The Highest-End Notebooks, 2009
by Jarred Walton on October 14, 2009 3:10 AM ESTClevo W870CU Design
There are definitely aspects of the W870CU design that we appreciate. Besides being less bulky, we are pleased that most of the surfaces aren't highly reflective. The palm rest and LCD cover are covered with matte plastic instead of glossy plastic, which is a nice change; they'll still show fingerprints, but it's not as bad as high-gloss models we've tested previously. The LCD is still glossy, naturally, as it appears most notebook manufacturers are convinced users aren't interested in matte LCDs anymore. If you disagree with their assessment of the market, please leave a note in the comments! Besides the good aspects of the design, there are several areas where we feel the W870CU is flawed.
Expansion options are similar to the M980NU and D900F. There are four USB ports, an eSATA port, and dual digital outputs -- DVI and HDMI. Accessing the ports on the left and right sides isn't a problem. Unfortunately, we can't say the same for the rear panel. In striking contrast to the other notebooks, Clevo includes two of the USB ports along with the Ethernet port, HDMI port, and power adapter on the back of the notebook. This in itself isn't a problem, but the cheap plastic cover only serves to get in the way. Every time we need to connect/disconnect the power or Ethernet cable, it was inconvenient and we are very concerned about the long-term durability of the plastic cover. Considering the poor battery life, blocking access to the power socket isn't beneficial and shouldn't have been done.
The construction on the notebook also feels somewhat chintzy in another area. The raised plastic section below the LCD isn't firmly connected to the rest of the chassis, with the right edge loose on our notebook. The remainder of the notebook is fine, but the rear panel and "Style-Note" bar should be re-examined. We also did not like the touchpad; for some reason, it just didn't work as well as we're used to.
In another change from previous Clevo designs, access to the internals is provided by removing one large panel on the bottom of the notebook. This is useful if you want to upgrade several components at once, but if all you need to do is upgrade memory it's less convenient. Since most users will probably get 4GB of memory and stick with that for a long time, this isn't a serious concern. On the bright side, the bottom panel is secured by quite a few screws and plastic latches, and it fits snugly into the rest of the chassis.
The battery compartment is another oddity, with a strange geometry. Considering the size of the battery, the capacity is more than a little surprising. We would have expected at least 65 Wh or more for this sort of system, but our test unit came with a 42 Wh battery. That's smaller than many other notebooks, including entry-level laptops like the Gateway NV52 and NV58! One of the hard drive bays is under the battery, so if you order a system with a single hard drive/SSD it will hopefully go into the other location, allowing you the ability to easily add a second drive.
Cooling for the CPU, chipset, and GPU is provided by two HSFs, with a rotary fan similar to what we see in the M980NU and D900F. There's definitely a difference in the cooling arrangement, however, as one large HSF cools the GPU and chipset while the second HSF handles the CPU. While the W870CU isn't as large as the D900F or M980NU, the reduced size actually appears to put more pressure on the cooling subsystem, with the result that the system tends to run louder than the other two notebooks. Of course, if you're looking for a silent notebook, you wouldn't be happy with any of these high-end options.
Finally, you may be experiencing a feeling of déjà vu looking at the keyboard. Yes, it's another standard Clevo reference keyboard. We've seen the same keyboard from Clevo for at least a couple years, and we complained about the layout back then. It's not the worst keyboard in the world, and we actually acclimated ourselves to using the Fn + Cursor Keys combination for Home/End/PgUp/PgDn. The number keypad layout on the other hand continues to baffle us. Perhaps we're the only people who actually use the number keypad on occasion?
Ultimately, while the W870CU has some good features, the design and layout are definitely our least favorite of the three notebooks we're looking at today. This is a case of two steps forward, two steps back. The W870CU has matte panels on the palm rest and LCD cover, which is great, but they're still plastic. Unfortunately, the cheap plastic cover over the rear ports and cheap construction on the "style" bar counteract the other elements. Performance and battery life are also lackluster, and while you can't do much to improve the performance short of adding a second GPU (something that would require a completely different internal design among other things), Clevo never should have shipped this with a 42 Wh battery. We see that size battery in netbooks that consume about 1/10 as much power! What's the point in trimming a few ounces from a nine pound notebook anyway? It's still heavy any way you slice it.
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JarredWalton - Thursday, October 15, 2009 - link
I think LAN party goers is a far smaller market than CAD/CAM companies that need a mobile workstation, personally. I'd also say military gamers that are deployed would be more than LAN attendees (though that might be close). I've also heard of professional athletes getting something like this, but they're a VERY small niche. LOLkagey - Monday, October 19, 2009 - link
I appreciate the review and like to see these plus other laptop ODMs rather than just Sony, Dell, HP, etc.You have hit it right on the head, it's a niche market. They are DTR machines, that are portable but not without a plug-in sooner than later (within 45-60 mins).
Having a Sager NP9850 and the 3000 price tag that goes with it, I can say it has its pro's and con's but for what it's used for it was worth it. It could of been cheaper (always)!!! Buying a desktop or mATX was not an option for the portability that's necessary. Who'd lug around an LCD, not I. Build quality compared to other laptops I've owned is hands down better. Swaping CPUs (which I've done cause I had a better one), GPUs or HDD, ram, without taking the who machine apart is a 1000 times easier. All MFRs are getting better but some are there already.
As far as the LCD (glossy), yes there's glare at times and it can be a pain. I do like the LCD more than any other laptop I've owned to date plus the 18.4 inch screen is huge. I haven't owned an LED LCD yet though, maybe next. This laptop does fit into a Targus backpack XL617 as well plus you do get a workout carrying (i.e. lugging) it around.. lol. Yes it's about 15 lbs all said and done carrying it.
I don't regret the purchase as it's serving the purpose. .02 cents
FXi - Thursday, October 15, 2009 - link
Very, very pleased that you included a mainstream desktop machine in the tests. It really is important that people get a sense of perspective before they spend this kind of money. You have to "need" or "want" portability badly for the cash to performance outlay.That said Intel really kind of did Clarksdale a bit backwards.
The quads should have come next spring and been 32nm and the dual's should have been 45nm and introduced first. I'll never understand why they reversed that.
They really needed to hit basic clock parity with the QX9300. Yes the 920 is faster, but it doesn't set enough distance between itself and it's older cousin. That leads to comparisons like this article and a lot of soul searching between "new" vs "old" design purchase decisions.
It is also almost unfathomable why they didn't include USB 3.0 in the PM55 spec. Intel is a founding member of the coalition the developed the spec. USB changes come around every 5-10 years, so getting 10x the speed of USB 2.0, lower CPU utilization in the process, makes this a kind of must have item. In desktops it doesn't matter as much because you can just throw in a pci-e card and get USB 3.0 whenever you feel like it. But for a laptop, USB is THE way it does most of it's communicating with the outside world. How fast and efficient (and how numerous) those USB ports are is a really big deal on notebooks. To have introduced a "high end" Quad core system and to have foregone this basic 10x increase in outside world communication is like delivering a Ferrari with 70 series tires on it. Great engine, great looks but missing a key component of how it talks to the road. It really is a feature that should not have been left out, no matter what delay it took to get it included.
Faster 32nm Clarkdale, at least 2.53 base speed on all 4 core operation.
USB 3.0 IN the Intel chipset, not as an add in chip.
SLI designs and hybrid Intel IGP or low end integrated GPU for power savings when simply surfinng.
M6400 designs, not M17x garrishness or Clevo "chicklet" keyboards we got rid of in the 80's.
These are a few of the things that "should" have been in systems aimed at the audience that can afford these things. What we got isn't the above. And lack of sales will be blamed on the economy rather than the real issue, "a failure to successfully innovate".
$.02
Pirks - Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - link
It's like four times cheaper to build a mATX box and throw it in your car with a nice 22" LCD monitor whenever you gotta go somewhere. Same "mobility" as these behemothbooks, but with better hardware, and less money wasted.I mean if you're rich these are totally normal ones, why not waste a few grand here and there, but for practical not rich middle class people who look for price/performance/mobility balance these are poor choices.
I wasted almost $2k on an Alienware M17 and probably will never do it again. It's working great and everything, games are flying light speed and all, but every time I think I could get much better hardware for $1k I feel uneasy... with the same mobility as this box, that needs power outlet anyway... nah, these gamebooks are a mixed bag, I'll probably go for cheapo 17" Dell next time + my own mATX box, that's for me is as portable and "mobile" as all these Alienwares, Clevos and similar fat bricks
InternetGeek - Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - link
These are DTR machines. You buy them because you don't want to have the big clunky box and what not anymore.I for one gave up desktops after buying my DTR. At work I have the work provided workstation and they allowed me to use my own keyboard (ergonomic) and trackball. At home I use my DTR and I'm quite happy with it. When on the move I just use my WinMo and OneNote. That's it. No need to keep hauling stuff around when you realize there's a lot of free services that will let you keep all your PCs synchronized.
I for one use "My Phone" for backing up my info, and the let live have my calendar and emails. Same goes for contacts.
Pirks - Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - link
mATX slim cases are pretty far from being "big clunky", they are somewhat bigger than 12 pound DTR we're talking about, but when you stuff 'em in a bag with 22 incher and K/M there's not a huge difference in weight/size compared to DTR + its humongous power brick + mouse + carrying bag for all that, trust me.InternetGeek - Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - link
Well, just the pic of someone hauling their entire pc around along a 22incher makes me lol. So, if you think that's practical for you go ahead and knock yourself out :).I agree those Clevo machines are huge to the point of missing the point of a laptop. 3 Harddrives, SLI, 18inches. Crazy. You can still get good performance without going all that way in adding crazy hardware like that.
Pirks - Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - link
What's the difference between hauling around huge 12 pound Clevo with its 6 pound power brick versus very small mATX slim desktop case, 22" LCD and K/M? Answer: none or very little. Got my point now?InternetGeek - Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - link
Bluntly put, a DTR is designed to be carried around. The entire set up is made so it can be carried around in a bag. Laptop bags can also play the role of your backpack so you can put books, magazines or whatever you want in them.Carrying around a Desktop PC is done for LAN parties. And even then you try to minimize what you haul. Again, I do think seeing someone carrying around their PC because they can get the Desktop performance/Experience wherever they are funny. I'd love to see that during a Tech event. Pic of the year for sure.
In any case, DTRs have their purpose which I think they cover quite well. Until I got mine I built every single system I had (I built my first PC when I was 12), and to be honest, I think it's an awesome path to try. I would only ask for upgradable GPUs.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - link
Technically, the power brick weighs in at two pounds. I'd say that's a pretty big difference between DTR laptop (15 pounds including a backpack and mouse) and LCD + mATX + backpack + keyboard + mouse. A 22" LCD will weigh about that much on its own, and you need a good backpack for carrying such a display... I don't even know where you'd find one.This is not to say that people should go but DTRs, but if you know the limitations and are okay with that they fulfill a need. I don't think anyone would actually want the task of carrying around a complete mATX system with peripherals if they could avoid it. The only reason to go that route is for performance at the cost of mobility.