Purchasing NP8790 or Similar OEM Version in Taipei, Taiwan.

[akuma]

Hi all,

This is my first ever post here! I'm glad I found this forum -- lotsa good info on Sagers here! I was hoping that someone here might be able to answer some of my questions...

I'm from the U.S. (Socal, Los Angeles), but I 'm currently staying in Taipei, Taiwan (job training). I won't be back in the States for at least another three or so months and I am in dire need (asap) of a high powered notebook like the NP8790. I figured that since Taiwan is the world capital of notebook manufacturing and as a whole produces 80% of the notebooks in the world, etc... it would be pretty easy to find one out here. Boy was I wrong...

For days, I've been running around Taipei shopping for Sager's 8790 (or similar oem notebook sold under a different brand), but I have not been able to find anything near it! I contacted Brian over at Sager and finally discovered that Sager is a "U.S. only" oem / brand... and that the NP8790 is actually manufactured by a Taiwanese ODM (original design manufacturer) called Clevo, whom by the way, only sells to OEM's such as Sager and other excellent brands...

I thought of ordering an 8790 via internet but I would prefer to avoid risking the shipment from the U.S. back to Taiwan -- as well as paying twice for the shipping (since the 8790 notebook originated here). Not only that but I would like to demo it in person before spending $3000.00+ for one.

I plan to contact Clevo to see what info they can offer or if I could get one directly from them (I highly doubt it), but it's worth a try. I was thinking that perhaps there are other OEM companies who sell the same exact notebook here but under a different brand name? Does anyone know? Any info regarding the purchase of an 8790-type oem or similar type of notebook in Taipei, Taiwan would be very much appreciated!

[Go-Omaha]

Try changing the questions away from Clevos to Kapouk instead. I might have mispelled the name; however, that is the Company that manufactures much of the "innards" for the other markets.

[akuma]

I could not find much info on Kapok... but I believe Clevo and Kapok is pretty much the same deal... if anything.

Sager did direct me over to Clevo and wished me luck in trying to buy one direct from them... heh. They also mentioned that the 8790's are basically Clevos with "Sager" labels.

Thanks for the info... more would be appreciated =)

[Enderet]

Originally Posted by akuma

They also mentioned that the 8790's are basically Clevos with "Sager" labels.

Of course!

Everything that Sager sells, they buy from Clevo.

[Go-Omaha]

The Clevos model is D870P.

[thArk]

No one really know "sager" in taiwan.
As Go-Omaha say. You should go to clevo store and ask for D870P.
In taiwan clevo is under the brand name "blue sky" 藍天(translate into english, hope your pc read chinese)
Clevo is their company name. You might be asking the wrong question. Go go the store ask for 藍天 computer. And go to "NOVA" which locate next to taipei train station. I remember NOVA have some good lappy there. If need more help, feel free to ask. Hope my direction help. (I'm Taiwanness)

[thArk]

Remember bargain for price. Taiwan's computer business style is different from America computer store style. Lappy might be cheaper already. It won't hurt ask them to lower few thousand NT and some free gift. They will lower the price, remember don't dress up nicly. They love take money from rich looking guys.

[akuma]

Yes, thArk, it is very different... It reminds me of the LA Computer Fair, but on steroids... I've gotten used to the bargaining, however, the prices are still cheaper in the U.S. (ie. pricewatch prices). Heh.. I wish I could do the same in the U.S. and walk into a Best Buy and start low-balling prices! Then again, you'll probably never see me looking for harware (much less notebooks) there either..

I definitely appreciate all the info you guys provided! Thanks for all the extra detail thArk... I know exactly where you are talking about. Do you think the price will be anywhere near the same as those in the U.S? What would be considered a good price (in terms of NT Dollars) for the D870P? Also, would you happen to know if there is some kind of "Global Warranty?"

I've been looking at the lowered powered ASUS M6's which is covered by a standard 2 year Global Warranty... then again, after seeing the 8790, the M6 looks like a little toy gun... lol!

Thanks again for the info!

[thArk]

The price is really depend on what kind of stuff your want to put it into your lappy.
You should take pc tourqe price convert into NT dollar and give it 15% off. Start bargain from this point.Most of store can easily give you 10% off. (that's way best buy make a lot of money.) The store don't usually have D870P on display. Go in and ask than to find one for you. I think ACER will be a good buy for you. They have a 17" lappy with m11 too. Acer have better Global Warranty. Hope this help.

[thArk]

http://pctorque.com/acer_1712.php.
Sorry Acer is doesn't have m11 it's 5700 go.

[mocolt]

Key Akuma, I had a similar issue when I went to Taiwan. I thought they would have everything but it seem like they mainly export them. I still think laptop here in the US has a better deal because of rebates. However, Taiwan large stores do provide monthly payment with no interest, which I believe is awesome. So overall, the systems offers in Taiwan are not as good as here, but price differences on parts are different then here too. For example, Intel cost less over there than AMD, Eforce cost less over there than ATI. So what I am planning to do is buying those little stuff that you can use for your system, since it is much cheaper than here.

[akuma]

thArk... I've seen the Acer system you are talking about and I think that I'd be much happier with the 8790-type =) Thanks for the info though... the resolution on the 17" LCD Acer does not seem to be as sharp as the 8790... and your right about the m11. I'm a hardcore gamer so me needs an m11!! haha! The Asus M6 will be available with an M11 shortly but I believe it will come with 128MB Ram... besides I can't wait for a few months for one.

PCtorque seems to have the best prices out of all the vendors that I've seen, so I'll use their prices as a reference for wheeling and dealing out here... If not, then I'll probably just wait it out and buy one from them when I get back to Los Angeles (months from now)... Gawd... the torture!

mocolt... you are absolutely right. Despite the fact that Taiwan is "notebook central" of the world (odm-wise), the U.S. is still the place to be when it comes to purchasing one on the retail side. The prices, the support / service, and the deals are unmatched. The good thing about Taiwan however is the wheeling and dealing aspect. You might not get the pricewatch-type prices, but the price will be fair at the very least... and the vendors are willing to throw in all kinds of miscellaneous accessories as part of the entire package as well.

Another cool thing about Taiwan is the availablity of engineered samples... this is great for those who absolutely insist on being ahead of the rest... for example, I could have bought a Fox / ECS notebook (aka eMachines in the U.S. -- and soon to be bought out by Gateway by the way) with a Dothan 1.6Ghz good to go. You could also find deals on Peripherals, however, the brand names are unheard of in the states...

I will definitely inform this forum of what happens within the next few week regarding the purchase of an 8790-type (ie.D870P) if it happens.. If not, then PCtorque will probably be $3000.00+ richer in a few months from now and I'd be fraggin away with Doom III & Half Life II installed =)

Thanks again for the info... Much Appreciated!

[thArk]

Good luck !