Azuricate Tech

The same day that Alienware accounce the release of the new “All powerful” 15.6″ laptop, the M15x, Clevo announce it’s competitor, the W860CU. Many may not know about Clevo but that’s because most of their laptops get rebranded by the companies that buy their products. The W860CU is the update to the M860TU (rebranded Sager NP8662 by XoticPC (US) and rebranded as Nexus by Kobalt Computers (UK) to mention a few).

The new W860CU is based on the same platform as the M15x, Calpella. That means that the W860CU, much like the M15x runs the newly released Intel Mobile Core i7 processors.
There are some differences though, the biggest one being the Graphics cards.
While the M15x is limited to either GT 240M or the upgradeable to the GTX 260M the W860CU comes standard with the stronger GTX 280M. Which makes one question Alienware’s “All Powerful” slogan.

But now let’s take a look at the components and pricing

The base specifications comes out at $1692 after cash discount (XoticPC, US) or £1224* (Kobalt Computers, UK) and runs the following

15.6” HD+ 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1600×900) with Super Clear Glare Type Screen
Intel® Core™ i7-720QM processor, 1.60-2.80GHz, (45nm, 6MB L3 cache)
nVidia GeForce GTX 280M 1,024MB PCI-Express DDR3 DX10
2,048MB DDR3 1333MHz Memory (1 SODIMM)
Combo 8×8x6×4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW
250GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 – 8MB Cache) *
Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
Internal Bluetooth + EDR *
Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio – Included
Basic Black Business Case – Included
11.1V Smart Li-Polymer battery pack 3800mAh, 42.18Wh
3 Year Labor 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Based Toll Free Telephone Tech Support (Labor Warranty through Xotic PC) *
Includes FREE Shipping Both Ways for Warranty Repairs

(above information taken from XoticPC)
Note that no Operating System (OS) is included in this price

*The UK pricing includes a 320GB 7200RPM HDD instead of a 250GB 5400RPM
Does not include Bluetooth (£25 upgrade)
Comes with a 1 year European Collect & Return

Fully specced out we’re up to $4426 after discount (XoticPC, US) or £3348* (Kobalt Computers, UK)

15.6” FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920×1080) with Super Clear Glare Type Screen With Finger Print Reader
Intel® Core™ i7-920XM processor, 2.0-3.20GHz, (45nm, 8MB L3 cache)
nVidia GeForce GTX 280M 1,024MB PCI-Express DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
8,192MB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires Vista 64-Bit to utilize Full 4GB)
2X Blue-Ray Burner/Reader / 8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
160GB Intel X25-M Solid State Drive (SSD2 Serial-ATA II) *
Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
Internal Bluetooth + EDR
Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio – Included
Basic Black Business Case – Included
11.1V Smart Li-Polymer battery pack 3800mAh, 42.18Wh
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) + Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Upgrade Coupon
3 Year Parts/Labor Warranty 24/7 Tech Support w/ LCD Accidental Damage Protection *

(above information taken from XoticPC)

* The UK pricing includes a 250GB OCZ Vertex SSD instead of the 160GB Intel X25-M and a
3 Year – European Collect & Return

The W860CU is estimated to start shipping the 5th of October and is now available for pre-order at high-end retailers such as XoticPC (US) and Kobalt Computers(UK).