I just bought the Sager NP-5320. Specs are:
Sager NP5320 SUPRA
WUXGA (1920x1200)
2.0GHz "Sonoma" Intel® Pentium® M 760 w/2,048k L2 On-die Cache
2 Gb Memory
80GB SATA/150 Hard Drive at 5,400 RPM
Combo 8X DVD/24x10x24 CD-RW
Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG 802.11a/b/g LAN
I added extra memory when I received the shipment. My first impression was that it was built like a brick. I like the fact that it has a very solid feel with metal built into the lid. Also, it looks very cool and everyone at my university who has seen it agrees.
I noticed some light leakage along the bottom and right beneath the camera at the top. It can't be noticed during use unless the screen is dark. It is probably typical for a lot of laptops to have this sort of issue.
Next I installed win XP pro and the drivers. I took it to work and had trouble connecting to the wireless g network that I had little trouble connecting to with my Dell Inspiron 6000. Another guy with an old laptop and a pcmcia airport card had no dropping issue with the g network. It was frustrating having a problem connecting to the wireless with a brand new computer. Another frustration was typing with the computer. I had to turn down the sensitivity of the touchpad and be very careful of how I position my hands when I am typing on the keypad. Some keys don't register well when I am typing. This is very annoying and I might have to return it just for this reason. It has been a pain to type comfortably with this computer. Also the fan is relatively loud when working in a place like a library as I am most of the time.
Sound is fairly good. It has a lot of signal noise which can't be noticed when listening too much, but I am sure this is pretty standard for laptops. It has very loud output which amplifies the noise when nothing is playing. I turned the IR off so I never experienced the clicking noise people have complained of.
Quake 4 played well. I will add more later and respond to comments.
NEXT DAY
I have been using the machine with Sony Fontopia headphones which are very sensitive. I don't plan on using the speakers very often. It would be nice if there was some sort of way to lower the output, but it is certainly acceptable the way it is. I do need to get something to cover the touchpad (or find some easy way to deactivate it) while I am typing so my right palm doesn't brush the pad.
I installed the new Intel drivers and I have had no problem connecting to the low speed network at my school. I will test it next weekend in the g environment at work. I wish I had a little more time for gaming which was my number one reason for upgrading to this model.
I am happy every time I pull it out of the case.
ONE WEEK LATER:
Still haven't tried the laptop in a g network after the new drivers but I resolved the keyboard issue by simply using proper posture and not slouching as much as I am used to. The touchpad is more sensitive than my old Dell and the keyboard is less sensitive so I have had to adjust to the new combo. Still haven't tried too many games, but they look fine in non-native resolution and I wouldn't go with any other monitor than the wuxga with appropriate OS settings.
Also: the fan is not more noisy than most other laptops. I think I was examining it a bit too critically when I was first making my analysis. I wanted to make sure that I was happy throwing down so much cash and I am.
I bought from Powernotebooks. They had great prices and excellent service including a call when it arrived and an email today to see how happy I was with it.
FEW DAYS AFTER THAT. . .
I am using the M-Audio Transit for audio. Headphone jack is completely silent and the sound is precision 24-bit. I could never expect a laptop to have built in sound this good, so I don't mind having to upgrade.
I admit that the wireless g network is weak at my work (2 bars), so I can't really knock on the wireless too much. I am thinking of upgrading to a pcmcia card with an antenna out when I am in suboptimal areas, but the signal in my normal work environment (a library) is never a problem (5 bars).
Sager NP5320 SUPRA
WUXGA (1920x1200)
2.0GHz "Sonoma" Intel® Pentium® M 760 w/2,048k L2 On-die Cache
2 Gb Memory
80GB SATA/150 Hard Drive at 5,400 RPM
Combo 8X DVD/24x10x24 CD-RW
Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG 802.11a/b/g LAN
I added extra memory when I received the shipment. My first impression was that it was built like a brick. I like the fact that it has a very solid feel with metal built into the lid. Also, it looks very cool and everyone at my university who has seen it agrees.
I noticed some light leakage along the bottom and right beneath the camera at the top. It can't be noticed during use unless the screen is dark. It is probably typical for a lot of laptops to have this sort of issue.
Next I installed win XP pro and the drivers. I took it to work and had trouble connecting to the wireless g network that I had little trouble connecting to with my Dell Inspiron 6000. Another guy with an old laptop and a pcmcia airport card had no dropping issue with the g network. It was frustrating having a problem connecting to the wireless with a brand new computer. Another frustration was typing with the computer. I had to turn down the sensitivity of the touchpad and be very careful of how I position my hands when I am typing on the keypad. Some keys don't register well when I am typing. This is very annoying and I might have to return it just for this reason. It has been a pain to type comfortably with this computer. Also the fan is relatively loud when working in a place like a library as I am most of the time.
Sound is fairly good. It has a lot of signal noise which can't be noticed when listening too much, but I am sure this is pretty standard for laptops. It has very loud output which amplifies the noise when nothing is playing. I turned the IR off so I never experienced the clicking noise people have complained of.
Quake 4 played well. I will add more later and respond to comments.
NEXT DAY
I have been using the machine with Sony Fontopia headphones which are very sensitive. I don't plan on using the speakers very often. It would be nice if there was some sort of way to lower the output, but it is certainly acceptable the way it is. I do need to get something to cover the touchpad (or find some easy way to deactivate it) while I am typing so my right palm doesn't brush the pad.
I installed the new Intel drivers and I have had no problem connecting to the low speed network at my school. I will test it next weekend in the g environment at work. I wish I had a little more time for gaming which was my number one reason for upgrading to this model.
I am happy every time I pull it out of the case.
ONE WEEK LATER:
Still haven't tried the laptop in a g network after the new drivers but I resolved the keyboard issue by simply using proper posture and not slouching as much as I am used to. The touchpad is more sensitive than my old Dell and the keyboard is less sensitive so I have had to adjust to the new combo. Still haven't tried too many games, but they look fine in non-native resolution and I wouldn't go with any other monitor than the wuxga with appropriate OS settings.
Also: the fan is not more noisy than most other laptops. I think I was examining it a bit too critically when I was first making my analysis. I wanted to make sure that I was happy throwing down so much cash and I am.
I bought from Powernotebooks. They had great prices and excellent service including a call when it arrived and an email today to see how happy I was with it.
FEW DAYS AFTER THAT. . .
I am using the M-Audio Transit for audio. Headphone jack is completely silent and the sound is precision 24-bit. I could never expect a laptop to have built in sound this good, so I don't mind having to upgrade.
I admit that the wireless g network is weak at my work (2 bars), so I can't really knock on the wireless too much. I am thinking of upgrading to a pcmcia card with an antenna out when I am in suboptimal areas, but the signal in my normal work environment (a library) is never a problem (5 bars).
Congratulations.
