**Official Sager NP5160 / Clevo W150HNQ Owners' Lounge**

isn't there an option for it on the bios?

If its already switched on there, the numlock may turn off during Windows boot, then there would be an option (or, in a last resort, a registry value)

 

I found it within registry. There was an update to the laptop, W7, and it defaulted off. its in HKEY_USERS, default, control panel in initialkeyboardindicators and is set at a binary number of 2147483648, and microsoft says change it to 2.

 

As a Linux user I specially want to thank bji for his great feedback about this notebook. I also plan to run arch upgraded to 64 bits (I'm currently at 32).

I have a few questions regarding Linux and clevo W150HRM. To disable the discrete GPU... (and keep it permanently dissabled) is it enough to press the GPU button until the green led turns on?. Or is it required to do this action every time the computer boots and before the X starts?. I'm not sure if it is a hardware switch or a software button. Since the Clevo manual confess that the leds may not report the true VGA state... if this button does not really works... is it required to use the Linux Linux hybrid graphics ACPI calls (the vga switcheroo)?.

Ideally, I would have choosen a laptop with only HD 3000 graphics. However, without discrete graphics (which I don't need and want at all) current market only offers crappy products (poor 1366 displays, no quadcore options, no USB 3.0, no option to upgrade non-AES enabled CPUs, etc). If anyone knows about a 1600x900 15.6" computer with 2720QM option and only HD 3000 plus USB 3.0 (which Dell Latitude lacks) please let me to know.

About the FAN speed control... is it still unsupported by Linux?. Maybe googling for the exact mainboard model ( /usr/sbin/dmidecode -s baseboard-product-name) would help.

I assume that with the Nvidia card disabled, battery life (5600 mAh, 62 WH?) will last for at least 5 hours... am I right?. Which consumption reports powertop at idle?.

The CPU scaling should in theory be supported on Linux. This thread shows a i5-2520M running the acpi-cpufreq module (perhaps needs to be manually included in MODULES from rc.conf) and in fact /proc/cpuinfo reports 800 MHz:

linux-PHC • View topic - Sandy Bridge, kernel 2.6.39rc4 = phc vids all 0?

I'm not also a fan of the Clevo keyboard. However, I plan to use the PgUp/Down as well as Home/End from the num keypad ... unfortunately, no laptop in the market offers separate control blocks (separate block with cursors and separate block with "standard" Ins/Del/Home/End/PgUp/PgDown) instead of the num keypad (who needs to type big amount of numbers nowadays?). One may need to look at the keyboard instead of reaching the keys by feeling the separate blocks. Also, getting rid of the keypad and placing there the cursor/control keys would allow for a bigger space bar...

 

I plan to also replace my old desktop with this laptop, but still use a external great monitor... so just another question I forgot to ask: does the HDMI connector (W150HRM) properly drives a external monitor under Linux with the Nvidia card powered off?. I'm not sure after reading this warning:

nouveau Wiki - Optimus

I also plan to order the 3.75G modem, hoping that Linux will support it (at least I have 2 different 3G USB sticks and a integrated 3G card in another laptop without any problems). It's a pity that manufacturers still don't test and certify their products for Linux.

What I'll not order is the WLAN card, since Intel cards don't support AP Mode and the other option mysn.de offers (Killer 1102) runs but its features (I think that mostly software-based) are overpriced and unuseful for Linux. I'll ask the vendor to make sure that antenna is still installed in order to connect my own WLAN card.

 

The physical VGA button on the laptop does nothing under Linux; it's a Windows-only feature. You can't switch to integrated graphics or discrete graphics using that button under Linux.

You do need to use a software method under Linux to enable or disable the discrete card. The link that you already posted for "VGA switcheroo" has the software you need - I have never used "VGA switcheroo" but on that page also is the stuff about acpi_call. Under Arch Linux the easiest way to install this software is by building it yourself via the AUR package:

https://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=39470

I am pretty sure that's the one I installed (I don't have access to my laptop at the moment to check). It includes a script that issues a sequence of echoes to the acpi_call file that will turn the discrete card off. If you need extra help let me know and I can give you more specific details.

Once you have the acpi_call software and the accompanying script, you can turn the discrete card off or on any time you want to.

I have /etc/rc.local set up to turn the discrete card off as soon as the system boots. I also have my return-from-hibernate script do the same thing (because you have to re-disable the discrete card every time you power the unit on, whether it's a fresh boot or return from hibernate).

The discrete NVidia GPU is almost useless to me as well; but the laptop overall was the best package available for the money even compared to laptops that didn't have the discrete GPU, so I consider it just excess baggage to be disabled.

The fan speed control is not available for Linux at the moment. The consensus right now is that the fan speed is not operating system controllable, instead being controlled by an embedded controller built into the cooling system. Windows doesn't seem to be able to control the fan, and if Windows can't do it, the chances that Linux will be able to are just about zero.

I am currently trying to engage in a dialog with Sager support regarding the fan control. I believe that the fan control built into the embedded controller is highly sub-optimal (it comes on and stays on unnecessarily all the time, and also it doesn't have any low speed setting, it jumps straight to a fairly high fan speed). I doubt that I'll get any satisfaction out of Sager or Clevo but who knows. Ideally, what I'd get would be some specs to say how to control the fan from the operating system, that could be incorporated into the Linux fan control software. But that will probably never happen.

Well I would be really surprised to get 5 hours of battery life even with the discrete GPU disabled. I have not measured it but 3 hours under normal use (medium LCD brightness, doing low intensity CPU work, nothing GPU intensive, with wifi enabled) seems much closer to reality. Of course I have an i7-2730qm which will use more power than an i5.

Hm, I get very little support under Linux for the i7 in the NP5160. I don't know if I have something misconfigured or what. /proc/cpuinfo always shows a fixed CPU clock rate on my system (2700 Mhz or whatever the default is - once again I don't have access to the laptop at the moment to confirm).

 

Sorry, I've never tried to use the HDMI connector to drive an external monitor with this laptop. Maybe later when I can get at the thing I'll try it out to see if it works. But at the moment I really can't confirm or deny that the HDMI port works under Linux using the integrated graphics.

 

Is there any fan control on the NP5160? Fn+1 seems to do nothing for me.

 

Why does everyone seem to run Linux on this laptop?? Because it is free? You can find Windows 7 for dirt cheap now days and not have to worry about all these problems you guys seem to have.. I know i can plug my HDMI in and netflix all day with the integrated graphics

 

I don't run Linux because it is free; I run it because I prefer the environment to that of Windows, especially for software development which is my main use of my laptop. It is true that Linux is almost never as well supported for the various hardware features as Windows is, and that is unfortunate; but on balance I still prefer a 90% functional Linux installation to a 100% functional Windows installation.

 

Whats the latest BIOS release for this model?

 

I only need Windows for Photoshop. Most other applications are available for Linux.

In general, when one needs to do something in Windows, it could be possible or not. Some things impossible in windows (unless you are a software developer) are possible and easy in Linux with a couple of google clicks. Some difficult things are very easy to do in Windows, but are also always possible on Linux with a bit of additional work. On the other hand, some very easy things can become a nightmare in Windows (specially when something stops working or acts strangely) and this usually never occurs in Linux.

In addition, Linux design is what makes really difficult for viruses and malware to infect your computer (not the fact of being less used: Mac OSX is also free of most of the malware and viruses). Kaspersky probably uses two of your four computer cores but nonetheless people still spends a lot of time fighting malware (or configuring windows to relax poorly designed restrictions, which little or nothing contribute to security, as we all can see).

The Windows malware problem causes a lot of losses to the economy. German government has even taken action on it:

http://www.quantenblog.net/security/microsoft-malware-bailout

 

Hi all,
I'm a recent owner of the Sager NP5165, ordered for XoticPC and had it three days now.

Does anyone hear the HDD softly making a methodical noise? I can't quite call it a clicking, because it's softer than that, but when the HDD is idling I can definitely hear something. It's the Seagate Momentus 7200rpm 500gb drive, and only seems to happen when it's idling, like when I'm browsing the internet. It's not a deal breaker yet, but I was hoping for a quieter sounds.

Anyone else experience this?

-Nato

 

I have an SSD so, no, I don't hear anything.

But if the HDD noise is all you are hearing then the fan must not be coming on. Can you confirm that the fan on the NP5165 doesn't come on at idle? What about with light activitly like loading a page a couple of times per minute?

 

I have the 320gb seagate drive and the only noise it makes is a slight humming when it is accessed. No clicking or anything just the usual mechanical hard drive humm. And like bji said, the fan almost always drowns out the HD noise.. I can actually feel it spinning more than hear it.

 

Can anyone comment on he size and weight of this laptop? It seems kinda heavy and chunky compared to other 15 inchers.

 

I just transitioned to this laptop from a 17 inch HP, so I think it is nice and small. This laptop is probably bigger and heavier than other 15 inch laptops with no discreet GPU, but I couldn't imagine it being too much larger than any other 15" with similar specs. The only other 15" lapies I have used are government issued Dells, and those are bigger and heavier than these. Personally, I love the size and I think it is pretty light. It can't compare to a MAC though. Those things are tiny.

 

Macs are much heavier than they look. Probably just as heavy if not heavier than the NP5160.

This laptop is fairly lite for its size. For a 15", just over 5.5lbs is normal. Wouldn't call it bulky either.

 

I imagine people would use Linux on the NP5160 because Bumblebee works so great at providing an Optimus-comparable experience.

 

So I'm thinking about getting an NP5160, but then I read WhiskeyD's post about creaking when you rest your palms on the case. And bji said the fan is pretty loud under almost any load (which sounds like it could just be linux). But it makes me wonder, are any other owners out there having these problems, or are these issues pretty rare?

 

probably rare. i don't have any creaking. the fan could be quieter, but i think it is more than acceptable under light loads. it is definitely audible when it cranks up, but what laptop isn't?

 

Agreed. I don't get any creaking on the palm rest and the fan does get loud at times. During low loads it will still kick on, and under higher loads most definitely on.

 

well... mine creaks on the left palm rest, it can be quite anoying :/
But the fan isn't anything out of normal!


And about the Linux/Windows discussion from replies ago... Darn Windows!!
It can get real sluggish here on my i7 2720 QM with 8 GB Ram, just by opening some spreadsheets, presentations, pdf files and compiling tex files for a couple of days without cold restart. (always connected to the outlet, balanced power settings).
My Core 2 Duo with Ubuntu would never gasp like that...

 

Sweet. Thanks for the feedback, guys. Looks like I'm getting an NP5160!

 

Is it worth it paying an extra $70.00 to get the i7 over the i5?

Also what screen should I be getting? I know the 1920x1080 matte is the best but it will cost me another $142.83. Or should I just spend $49.25 and get the 1920x1080 display?

If anyone is familiar with sager and has the time, could someone please go on reflexnotebook.ca and configure the best possible np5160 with a budget of $1000.00 before taxes (it's okay to go a bit over). It would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm also planning on getting the Sager NP5160 and here's what I might be getting from ReflexNotebook. The configuration price is $1,087.46. Now I'm just wondering how much shipping will be since it's only free for orders over $1,500.

- 15.6" Full HD LED-Backlit Display features 95% NTSC Color Gamut in Matte Finished Surface (1920 x 1080)
- 1GB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce GT 540M GPU with Optimus Technology / Embedded Intel HD Graphics
- 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM (6MB L3 Cache, 2.00GHz)
- IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
- Genuine MS Windows® 7 Home Premium 32/64-Bit Edition
- 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 2 X 2GB
- 500GB 7200rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive
- 8x DVD±R/RW/4X +DL Super-Multi Drive & Software
- Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN + Bluetooth Combo Module
- Smart Li-ION Battery Pack
- Microsoft Office Starter 2010
- Sager 1 Year Limited Parts and Labor Warranty

 

I would also like to know too. As for those who do have the i7, what were your temps with it? How much lower was it if you capped it at 99%? (include your room temp plz)

Thank you.

 

Well it's not merely a clock difference between i7 and i5, its going from dual -> quad cores. So yes, it would be worth investing in some futureproofing there.

 

Can these speakers be swapped out. They are very tinny, no matter what adjustments I make. My Shure ear bud headphones sound better, more bass and richer sound.

 

I would find a used copy of Windows 7 home for $50 and run open office or even torrent them both to save money. With the money you save get a small SSD. It will make a huge difference.

 

My laptop has been acting up a lot these past 24hrs. BSOD about 4-5 times so far. I posted in Sevenforums BSOD crash section to try and get help.

My laptop isn't recognizing my Nvidia card anymore. It's not listed under Device Manager. Tried downloading the newest driver from nvidia (275.33) but it says it can't find compatible graphics hardware.

edit: Seems none of the drivers on Nvidia's website support Optimus. Guess i'll reinstall using driver disc provided by Xoticpc

 

Already a BSOD? How many hours have you used the laptop?
Have you called/emailed XOTICPC

 

When someone gets a BSOD you shouldn't take it as a sign to worry. It's often time software/driver related so it's relatively specific to one's own installations. Not the hardware itself.

But anyway. I've had it for about 4 months now. I've had BSOD issue earlier but resolved it. Installed a bad driver. Working on getting this issue fixed now. It hasn't BSOD since my last post, so looking good.

 

Hi guys
Should I get my np5160 at malibal or powernotebooks
It's gonna be base settings with os
Thxs for the help

 

I don't think Malibal offers the np5160, did you mean mythlogic? and I hear xotic pc is pretty good too.

 

No
I'm saying malibal special order
Mythlogic is too expensive
And I'm not sure About xotic
So which of the two should I get from

 

oh wow I didnt know malibal does that, where do they offer that?

 

We would be happy to serve you!

 

Hi bji
Why r u selling ur laptop

 

And someguy
To get customs you have to email malibal

 

It's already sold now; but basically for three reasons:

1. The keyboard is terrible on the Sager NP5160 in my opinion. It is loose feeling, flexy, and this is my first chiclet keyboard and I didn't like it at all.

2. The fan noise is annoying. Under Linux at least, the fan comes on all of the time when it is not needed (CPU temperature sensor shows that the CPU temp is down to 43 degC but the fan stays on for minutes after that). I just didn't like that.

3. Very minor issue - the speakers suck and the headphone jack cannot produce full volume sound.

Mostly, it's the keyboard though. I have never had more trouble typing on a keyboard than I did on the NP5160's. Since I am a software developer and typing is what I need to do most, this was a deal breaker for me.

I've decided that I won't ever buy a laptop without being able to test out the keyboard first again. This was a pretty expensive lesson for me, losing ~$300 + shipping and paypal transaction fees over 2 months. But it is a lesson learned.

 

Has someone tried the new BIOS and new EC? I would like to know if the fan is quieter now.

 

I upgraded to BIOS version 1.01.08 and it made no difference in the fan noise. I don't know how to upgrade the EC - is this even possible? The BIOS lists it at version 1.00.01.

 

Well should I get the np5160? Cuz I'm on budget $850 and I need compute
Any recmondations. Is the np5160 still worth it?

 

I would personally look at the 5165 myself in that price range. A better GPU and default screen wins out for me in the end. Otherwise, both models are great budget laptops.

 

The NP5160 has alot of bang-for-buck; it doesn't cost much more than the component parts. If you want a big, beautiful screen (you have to upgrade for that, forget the $850 price), fast processor (another upgrade), and good port connectivity, then it is a great value.

However, I think that the keyboard is horrible, the fan noise is annoying, and the speakers are universally considered terrible.

If you just want raw processing power in a cheap package, the NP5160 is 'worth it'. If you want a laptop with any sophistication or any of the undefinable qualities that make more expensive laptops more pleasurable to use (i.e. elegant design), then the NP5160 has pretty much none of that. It's a cheap-ish plastic shell holding high performance components, nothing more. If that's what you want, then go for it.

 

@bji

There is a new BIOS 1.11 and a new EC .02 at the Clevo BIOS thread. I tried it now and the fan does stop a little faster and starts a little later (I think so), but it would be really cool if someone could read out the old EC image so that someone (maybe me) could compare both and maybe it would be possible to change the fan table so that the fan is less loudly.

 

That is a fantastic idea; however, I sold my laptop on eBay last night and so I won't be able to participate. Best of luck to you though!

 

Is there a technical manual for this laptop available?

 

Ordered the Sager NP5160 today! I may post my first impressions or a small review once I receive it since it's a popular laptop and it just feels like there aren't enough reviews out there for the NP5160.

 

Does getting IC Diamond Thermal Compound For the NP5160 make it quieter?