Clevo X7200

The Clevo X7200 is a 17.3" laptop computer manufactured by Clevo, released in September 2010. Unlike other laptops of the time, the X7200 is designed to run a desktop Intel Core i7 processor for LGA 1366 socket. The X7200 may be configured to use dual link video cards using either nVIDIA GeForce GTX (Fermi architecture) in SLI or AMD (ATI) Mobility Radeon 6970 in Crossfire configuration. The X7200 has capacity for three hard drives, allowing various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and also RAID 10 if the optical drive is replaced by a fourth HDD.

The X7200 was superseded by Clevo models of updated but broadly similar desktop-computer-like characteristics, such as the P570WM3.

Performance and price

When configured with an Intel i7 980X/990X processor and NVIDIA SLI or AMD Crossfire GPUs, the performance of the X7200 is comparable to a desktop machine, faster than laptop computers with more restricted processors and graphics cards. This makes the machine suitable for processor- and graphics-intensive use, such as for playing games requiring high performance, LAN parties, software development, and video editing. The price, according to a review when the computer was launched, is commensurate with performance, starting at US$2,680, and rising to $5,781 for the configuration reviewed.

Unusual features

• Supports Intel Core i7 CPU, including the i7-980X and i7-990X, more powerful than mobile CPUs usually used by laptops.
• Four internal drive bays (including one that may hold an optical drive), more than other laptop computers.
• Supports dual video cards. The Clevo x7200 can be configured with two fast nVidia SLI or ATI CrossFire adapters, giving graphics performance better than other laptops.

Branding

Clevo laptops are not sold directly to customers, but are own-branded by resellers. Some reseller model names are:

• AVADirect X7200
• Eurocom Panther 2.0
• Maingear Titan 17
• MALIBAL Nine X7200
• Origin PC EON17
• Sager NP7280
• Falcon Northwest DRX.X
• cybertronPC

Reviews

At the time of its release in September 2010 the X7200 was favourably reviewed by AnandTech, and described as "King of the Desktop Replacement". It was also described as "an absolute tank", due to its weight of 5.5 kg in a basic configuration, compared to around 3 kg for other 17" "laptop" computers, and heavy power consumption of around 300W.

Known issues

Soon after its release, it was reported certain X7200/NP7280 configurations under heavy use would cause the power supply unit (PSU) to cut out, switching the power to the laptop's battery. In order to prevent the problem, Clevo developed a power connecting bridge so two PSUs could be used in tandem to provide the necessary power to the system, thus preventing the PSU from a fault.

Last updated on 1 August 2016 at 12:57.


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A Clevo x7200 desktop replacement computer

A desktop replacement computer (DRC) is a personal computer that provides the full capabilities of a desktop computer while remaining mobile. They are often larger, bulkier laptops or in some cases 2-in-1 PCs with a tablet-like form factor and interface. Because of their increased size, this class of computer usually includes more powerful components and a larger display than generally used in smaller portable computers and can have a relatively limited battery capacity (or none at all). Some use a limited range of desktop components to provide better performance at the expense of battery life. These are sometimes called desknotes, a portmanteau of the words "desktop" and "notebook", though the term is also applied to desktop replacement computers in general.

Origins

The forerunners of the desktop replacement were the portable computers of the early to mid-1980s, such as the Osborne I, Kaypro II, the Compaq Portable and the Commodore Executive 64 (SX-64) computers. These computers contained the CPU, display, floppy disk drive and power supply all in a single briefcase-like enclosure. Similar in performance to the desktop computers of the era, they were easily transported and came with an attached keyboard that doubled as a protective cover when not in use. They could be used wherever space and an electrical outlet were available, as they had no battery.

The development of the laptop form factor gave new impetus to portable computer development. Many early laptops were feature-limited in the interest of portability, requiring such mobility-limiting accessories as external floppy drives or clip-on trackball pointing devices. One of the first laptops that could be used as a standalone computer was the EUROCOM 2100 based on Intel's 8088 CPU architecture, it duplicated the functionality of the desktop models without requiring an external docking station.

The development of the modern desktop replacement computer came with the realization that many laptops were used in a semi-permanent location, often remaining connected to an external power source at all times. This suggested that a market existed for a laptop-style computer that would take advantage of the user's reduced need for portability, allowing for higher-performance components, greater expandability, and higher-quality displays. Desktop replacement computers are also often used with a port replicator, to fully enjoy the desktop comfort.

Design features

Modern desktop replacements generally perform better than traditional laptop-style computers as their size allows the inclusion of more powerful components. The larger body means more efficient heat-dissipation, allowing manufacturers to use components that would otherwise overheat during normal use. Furthermore, their increased size allows for greater expandability and features, as well as larger and brighter displays. However, these advantages generally come at a price premium, with many computers in this class costing as much as two desktop computers with similar specifications.

Using a laptop form factor, however, desktop replacements still often suffer from limitations similar to those of more mobile laptops. They usually lack the ability to accept standard PCIe expansion cards, limiting their expandability somewhat. While desktop replacements can offer better cooling than other laptops, they rarely dissipate heat efficiently enough to allow for high-end desktop-class components, and thus may not reach the same performance levels as desktop computers.

Desktop replacement computers are, with a few exceptions, difficult to upgrade compared to desktop computers, with many of their major components (such as the display) integral to the design of the machine, and others (such as the CPU and GPU) often being hard to access and replace.[5] A small segment of desktop replacements do not include a battery as a standard feature, while some do not include ExpressCard support. They have the same limitations on serviceability as laptops, and can rarely use identical components to a desktop computer.

Last updated on 22 April 2016 at 06:11.

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