Some questions about Sager 8690

Hi everybody,

I'm considering Sager 8690 to be my next laptop. It looks likes an excellent laptop. Just got some questions about it.

1) Is the screen quality for the 1600x900 the same as the 1920x1080? Are they made by the same company? How is it compared to a RBGled?

2) Would if it matter if I upgrade the sound card? I read there's basically no bass.

3) Does it look like it can last up to 5 years without falling apart? I'm certain it can play games at medium to high settings for 1-2 years. I don't plan to buy a new computer after this for a while though, so I'm hoping it can last for a while, even after its prime gaming years.

4) Would there be any potential issues if I use a XPal battery instead?

5) Is there any major issues I should be aware of?


Thank you all.

 

1 i've used both screens, i think theres no reason to get the low res screen, yes you will get better FPS in shooters with the lower res screen, and it will look good. But for movies, and more so web surfing and RTS games, HD all the way.

2. Dont know, i use a USB headset which is the same thing kind of since USB headsets always have build in soundcards, so yeah maybe that would be a smart move.

3. The build quality is solid, ive had alot of sagers, and Asus, and this one is right up there, very solid. Typical Sager quality. 5 years tho, is alot to ask from a laptop since they are accident prone...spills...

4. No idea.

5. My only grip is for some reason on this keyboard you cant use the combination of space bar, x and w....why was that a issue for me, because i used it to crouch jump in CS, so i just moved x to c. Apparently all keyboards have this limitation and have some combo of keys that cant all register at once.

I paid 2.3k for mine shipped, with taxes and love it.

 

I know it's a gaming laptop so the odds of it lasting so long is rare. Still, the only reason I asked for such a lifespan is cuz I have 3 computers so far. One of them lasted for 10yrs. Another is still alive at 8 yrs. And a laptop still alive at 5 years.

Thanks for telling me about the keyboard. If necessary, I'll get an external gamers keyboard or macro that function somehow.

 

anyone has a link of a test regarding battery life of np8690?

i heard that with i7 + gtx 280m it only lasted for 50 mins under powersaver mode..

my question is, how about i5 + gtx 285m? any better?

 

Well, the 285 eats more power than the ATI 5870... If you under clock the gpu and use min power for everything you might get an hour and half. But this is a power hungry machine WITH a tiny battery.

As far as the OP goes:
1)the 1920x1080 is one of the sharpest screens I have have ever had. I thought my old laptop was good (Clevo m570U), but it looks like trash in comparison.

2)You can't add bass to the built in speakers, an express card and some speakers (Klipsch!) would be your best bet.

3)If you maintain it, it has the potential to last a while. The cooling system is good, and there are ways mentioned here on the forum to make it better. Keep it dust free, watch your temps, maybe underclock your GPU when you're not using it and it should last.

Plus, it's a Clevo, so it's built well for digging in easily and replacing parts.

4)If the battery has similar outputs, I don't see why not... But then this is still a desktop replacement and not something you'll want on your lap for taking notes in class...

5)As discussed in other threads, pull off the sticker covering the CPU vent asap. Otherwise, no issues. It's a good machine.

 

icic thx for the reply

 

You can use SRS Audio Sandbox to improve sound and to add more Bass, download and install the 15 day Demo and see.

If you look after this laptop reasonably well, it will last you for a very long time, it is very sturdy, well built and hard wearing. I recommend a Pakuma akara rucksack to carry it / protect it during trips.

 

For the Xpal battery, from what I've seen from the specs, the output is about the same as the 3 cell battery in the sager I think, meaning it will be usable, however, like the 3 cell battery in the sager, it might not be able to power a full on graphics card in extreme gaming conditions like that of furmark, it will shutdown.

 

oh, I didn't realize the Xpal has the same battery output. I saw something like 18000amh in the forum and thought it might be able to make the Sager last much longer than the 1-2hrs vs the 3cell. Oh well, it'll mostly be powered by ac anyway.

 

nice to know about the sandbox. this laptop is getting even better!

 

It will last much longer because of the 18000mAH, what I meant was, the power provided will be enough to power the Sager without it shutting down due to insufficient power output over time during normal use.