Upgrading Sager NP2090 components?

I am interested in getting the NP2090, but I don't know if I want to get a TV tuner and Turbo memory cards out of box. Is there a way to install them later on? If so how? Is it like upgrading RAM?
Thanks.

 

The tv tuner should be a snap, but I dont know what the compatibility list is with it, if there is one.

Donald said a while ago that the Robson is easy to physically install but there are driver and bios settings that need to be done to get it working properly, but like anything else I am sure it can be done.

I decided against ordering the Robson, if it does work well in a while I am sure there will be many how to threads to guide me through it. If it doesnt turn out to be a big component, then I saved a little dough.

 

I was directed by Ron of powernotebooks.com to the following thread. I thought you might find it useful as well. (He had mentioned to me to make sure to read page 3...)

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=130345

I don't know... most of what I have heard about Robson thus far has not been flattering... I also have heard that the benefits of Robson decrease as you increase ram. So if you have any decent amount of ram (2 gigs?) it probably is not really worth the money. Also, I think that flash memory does not have the best read/write life, so what happens when the Robson chip dies out?

"Some see Robson cache technology as a bridge between today's hard drive capacities and similarly sized flash memory drives of the future. The only obstacles to this change are finding cheaper flash memory, and the shorter life expectancy of flash memory. Indeed, most flash memory wears out, current SLC memories fail after 100,000 read/write cycles, which is far less than current hard disk drive's susceptibility to bad blocks/sectors. If such memory is to be used as cache, error correction and wear-levelling algorithms will have to be used to extend the life of the memory beyond that of the laptop."

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robson_flash_memory

I will try to find some more information on this. Most of what I have said is the reasoning Ron had given me in regards to being careful with it (if I understood him correctly). And I bought my NP2090 from them... you would think if anything they would have TRIED to sell it to me. But I am guessing (and please correct me if I am wrong) that they are treating Robson with a healthy amount of skepticism at the moment and (being the good people they are) do not want the customer to end up with a bad product. All I am saying is that I would look into it more closely before making any decision. Well, I hope that kind of helps!

 

All the tests that I've seen show that Robson does indeed speed up hard drive access times and program loading times, however for some reason it seems to actually decrease the computer's speed in other areas (CPU, RAM, and even GPU benchmarks). I'd stay away from it at this point. It's an easy upgrade in the future if you need it, and cheap (something like $30 shipped from Amazon).

 

Thank you both, but is it like to install the TV tuner card,(unscrew the little compartment, plug it in, and screw it up, install drivers).

Does the Robson go into the PC card slot above the 4 in 1 memory card reader or does it go internally in the case like RAM and the wireless card?? and if so are they aftermarket items?

 

You can't buy Robson memory pieces from Amazon unless it is for a desktop. They will typically be different for each laptop model...stupid I know but better to buy it from your reseller to make sure it is the right one for your laptop.

As for easy to install...please re-read post #3, and the thread it links to, and you will change your opinion. Please be careful about giving advice regarding things about which you do not have first hand knowledge. It could send people down the wrong trail.

 

I'm sorry, did I goof up? Or was that directed towards odin243's post?

 

Your post was great. Yours is Post #3 that I was referring to. It explains the reality of trying to install Robson, and that it is not advised for end users to attempt unless they are experienced technicians.

You did not goof up at all...you gave great information.

 

So Donald:

What about those of us who ordered Robson but had an OS already? Will we have trouble setting up Robson?

 

The Original question about the TV tuner remains unanswered. Donald, how hard is it to install the TV tuner later, if you don't order it with one now?

 

Im just wondering if a USB signal is quick enough to let in hd content... is it? or should i look for firewire/expresscard?

 

Sorry, I reread that and it seems that it the setup may be difficult. Still, the physical installation isn't hard, and it doesn't seem like the rest of the installation would be any harder than setting up raid on a laptop, nothing that can be done by following a good guide (which I imagine will start to appear since many people are curious about installing Robson after market.) Also this definitely appears to be a notebook robson module. Is that incorrect?

 

From Ron's post that 07langp linked to:

“Not really [user upgradeable]. As you know, Turbo Memory isn't supported by Intel to work in WinXP at all, and to install it and get it up and running later on in Vista OS will not be an easy feat except for more experienced users [technicians]. Turbo Memory needs BIOS support and you need to enable AHCI and some other options in CMOS. Then in Vista, you need to load the Turbo Memory driver along with the Intel Matrix RAID software and make a couple of other changes in the Turbo Memory console to enable ReadyBoost and ReadyDrive features.”

If you ordered without Vista and install your own this is what you will be facing. If you need help with it please call our Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Toll Free Customer Service.

 

sco_fri already answered that quite well in post #2. The TV Tuner is easy to install for anyone that has a license to operate a screwdriver

The Bluetooth module on the other hand is very tricky and you could easily cut wires and mess other things up unless you have a Ph D with your screwdriver.

 

The problem is odin243, most users are not as capable as you are. Many would not even want to change memory pieces or a hard drive. Most would not want to attempt what it takes to install and set up Robson without the guidance of a technician, and others would not want to attempt it under any circumstances.

Our factory technicians evaluate the "degree of difficulty" for installing various components and Robson has been designated as "high". For this model Bluetooth is also rated "high". Memory, hard drive and optical drive, and TV Tuner have been rated as "low".

One of the design features of Robson is that it allows laptop manufacturers to make the design proprietary so that they can make it fit into the laptop where adn how they want it. It can also be "half-high" design or "full-high". The point is all Robson modules in laptops will not be the same and you have to make sure that anything you attempt to buy 3rd party will fit. That is why it is just better to buy it from your laptop reseller, and that way you will also only have one place to go for warranty issues.

 

Thanks guys, you answered my questions except for one, but I think that is implied by the use of a screwdriver and moderate technological knowledge.

The questions was, "does the Robson go into the PC card slot above the 4 in 1 memory card reader next to the mic and headphone plugs or does it go internally?"

I think with all this talk, that it goes internally.

 

Bare with me here as I ask something off-tangent...

Could I get the specifications of the TV tuner? More importantly, does it support HDTV/ATSC broadcasts? And does it also come with a separate antenna or cables?

 

Interesting, I would also like to know if it supports HDTV. I would assume so, but one never is for sure.

 

Yes, it goes on the motherboard so it is internal.

 

It does not support HDTV.

The specifications for the TV Tuner are:
- Optional for Hybrid TV in Mini Card with USB 2.0 I/F
- Worldwide version support
- TV-tuner package covered below items only.
- TV-tuner card
- Remote controller

 

Thanks much for the quick response!

 

Thanks Paladin, that pretty much sums up my questions. The only choices now for my configuration is whether or not to get 2.0, 2.2, or 2.4 gHz Core 2 Dou, 5400 or 7200 RPM 160 GB hard drive. Once I nail down those two components, I think I will be set. Any suggestions??

 

If you have to trade one for the other, I'd go with a faster processor that a faster HDD, the reason being is that you can always upgrade HDD, but not so easily with a processor.

 

Is it worth it for $90 to go from 2 gHz to 2.2 gHz, can you really tell a difference?

And is it worth $90 to go from 5400 RPM 160 GB to 7200 RPM 160 GB?
Is the speed increase much noticeable for either processor or HDD?

 

id stick with the 2.0 ghz and bump to a 7200rpm.

 

Most people are going for the T7300 2.0GHz because adding 200MHz to to 2,000MHz is just not noticeable in almost any application. Don't fall into the Intel Testosterone Trap.

The 7,200RPM HDD will help if you are using applications that move a LOT of data. For example multi-track audio editing or massive database compilations. Many gamers also prefer them because they will typically load faster.

I see you are in New York, so you might want to consider the PowerPro J 10:15 (Same Compal IFL90 as the Sager NP2090) because it comes standard with a 3 Year Parts and Labor Warranty with Next Business Day shipping paid both ways, instead of 3 day shipping provided by either the 1 or 3 year warranty Sager provides, so that in the unlikely event you have to send it back to the factory in California for warranty repair it will only be 2 days in transit instead of 6 days. Also, if you buy either of them from PowerNotebooks.com you will also get Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Toll Free Customer Service.

If you do decide to select the PowerPro J 10:15 you can get the 120GB SATA II 7200.2 Seagate hard drive which is the "sweet spot" right now...don't forget you will have your DVDRW and flash drives for archive storage so you usually won't need the extra 40GB of a 160GB drive and you can buy a lot of flash drives with the $40 you will save. However if you want the 160GB SATA II 7200.2 Seagate hard drive it is only $50 more than the 160GB 5,400 RPM drive with the PowerPro J 10:15.

 

Thanks paladin, but when I configured the PowerPro to the specs I want, its about $200 more. The 3 year warrenty is not that important to my be cause I am going to a computer engineering school, and there bound to be someone there that knows how to fix the problem if need be.

Also what is Sata II 7200.2, is it even faster than regular 7200 RPM drives?

 

Yes, SATA II hard drives are faster than the older version.