Can Xotic PC Provide More Value?
The gaming notebook market is divided between tier-one manufacturers, customer-direct distributors, and boutique builders. The biggest reason to buy from one of the first two options is a warranty on hardware that comes straight from the hands that built your machine. Most of them last from one to three years, and many can be extended right at the point of sale.
Custom notebook builders generally offer a larger range of component and software options, add-on peripherals, chassis customization, and enhanced technical support. Often, that comes at a price premium that enthusiasts are reluctant to pay. Yet, not every builder charges the same rate for its bespoke services.
Xotic PC is out to offer its customers the best of the custom-built market at the smallest markup possible, going so far as to add lifetime labor to the phone support offered by most of its competitors. Power users still get the manufacturer’s full range of warranty options, too.
Today we see if Xotic PC can really deliver on its value promises.
Xotic PC / Sager NP9150 Custom Component List | |
---|---|
Platform | Intel FCPGA988, HM77 Express, MXM-3 Discrete Graphics |
CPU | Core i7-3820QM (Ivy Bridge) 2.7 GHz-3.7 GHz, 8 MB Shared L3 Cache, 45 W Max TDP |
RAM | Samsung 16 GB (4 x 4 GB) DDR3-1600 SO-DIMM, CL11, 1.35 V, Non-ECC |
Graphics | AMD Radeon HD 7970M: 850 MHz, 2 GB GDDR5-4800 |
Display | 15.6" FHD 16:9 Glossy Sager Screen (1920x1080) |
Webcam | 2.0 Megapixel |
Audio | Integrated HD Audio |
Security | Built-in Fingerprint Reader |
Storage | |
Hard Drive | Intel SSD 520 120 GB, SATA 6Gb/s |
Optical Drive | TSST SN-208AB 8x DVD Burner |
Media Drive | 9-in-1 Flash Media Interface |
Networking | |
Wireless LAN | Bigfoot Networks Killer Wireless-N 1103 (3x3) |
Wireless PAN | None: Combo-card sacrificed for Wi-Fi upgrade |
Gigabit Network | Realtek RTL8411 PCIe 10/100/1000 Mb/s Ethernet |
IEEE-1394 | Integrated IEEE-1394 Controller |
Telephony | Not Available |
Peripheral Interfaces | |
USB | 1 x USB 2.0, 3 x USB 3.0 |
Expansion Card | Not Available |
HDD | 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s |
Audio | Headphone, Microphone, Line-In, Digital Out Jacks |
Video | 1 x Single-Link DVI-I, 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort |
Power & Weight | |
AC Adapter | 180 W Power Brick, 100-240 V AC to 19 V DC |
Battery | 14.8 V, 5200 mAh (76.96 Wh) Single |
Weight | Notebook 7.1 lbs, AC Adapter 1.8 lbs, Total 8.9 lbs |
Software | |
Operating System | Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, OEM |
Service | |
Warranty | Lifetime Labor, One-year parts |
Price | $2119 |