Sager vs Asus and Sager website or Xoticpc

I am very close to buying a Sager 8130...or possibly an Asus G53sx.

Any input from you guys would be appreciated. I want to stay about $1200. I will play BF3, CODMW3 and SWTOR mostly.

Also, if I go with Sager, which I am leaning to more and more, is it better to buy directly from Sager or from xoticpc? Seems to be the same price either way.

Thanks for any input.

 

Both are great deals for sure. The Sager is really known for the durable chassis and the 8130 is not user upgradeable as the 8150 and 8170 is. The biggest difference being the back lit keys from the ASUS G53SX model.

 

The Sager np8130 works fine with SWtor, not sure about other games (BF3 or CODMW3). Upgrades to look at in regard to the model: upgrade the screen (the matte is great), IC7 (if you aren't doing that yourself), upgrading to an i7 cpu, 6230 wireless card, and adding an OS (if you don't already have access to the software). Not all of these will fit your budget.

 

It looks like the 1.5gb 560M is better than the 2gb version from what I've read here...right? So that would make me lean towards the Sager. But I do like the lighted keyboard of the Asus. Anyway, I would go with the i7 and the matte finish is the default now it looks like. I do have copy of Win 7 I will install. I was thinking of going with the 4x2gb ram to save $50 and increase the HDD to 750. Whats the benefit of the 6230 wireless card over the basic?

Thanks

 

I don't know what differs between the two the GUPs (I only have access to a 8130). As for the 6230, its Intel instead of a generic brand and I think someone stated it has better driver support. I believe the Matte 95% NTSC Color Gamut is one of the best options.

 

Ok thanks. Also, is there any reason I should buy from Xotic PC rather than Sager directly or vice versa?

 

get the clevo/sager the screen upgrade alone is worth it. the 95% gamlut is incredible, i play all my games on my laptop screen for the colors. also build quality, and outsourcing of tech support was a big deciding factor. i wish i know about that when i was a noob and bought a cyberpower...... the nightmares will never leave.

 

purchasing from a reseller instead of direct from Sager seems to give you better support....

many resellers are very active on these forums and help out all the users. the least we can do is support them by purchasing the product from them.

 

my 2 cents with regards to asus FWIW.

asus tech support has gone downw the crapper, we owned a ul50vt and a k42jr.
we recently contacted asus for warranty on the ul50vt since 1 key fell off and there's a crack on teh plastic bezel the covers teh hinges.

REMEMBER asus has ADW ACCIDENTAL damage warrany for 2 years, we got ASUS because of this warranty.

when we contacted support, they gave us "scare tactics" telling us that there'll be an investigation if the damage was user induce and that we will be billed for it. i mean wth, user induce damage on a 1 key and crack plastic cover on the hinge?

never buying an asus ever again. they aint what they used to be.

 

Will there be a refresh of the Sager systems in April?

 

That's the current roadmap, yes. However it could always change at the last minute.

 

Typically, does Sager keep the same price point after a refresh? That is, will the base 8130 price remain the same if some of its parts are upgraded after a refresh? I haven't bought a laptop in 4 years and the ones I've owned in the past have been the premade from the typical retailers, never anything from the boutiques before. But seeing how the resellers are so hands on with their customers/fans on these forums, I don't see me buying another way.

 

The prices should be similar to what you are seeing now.

If you are not in a hurry to get a new machine, April-May is not too far away...

_

 

Asus has 128 bit GTX 560M GPU that performs worse than GTX 460M on Asus G53SW. Sager/Clevo has a full version of 192 bit GTX 560M GPU that will perform noticeably better in games. I'm actually surprised that Michael from XoticPC doesn't consider that to be a bigger difference than a backlit keyboard.

 

^ this. I was a g53sw owner and I've always kicked those SX with a gimped gpu bad.
Screw the backlit keyboard and get the sager/clevo. Then upgrade the gpu to your likes in the future, as well as the CPU without dismantling the whole laptop.

 

Well, np8130 ordered. Didn't really want to wait until April or May because I will likely have to buy the wife a new ipad about then I am guessing. Ordered the upgraded matte screen, which are apparently backordered until 2/17, but that's not bad. From what you guys are saying, its worth it.

 

i was actually wondering about this. I've noticed that some setups have the (User Upgrade-able) label next to their GPU's while others dont. For example, the 8130 on sagers website doesnt have it labeled, while the one on malibal's site does. How does that work, pertaining strictly to the sager's

 

We do not have it listed as User Upgradable as Sager does not support upgraded cards on this model. Xotic PC and any other Sager reseller will list it that way.

 

I opted for the upgraded matte screen and per xoticpc the ETA on the screen is 2/17. With that in mind, what do you guys think the approx ship date will be? Ordered 2/12 in the pm and its still in Phase I (presumably due to the screen?). Do they hold off on everything until the screen is in? Not sure what to expect.

 

Thank you for your order hoz!
We should be in touch about your order tomorrow. Once the screen is back in stock then it will go to production which is currently taking 3-7 business days to build and test then will ship out to you.

 

Hutsady, any word on the matte screens from Sager today?

 

Hey Hoz,

I'm in the same boat as you, ordered matte display upgrade on 2/10. Spoke with Mike S. via chat today and it seems that the displays are expected on 2/22 now....I know bummer, huh =(

-kshub

 

No word on the screens from Sager. They are saying the 22nd and will prioritize all people that have been waiting so once they do arrive back in stock the computers will ship just a few days after.