Thinking about an NP8660

Hello all! I am new to these forums and am going to be purchasing a new laptop within the next week. At this point I am 90% ready to order a Sager NP8660.

I was just wondering if somebody who has been using this laptop regularly since release can give me an update on how it is holding up? I'm just looking for an updated review after a few months of use. I've read a bunch of reviews from when the laptop was just released (seems like late summer '08) and have been very impressed.

I'm really hoping these are holding up well.

Is there any other model similar to the NP8660 I should be considering?

Specs of the laptop I'm looking at... Sager NP8660:
- Display: 15.4" WUXGA LCD with Matte Finish Surface (1920X1200)[+$175.00]
- Processor: 45nm Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9800/ 6MB L2 Cache, 2.93GHz, 1066MHz FSB[+$360.00]
- Video & Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTS Graphics with 512MB DDR3 Video Memory
- Operating System: Genuine MS Windows® VISTA ULTIMATE 32/64-Bit Edition[+$80.00]
- Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 2 X 2048MB[+$65.00]
- Primary Hard Disk Drive: 320GB 7200rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive[+$45.00]
- Optical Drive: 8X DVD±R/RW/4X +DL Super-Multi Drive & Software
- Wireless Network Card: Intel Wi-Fi Link 5300AGN - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- Bluetooth: Internal Bluetooth V2.0 + EDR Module
- Intel Robson Technology: Intel 4GB TurboMemory Module[+$85.00]
- Primary Battery: Smart Li-ION Battery Pack
- Integrated Security Device: Fingerprint Reader
- Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office Ready with Free 60-Day Trial
- Warranty: Sager 1 Year Limited Parts and Labor Warranty with Three-Day Shipping Both Ways Paid

 

I don't think that there is anything comparable to the NP8660/M860TU in a 15.4" laptop. This is about the best video card that you can slap into such a sall frame. You can get smaller like a 12" with all the same specs except it has an integrated video card (M72T).
But as far as I know no other lappy has the 9800m gt card in it yet. Although I could be wrong I haven't looked into it since I got my M860TU....been too busy kicking a$$ and taken names.

 

Alienware m15x is the closest competitor. Both notebooks have advantages. The most notable are probably that the alienware has switchable integrated graphics while the np8660 has a silent mode button (no fan noise). The alienware is too flashy and bulky imho, this lappy is much more sleek and less expensive.

 

Well yeah that's probably the best set up you can get for a decent price for a 15.4" laptop. Others with the same specs would definitely be way more expensive

 

Six months later: this is the best purchase I made last year.

It's crazy how you can now buy it with a T9800 and it's still $200 cheaper than what I payed for mine at launch, which had just a P8600.

 

with my recent battery resolts in windows7 i cant do any thing but COMPLEATLY recomend this laptop to some one who wants a GPU heavy performance laptop.

Quadcore is the future thou.. if i was getting a laptop now i would possibly consider even the 2gig cheaper quad in a whitebook and see if i could overclock it.


But yer if u dont care about GTA4.. (1 single game) from a gaming perspective this notebook is KILLLER (and can prob support quadcores temp wize (at least at the temps im seeing) if u want to upgrade to a cheaper faster one in a year or 2.)

on this note.. I WISH some one would try and get a quad working in the np8660/m860tu already!!!


all in all.. i highly recomend this notebook its like my best $$ spent .. now in australia its not even for sale any more beacuse of the economic downturn.. but if u can still get hold of this laptop at a good price DO IT! however u should still consider if a quadcore will help what you plan to do on it.

 

Well if you've been keeping up with recent treads, you'll know that quad-cores are apparently compatible with the M860TU too.

Another comeptitor which comes close and is often forgotten is the Asus G50-VT.

Still, on this board you're always going to get the vote for the M860TU against either of those machines.

 

Well the Alienware is overpriced for its last-gen technology. Just adding the +$350 for the 9800M GT puts you at nearly +300 more than the NP8660 base config, and this is before you upgrade from the 2.1Ghz T8100. Now take a look the CPU options and how much they cost. +$250 for a 2.5Ghz T9300? No thanks. You're now at ~$1900 with 1GB of RAM and a 120GB HDD. LOL?

Then you have the Asus models, which are now within $100 of the M860TU, but with a weaker GPU and no upgrade paths. The $999 Best Buy model was a steal, but with that gone, you are now close enough in price to the M860TU to make it the smarter purchase.

$.02

 

This laptop is good as a desktop replacement that you want to carry around with you, not necessarily unplugged but more so less of a hassle to carry to plug somewhere else.

This is exactly what I wanted and I got it with this laptop.

If you want battery life and good performance, this would not be the best laptop for you, I'd recommend the new MacBook Pro's if you can get them at a good price or a Sager 2096. But just understand you are getting just over 2 hours with this laptop. If that's good with you and your requirements are similar to mine, this laptop is a DREAM.

Hey, Heath, how much battery life did you get in Windows 7?

 

Ya the new 17" macbook pro is a pretty wicked unit with 7hrs of battery life. Too bad it costs $5000 to get it up to spec.

2nd that.

 

would the 15" MacBook Pro actually be up to spec with what I have made up above? I've never even considered a Mac...but now I'm slightly intrigued.

Macs can dual boot correct? So i could also have Vista installed?


Sorry if that's a dumb question...I know my fair share about computers, but I'm not really up to date on the latest fads and hardware. It's been a while since I've upgraded computers.

 

This Sager has twice the graphics power of a Macbook Pro, for a whole lot cheaper. Higher-end processors are also available, for much better prices. The NP8660 is about top-notch performance for the dollar. A MBP is far from that.

 

^^ correct.

Macbooks are mid-range at best for 3D graphics and games.

mid-range (128-bit mem interface) cards are about half the performance of a high-end (256-bit) card.

 

Nexus/m860tu is the absolute dogs dangley bits and has been the best computer ive owned so far.

im just soooo glad i returned my alienware and got a sager.

 

Although the new 17" macbook pro comes with the 9600m GT. It is expensice but also has 7 hrs of battery.
I almost want it too

 

Thats true. I forgot about the new models.... but not sure about them having high-end cards.

Given that the previous models with mid-range cards... the high-end ones might be a stretch since the MacBook's thermal design is not that great.

I dont want a notebook to become a massive heatsink for a high-end GPU... it will definitely burn the skin.

 

>.> aren't macbook pro's made out of aluminum?

 

9800? Not that I can find.

 

Yeah, gives it a nice look but may not be the best for cooling :/ You can also write on it

 

Crap looks like I lied comes with the 9600 ..... I do apologize and edit my previous post.
Big difference.

 

A mac with a high end card? They rather spend the money on making it all glass.

 

I too am new here, and just ordered my NP8660. Should be here early next week. I read all of the NP8660 info I could find on this site. In fact I hadn't even heard of Sager before I found NBR about 3 weeks ago. This place is the single most informed notebook site I have found.

There is always a % markup with AlienWare, HP, Dell just because of the manufacturer name. Asus has some great products, I would have gone with one of those but I wanted a 15" laptop. MSI has some interesting things coming down the pike but I didn't feel like waiting further.

 

My M860tu just came in yesterday

A note about your config, the Intel Robson is really unnecessary and useless if you have 4 gigs of ram already--save the $85.

 

I'm getting turbo memory next week. I'll see if I can confirm this.

 

I have been looking into this Sager for weeks now and the only thing that is holding me back from purchasing it is the debate going on in my head whether or not to get the T9800 @ 2.93ghz or the P9600 @ 2.66. I am willing to put the $$ for the upgrade, I am just wondering if it is worth it for what I want to do.

I am planning on playing games like Bioschock, Deadspace, the new Tomb Raider, etc and using a Xbox controller to play them.

I am not a hardcore gamer but I would still like my notebook to be a viable gaming machine for as long as possible. With that in mind, would it be smarter to dish out the $$ now for the T9800? I am also wondering about the difference in temperature between the two processors along with the 9800M GTS.

 

Here is a great article regarding Turbo Memory

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/intel/showdoc.aspx?i=3009&p=1

 

Under heavy load, I see an 11 degree difference between my P8600 (56C) and P9800 (65C).

 

I've had the NP8660 for a few days and I can say it really is a nice piece of equipment. Everything feels of quality, and it really isn't as dull as it looks in the pictures.

 

Thanks for all the input everyone. I placed my order yesterday, with 3 day shipping...should be hear by the end of next week I hope.

I'll update after I tinker around with it!

 

So what processor did you go with? P9600?

 

i went with the T9800. Same specs as the first post.

 

Hi Impu1se - how are you liking you build? I ordered mine on Friday…basically the same build as yours (minus the turbo mem). I was just wondering how it's performing for you. Are you noticing any heat issues with the T9800? How do you like the matt finish on the screen?

Hopefully I'll get mine in a little over a week.

 

I'm loving it WebRender. 10x better then my old Dell.

No real heat issues, even when playing Crysis. The only part of the laptop that gets warm is to the right of the touchpad. But it's nothing serious at all.

Performance wise...this thing is a monster. I'm running Crysis and it looks beautiful, never and jaggys or chugging. I use the program ConvertXtoDVD to make a lot of dvds. My old laptop would take a good 4 hours to convert and burn a full DVD...my NP8660 does it in about 20 minutes.

The T9800 is a monster and a half. I love it.

I like the matt finish a lot. I had one on my old laptop so I figured I'd stick with it. Screen is beautiful. Never any brightness issues, no dead pixels.


Life is good! Enjoy your monster!

 

While my curent set up is abit wonky and hard to value seeing as im using 185.20 drivers and not a laptop release and my Bios is only version .4 curently.. in windows 7 ive noticed about a 30-40min increase in battery life..... i do however often experences restarts when it should be going to sleep etc.... i had some issues with vista with this and im not sure if its a faulty laptop or Software... but yer basicaly i cant trust my laptop to sleep M_M.... beside that im loving windows7 lots more battery life def recomend it if u can take the risk.

 

Heathkidd, I recommend using 182.08 (not Dox's) for Windows 7. It has optimizations for Win7 gaming, and the Sleep function works properly.

 

NVIDIA Boosts Graphics Support For Millions Of Windows 7 Beta Users

New GeForce Graphics Drivers for Windows 7 Beta Now Available Directly from NVIDIA.com

http://www.nvidia.com/object/io_1235994049834.html

 

181.71 from Laptopvideo2go will put you into a never ending loop of BSODs. Many Windows 7 gamers are commenting on 182.08 being the best driver for us at the moment, so stick with that..

 

Thanks impu1se!!! I have to admit that i'm very glad to get this news and very excited to "enjoy the monster"!

 

I switched to drivers from nvidia's site (laptop drivers, latest) and stopped using laptopvideo2go's because I had serious issues a few months back with whatever was the latest on the front page (blue screen, dropped me back down to VGA mode, had to go to safe mode and clean out all drivers, etc). This is XP, not some new windows beta, even, so I'm not sure I'll trust laptopvideo2go as my source for a long while.

 

I don't know if it's me but my NP8660's WUXGA screen does seem kinda dim even on full brightness.

Then again, my main computer has 300 cd/m brightness on both of its monitors so that might be affecting my perception.

Main monitors: Dell SP2309W - Dell 1905FP with Samsung panel

Edit: then again, it seems to slightly suffer from a warmup problem. It looks brighter now.

 

Hi, I'm about to order "this monster" also. Do you think the WUXGA is much more better than WSXGA? And the T9800, does it consume much more energy than P9600? Coz I've heard that the T series consume more power than P series. but maybe I'll just order the Vista Home Premium OS instead of other choices.

 

Stick with the WSXGA screen. If you are doing processor intensive tasks, then get the T9800, otherwise the P9600 is more than enough for gaming and anything in that level.

The T series does use more power, but in terms of battery life, especially once undervolted, the differences are not that huge. I believe its something like 10 minutes.

 

So, let's say I will do animation stuff (2D and also 3D) for my college works (not at this moment, maybe in next few months), is it worthy to "invest" in T9800 or juz go with the P9600? Thanx

 

The estimated shipping date on notebooks with the GTX 260M, according to Cizmo, is April 3rd. I would wait for US resellers to start listing the card before I placed an order. It should be around a $150 premium over the 9800M GTS, and will be worth the wait.

 

I did find it ironic that the news about this new card hit right after I ordered my system, but hey, that's what buying a system is all all about...just wait ten minutes and something else will come out.

At any rate my "monster" is hours away from delivering. With any luck I'll be responding to these threads on it this time tomorrow night.

 

any comment for this?

 

Actually, does the NP8660 just for gaming or suitable as mobile workstation also? I'm not a gamer, more into design stuff (animation, graphic works), but the Sager NP8660 attracts me very much for its price (I've intention to buy Dell Precision which is more into my field, but I think it's abit overpriced). Thanks anyway.

 

Hi there, Ive done a ton of research about a lot of laptops, specifically about the Sager NP8660 because I am ordering one, and have no first hand experience but have spoken to a ton of people who do.

This laptop is excellent in so many ways, including:
doesnt always sound like a jet engine as you can turn it to silent mode
Is very well build and solid, very few problems compared to Asus models(screen clouds, keyboard key strokes, etc)
Battery life is respectable, very respectable compared to other laptops made at this strength
Is upgradable, so will future proof it for a long time and will cost less compared to buying a new laptop
I am choosing the 15" sager over the 17", mostly because of the keyboard layout (PgDn, PgUp, Home and End) (For the 17" laptops, you need to Fn key simultaneously with the arrow keys for it and thats annoying for me as I write a lot)
Buying a Sager is also a lot easier to repair if something does go wrong compared to the other brands

Although, it is debatable that the Lenova, HP, Dell and other laptops may be better designed for business but this Sager is also renowned similiar build quality and is much better bang for the buck.

Hope this helps, just ask if you have any more questions, there are squillions of people on these forums who are IT geniuses

 

Hi potentv

I was just wondering ,what specs will you go for?

 

Well, I had a terrible experience and let me tell you about it a bit to explain.
I originally ordered a G71G-A2 from XoticPC In early November before I saw all the bad comments. Everything went well and then USPS lost it (shipping to Hungary). USPS has taken their time and still have not payed out for losing the package but it should happen fairly soon (hopefully and Im praying... still)

I have changed my order and XoticPC is going to make it as soon USPS pays out (They have had terrific service the whole time and have been more than helpful, I still recommend them despite my bad experience and that is saying A LOT)

I decided on these specs for the NP8660:
4GB Ram
P9600 CPU (2.66GHz) the T9800 wasnt much stronger and not worth that extra 200 USD. After a lot of consultation from here and XoticPC forums, I decided it wasnt worth it.
9800 GTS GPU, but now it seems that the 260 will be coming and the NP8660 is on back order till 20th March and hopefully the new GPU will be out and will make this unbearable wait bearable

I also choose the 320GB (7200) Hard drive, Blu-Ray(because I dont want to have to upgrade it until I need but it is still perfectly possible), Vista HP 64(32+64 bit disks included
I skipped the Turbo Memory after a lot of research and advice

and still its only about 1900 USD, its a great deal, it truly is...


I have asked many questions and received so many good answers. For the whole picture, see my thread there here: http://www.xoticpcforums.com/showthread.php?t=3799

Those answers really helped me make my decision. They explain things a lot better than I ever could