooling the computer, so I'd look at reviews for it and reviews for the notebook cooler you're looking at (I'm not familiar with it) and compare the performance.

 

which screen size is mostly preference. i've owned an 18.4 and it was massive, but with the 17 u can have 2 hd's, and 3d. i would recommend ic compound if u cant do it your self. if u use the internet a lot and would like the bluetooth then why not. as for the hd, i havent used an ssd , but everyone says that once u do u will never go back. however they are expensive.

 

IMHO after owning the 17" I'd say go for the 15" for two reasons:

(1) the 95% gamut screen is tons better (apparently) than anything you can get on the 17"
(2) The machines are nearly identical except for the addition of a second hard drive bay, and not worth the extra heft imho

The only thing I *DON'T* like about the NP8150 is the rubberized finish, and can see how it would be annoying on the touchpad.

But if 3D is important to you then your only option is the 17".

 

Yep, problem is that they are expensive. Maybe I shoud get the 17" and then buy a SSD later...

That's what I thought.

I think I prefer the thermal compound. I've already built a desktop computer, but I'm not sure I'm good enough to apply it myself in a notebook. The 40$ seems like a good option.

I've heard that too, does it make a big difference for games, movies and graphic design? Can't find a good article about that on the internet.

What do you mean? It's not looking good? The trackpad doesn't work well because of that?

 

regardless of which laptop you choose i suggest you ask the seller to send you a HDD caddy for optical drive slot so you can swap them out if you ever need the extra hard drive space. (only time i ever end up using cd's / dvd's is installing games / dvd's and most of that i now download).

 

well its slightly different than a plastic track pad, its not like super rubbery, its like the back of motorola droid, or similar to and old thinkpads outside case. i personally like it.

 

Well the rubberized finish I hear can skip or hard to drag across the surface. Someone mentioned they took like a cell phone screen protector and put it on the trackpad and it helped a lot.

 

My 8150 from XoticPC (see my config below) is out for delivery today so I'll post some initial impressions later tonight.

After 3 weeks of anguish, I finally decided on the 8150 with the 95% color matte screen instead of waiting for the P170HM3/580M 3D certification for the following reasons:
(1) cheaper configuration - by about $600 with the extra goodies that I wanted for the P170HM3
(2) Size - I have an Asus G72 that is 8.8lbs, and I really dont want to lug another monster rig round (hoofing that beast through an airport was a PITA) plus my laptop stays docked to an external monitor/keyboard/mouse about 90% of the time...
(3) Matte Screen - I didn't care about 3D, but I really wanted the 120Hz matte screen upgrade. I can probably do a 23" 3D/120Hz external monitor for $350 if I absolutely want it. Plus, everyone raved about the 95% gamut matte on the 8150 so i figured, "why not?"
(4) Depreciation/Investment - I plan to upgrade to Ivy Bridge/next-gen Nvidia/backlit keyboard late next year so I didnt want to invest as much due to depreciation (yes, I know I'm going to get killed on the 580M since the 6990M looks to beat it... in retrospect, I should have picked the 485M)

Other cost shortcuts that I took:
No OS - I have an MSDN subscription
No dead pixel warranty (I'll take my chances)
No IC Diamond paste (I want to benchmark with and without IC Diamond so I'll apply it later)
No SSD/DVD drive so I bought the HDD caddy (waiting for the Vertex3 issues to get resolved and prices to drop due to supply surpluses), and who needs a DVD drive anymore? I have a USB DVD drive for the rare instance that I install a non-Steam game (USB DVD's are cheap now... $40 at my local MicroCenter)

I went with the Intel 6230 because I have a ton of Bluetooth devices and I primarily use a gigabit LAN connection, but I hear great things about the 6300 if you dont need BT.

 

After seeing quite a few 17" and 15", I tend to prefer 17" screens as they are more fun to work with and the 17" laptops are generally more comfy to use as you feel less cramped. They also tend to have better cooling and easier access to components inside.

If you game and just move from plug-in to plug-in, then the 17" makes more sense. If you travel a lot or tend to go through airports, or in and out of a lot of cramped server rooms, the SIZE of the 17" is slightly annoying. The weight difference is 1.7-1.8lbs and thus is almost completely unnoticeable in comparison to the size.

I do not have an example of either the 17" clevo or the 15" 95% gamut to compare, but pretty sure I have seen people from the resellers who said the base screens are quite nice. It's all a matter of degree... most of which I doubt most people would notice. This isn't a horrible screen vs an amazing one. It's a good larger screen against a slightly better smaller one. Is it worth it? Only you can tell I guess. Someone who has actually seen both would be an ideal source.

An SSD you most definitely WILL notice. They dramatically decrease loading times and make your computer quite a bit more responsive. If you can afford one I highly doubt you can find an upgrade which will will show as much real tangible difference.

Most of the time when people buy a 15" laptop, they do it for the portability concept + performance. The portability idea is kind of ruined by carrying a USB optical drive with you everywhere. Think of how often you use an optical drive. If it isn't that often or portability is't your real goal then get a 15" with the optical drive bay caddy and pick up a USB blu-ray if you do not already have one.

It all really depends on your needs and how you use your laptop.

Good luck.

 

actually you can access all of the components easily on the p150hm, and the cooling is excellent. also since this has the same keyboard as the 17" it is just as comfortable, and it also has the same resolution. really the only advantage to the 17" is the larger screen and extra hard drive bay.

 

Why not have both?!?

 

For me, personally, I prefer the larger screen of a 17". From a travel perspective, I carry both my NP8170 and my work laptop in a single bag without too much issue. I set my laptop bag ontop of my rolling bag. I do travel frequently.

It really comes down to preference for screen size. I like the larger screen for gaming but that's just me. Either is an excellent choice.

 

I definitely prefer the 15 inch for performance/efficiency: the 17 inch is clunky and inconvenient if you carry it with you, and it can be a huge pain in the to pass around when you are sharing ideas or code at work/school (though, for the latter, that could get you into trouble :0).

That said, the 17" screen is sweeter and easier on the eyes.

 

I agree with many of the posters here. I have an Asus G73 17', love the real estate on the screen, but hate to lug it around. I bought the 8150 and absolutely love it. I added the caddy, put in an Intel 510 ssd in the hdd bay and a WD Black in the caddy so I have speed and storage. It runs cool, fast, is easy to carry, plug in and use. I got a good deal with an extra power brick, I keep one at work and one at home, so I don't have to carry one unless I am traveling. And it is extremely easy to get at anything in the lappy. I bought an Intel wireless card to replace the Atheros that came with it, and was able to change it by popping off the keyboard. Didn't have to open up the laptop. But because I am curious by nature, I did open it up, and was pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to get to everything. I would assume the 8170 is just as easy to access everything, so in short, I don't think you can go wrong in whatever choice. I also have an external dvd drive, since if I am going to watch movies or such, I do so on my big screen. Other than adding occasional software or when I did a fresh install, I don't use the optical drive much, so adding storage was a better deal for me. Good luck, I think you will be very happy no matter what you choose.

 

What exactly is the deal with this "caddy" you guys mentioned? Do you need to get rid of the disc drive in order to use one?

 

Yes, you have to remove the optical drive in order to put an HDD caddy in the optical drive bay.

 

Doesn't seem worth it to me. So if I want to take advantage of an SSD while still having storage room, I should go for the 8170, right? How much worse is the screen on the 8170? I was interested in the 90% Gamut Matte screen for it.

 

Do you use the optical drive a lot? Most people just get an external optical drive. We have a nice external Samsung DVD Writer for $50. Also, the stock screen on the P150HM/P151HM1 is a lot better than the stock screen on the P170HM... you can compare them here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...ent-screen-options-photos-23.html#post7712471

 

I use the optical drive quite a bit. Never used an external one. Are they typically large? Are they reliable?

If I went with the P170HM and got an upgraded screen, probably the Matte one, does that fair better when compared to the upgraded P150HM screen?

 

They are reliable and are small. They measure approximately 14 cm x 14 cm x 2 cm. We have one for $19.

The AUO Matte screen for the 8170 (P170) is a nice screen and you will find many here that have posted about how impressed they are with it.

 

Is the 8170 a nice machine in general? How's the finish? How's the weight? I owned a G73 before so I'm sure I can deal with the screen size when it comes to carrying it around and stuff. Would I thus be more interested in the 8170?

Is the 8150's upgraded screen better than the AUO Matte screen for the 8170?

 

Are you guys going to make a video review for the 8170? I've watched the 8150 review so many times. A lot of people would love one for the bigger model.

 

I needed 2 hard drive bays and still wanted an optical drive so the 8170 was a no brainer. The laptop it's replacing is also 17inch so no big deal

 

one thing i believe you all failed to mention although of little importance ...
the 8170 comes with a 5.1 speaker setup whereas the 8150 only has 2 speakers + subwoofer.

 

Yep, the enhanced sound option on the 17" machine is something I won't give up.