3/5

posted Jul-21-2011

I began a search for an upgrade for my Dell M60 several years ago, finding the Sager had the most brute performance and largest monitor in the business. I bought a D901C, loaded with maximum RAM and RAID 5 hard disks. It was inexpensive compared to other brands.

I've packed the unit around four years now, supporting my mobile computing, data crunching and graphics requirements. The graphics display is large and high resolution. It's good to have RAID5 in the data-sensitive environment I work in. I still keep the M60 as a backup, but can use it no more. Technology is way past the M60's powers. I never trusted the Sager completely.

The drawbacks: First, one of my most useful programs doesn't run with the graphics card. I will grant that may be due to my technological inexperince. But the M60 always works for this program. Second, the Sager is so big, I could never find a rolling bag to stuff it into. I still pack it around in the original cheap nylon case. Third, the monster is SO big and heavy. It is no pleasure to lug around. In quick-moving situations, or one-night hotel trips, I still grab the M60 and an external drive. Fourth, this unit runs HOT. From the primitive brick power supply, to the unit itself. I've heated a convenience store burrito on the heat outlet from the SAGER. The heat cooked one of the RAID drives. I had to pull the hard disks to replace one, and the failed disk was the one in the center of the blazing heat. First degree burns are caused by 130 degree F temperatures, I estimate the disk temp was more than 110 degrees F.

This purchase was an experiment. Many people have commented on the bulk and weight of the machine. I've explained it was the hottest performing laptop on the market. I've also told them I'd never buy another, instead choosing a name brand with a little less performance, lots less weight and bulk, cooler running, and a high level of tech support. I barely used Sager's tech support. It was OK.

Would I buy another one? No. It wasn't worth it, even at the cheap price I paid for it. The seven or eight year old M60 was upgraded to its maximum, still backs me up, has been packed around and used by three students taking short-courses at universities and returned safely to continue running. The M60 comes on the short trips I mentioned, the Sager goes out only for trips that will be two or more weeks in a fixed location.

My advice, buy a hot name brand. The money invested pays back in technical support, long-term performance, and portable usability. Sager may lead in looks, graphic screen size and performance. I suspect they may have set the bar for other brands. They're not worth it to me.

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