The 15.4-inch Sager NP8662 is a subtly stylish gaming notebook, and one of the first systems to pass through our labs with Nvidia’s new enthusiasts mobile graphics solution, the GeForce GTX 260M. At just under $1,500, it falls between larger and more expensive gaming systems like the 17-inch Gateway P-7808u FX ($1,799), and cheaper 15.4-inch budget gaming systems like the MSI GT627 ($1,149). The Sager’s beefy hardware, which includes 4GB of RAM, a 2.4-Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, high-res display, and killer graphics will blow you (and those drooling zombie hordes) away.
Design
The Sager NP8662 has a conservative aesthetic for a gaming notebook, but it’s still attractive, especially compared with systems whose neon coloring can be embarrassing in certain public settings. The chassis has a deep gunmetal gray lid with a brushed metal and silver trim; this design is carried inside the notebook around the keyboard as well. Our only complaint about the design is that it picks up fingerprint smudges easily, especially on the lid.
At 14.3 x 10.6 x 1.9 inches, it’s similar in size to the MSI GT627, another 15-inch gaming system. The Sager weighs 7.1 pounds with its battery pack, which is pretty heavy but bearable inside a backpack.
With the screen open, you’ll find a 2-megapixel webcam just above the display and a large and comfortable QWERTY keyboard that feels sturdy and is easy to type on. Above the keyboard are quick-launch keys for your e-mail, the Web, and an audio toggle switch (Normal/Silent). Stereo speakers flank the keyboard on the upper right and left sides.
The square touchpad on the NP8662 is a bit small but proved to be responsive and smooth when navigating the desktop. The touchpad buttons are plenty large and are seemingly built into the touchpad; however, they’re a tad stiff. In between the right and left buttons is a fingerprint reader.
Ports and Slots
On the left side of the computer is a DVD burner, the headphone and microphone jacks are on the front of the base, and a 7-in-1 media card reader, two USB 2.0 ports, and Ethernet/modem jacks are on the right. Two additional USB ports, an HDMI port, and a DVI-out jack are placed conveniently on the back of the unit next to the power port. That means you can attach a mouse and keyboard to the rear of the unit, and output its display to a TV or LCD monitor just as easily.
Display
The 15.4-inch, 1680 x 1050-pixel resolution display is a pleasure to view. Text is sharp and the high native resolution meant it was possible to push the graphics further for a richer gaming experience. That’s below the 1920 x 1200-pixel displays offered by more expensive systems with larger 17-inch screens like the Alienware M17, and may be a turn-off to some gamers who want a higher pixel count. Still, that’s better than other 15.4-inch systems such as the MSI GT627, which has a resolution of just 1280 x 800. Plus, Sager offers a 1080p option ($175).
The screen on the NP8662 has decent viewing angles, but its glossy finish made it hard to view under fluorescent office lights. While watching a DVD of There Will Be Blood, the display was very bright, which helped eliminate some glare. Color contrast between the deep dark clothes worn by the oil workers contrasted well with the bright sand of the desert landscape.
Audio and Webcam
The two speakers were plenty loud for hearing our commander’s orders while hunkered in trenches taking on fire in Far Cry 2, but the audio wasn’t deep. A shot from our pistol sounded overly tinny, like two metal baseball bats clanging together, and the rumble of explosions off in the distance was too faint.
The 2-MP webcam performed well during a Google Video chat. Our co-worker said the colors were clear and the picture was sharp. Fast movements, such as waving, blurred a bit. Just keep in mind that the microphone is highly sensitive; it picked up keystrokes very clearly during a video call.
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