Cheapy or NP2096

[CGamer]

1) What is your budget? $1100

2) What size notebook would you prefer?a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
3) Canada

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like? None

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook? General use, games from time to time, downloading, movies.

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk? Yes, shouldn't be too often though.

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games? WoW, SC2, WC3, Combat Arms, Source games, BF2

8) How many hours of battery life do you need? 2 hours minimum

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person? No

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows, I have a copy of Windows Media Edition, also looking at using Windows XP Ultimate Edition (http://www.winxpu.info/)


Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen? Standard

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.

Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen? Glossy


Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? No

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last? August, needed for September. To last 2 years minimum.


Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB? 200GB+

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive? DVD Burner

Going to school this September I need a laptop, but I am also tight on cash. I am almost positive I want the NP2096 but I am being pressured by my parents to get a cheap laptop from some store. My mom who works at a university mentioned the NP2096 to the tech guy she knows. He responded saying he has never heard of Sager, and that its cheaper to buy a cheaper Toshiba and replace it when needed than to buy the NP2096 (which i need for at least 2 years).

Obviously I need some advice, so any would be appreciated as well as some reasons why I should get it. If anyone sides with that tech guy, can you find a good cheap laptop for me?

I want a video card of course, as I do want to play games from time to time, also my mom thinks I will play games too much if I get the NP2096 (since it has a video card) which is ridiculous.

Not sure if I had said all that would be needed for a good response so let me know if you need to know anything else.

[Anewbus]

Taking into account your budget and everything you stated I put together a couple of configurations that will get you by.
First, your in Canada so I don't know how much shipping may cost you. It's separate.

Also, a couple of the games you listed are FPS and pretty heavy. The two systems I am suggesting will run them. The 2096 is the better of the two.

I did not add any OS as you stated you have Windows XP Media. I'm hoping that is a multi PC version and not OEM. If it's its OEM you won't be able to use it if you already have put it on another system.

You'll get by fine with the 1280x800 resolution, no worries.

I don't know how things are in Canada as far as laptop prices are concerned, but I think a Toshiba would cost just about as much as either of these two machines.
Also with the Toshiba you only get a 1 year limited warranty and NO tech support (unless you pay an outside source).
With the Sagers (or any machine at XoticPC) you get toll-free lifetime tech support FREE
I only chose the 1-year in the configs due to your budget.

As to your mum's worry about playing games. 1) Your going to anyway from time to time 2) even though it would be problematic on a Toshiba or anything with intergrated graphics, it's still possible to play lower end games successfully.

As to your mum's tech guy - Is buying a Toshiba or other "brand name" cheaper? Yes and no. Yes, if it lasts more than 2 years. No, if it doesn't or if you have to pay tech support and you will because the "off the shelf" store-bought laptops are pre-loaded with Vista OS which can be a hassle at times depending and you don't even get a CD copy should you have to reload something. (What they normally do is back up the OS someplace on your hard drive and good luck getting to it, should you need to). What's worse is they are loaded with what is called "bloatware" which is lots and lots of system hungery programs you will never ever need and some of it is next to impossible to clean off the hard disk. XoticPC does not install bloatware at all.
Now that being said, if however, your mum's tech guy is very handy, he may be able to fix up your off the shelf, store bought laptop and make it all nice for you.
What you can also show your mum's tech guy is the article from the XoticPC website called "Who really makes laptops" Educational and eye-opening.:)

Ok here are the configs I promised: I threw a 320GB 5400rpm HD in both as you will need space with downloading and games and all and that will be plenty with room left over.
I upgraded the CPU on the second one to the same as the 2096 because the standard is too under-powered for my taste.
Like I said the only thing is that shipping is not included in the price, so that is something to consider.

Sager NP2096 Custom Laptop (Built on the Compal JHL90)
- 15.4" WXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1280x800)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® P8400 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.26GHz w/3MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9600M GT DDR2 DX10
- ~ 2,048MB DDR2 800 (2 SODIMMS) Dual Channel Memory
- Standard Finish
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 320GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 8MB Cache)
- Internal 3-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS)
- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5100 802.11 a/g/n
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carying Case Optional (Select if desired)
- Smart Li-ion Battery (9-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- None Standard - Drivers & Utility Software Only
- 1 Year Parts & Labor, Lifetime Sager Toll Free Tech Support

$1039.84 (US) with cash discount (does not unclude shipping)

This system above will run almost anything you throw at it. Also has good battery life.

Sager NP7680 (Built on Clevo M762TU)
- 15.4" WXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1280x800)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® P8400 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.26GHz w/3MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- 256MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9300M GS w/ up to 512MB Turbo Cache DDR2 DX10
- ~ 3,072MB DDR2 800 (2 SODIMMS) Dual Channel Memory
- Standard Finish
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 320GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 8MB Cache)
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Built-in Wireless 802.11a/b/g
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carying Case Optional (Select if desired)
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- None Standard - Drivers & Utility Software Only
- 1 Year Parts & Labor, Lifetime Sager Toll Free Tech Support

$967.09 (US) with cash discount (does not include shipping)

This second system may have a struggle with your stronger games, but it will do for most things just fine.

[Mazeura]

Hehe, go with the XP Ultimate than the Media Edition.

*writes down the 2096 build for future reference*

[talldan]

In my opinion on you're situation I would go with the first option that Anewbus wrote out. Sager NP2096 Custom Laptop (Built on the Compal JHL90) Its worth spending a little more if you can afford the $1039.84 and I would believe you would have a great system for a few years. I've looked at alot of laptops and this site seems to provide good service with good quality. I agree with Anewbus that buying an off-the-shelf laptop in some computer store is cheaper if it lasts two years but is more expensive if you end up having to repair it with paid tech support or just replacing it. In the long run you'll probably get you're monies worth buying from here.

Just tell your Mom you need the graphics card and higher specs for you're animation class, or graphics software that you'll be using. But I would not buy from a store personally. I've never found a comparable laptop at a store that meets the specs of one online such as at xoticpc.com. Also you can't usually configure the laptop to you're liking in the store - which means buy what you see. Anyways I hope i'm of some help and inspiration to you. Good luck.

[CGamer]

So the default resolution should be fine?

The OS is a Dell CD I had them send me before my warranty ended, it says on it: "The software is already installed on your computer. Only use this DVD to reinstall the operating system on a Dell PC."

So maybe since it's a reinstallation DVD, it might not work? I want to try that Ultimate XP though, I already have it burned onto a DVD and I know a couple people who love it.

Also thanks for the response guys, I appreciate all the help everyone has given me these past days. I just hope I can convince my mom, as she trusts that tech guy more on this topic than me it seems. :|

I'll be taking Electronics Technician Common Core (http://www.bcit.ca/manufacturing/electronics/) then Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category 'E' (Avionics) (http://www.bcit.ca/study/programs/1065dipts)

[Mazeura]

As long as you have the Driver CD, it shouldn't matter which one you use.
Though I would go with the XP Ult to be on the safe side. I haven't had any experience with the OS disks that Dell hands out.

[CGamer]

Windows XP Ultimate (By Johnny) (http://www.winxpu.info/)

its a custom OS that is XP but with changes such as features included from Vista, OS X, and Linux, check it out and read the facts, you might like it.

[Anewbus]

Windows XP Ultimate (By Johnny) (http://www.winxpu.info/)

its a custom OS that is XP but with changes such as features included from Vista, OS X, and Linux, check it out and read the facts, you might like it.

I have had experience with the Dell discs. It's an OEM and can be junky. In other words, it will not work as far as I know. The OEM versions of the OS are designed to be used on one system and that's it. It simply won't install on a different HD. That's the way it is here in the states anyway. However, your in Canada and I think the OS software rules may be different and allow for installing the OS on up to 4 systems or something. I could be wrong on that.

If you really want to play it safe, you may want to get a fresh copy of one of the XP (32-bit versions). That way, you would:
1) have something to fall back on if your XP Ultimate doesn't work
2) You shouldn't have any driver issues and such.

Did you know that there is an official 64bit version of XP, but its expensive and buggy. A real mess. Same issues as Vista too.

That is an interesting link and I wouldn't mind trying it out, but only if I had a test system, which I do not...at least yet. I wouldn't want to load an "as-is" /no support OS (or any software) on a system I intend to mainly use. Unless I knew everything there is to know. Even then, I'd rather have it on a test system to see how it performs for a while first.

[CGamer]

If I buy an OS with the laptop, is it as if I bought the OS myself from a store? or is it OEM? Do I get the CD too..?

[Anewbus]

If I buy an OS with the laptop, is it as if I bought the OS myself from a store? or is it OEM? Do I get the CD too..?

It would be the OEM version. Yes, you do absolutely get the CD and I believe you would get two: 1) The OS and 2) Drivers and utilities.

[Rancit]

(I'm CGamer) just ordered the np2096, so excited I finally have something to replace my desktop. I have used this 4700c dell dimension for over 3 years and the computer that will kick it's ass is a laptop...lol

PT4 3.20ghz psu
2gb ram (upgraded)
8400gs low profile (underclocked ><)(upgraded from x300 radeon)
Open case because I have no fans!

I don't know how I have managed to game on that thing, least I never have to deal with dell again :)

One last thanks to everyone who helped me out with this!

-Chris

[Anewbus]

(I'm CGamer) just ordered the np2096, so excited I finally have something to replace my desktop. I have used this 4700c dell dimension for over 3 years and the computer that will kick it's ass is a laptop...lol

PT4 3.20ghz psu
2gb ram (upgraded)
8400gs low profile (underclocked ><)(upgraded from x300 radeon)
Open case because I have no fans!

I don't know how I have managed to game on that thing, least I never have to deal with dell again :)

One last thanks to everyone who helped me out with this!

-Chris

You are welcome and congratulations on your order!:smile2: