Anyone have any experiece with Sager laptops?

[Kirby]

NP3250
15.6" 1366x768
i7 2630QM (6MB L3 Cache, 2GHz)
1GB nVidia 520M
8GB ram 1333
120GB Intel SSD SATA3
8X dvd multidrive
usb 3, esata, and hdmi

$1189

No 1080p display, but I can get a NP8130 with 1.5GB 460M with a 1080p for $1299. I don't know if it's worth $110, or if there are any other differences between the two laptops. Other laptop suggestions are welcome, but I want a 15" quad core sandy, no ati, at least 8gb ram, and a ssd. I don't do any any gaming, but I'd rather not fool with ati since i'll be running linux on it. I've never used a Sager or know anyone that has one, so I don't know about their build quality, support, etc.

 

[ed29a]

System76 version of NP8130 is 50$ cheaper. The difference between an NVidia 460m and 520m is mainly battery life. The latter support Optimus technology, while the 460 doesn't. If battery life is important, skip the 460, if not go for it.

I have a Sager NP8130, my impressions are here.

 

[mnewsham]

The main difference between the 460m and the 520m is POWER! not battery power per se, but graphical power. As seen here the 460m gets 53FPS at high settings in Crysis (GPU bench) vs. the GT 520m's 15FPS. Claiming they are even close to similar is pure fallacy. Notebookcheck.net rates the GT520m as a high end "Class 3" GPU. Where the 460m rates a Mid-range "Class 1" GPU. Leaps and bounds ahead of the 520m.

Because you aren't doing any gaming I would go with the 520m however as it will provide good video playback and mild gaming (at low settings) if you think you will do gaming though the 460m is the base line for a gaming laptop. But i doubt gaming performance matters (it will be Linux after all ) so again, the main difference will be graphical power, with your needs the integrated GPU would probably be fine but the GT 520m will provide Linux drivers and (if running windows) Optimus.

 

[ed29a]

I should have been more clear, difference is battery life and power, duh! But since he didn't plan on gaming, the difference that matters to him is only battery life.

 

[Surutcra]

NP3250
15.6" 1366x768
i7 2630QM (6MB L3 Cache, 2GHz)
1GB nVidia 520M
8GB ram 1333
120GB Intel SSD SATA3
8X dvd multidrive
usb 3, esata, and hdmi

$1189

No 1080p display, but I can get a NP8130 with 1.5GB 460M with a 1080p for $1299. I don't know if it's worth $110, or if there are any other differences between the two laptops. Other laptop suggestions are welcome, but I want a 15" quad core sandy, no ati, at least 8gb ram, and a ssd. I don't do any any gaming, but I'd rather not fool with ati since i'll be running linux on it. I've never used a Sager or know anyone that has one, so I don't know about their build quality, support, etc.

good build but I would reccomend upgrading to the 1080p monitor (which is available on all models), and you might consider the np5160 which is about $50 more with a better gpu (with optimus so battery life is the same) and 900p monitor by default. Though you won't need the gpu headroom there aren't any drawbacks to have the 540m over the 520m and there are actually a few better priced upgrades on the np5160.

Sager's are solid computers, the chassis is tough the hinges are super strong. There is some flex in the back of the screen panel and the trackpad isn't the best but other then those I couldn't ask for a better built laptop. Also speakers suck, but they are fine for youtube and quick stuff like that, I wouldn't watch a movie or listen to music. Look up youtube videos and and user reviews of the np5160, the np3250 is a new design so there isn't much info out there but it seems to be a newer version of the np5160 design though I don't like the glossy chassis. All in all Sager is my preferred brand of laptop at the moment for its build quality, highly configurable (with great parts especially the 1080p matte 95% color gamut screen) and affordability.

xoticpc is hands down the best place to buy Sager because they don't charge any premiums on most upgrades you just pay for how much the part costs on the market. Also they have great customer service. If you customize your order with parts on backorder however be prepared to wait longer then expected.
http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-gaming-laptops-notebooks-intel-generation-mobile-ct-95_51_301.html

good luck, hope you find what you're looking for
configure a few models side by side, upgrades are very cheap and some vary from model to model.

 

[Emulex]

do they offer 3/3/3 next business day on-site warranty with accidental damage and ADR (disk retention) and/or professional computrace? for a couple hundred?

 

[fire400]

15.6" 1366x768

Good gosh...

That's terrible. Upgrade the display unless you need 1366 for a specific reason.

 

[Kirby]

Well, I ended up getting a HP. I saw a good deal on slickdeals and jumped on it.

• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• 2nd generation Intel(R) Quad Core(TM) i7-2630QM (2.0 GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.9 GHz
• 1GB GDDR5 Radeon(TM) HD 6770M Graphics [HDMI, VGA]
• 8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 640GB 7200RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• No Additional Office Software
• FREE Upgrade to Norton Internet Security(TM) 2011 - 15 Month Subscription (activation required)
• 30% OFF! 9-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery (over-sized) - Up to 9.75 hours of battery life +++
• 15.6" diagonal High Definition HP BrightView LED Display (1366x768)
• FREE Upgrade to Blu-ray player & SuperMulti DVD burner
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam with Integrated Digital Microphone and HP SimplePass Fingerprint Reader
• Intel 802.11b/g/n WLAN with Wireless Display Support
• Standard Keyboard

$956 + tax, I'm going to blow the rest of my money on a SSD, just need to decide which one.