Averatec 2300 (Amd Turion 64 x2)

I was wondering if anyone thought this thing would be a good deal to buy brand new for $750... are there any other laptops like this for around the same price w/ the same specs? The only thing I'd want in a new laptop that this doesn't have is a built in web-cam... but it's not too big of a deal.

Will this computer be able to run music production software and video production software semi-smoothly? I mean I know pc's aren't that great for this kind of stuff but I really don't have the money to spend on a friggin Macbook Pro right now...

Please let me know... I have to decide by saturday!

Heres the specs:

Model # N2370HM1E-1
CPU AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor
OS Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition
LCD Size 12.1" WXGA LCD with AveraBrite™
Optical Drive Dual Layer DVD/CD Burner
Hard Drive 100GB SATA (5400 rpm)
Memory 1GB DDR2 (533/667 MHz), memory expandable to 2GB
Wireless LAN 802.11b/g
USB (3x) 2.0
DimensionsWxDxH) 11.69"(W) x 8.38"(D) x 1.3"-1.44"(H)
Weight (lbs.) 4.08 lbs.
Part # N2370HM1E-1

 

Well, its dual core, so yes it should handle almost anything you throw at it.

 

yea i'm just skeptical on buying anything right now... it feels like every time i purchase something somewhat large, i always regret if afterwards... i reeeeeaaaaalllllyyyyy want a macbook pro, i just cant see spending 2 grand+ right now being a good idea

 

I'm typing this on one of these units. It is my replacement unit acually. The one that I bought yesterday had a dead pixel in the left are of the screen. I took it back to Office Max and they exchanged it without a problem for a new one that I tested out and inspected in the store before I left.

Overall I am very pleased with this unit. I walked away from the store paying 729.49 after tax. (10% discount for applying for the CC, FYI: even if your declined you will get the 10% discount ) and the 150.00 off for the sale. and that is with a 2gb sandisk usb thumb drive to boot

I tried to play the T2 1080i video in Windows Media Player on this unit and it was choppy as heck. I even disabled the throttling software in hopes of getting it to go smooth. It did not. I had the same problems when I ran other 720p videos from Microsoft's site through Media Player.

Audio I have not tried. But I do not see a problem with it. A core duo machine is going to be much better than this machine for higher end stuff. But for the price point a core duo machine can not be found.

I would say spend some time at the store. If you have a usb thumb drive put your app on it and take it to the store and ask them if you can install it on the demo to see if it will handle it. If it does then your good to go.

I bought mine for the cost and the features. Granted I would have rather had the 512mb L2 X2 but it's upgradable and so is the memory to the 667 DDR2. SATA Hdd and PC express expansion card is very nice.

My only gripe about the machine is lack of gigabit nic. Other than that. I've been taking it everywhere with me. LITERALLY !!

Hope this helps you somewhat.

 

good info sir... i was actually wondering about the core duo and core 2 duo processors and how much better they are than the amd's... maybe i'll wait a bit and see if they dip in prices

 

Try this guide:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=60416

Dual cores need to be optimized (Intel and AMD), AMD needs the drivers and the AMD optimizer, while the Intel Core (2) Duo's dont need anything.

And those HD videos needs a good amount CPU performance, when you are only running on battery, the CPU has a cap on its speed to conserve batterylife. Plug it in to get the most performance out of it.

-Gophn

 

Has anyone else had any problems loading windows XP 64 version on this laptop? I tried to boot off the cd and it said "This processor is not compatible with this version of windows" I thought that was funny at first, but now it's not so funny anymore

 

i've downloaded vista rc2 x64 so i will try installing that soon, if all else fails, i'll just install xp mc edition.

 

none of the averatec drivers are compatible with rc2 yet, i was so dissapointed. i couldnt even go online till i reformatted with windows pro.

anyone know when averatec is gonna release their vista drivers..the beta ones...

 

i am considering purchasing the 2300series and i was wondering if any one of you could help me with some ques that i have?

1) how many cell/whr is the battery?
1b) in your experience, from using the laptop, what is the battery life (in terms of hrs/mins/etc)?

2) i have call averatec and i was unable to get a sure answer, but the laptop is said to come with 1gig of ram but i was wondering in what form?

does it come with a 1 gig stick of ram taking up one slot and leaving one slot free?

or does it come with two 512's of ram (totalling in 1gig) and leaving no slot free?

3) lastly, does the laptop support dual-channel memory (platform)?

--i look forward to any replies! albert.

 

1) I believe that it more than likely comes with a 4-cell battery... which for a dual core would last from 1:45-2:30 max.

2) System RAM: DDR2 (533/667 MHz) SO-DIMM (x 2 slots)

3) I don't believe that it has dual-channel.

 

such short battery life is very disappointing. esply more so when you cant have the option of purchasing the laptop with a 6cell battery upgrade.

i believe you could purchase a 6cell battery seperately, but what a waste.

 

yeah, a number of notebook OEMs offer an external battery nowadays for these power-hungry notebooks... which is not a bad idea.

 

bought it last week & return it to the store by the 3rd day.
mine has the exact issue!!! i even maxed out to 2gb ram!
btw for those of you that inquire, it comes with 1 stick of 1gb ram installed
thus leaving an empty slot.......

i got a Vaio SZ340P instead

 

ty gauphy (and gophn!).

gauphy, you purchased the Sony Vaio SZ340P instead? isnt the starting price around 1500-1600? that is a bit of difference, budget wise, from the 2300 series to the sony :O

 

check your local craigslist, you'll never what deals will
come along................i got it for $850 brand new

btw on black friday, office max will have the 2370 for $599

 

i know. that is why i am torn between whether it justifies being tied down near a wall socket everytime for 599

 

actually the stock battery runs a solid 3+ hours!!! thats pretty good imo!!
you can always buy an universal external battery like the APC UPB60 which i just
bought............slick small form & 4 more hrs of juice!!!
retails for $150....... won on ebay for $41

 

really?! a solid 3+ hours would be satisfactory. if not, decent.

 

Yup, I get a solid 3 hrs also.

I love this little laptop. It was nice to finally replace my asus a620 PDA with a new laptop

I got my 1080i video's to play like silk. Just had to format and reload with xp pro then update. works like butta.

The only problem and one that is seriously tickin' me off is I want to run xp pro 64bit. Well whenever I try to install it, after it boots from the cd it haults and says "Attemping to load an x64 operating system, however this cpu is not compatible with x64 mode. Please install a 32-bit x86 operating system.
Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit"

Wanna talk about hot!!! I had a turion before in a compaq and this disk worked just fine. Anyone else having these problems?

The funny *not really* thing is that there is a sticker that says "Windows Vista Compatible" what flavor though.

Anyone know how to get the 64bit os running/

 

How durable is the case?

 

Im on one now and I love it. Its light, compact, sleek design, no latches to pop lid open, yet solid. Im partial now to the scroll sections on the touch pad and the memory card slot. You have to get used to the compact keyboard but I like the short distance. Id rather not lay my forearm across the laptop to reach the keys like the HP & Sony Viao layout. I see many laptops in my position and havent found anything I prefer. Its too bad Averatec's live support has a bad history. In defense- I installed "sticky notes" which corrupted my synaptics driver and within 5 min. to the Averatec site I had my driver reinstalled. Everything was quickly available online. The only thing coming close is the Dell D410 which comes without an internal dvd burner, the square shape displaces the weight better than the Avertecs wide screen shape but overall has much less features. The Dell's Good if your on the go and just use a memory stick but if you want quality and all the extras get the Averatec 2371.