Sable Complete desktop

**bakelitedoorbell** · November 15th, 2012

Have there been any third party reviews of the new Sable Complete yet?

Wondering if the hard drive and RAM are user upgradable.

Also, if the optional optical drive is added, where does it go? Is there a slot on the side like on an iMac, or is it an external device.

**isantop** · November 15th, 2012

Originally Posted by bakelitedoorbell

Have there been any third party reviews of the new Sable Complete yet?

Wondering if the hard drive and RAM are user upgradable.

Also, if the optional optical drive is added, where does it go? Is there a slot on the side like on an iMac, or is it an external device.

I'm not aware of any 3rd-party reviews yet, but we are planning a demo unit to go out soon.

As for upgrades, all of our machines are user-upgradable. The Sable is a bit trickier to get into than most of our systems, but the same principle applies to it.

As for the CD drive, it's an internal slimline unit (similar to the drive in a laptop) that mounts on the right side of the machine, just behind the display. You can see it in this shot:

**norfair** · January 25th, 2013

I am considering the Sable Complete myself, and wondered about a couple of things...

It's probably obvious to most, but I have to ask, is the screen glossy or matte? And if it is, sadly, glossy, is it super glossy, or is there maybe some kind of anti-glare effect to it? Also, how are the viewing angles and light bleed?

Also, is the system pretty silent? I'm sure the processor fan is quiet, but is the system fan or whatever is inside to help cool things ultra hush hush?

I think that should do it for now. Thanks.

**cbtengr** · January 25th, 2013

I recently bought a Lemur and am very happy with it. I may be replacing my old desktop computer soon and have several questions about the Sable.

1. Can a second hard drive be installed instead of the CD drive?
2. Does it have Bluetooth?
3. The ZaReason Zima 930 appears to be based on the same hardware, but offers four USB-3 and two USB-2 ports. Why only USB-2 on the Sable?

**isantop** · January 25th, 2013

Originally Posted by cbtengr

1. Can a second hard drive be installed instead of the CD drive?

You can do it, though we can't install a second hard drive that way from the factory. You'll want to purchase a slimline caddy case to mount the second drive in.

Originally Posted by cbtengr

2. Does it have Bluetooth?

If you add the WiFi option, then Bluetooth is also included.

Originally Posted by cbtengr

3. The ZaReason Zima 930 appears to be based on the same hardware, but offers four USB-3 and two USB-2 ports. Why only USB-2 on the Sable?

They aren't the same computer. We offer only USB 2 on the Sable because that's what we could offer on it.

**cbtengr** · January 25th, 2013

Originally Posted by isantop

We offer only USB 2 on the Sable because that's what we could offer on it.

Thanks for the quick response, although answer above doesn't explain whether it is for technical reasons or production cost.

**jbelmonte** · January 25th, 2013

Originally Posted by isantop

They aren't the same computer. We offer only USB 2 on the Sable because that's what we could offer on it.

Originally Posted by cbtengr

Thanks for the quick response, although answer above doesn't explain whether it is for technical reasons or production cost.

Doesn't the Sable also have "Bottom Ports: 4 x USB 2.0, HDMI, Audio I/O", so the total USB 2.0 ports available is 6?

Isantop can speak for System76, but I would guess that either the motherboard is not compatible with USB 3.0 or it comes with fixed USB 2.0 ports that match the all-in-one case.

**cbtengr** · January 26th, 2013

Originally Posted by jbelmonte

Doesn't the Sable also have "Bottom Ports: 4 x USB 2.0, HDMI, Audio I/O", so the total USB 2.0 ports available is 6?

Isantop can speak for System76, but I would guess that either the motherboard is not compatible with USB 3.0 or it comes with fixed USB 2.0 ports that match the all-in-one case.

Yes, the System76 page shows a total of 6 USB 2 ports for the Sable.

The cases appear to be the same form the online images. The Sable offers a larger solid state drive as an option.

I asked for clarification of the circular answer to my question.

To say:

-"We offer only USB 2 on the Sable because that's what we could offer on it." -

isn't very helpful in planning a purchase.

My new Lemur has 2 USB 3 ports so I was surprised to see a new product with USB 2 only.

**norfair** · January 27th, 2013

@cbtengr

Well, I think System76 is right in that they aren't the same computer, as a barebone system can be stuffed with whatever a vendor wants in order to create the tailored product they aim to deliver.

Both System76 and ZaReason seem to be using Intel's all-in-one barebone, the Intel LP‑2150/Intel LP‑2151. Sadly, I can't find the exact specs on these, even from Intel's website.

I am just wondering about the screen and the system noise, as per my unanswered inquiry above.

**isantop** · January 28th, 2013

Originally Posted by norfair

I am considering the Sable Complete myself, and wondered about a couple of things...

It's probably obvious to most, but I have to ask, is the screen glossy or matte? And if it is, sadly, glossy, is it super glossy, or is there maybe some kind of anti-glare effect to it? Also, how are the viewing angles and light bleed?

Also, is the system pretty silent? I'm sure the processor fan is quiet, but is the system fan or whatever is inside to help cool things ultra hush hush?

I think that should do it for now. Thanks.

The Sable has a big sheet of glas in front of the screen, so it is quite glossy. On the other hand, glossy screens requre very little adjustment to reduce glare. Since this is a desktop and won't move, once you find a glare-free spot, it won't need to be adjusted.

As for noise, it's pretty much silent. If you're in a dead quiet room with no audio playing and no background noise, you might hear it, but in a normal room, you won't. It doesn't cover up any audio you have playing either.