recommend laptop $2000

[raygan_gamer]

so I was shopping for a Mac Pro for my brother until they decided they needed a 17" ---- which was up to the $2200+

so I'm suggesting a couple of Window laptops. Dell is out. But I'm not up to par with laptop technology. Here are some of that I have research for them.

Budget-wise: $2000
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www.sagernotebook.com/
Sager NP8170 $1,644.00

17.3" Full HD LED-Backlit Display with Super Glossy Surface (1920 x 1080)
Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M GPU with 1.5GB GDDR5 Video Memory
2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM Processor ( 6MB L3 Cache, 2.00GHz)
MS Windows® 7 Home Premium 32/64-Bit Edition ( 64-Bit Preloaded )
6GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 1 X 4GB + 1 X 2GB [$45.00]
320GB 7200rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive
6X Blu-ray Reader/8X DVD±R/2.4X +DL Super-Multi Drive & Software [$120.00]
802.11 B+G+N Wireless LAN + Bluetooth Combo Module
Primary Battery Smart Li-ION Battery Pack
Microsoft Office Starter 2010 - Included in Price
Sager 1 Year Limited Parts and Labor Warranty

Sager NP5170 $1,149.00

17.3" Full HD LED-Backlit Display with Super Glossy Surface (1920 x 1080)
1GB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce GT 540M GPU with Optimus Technology / Embedded Intel HD Graphics
2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM Processor ( 6MB L3 Cache, 2.00GHz) [$30.00]
Windows® 7 Home Premium 32/64-Bit Edition ( 64-Bit Preloaded )
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 2 X 4GB [$70.00]
320GB 7200rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive
6X Blu-ray Reader/8X DVD±R/2.4X +DL Super-Multi Drive & Software [$80.00]
Wireless Network Card Internal 802.11 B+G+N Wireless LAN + Bluetooth Combo Module
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XOTICPC
ASUS K72JR-C1 $1,142.00

- 17.3" HD+ LED 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1600x900)
- -Intel® Core™ i5-460M, 2.53-2.8GHz, (3MB L3 cache) - Standard
- Arctic Cooling MX-2 - CPU + GPU
- ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD5470 1024MB PCI-Express GDDR3
- 6GB (2 SODIMM) DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (1x4GB, 1x2GB)
- 6X Blu-Ray Reader + 8X DVDRW/CDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s) - Default
- Internal 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO)
- -Intel® Advanced-N 6205 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- Integrated Digital Video Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Pre-Installed + Drivers & Utilities Disk
- Yes, please create backup recovery DVD
- 2 Year ASUS GLOBAL Warranty 24/7 Support / 1 Year North America (N.A.) Accidental Coverage (Accidental Requires Registration)

ASUS N73SV-A1 - PRE ORDER $1,318.00
- 17.3" HD+ LED 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1600x900)
- 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz, (32nm, 6MB L3 cache) - Standard (Does not support DDR3 1600MHz Ram)
- Arctic Cooling MX-2 - CPU + GPU
- nVidia GT 540M 1024MB PCI-Express GDDR3 DX11 with Optimus™ Technology
- 6GB) DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (3x2GB) - Standard
- 4X Blu-Ray Reader / 8X DVDRW/CDRW Super Multi Combo Drive - Standard
- 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)
- SaveMe for 1 PC - Ridiculously Simply Back Up Software - Set it and Forget it! (Images and backs up your system as changes are made automatically)
- Internal 8-in-1 Card Reader: MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory Stick/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Intel® Advanced-N 6205 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Pre-Installed + Drivers & Utilities Disk
- No thanks, do not create backup recovery DVD's
- 2 Year ASUS GLOBAL Warranty 24/7 Support / 1 Year North America (N.A.) Accidental Coverage (Accidental Requires Registration)

ASUS G73JW-XR1 $1,516.00
- 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Glossy Screen (1920x1080)-
- Intel® Core™ i7-740QM, 1.73-2.93GHz, (45nm, 6MB L3 cache) - Standard
- nVidia GeForce GTX 460M 1,536MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
- (6GB) DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2GBx3)
- 4X Blu-Ray Reader + 8X DVDRW/CDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s) - Default
- Internal 8-in-1 Card Reader: MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory Stick/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Intel® Advanced-N 6205 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Pre-Installed + Drivers & Utilities Disk
- Yes, please create backup recovery DVD
- 1 Year ASUS GLOBAL Warranty 24/7 Support / 1 Year North America (N.A.) Accidental Coverage (Accidental Requires Registration)​

I was hoping some of these have HDMI so just in case they get a flat-screen in the future (still using CRT)

advance thanks

 

[Abula]

I own a G73JW and its a fine machine, i dont have any regrets, but you can find the G73SW now with SB, so i would go that route if you end up with Asus. The 8170 is imo a better laptop overall if you go with a lot of cutomizations, like changing CPUs, screens, etc, the asus strenght is taking as it comes. Probably the 8170 has better cooling as it can handle a GTX485m, not saying the asus is bad, just they dont take an interest on designing their cooling to handle such a beast.

The Sagers also have DVI outs (not completly sure if the newer still do), but this could be good if you end up with a monitor that requieres a DVI connection (not sure if they are DUAL DVI). Btw almost all laptops today specially big ones come with HDMI out.

If i had the money i would go with 8170 with a GTX485m + i7 2720, that would be my ideal choice, but thats a little over your $2k budget. But with GTX460, i would probably go with ASUS G73SW-XA1 $1399, just add an Intel X25-m 120gb (or wait for Intels G3) and use the included 750gb for storage, this imo will be much better than having dual hybrid drives that the A1 comes with (just a warning, Amazon XA1 doesnt come with 2nd HDD caddy/bracket, but asus sells it, but took almost a month to get mine and its not cheap).

Now from your previous thread.... if no one is going to game there is no need for such expensive laptops, i would go with something like Sager 5170, get some upgrades like a better quad, better screen, wifi card, an ssd, blu ray, etc. If you like the mac look, you might find also the HP Envy 17 as an option.

 

[raygan_gamer]

Very informative reply

Thank you

 

[zoobaby]

I'm a big fan of Clevo/Sagers, it's nice that you can buy them without an OS. I bought my current laptop from Sager direct. Their customer service has been good enough for me, though I hear a lot of people suggest buying from a reseller (XoticPC, Malibal, etc...) instead of Sager direct. The cost is the same but the reseller will handle returns and customer service better. Basically the reseller has more clout than you have and can get things straightened out much faster.

I am leaning toward an NP8170 for myself. Just waiting 2 more weeks to see if Sager starts shipping with the ATI 6970M.

 

[harmattan]

There's really no reason to not get a Sager np8170 with a 6970 now. It absolutey destroys the 460m for just a bit more money.

I can vouch for Sager/Clevo's great build quality except for the keyboards that they use which are absolute garbage like they were transplanted from a speak-and-spell.

 

[raygan_gamer]

So that's two for NP8170 with the 6970

thanks guys

 

[RAQemUP]

Just realize that the NP8170 is still on preorder status because of the SB chipset bug that had to be fixed and that no company has retail 6970s atm. You will be waiting for awhile. I ordered a NP8150 (same as the NP8170 but with 15.6"screen and just one hdd bay) mid February with the 485m from xotixpc and I'm not gonna receive it till early April.

 

[raygan_gamer]

Just realize that the NP8170 is still on preorder status because of the SB chipset bug that had to be fixed and that no company has retail 6970s atm. You will be waiting for awhile. I ordered a NP8150 (same as the NP8170 but with 15.6"screen and just one hdd bay) mid February with the 485m from xotixpc and I'm not gonna receive it till early April.

is it strictly for gaming? I'm just curious if this NP8170 can be used as a HTPC. I ask since a TV tuner is being offered during customization.

 

[RAQemUP]

No idea how the optional tv tuner works. Best bet would be to call up xoticpc and ask. As far as using the system as a htpc, I don't see why not. I do that now with my M11x just fine for mostly netflix and hulu streams.

Personally I wouldn't get a 17" laptop for htpc use since it's kinda big and distracting next to a tv.