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torn between two lappys

post #1 of 14
6/15/04 at 7:43pm
Thread Starter 
I do visual fx and music production, and I need a laptop to do work on and run my midi sessions and recording. I am looking to buy one of these:

sager 8790 17" wsxga
p4 3.4
2gb ram

or

hypersonic cx5
centrino 2.0 dothan
2gb ram

Everything else equal, I am asking for opinions about these two specifically in regards to perfomance (cpu) and screen quality.
What I know already is that the cx5 is about 4 lbs lighter. That is a big plus. Also the battery life is longer, and less fan noise.
The sager has an awesome screen, better gfx card and arguably more cpu power.
I was surprised to hear that the Dothan Centrino chips were such big performers. According to Voodoo site, the 2.0Ghz is equal to 3.6 Ghz P4. Can this be true????
I like the portability, but not if I have to sacrifice screen quality and processing power.

Any thoughts????
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post #2 of 14
6/15/04 at 9:24pm
ask yourself this...

Quality plus performance... Not to mention the people at PCTorque are Greeeeaaat!
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post #3 of 14
6/15/04 at 10:16pm
Well, I'd be cautious of the SOUND QUALITY from the Sager - some (older models) have had issues with interference on their sound cards. Are you using a PC-Card/External solution for sound? Or is the midi or other connections direct to the laptop's internal soundcard?

This may also be true for the CX, I have not heard anything on that model ('course, I'm not listening for stuff either). But audiophiles, in the past, have had some issues with certain Sager models for sound. Most seemed to have work-arounds (using external sound devices). So consider that, too.

-myrkat
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post #4 of 14
6/15/04 at 10:18pm
You are comparing a 17" WSXGA+ screen to a 15" SXGA+. The resolution on each should be very close; however bear in mind the difference between the screens.

The 2.0 -v- 3.6 comparison is not really valid. It depends on what you are executing as really high CPU requirement applications tend to do better with the "Real McCoy" over the Centrinos. Now excessive data transfers, etc there should be some "sameness". For applications that take advantage (even though they may not appear to) of the Hyper Threading technology, the "Real McCoy" again is best.

The memory on the CX5 is slower.

I think either will work; however, am inclined to believe that the 8790 will be a better fit; however, it costs more and the battery life is not very good.

You might want to review RKing's little thread: http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=24615 and also present this question to him.

I agree with SixKings on his assessment of PC Torque. Hypersonic, is also a reputable and good reseller and you would not go wrong choosing them, as long as the machine that you select is the right one for you.

Good Luck.
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post #5 of 14
6/15/04 at 10:50pm
Hmm, now I'm torn. After reading review after review, I'm now thinking of getting Dothan based laptop. And I was going to order an 8790 today!! Back to the drawing board.
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post #6 of 14
6/15/04 at 10:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by drawmonster
Hmm, now I'm torn. After reading review after review, I'm now thinking of getting Dothan based laptop. And I was going to order an 8790 today!! Back to the drawing board.

Hehe... yep I did that with AW, two or three times, but after further review, ended up going with the 5690, Cost savings plus performance was the ticket.
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post #7 of 14
6/15/04 at 11:01pm
Quote:
I agree with SixKings on his assessment of PC Torque. Hypersonic, is also a reputable and good reseller and you would not go wrong choosing them, as long as the machine that you select is the right one for you.
Why, thank you G,

You mentioned Hypersonic, I havn't heard of them before, are they the same as PCSonic?
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post #8 of 14
6/15/04 at 11:03pm
You need to get what is best for you; while many of us own Sagers (or Dells, or...) it really doesn't do anyone any good to tell you which to buy (or to tell you which to NOT buy...). It's a tough decision, but one that is really fun to fret over! I sure enjoyed my time fretting over the 8887 or the 5660 or the Hypersonic or the...

Enjoy it, but take your time and evaluate ever aspect you can. Get what is right for you, that's the key point.

-myrkat
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post #9 of 14
6/15/04 at 11:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SixKings
Why, thank you G,

You mentioned Hypersonic, I havn't heard of them before, are they the same as PCSonic?
They make the 2nd system that was presented. They are NOT he same as PCSonic. Check them out at: http://www.hypersonic-pc.com/2001/index.asp
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post #10 of 14
6/15/04 at 11:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by myrkat
You need to get what is best for you; while many of us own Sagers (or Dells, or...) it really doesn't do anyone any good to tell you which to buy (or to tell you which to NOT buy...).
Well, Lessee, I've had a Dell (now given to my roommate), two Toshibas (one dead and gone, one still around sorta), an IBM (temporarily via work) and now a Sager. I've been happy with all of them so far, as they fit the niches that they were purchased for.

Quote:
Enjoy it, but take your time and evaluate ever aspect you can. Get what is right for you, that's the key point.

-myrkat
Agreed. Anyone curious can look at some of my back posts for the history behind both the Sager and Dell choices (for those who've not done it before, click on my screen name on the post, a menu should pop up - look at 'find more posts by...').

--TSK
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post #11 of 14
6/16/04 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 

the truth comes out...

I actually ordered a sager 8790 and should arrive today
But after reading more reviews on the Dothan chip, I was wondering if it could do what I need, and unfortunately I have no way of testing this. I will probably stick with the sager since it will be here soon but we will see about the sound quality.

BTW I will be using an external audio interface, the M-Audio firewire 410.

G-Omaha, do you really think the screens will be similar. I read that the 15" lcds have leakage and very small "sweet spots". I will be doing 3D, compositing, and editing video, in addition to music production.

It's funny, the more I write, the more I am liking the Sager. Plus I think it looks better than the other. We will see when I open the box and pick it up for the first time. I am expecting some girth, but I already belong to a gym, don't need a workout carrying to and from my car.

TO ALL: So far, I am more than happy with PCTorque
I will give my review later this week.
thanks for your feedback
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post #12 of 14
6/16/04 at 6:00pm
goshone,

The 8790 is the first any only laptop that I have ever seen that does not exhibit any leakage (around the edges). I am fully satisified with it.

When you get your unit set the sound to 6 channel - even if you don't have the sub woofer and then set the Equalizer to suit your tastes. These two small things make a huge difference in the sound quality.

I think you will be happy with the 8790 - it's a great machine IMHO.
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post #13 of 14
6/16/04 at 7:51pm
Thread Starter 

status: delivered

After checking the UPS site all day, it looks like the box is now sitting in my living room unopened!!!
OK, time to leave work early today.
I will soon see how sweet this machine is.
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post #14 of 14
6/17/04 at 7:11pm
Thread Starter 

8790 arrived


a few puzzling issues. I will post a new thread in reviews.
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