potential firsttime clevo buyer

Hello peeps! watchout! newguy in the building! lol.... Im shopping a new laptop to replace my i7-920 desktop.

For the most part, I need a strong i7 quad (ex. 2630qm , 2720qm)
Mediocre graphics card, I casually game (HF2,ME2,L4d2)
Two display outputs (hdmi must be one of them)
Firewire port (not Nec chipset) I must be able to run my dual presonus firepods.
15-17" screen, and I prefer matte similar to my wife's inspiron1525.
Harddrive doesnt matter, in fact it would be better to buy a laptop without a drive....I have a 240ssd I will be putting in it.

It looks like these Clevo units are the best bang for the buck. I've been looking at rjtech, xotic, myth, malibal, eurocom, ava,....

So far it seems to me that Malibal and Xoticpc are the best priced, and well outfitted.

Any advice? recommendations?

 

Were you looking at any particular models? Any of the Sandy Bridge refresh of Clevo's will offer the i7-2630 that you were looking for. However, you'll basically be deciding on a model based on the GPU you're looking for. I'd suggest using the link below and comparing the 540m, 555m, 560m, and 580m to decide which model you think is the best fit.

Mobile Graphics Cards - Benchmark List - Notebookcheck.net Tech

For the most part, the current lineup differs in hardware only on the GPU, as they can be upgraded to be about equal otherwise (not counting the x7200, as it's desktop hardware based). All should have firewire and two display outputs (though you can only use two external displays with the internal disabled). Higher end models have HDMI/DVI, while lower end have HDMI/VGA.

Hope this helps answer some of your questions

 

The P151HM1 (Sager NP8130) seems like it would fit your needs nicely.

It comes with a great stock matte screen, has the 2630qm card stock (2720qm is $160 more), and the nvidia 560m gpu sounds like it would be great for you. It has an HDMI and a DVI-I output, as well as firewire too.

You didn't mention your budget, but the one in my signature was less then $1,200 shipped; I just ordered a few days ago though so I don't have it yet, but here is a great review on the P151HM1/Sager NP8130 by mrmysterious66

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...567228-sager-np8130-review-mr-mysterious.html

 

yea, i was actually just looking at the p151hm right as we speak...and my budget is around a grand or so.

I would think the 555m would be okay for me .....but I dont see any of the firewire laptops that have a cheaper option than 560m

 

think you are correct there. was asked this last week and after checking the user manuals it doesnt seem that the lappys with the 555M optimus have a firewire port. not even sure this can be an optional extra but the reps on here can advise better than me.

 

Yes, you're correct on the lack of firewire on the optimus models. They also don't have an expresscard slot, so adding support that way is impossible. USB 3.0 seems to be pushing out a lot of the expresscard/firewire options in new models.

Unless you can find a usb to firewire adapter, I'm not sure of any way to get that functionality.

 

looks like the 8130 is the best bet then...

can I not order one without a hardrive for a little cheaper? I dont need one, nor an operating system

 

If you PM/Live Chat/Call one of the resellers I'm sure they can probably find a way to work something out with you.

 

Hi, sure we can remove the hard drive to reduce the price. Simply drop us a PM if you want to discuss details. We can also tell you about our discounts for NBR members.

 

will do...

I appreciate your help!

 

No problem. You'll need one more post before you can PM. (5 total)

 

haha, yeah! I was like.... !^&@$*^! I can't pm! lol

 

ummm... still can't Pm. ?

 

It'll take the system a bit to update, you should be able to soon.