Sager NP5170 build quality - sent it back

[dereksurfs]

Hi all,

I thought I would share with you the reasons I returned my new 5170 which may help some in their decisions. This is a buyer beware thread not intended to offend anyone. But rather to give you a heads up. After careful review and testing I determined this machine will not cut it for my uses.

Pros I found:
* Excellent speed for most applications including power hungry Photoshop CS4
* Bootup time fast
* Lack of bloatware
* Upgraded screen via XoticPC which has nice color gumut with pretty good viewing angles
* Keyboard, though light to the touch was workable
* Very light weight for all this power
* Free (budget) carrying case

Cons I discovered:
* Overall flimsy build. It felt like I was driving a car with a Porche engine inside an old VW bug frame. This was surprising, even though I knew it was their entry level system. It just felt like a very cheaply built, bare bones chasis. For example the CD/DVD player was very flimsy. It rattled and clunked noisily almost like it was going to fall apart while installing software. It felt very weak when ejected, almost like paper mache.
* Sound - these are absolutely the worst sounding speakers I've ever heard from any laptop, bar none. They sounded like speakers from a $3 little radio - tin can like. Even my wife's junky old HP laptop had better sound quality. And that was the worst I had heard until now. For a budget $300 or $400 laptop I sort of understand. Scrimp and save on the cheapest possible parts whenever/wherever possible. But not on a $1000+ system. I mean how much could a little better sound system really cost Sager? Or a little better quality CD/DVD player? Were talking very little compared to the overall price. Do ppl plan to play games, watch movies or listen to music with this laptop? Well then you better think seriously about your decision.
* Touchpad - the pad surface itself is scatchy, like rubbing sandpaper. I could learn to live with it. But the mouse buttons are terrible! The worst I've ever seen or used. You have to crank down on them with force each time you want to perform a click. This is rediculous for anyone who performs any serious work with editors like photoshop or anything else requiring prolonged, responsive use. Forget about it. An external mouse would be mandatory.
* Screen - though nice color gumut mine had a hot/red pixel right in the middle of it! That's not good especially when I spent $200+ extra for a screen upgrade = unacceptable. Though apparently a hot pixel on a brand new screen falls within the acceptable range for the screen manufacturer. I guess the customer is wrong in terms of what matters to them.
* Spartan controls - lack of any decent multimedia buttons for controlling things like sound.

So for me it was the overall build and user interface that were the deal breakers. I wanted at least average quality, like my Dell Inspiron. I'm not talking Macbook Pro level. But the fit and finish does not cut it at all for me. Attention to detail making daily use enjoyable is lacking. For those into pure power (the internals) without much concern for the user interface it will probably be fine. But I like a more well rounded system (inside & out) which looks, feels and functions with higher quality.

I could have lived with some of these things, but not all, especially for the money. I'll most likely purchase the new Asus N73SV or Dell XPS17. I'm not looking for perfection. I just don't want to take a big step down from my current Inspiron 1720. While it's far from perfect it's quite a bit better than the NP5170 in these areas. And I'm giving it to my kids once the new system arrives.

This realization didn't take long to discover after loading on all my software and beginning to do my normal work stuff. So I called XoticPC and they were very helpfull about getting me an RMA and also apologetic about the screen.

Derek

[Mr_Mysterious]

To be honest, to me it sounds like you got a lemon. I would suggest you get another 5170 just in case, but if you're still unhappy, then move to greener pastures.

I feel that the majority of 5170 owners will be happy and satisfied with their machines. In either case, I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

Mr. Mysterious

[dereksurfs]

To be honest, to me it sounds like you got a lemon. I would suggest you get another 5170 just in case, but if you're still unhappy, then move to greener pastures.

I feel that the majority of 5170 owners will be happy and satisfied with their machines. In either case, I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

Mr. Mysterious

While I agree I got a bad screen (hot pixel), the rest of the things mentioned won't change such as the touchpad/buttons or the sound system. If the other things weren't issues I may have lived with the hot pixel for a while.

On top of that it costs ~$65 in shipping when buying then returning systems. This part is not refundable. So its not like you can buy and return as many as you like without cost.

That said I also agree that for certain users where these issues aren't as impotant it will be a fine system. It's really based on one's requirements, expectations and where they are coming from (old system).

When I spend ~$1350 I want it to be an upgrade from my older system in more than the internals (faster, more memory).

Derek

[Kevin]

Pixels in the middle quadrant are never acceptable, not even just one.

The fact that they shipped it to you anyway bothers me.

If you're spending $1.3k, why not step up to the NP8130?\

The NP5170 is a budget build, and it shows very clearly.

[Mr_Mysterious]

Pixels in the middle quadrant are never acceptable, not even just one.

The fact that they shipped it to you anyway bothers me.

If you're spending $1.3k, why not step up to the NP8130?\

The NP5170 is a budget build, and it shows very clearly.

Actually...that's a good point. But his needs may be different. In either case, you (OP) can read many reviews on the 8130 (pssst, I recommend mine ) and decide whether or not it is for you.

Mr. Mysterious

[dereksurfs]

Pixels in the middle quadrant are never acceptable, not even just one.

The fact that they shipped it to you anyway bothers me.

If you're spending $1.3k, why not step up to the NP8130?\

The NP5170 is a budget build, and it shows very clearly.

To be fair to XoticPC the hot/red pixel is upper third and center, but still annoying none the less.

The NP8130 is 15" and I need a 17" screen. The next Sager up is the 8170 when configured with upgraded screen, memory, etc... is quite a bit more.

Yes, I can't imagine the next level up being as skimpy on quality parts/materials. But even so there are sub $1000 machines with better sound and touchpads for example.

The new ASUS N73SV has much nicer fit and finish. However it's not 1080p.

Derek

[erisalit]

I think you are being a bit dramatic on the description of the touchpad as sandpaper. It might not be as smooth as you like, but I did not find mine noticeably rough or textured. Pretty much the same as other touchpads I have used. I also noticed no difference on the buttons from any other touchpad I have ever used, but you are apparently a more discerning user than I am. I pretty much prefer to use the extrenal mouse anyway. My DVD player does not exhibit the same rattles and clunkiness you are describing. I will grant you however, the sound on this thing is as bad as I have ever heard on a laptop.

[windsong7]

Derek--you mentioned the N73SV as an alternative. I had the N73JQ for a short period of time and returned it for two reasons:

(1) The screen had poor vertical viewing angles and poor black levels.

(2) Keyboard was the worst I ever used on a laptop. If you're going to be typing a lot on your laptop, I would stay away from the N73SV, unless it has a different keyboard than the N73JQ. But judging from the pictures of the two, they seem to have the same keyboard.

I would recommend checking out the N73SV at a store first before you order it. I wish I had done the same.

[Kevin]

To be fair to XoticPC the hot/red pixel is upper third and center, but still annoying none the less.

The NP8130 is 15" and I need a 17" screen. The next Sager up is the 8170 when configured with upgraded screen, memory, etc... is quite a bit more.

Yes, I can't imagine the next level up being as skimpy on quality parts/materials. But even so there are sub $1000 machines with better sound and touchpads for example.

The new ASUS N73SV has much nicer fit and finish. However it's not 1080p.

Derek

So, what is the upper range of your budget?

Have you considered the Envy 17?

[NoSpinZone]

When I first read the title of your thread my first thought was oops did I make a mistake. However reading through your detailed review I feel better. Your top 3 pros of -

* Excellent speed for most applications including power hungry Photoshop
* Bootup time fast
* Lack of bloatware
are important to me. The negatives don't apply.

The noisy DVD player is no issue as once I load about 3 software programs (Office, Quicken and printer software) I only use the DVD once a year to load Turbo Tax. I've never used the native speakers as I've always had my Bose speakers for sound. Ditto with the touchpad. I do a lot of copying, cutting and pasting so I always use a Logitech mouse with programmable keys.

I think you will like the Dell, that's what I have been using and I really have no serious complaints about it. It's a little more expensive and the bloatware sucks, but it's been a good performer for me. In fact my wife is anxious to inherit it!