Sager NP8657 questions

I'm thinking of ordering either the NP8657 or the NP8657 Special from powernotebooks. I have a few questions:

1. I'd like to upgrade from the TN panel to the 1080 IPS panel with G-Sync. Is there a downside to this panel vs the TN one? Bad response time, backlight bleed, etc.?

2. The Special version comes with 16 GB of RAM, which I definitely want. It also comes with an 120GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD in the M.2 Slot 1. I have my own SSD that I'd like to use instead, and I can save $60 by opting out of the default SSD. How hard is it to access the M.2 Slot 1 port in order to install my own SSD?

3. I need the laptop by early December, and would need to return it if it doesn't arrive by then. Is there a particular reseller that offers the best service in this situation? (best service = lowest penalty)

4. If I have problems with the laptop, who would I be dealing with? Sager or powernotebooks? The powernotebooks site displays Sager's warranty information. Is there a point in buying from them instead of Sager if you'll be dealing with Sager anyway?

 

In regards to question 4... I bought my Sager NP8651 from Xotic PC. By going through them, I didn't have to pay tax. Earlier this year, it required servicing because the display went bad. I ended up sending it back directly to Sager, as instructed by Xotic PC. They handled the servicing and returned it directly to me. I believe it took 3 to 5 days before I had it back in my hands. I can't speak for PowerNotebooks, but I would expect them to handle servicing in the same manner.

Cheers.

 

Just the way they are made, IPS are more likely to have backlight bleed than TN, but every screen is different really. TN generally have quicker response times, but I don't think I've really heard many complaints about the IPS being really bad though.

The m.2 slots are just underneath the bottom panel, and should be easy to access.

 

I've heard a lot of good things about the IPS screen and not many complaints so i'd say go with that. Typically IPS has a little lower response time than the TN, however the color reproduction is better and a lot of people have been really happy with them.

The M.2 is easy to access, if you check out some reviews for the 8651 you will see the slots that they go into as they haven't changed much.

Can i ask why you only need a laptop for the beginning of December? I'm just asking because it seems like if you had the need at the start of December you would have the need other times in your life and why not just remain prepared?

Typically you would contact your reseller who would work directly with Sager for you.