WidowPC's Sting 917X2 claims to be the world's first dual core laptop

WidowPC has just announced a new laptop that they are claiming to be the first-ever notebook to feature a dual core processor, the Sting 917X2. While the dual core lappie bit isn't necessarily true, the spec sheet for this monster 11.3-pound rig reads like a gamer's wish list (please excuse us while we catch our breath): AMD 64 X2 Dual Core 4800+ (other options are available as well), 17-inch widescreen 1900 x 1200 WUXGA+ SuperBrite LCD, nVidia 7800 GTX graphics card with PCI-Express, up to 2GB of 400 MHz dual channel DDR RAM, dual SATA drives for as much as 240GB of storage, dual optical drive bays for optional dual-layer DVD burners, 7-in-1 memory card reader, optional TV tuner with remote, front panel LCD with media controls, built-in webcam, 2 FireWire ports, 4 USB 2.0 ports, serial port, infrared port, parallel port, external keyboard/mouse port, DVI, S-Video in and out, audio in/out, digital audio out, and 802.11a/b/g. Whew! Anyway, the catch here is that they're only accepting preorders pending the arrival of the dual-core chips from AMD, but if you plunk down your $3447 (for the base model, naturally) it sounds like you'll get your sting-on before the end of the year. Click on to see to see this beauty with its lid closed.

[Craig @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Yea, but is it slobber-proof?

[RazrV3i Wanter @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

This looks amazing...the price looks like a little too much for me though.

[Steven @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

You forgot to mention the 15 minute battery life.

[Pal @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

WindowPC...ah. All they did was buy Clevo D900K barebones laptops and filled them with the best of what is compatible. PCTorque and other sites also do the same thing.

Clevo should get credit, but ah, they didn't make the bold statement.

Another Clevo model, the M570A/M575A, houses a Pentium M and 7800GTX as well, and the battery (8 cell) lasts around 95 min. I wonder how a desktop processor will bring to the table - 50 minutes? Sure, battery's not a problem if you don't carry it around often, but imagine a few years down the road - can the laptop's components handle all the heat in such close proximity?

[sean @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

All this for less than NEC's hard disk-less notebook.

[apeguero @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

The laptop I use now, SAGER 9800, is the same machine but with a GeForce 6800 PCI Express, 2 60gb SATA HDD, 1gb RAM, a full size P4 3.4gz HT, and all of the other crap that you can load on it, DL 8X DVD R/RW, the other DVD Rom, built in camera, Tuner card and TV out, card reader, front pannel media device, etc, etc, etc...I paid $3,100.00 for it last December with a no questions asked 2 year extended warranty and LCD coverage. I've been carrying it with me back and forth between Boston, MA, and Troy, MI, every week for a year now.

Yeah, it weighs a ton. Yeah, the battery barely last more than 12 minutes and runs wicked slow on battery power. But I didn't buy it for portability. I bought it because the work I do requires a lot of typing and I also wanted the most screen real estate I can get. The keyboard is wicked comfortable. The screen is to die for. The heat that eminates from it keeps my hands warm in the winter. And it handles Half Life 2 and Battlefield 2, plus whatever else I decide to throw at it, without breaking a sweat. It's also very stable.

Maybe the new Dell XPS laptops might be better but at the time I wanted a desktop replacement laptop. I say these Clevo based machines are worth every penny. I'd buy the new one but first I want to see what Apple and Intel have in store for us next month :)

Matane
またね

[Richard @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Did they actually beat Alienware to it? Amazing.

[zak @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

just what i've always wanted, a laptop that weighs as much as my desktop.

[Gary @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

"serial port, infrared port, parallel port, external keyboard/mouse port,"

I guess the parallel port is there so I can hook it up to my dot matrix printer. Nothing like haveing a top of the line laptop hooked up to and old 80's 24 pin printer. Glad they have that parallel port. Don't even get me started on how excited I am to have a serial port and ps/2 port.

[bt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Argh, Engadget guys, you've posted info about the EXACT same machine from several vendors as if it's a completely different system. It's a Clevoe D900K rebadged system.

The current versions of this machine ARE STILL BUGGY. PCTorque and discount laptops are refusing to do preorders until the buggs are fixed.

Many vendors will carry this machine, but only the reputable sones will take your money after the problems are worked out.

[Scott @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

I still cant understand why they do this(other than conspicious consumption.) Stick high end gaming parts in a notebook, effectively making it useless as anything but a mildly portable desktop replacement.

[Robert @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

11.3 pounds...


Seriously?

[donut @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

who cares if it's the first. By next month, Yonah laptops will start to pop up. It's even likely we may see the Yonah dual core Intel PowerBooks next month at MacWorld SF

[Me @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

I think I know why the company is called Widow PC...

[bannas @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

iother componys use the same bare book.
alienware has one
voodoo has one too
sager has one
um...
who else
some others has em too


voodoo had theres out fer a while already

[daschupa @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

wow, this should be the loudest, hottest laptop (if you'd dare put that on your lap) ever. It's just a good thing it will only last 11 minutes using the battery.

That's not stopping me from drooling though.

[Tonicboy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Ok, so you've got a "portable" machine that's practically unbearable to lug around, with crap battery life that means it will almost always be plugged into the wall. So, exactly what advantage does this have over an SFF desktop for 1/3 the price which can be easily upgraded? I mean, a 9 lb desktop replacement I can somewhat understand, but this machine is ridiculous. My god, if I had $3k to spend on a desktop rig...

[Zephrotyke @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

VoodooPC has had one for a while now. http://voodoopc.com/showroom.aspx?productID=1083

[donut @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

the casing of this laptop is very similar to that of the Voodoo....hmmmmm.....maybe made by the same company?

[Adam @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

It looks like they completely ripped of Alienware's Area 51m 700 design model. The only thing on the outside that's different is the painted cover.

[ThinkMac @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Wow you gotta love the serial and PS2 ports for connecting those aging mice and keyboards from your winDoze ninety-five machine. I think that I will take a PowerBook 17 inch with 120 gig hd and 1.5 gigs o' RAM.

[R @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Apple can't come soon enough. That laptop is hideous. Hurry up Apple!

[Nuno Gago @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

hum... i had a 3.0ghz laptop from asus, the model was a2500h. Is weight was 3.0kg, very heavy compared to the one i have now, the battery of that model lasted for 2 hours, no problem since it was always connected to a power source. I bought a laptop because of mobility, compared to carrying a desktop with the same specs :s .

The problem came when i started to need a better graphics card, oh can�t change it? too bad, you can always buy a new laptop. Well in some new models, like alienware (if i�m not mistaken) you are alowed to change the graphics cards but the problem is, in a desktop you change what you want, in a lappy you stick with it!!!

The right tool for the right job... but don�t forget the upgrades :P

[granny down east @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

"I guess the parallel port is there so I can hook it up to my dot matrix printer. Nothing like haveing a top of the line laptop hooked up to and old 80's 24 pin printer. Glad they have that parallel port. Don't even get me started on how excited I am to have a serial port and ps/2 port."

"Wow you gotta love the serial and PS2 ports for connecting those aging mice and keyboards from your winDoze ninety-five machine. "

No integrated MIDI ports means I'd have to use an adapter to make this machine talk to the synthesizer I use onstage. Adapter hooks up to a serial port. Serial/parallel/PS2 ports have many uses beyond legacy printers, etc.

Just 'cause you kiddies can't think of what to use on those ports doesn't mean they are superfluous.

[John Farmer @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

sorry they are not the first Rock Xtreme 64 was and is the fist Dual Core laptop (they also have a fx57) http://www.rockdirect.com/notebooks/xtreme64_cons.htm
Here is a link

[Amable Peguero @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Both this laptop and the one from Alienware are from the original design manufacturer (ODM) called Clevo. All laptops that have this chasis come from the original. Sager, Voodoo PC, HP, Widow PC, etc, all use the same chasis. This lappy allows you to upgrade just about everything, including, to a limited extent, the video card. I also belive my original Sager 9800 allows me to use a new 64bit Intel CPU.

I know it's heavy. I didn't buy it to be moving around all over the place. I won't even try to take it out on the plane or waste my time using it at the terminal. That's why I have a PSP and a vPod. I don't even take it with me to meetings. I take a real notebook with me to those, you know, the ones that require led or ink for input.

I wanted a PC that allowed me to do everything I want without having two different machines, being a laptop and a Desktop at home. I needed to upgrade my PC as it was outdated and I also needed a laptop for my new job last December. This is why I decided to buy the baddest mofo with the biggest screen at the time.

I have it dual boot with Win2K and WinXP Pro. I do all of my business in the Win2K partition and all of my playing and video editing in the Win2K. I only have to move this laptop when I take it with me on my plane ride and every day to work and back to the hotel. It's not bad carrying around people.

If you are going to bitch and whine about a 12lb laptop then buy a freekin' 8.2" Fujitsu or an OQO but good luck getting those to do half of what this monster can do. I happen to call mine TANK.

Anyways, enough blabbing from me tonight. If you want some good info on these machines stop by www.notebookforums.com. That site is run by PCTourque.com who are the guys I bought my machine from. People there are cool and it's not just Clevo laptop people there. You will also find Dell XPS, Apple Powerbook, Alienware, and other heavy duty desktop replacement laptop users there.

matane

[Rizky W @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

#3: "You forgot to mention the 15 minute battery life."

Wow, seriously?

[skype_fan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Well finally we get to dual core, however it seems the memory is still limited to 2 GB Ram which is pretty bad :(

[Jonathan N. @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Hey ThinkMac,

Ummm I don't think anyone who is talking about PowerBooks has any footing when it comes to "aging". In tech years PowerBooks are about 3 years old. Oh isn't that cute. A FSB that hasn't even hit 200Mhz. Awwww.
You can start beating your chest in 2006 when Apple makes the transition until then. . . please bitch. My two year old Pentium M could thrash any PowerBook out there even the latest and greatest.

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Is there a reason (and honestly I�d like to know if there is) why some company can�t scale this monster down a bit but still use the Athlon 64 X2?

How about 15.4� instead of 17�, an ATI x600 or whatever os comparable from NVIDIA, and one 100 GB HD instead of two. Lose the numerous unnecessary ports as well (of which there are a ton) and the webcam. 1 Firewire is really enough for most people isn�t it? Especially with lots of USB 2.0.

And how about a lower power Athlon 64 X2? I don�t know what AMD is making available, but the X2 3800+ in a laptop would be excellent.

The resulting machine would still be big, but it�d be considerably smaller than this behemoth.

[apeguero @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Here you go Steve:

http://www.pctorque.com/sager-5720-gaming-computers.php

...and it's just over 7lbs, with a Pentium M. This should give you longer battery life but also allows you to keep most of the heavy duty components.

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

apeguero - Very nice computer, and I'd be happy to have it, but it leaves out dual core.

I guess the answer is to wait for Yonah, but I'd rather Athlon X2 or Turion dual core when that is out. I suppose just being so close to the availability of reasonably sized dual cores in laptops has me growing impatient.

[donut @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

by the way, Yonah platform is extremely power efficient for a dual core. I don't understand why people can't wait for a month or two for the REAL dual core laptops to come out. Imagine a PowerBook with a 2+ghz Yonah processor, less than 1" thick, 15" screen, iSight built in, aluminum casing, 5 lbs weight, and you can install Windows Vista and Mac OS X Leopard on dual boot (or triple boot with Linux). That would be a much better laptop IMO, and it will probably come out soon.

[ya @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

wtf this isnt the worlds first dualcore, voodoo pc has had one forever, if only i could afford it :(

[William Bennett @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

WidowPC is overpriced. I've recently bought a Sager NP5720 from Luke @ http://www.pctorque.com and I priced up a similar one from WidowPC and it was over $500 more not including a 2yr Extended warranty.

[TomB @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

I was kinda looking for something half that price... and weight.

[Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

I like the sound of a laptop that has this much power, but. Dose anyone think that Windows XP would crumble under the weight of something this powerful. Personally, I love apple computers as at least you can use the power, a dual core laptop that costs more that a top of the line desktop??? I would rather save money by getting a really good PowerBook in a few months when they are running Intel chips.

Then there are practical reasons, when will you need something this powerful from day to day? I can understand that gamers will like the power but it's way to expensive. So how about the pro-users? I don�t think they will want to do HD video editing on such a small screen (physically I mean) and anyone who would like to do 3D modelling on the train? I don't think so.

This is just thinking this is pushing the limits of power hungry people who want to say that they have the most powerful laptop in the world. Wait 3 years and you will be able to buy these in PCworld (bargain computer re-seller in the UK) �399 ($700ish) I would rather spend my money on something that will stay useful for a couple of years, so I will stick with apple computers. Interesting this was, but I just wonder how many of you will buy this laptop?