The Realtek ones in laptops are pretty squeeky in terms of sound. High treble issues, and very common in many laptops. Not only this, it runs off the motherboard and adds a bit of strain on it. The Realtek has a cool feature that you can change the key of the speakers (kinda like increasing/decreasing the pitch). If you tweak it a bit, the Realtek can be a decent card.

The USB X-Fi was designed to run independently from the laptop.

It has better software packages, surround sound support and Creative only features (e.g. Crystallizer, robust equalisations). Well, in simpler terms, you get more "umph" in your bass, and better treble. The only downside is that you have to have external speakers/headphones. There's a very big difference in quality, but I can't show you that right now as I am at work now haha.

But if you're not too bothered about the sound, the Realtek is actually still a good card to have and also good for those who do not have speakers/headphones. If you're tight on money then just go for Realtek...unless you can haggle in Lowyat Plaza. Got my X-Fi for RM190.

This post has been edited by This is a Lamp: Mar 10 2011, 07:20 AM

I don't know about the THX 5.1. It only says THX TruStudio certified. And the speakers are only 2.1 anyway

And I do not think you should be looking at the GTX 560m, because it's not so powerful. You should be looking at the GTX 580m or the AMD 6970m (due in a month or two).

Yeah, just as lee_what says, most laptops are 2.0 speakers.

5.1 THX TruStudio is just the program included, that allows 5.1 to be emitted from a set of 5.1 speakers if you have them (I think, I have to confirm this when I get the laptop next week)

Anyway, regarding the GPUs. The 6970m is cheaper than the GTX 485m and performs almost equally, but I would think the GTX 580m is priced higher than both (obviously it's leagues higher than the other two). Power hungry isn't an issue if you're ordering the NP8170 or the NP8150; both have 180W power adapters. The issue pops up when you are using the NP8130, with the 120W power adapter.


Also, an update on the orders worldwide. The laptops have begun shipping to customers yesterday (Thursday). Finally, the wait is over!

This post has been edited by This is a Lamp: Mar 11 2011, 11:35 AM

From my sig, LogicalBlueOne.

Australian reseller. I'm based there so I ordered one from them for easier warranty returns/repairs.

This post has been edited by This is a Lamp: Mar 11 2011, 12:26 PM

Actually Keenxlimit, you can ask to change the order. Don't have to cancel it haha, unless you really needed to cancel it.

The bigger power supply allows concrete solution for future upgrades. If you scrape the 180W adapter on the 8130 then it would be viable for higher power consumption GPUs and CPUs. However, if you run a 120W with the GTX 485m, the card would not perform as well as it would.


No. Clevo decides to remove the integrated solution for the higher end cards due to driver incompatibilities with some games (e.g. Punkbuster may think you're hacking, weird).

If you don't plan to upgrade in the future, the NP8130 will do justice.
You can still upgrade I would think, but not as well as the NP8150.
The Matte screens are good though.

New detailed review of Kobalt's NP8150 with GTX 485m.

http://www.kitguru.net/laptops/henry-butt/...-laptop-review/

This post has been edited by This is a Lamp: Mar 13 2011, 05:43 PM

My laptop's in build right now ! Expecting for it to arrive this week, and a user review by the end of this week !

Yeah, the power adapter is big enough to throw at the thief's face haha.

EDIT: HOLY CRAP! They shipped it fast!!

"Your order has been shipped.
You will soon receive a URL to click on in order to track the delivery progress of your package."

This post has been edited by This is a Lamp: Mar 14 2011, 12:58 PM

Nope, that's why I'm suprised . It should be here in a few hours !

Me? I live in Australia, but originally from Miri.

And bought the NP8150, because I am greedy and wanting the GTX 485m

And the differences? I posted it a few pages back:

NP8130 - 15.6" Matte screen (can be upgradeable to Glossy, and different contrast ratios), GTX 460m, 120W power adapter, black plastic finish, 1 HDD + 1 Optical bay. The GPU can be upgradable...but due to the 120W adaptor, it probably won't receive enough power to handle more powerful ones. Sager will tell you what can be supported in this model.

NP8150 - 15.6" Glossy screen (Can be upgradable to Matte, different contrast ratios and screen selections for certain resellers), GTX 460m/GTX 485m, 180W Power adaptor, greyish rubber finish, 1 HDD + 1 optical bay.

NP8170 - 17" inch screen, Glossy screen (Matte upgrade too), 2 HDD bays + 1 Optical bay, Aluminum finish, GTX 460/470/485m, 180W adapter (I think it is).

All of these are totally upgradable; GPU, CPU, HDD, RAM, heatsinks, LCDs, TV tuners + Sim Modules (older Sager models do, most likely possible with these), wireless cards. Extra HDD can be placed in replacement of the CD-Drive bay.

This post has been edited by This is a Lamp: Mar 14 2011, 01:52 PM

Yeah it's more expensive because of the upgrades. But the NP8130 can be upgrade as well though, don't mistake it for not being able to support any upgrades. If you stick the NP8150 power adapter to the NP8130, I'm pretty sure you can upgrade it just as good as the NP8150.

Matte or Glossy? I can't tell you this because it's personal preference. I like both though, but from what I have seen, the Matte is very beautiful.

Lastly, I can't help you either on Mucro/Cubehub. I haven't ordered from them before. If one gives you a better price then go for that one.

This post has been edited by This is a Lamp: Mar 14 2011, 02:02 PM

About RM6K. Did a bunch of upgrades on it, mainly the GTX485m.

Both screens are good, but you have to see how you are going to use your laptop, e.g. use it outside? you need Matte screens. Glossy has better image quality, but outside is kinda reflective...you can see your face usually.

I didn't pay in USD, but Australian Dollars. Did a bank transfer, quick and efficient. Warranty is okay for me since the shop I order from is about 1 hour away from my house.

It's the same lol. Same 2.1 speakers

The lord have smiled upon me today...

Wait wait I'm still in the process of collecting my drool hahaha

I can't do a full review yet, due to a silly mistake I made in ordering the wrong Optical drive bay slot for the 2nd HDD; I don't want to waste my SSD's life by installing/uninstalling things that I don't want.

I'm happy to answer a few preliminary questions regarding the NP8150. Just finished installing Windows 7 and some drivers. It's still pretty empty though.
Currently, what I can say are:
- The rubber feels very nice. Very sleek.
- Glossy plastic around the LCD screen.
- Matte screen is OH MY GOD SO BEAUTIFUL!
- The adapter can kill someone, seriously. IT IS HUMONGOUS!
- There's less headroom in the component area. Easy to take the back panel off with only 4 screws.
- There's 4 RAM slots; 2 at the back, 2 are inside the keyboard...the keyboard ones are quite hard to get access to.
- HDD replacement is very easy.
- A bit heavy. But not as heavy as I thought it will be.

I don't have a Sager logo on my laptop, as my reseller is a Clevo reseller, not Sager reseller.

Nah it's on the first drive.

But I can't benchmark games or anything like that, because I'm planning to put those on my second drive.

I have the service manual, I just read it haha. But it was still quite tricky though.

Bought the wrong caddy; it has a different connector to what the NP8150 had. Not a serious mistake...

This post has been edited by This is a Lamp: Mar 15 2011, 04:10 PM

Nah...my reseller didn't offer caddies. So I had to find my own haha, but failed at that Found the right one though, being delivered here, hopefully soon.