Sager Laptop NP2092 Review

[Urumii-Previously ThePresident]

www.sagernotebook.com/product_customed.php?pid=46090



I haven't recieved the laptop yet, but thought I will give a little info I have found on this laptop. Once I get the laptop I will post a more detailed review.

First off, here are the specs of the system I selected.

-Display: 15.4" WSXGA+ LCD with Matte Finish Surface (1680X1050)
-Processor: 45nm Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8100 / 3MB L2 Cache, 2.10GHz, 800MHz FSB
-Video & Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT Graphics with 512MB DDR2 Video Memory
-Operating System: Genuine MS Windows® VISTA ULTIMATE 32/64-Bit Edition
-Memory: 3GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 1 X 2048MB + 1 X 1024MB
-Primary Hard Disk Drive: 100GB 7200rpm SATA 150 Hard Drive
-Optical Drive: 8X DVD±R/RW/4X +DL Super-Multi Drive & Software
-Wireless Network Card: Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
-Bluetooth: Internal Bluetooth Module
-Primary Battery: Smart Li-ION Battery Pack (9 Cells)
-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

Total cost before shipping was $1,374.00. Standard UPS shipping is around $30 depending on where you live. It ships out of California.

I chose not to purchase the Intel 1GB TurboMemory Module after reading some reviews and forums about it. It is supposed to remember your frequently used programs and load them faster, and increase boot up times. But most people have said it is new technology, and doesn't really make anything faster right now. They said there is potential in the tech, but its not being utilized right now. They recommended just upgrading your RAM instead. Which is what I did.

Second is that the whole frame is built out of plastic. Many companies use a magnesium blend, and some sort of "roll cage" in their frame. Reviews have said that the plastic is very sturdy though, and should not be an issue.

Third is the video card in this laptop. Is has 512mb of DDR2, while many laptops and desktops are making the leap to DDR3 Ram. What I've gathered is that when chosing a vid card, you should look at the Clock speeds, and not what the max memory of the card is. DDR3 is much faster than DDR2.

Thats what I have so far, I'll update my review when I know more.

[I...Died...Again!!!]

I know that I for one am chomping at the bit to hear your thoughts on the construction of this laptop. ;D

[Urumii-Previously ThePresident]

For those who didn't know yet, I received my laptop yesterday.

I ordered it Sunday March 30th and chose 3 Day Select from UPS. So it took 8 business days to assemble and be shipped to my house. It will ship from California.

I will be posting my first thoughts review sometime this weekend, most likely Sunday. So anybody (IDA) interested should look for that on Sunday.

There is one annoyance I have found. There appears to be no volume control on this laptop. The only way to adjust the volume is through the windows taskbar. There is an external mute botton, but no other controls.

There are a few external button controls, but I haven't figured out how to program them to do different things yet. If i figure out I'll let you (IDA) know, as your model will probably have the same issue.

EDIT: Just after posting this, I looked harder and found a way to do it. you have to hold down the Fn key and press f7 and f8 for the volume control. I haven't used a laptop in so long i forgot about those fn keys. So its not quite as annoying anymore, but still would be easier if there was just one button to press.

[I...Died...Again!!!]

Woohoo Congrats man ;D I am so jelouse. I should have mine in about a month . The 8800gt models are on backorder.

[Urumii-Previously ThePresident]

Alright, I've used my Laptop for a few days now. So here are my first thoughts.

HARDWARE

Things I've liked:

I really like the fingerprint reader it comes with. No more entering the password everytime the computers locked. just swipe your finger, and your in. This is probably one of my favorite features

The case itself feels very solid. Wouldn't have even noticed, or cared anything about it other than reviews I've read. Not at all a problem in my book. I like the glossy/sparkly finish on the top. Looks very cool.

Screen is very bright and detailed, no dead pixels so far.

Very long power cord, 20 feet or so.


Things I've disliked:

I am getting a replacement optica drive from Sager under warranty. Mine will work about 10% of the time, but I'm sure thats a standard fail rate. No points deducted there.

The Fn (Function) key is in the bottom left corner of the keyboard... ie where the ctrl button should be. This is EXTREMEMLY ANNOYING when copying and pasting (ctrl+c, crtl+v) and playing MoH. This has got to be the most annoying thing I've ever encountered so far. Maybe someone knows how to make the Fn key function as the ctrl key in MoH?

I also sometimes have trouble with the shift key. I don't know if its me, but sometimes I press shift, and the letter and it comes out lower case.

SOFTWARE

Thigns I've Liked:

Keep in mind I have Vista... yuck

I haven't had any problems with my video card. MoH ran fine without the nHancer thing. I get about 70-90 fps with everything maxed out in the nVideo settings. Very happy there.

Everything runs very smooth for me, even when the CPU is running high, it never seems to lag. Programs open fast, music loads fast, etc.

Things I've disliked:

Vista.

I have to restart the computer about every day, day and a half because it seems to slowly eat at my memory. I'll start out at 45%, and be at 70% with the same exact things running. XP wasn't quite that bad.

I really don't have any complaints, other than the usual Vista complaints. But nothing against Sager.


Overall, I would recommend a Sager computer. They look cool, they run fast, and their Technical Support is VERY GOOD. They all sound Indian, but they answer right away, and your question is resolved withing 5 min.

If I find anything else to add, I will do so... and if I figure that &^%$ Fn key crap...

[I...Died...Again!!!]

Pres thanks for the info puts my mind at ease for my purchase, both the solid build and the support. I didnt get an os so I'll be running XP fur sure. Good review and again thanks again.

Oh cant you set your keys to what ever you want in the settings, doesnt the FN key work like that?

[Urumii-Previously ThePresident]

I can't get the Fn key to work like the other keys.

I was gonna ask Lam if he knew of a way to do it through the console, cuz he seems to know all the commands there.

[Lamron]

I don't know how you're playing on a tiny laptop keyboard anyway. Buy a USB keyboard and use it when you're playing or have lots of typing to do.

[vinsanity]

I agree with Lam on this one. A full sizw USB KB would solve all the problems you mention, well except Vista i HIGHLY recommend the Microsoft Reclusa illuminated KB.

[Urumii-Previously ThePresident]

I'm gonna do that, but I have limited space right now, so all I can really fit is a mouse. But I plan on getting a keyboard and mouse setup when I get a new desk.

I just don't wanna hardwire my fingers to this keyboard, just in time to go back to how it was supposed to be.

[I...Died...Again!!!]

There is always this option ;D If space is an issue.

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823161023

I know that Big D has one and I am heavelly concidering it for the laptop I am getting. The model I have chosen has a full keyboard and a 10 key so typing I hope will not be an issue. I truely enjoy gaming on my Merc-z board and this is the same layout as the gaming pad on the keyboard.

[Death's Shadow]

I use the merc z board also.. I love it.. Do not know how I ever got along with out it. Takes a few days to retrain your muscle memory, but after that it is np. ALL of your controls are in finger reach and the program that comes with it will easily let you reset the board keys to different pre programed in game sets.