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Sager 5320 Votes Anyone ?

post #1 of 5
1/26/06 at 6:49pm
Thread Starter 
Okay everyone... I've been reading these boards for the past two weeks... and after the first week, you all made me cancel my Alienware order for a Sentia m3400 speced out as follows:
Alienware SENTIA m3400
Processor: Intel® Pentium® M 740 1.73GHz 2MB L2 Cache 533MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Service Pack 2
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Display: Alienware® Sentia m3400 with 14" Wide-XGA 1280 x 768 LCD Display with Webcam - Xeno Grey
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 915GM + ICH6 Chipset
Wireless Network: Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 b/g Wireless Card
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 533MHz - 2 x 512MB
Hard Drive: 60GB 5400 RPM ATA100
Video Card: Intel® GMA 900 Extreme Graphics
Sound Card: Intel® High-Definition Audio
Optical Drive: 24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo w/Software MPEG2 Decoder
Ethernet NIC: Integrated High Performance Gigabit Ethernet
Modem: 56K Modem with V.90 Technology
Mobile Power: Belkin® AC Anywhere 300W <br />
$1528 w/ Shipping
$1228 AFTER REBATES

Now, that's been canceled. I've configed a Sager 5320 as follows:
15.4" wsxga
1.86 Pentium M
1 Gig RAM
80gig 5400rpm SATA HD
all that jazz that comes with the 5320
$1516.00 NO REBATES

No rebates. A little more than I wanted to spend, but not too much, an $1500 was my price point.. so I'm not upset. Comments and suggestions helpful. I'm looking to do primarially schoolwork on this, which is more than adequate for so far, but the ability to play games... such as Civ4, Sim City 4, or the latest MMORPG, even some CS if need be... is necessary. Maxed out graphics isn't necessary, but the ability to play them nicely is key.

My other option was to go with a new IBM Z series. They are much more expensive... but built like rocks from what i've seen. Here's the one I config'd.
IBM THINKPAD Z60m 2529EFU
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
512 MB
60 GB
Titanium
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 1.73GHz
15.4"
1280x800
128MB ATI Mobility RADEON x600
6.63-7.0
UltraNav
Ultrabay Enhanced
DVD Recordable
None
One year parts and labor (system battery: one year)
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
56K V.92 designed modem
Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG
Fingerprint Reader Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0
$1699.00 w/o $100 rebate

Fingerprint security, nice. ATI x600, nice. But can this machine handle games as well as the x700 or just a little below. Ontop of that.. is it worth so much more for... technically on paper.. so much less? IBM, a trusted name, built like a rock, etc. Sager, relatively unknown to me but highly praised so far, reliable apparantly, and damn nice looking.

HELP ME

Also, I need more battery life. Modular Bay Battery Vs. Additional Regular Battery... thoughts?

Mobility is also a factor in my decision on what machine to get... and yet I measured out the Sager 5320, i cant get a grasp on what it will be like.

Help me out... you guys seem quite knowledgeable. I know this post is pretty scatterbrained but... I can clarify anything if need be. Hit me up on AIM if you'd like to chat and coast me along... AIM: LaidBack420Style

Also, I promise a good review on whatever it is I decide to get... =)

-Billy Vegas
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post #2 of 5
1/27/06 at 10:30am
I have a Sager 5320 with the P4 2.0, TV tuner and the 256 meg ATI x700. I purchased it with 512 and replaced it with 2 gig for less than ordering with 2 gig. I also had a 60 gig Toshiba I installed after and removed the 40 gig PATA drive. I have the light-scribe DVD and the bay swappable 2.5” PATA drive enclosure.

I had an issue 7 days out of the box which Sager took care of better than I expected.

Other that that…I do not use the battery to the full extent…but the second bay is easy to swap and replaces the DVD drive so using the second battery to watch movies is out.

This thing is almost 7 lbs and for me that is ok…I am 210lbs…but a smaller person this might be a heavy portable.

The more I am getting used to the PC and all the nice little extras…the more I like it. The build quality is great and I would recommend the 1920x1200 screen if you can get it…the “bigger” desktop is fantastic
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post #3 of 5
1/27/06 at 11:36am
Thread Starter 

Asus W3V vs Sager 5320

The 5320 is looking pretty promising in my opinion. I have stumbled upon the Asus W3Z, which is a 14" widescreen with an ATI XPRESS 200m, which I've never heard of.

SGARDNER: Tell me, do you experience the click that's infamous on this board through your headphones? Also, you suggest the 1920x1200 screen, how do games look when you dont run it at native resolution? I heard some chatter of running games at less than suggested native resolution led to poor performance. Also, whats you battery life on the 5320 looking like?

Like I said, Im swaying towards the 5320, but I dont want it to be too big or bulky. I think the weight of 7lbs isnt a problem, but how bulky is it? Is it awkwardly sized or anything like that? I went to best buy and had my hands on a 15.4" Gateway I believe, and it seemed a little awkward... then again, its a shatty Gateway.

Thanks for the response !

-Vegas
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post #4 of 5
1/27/06 at 3:44pm
The 5320 is a very good choice for a balance of portability and power. I'd recomend it. I use mine for work, school, and fun.
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post #5 of 5
1/28/06 at 3:16am
Of the 3: The first is 14" which IMO is a bit dinky. The Sager is a great choice for lots of reasons, many covered above. The IBM is as you said more expensive, with a lesser graphics card, less ram, and lesser CPU. (And From what i here x600 -> x700 is a relatively large jump)

Of your three choices i definetly vote the 5320.
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