Cyberpower PC Laptop

Hi everyone,

I’m a long time lurker here but this is my first post . I’m thinking of buying CyberPower PC's Xplorer X5-3800 Notebook. I’ve upgraded a few things to make it a bit better for me (full spec list below) and I’m about to pull the trigger, but I thought I’d get a little feedback first. My main goal is to get a laptop able to handle everything EXCEPT video editing and games (I have other computers for that) for under $1,500 shipped. With the 5% instant coupon from CP, I think this laptop computer will meet that goal.

Here’s my question; does anyone have any experience, either good or bad, with Cyberpower PC and/or with the Xplorer X5-3800 (AKA Uniwill P50CA)?

Thanks,
GeekMan

• ADAPTER: Universal AC-DC Adapter
• BATTERY: Li-Ion Battery Pack 2000mAH
• BAGS: Free Deluxe Carrying Bag
• CPU: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Mobile T5600 Dual-Core Processor @ 1.83GHz 667FSB 2MB L2 Cache EM64T
• CD: 8X DVD REWRITABLE DRIVE
• FLASHMEDIA: Built-In 4in1 Media Reader
• HDD: 80GB 5400RPM SATA150 HARD DRIVE [+24]
• IEEE_CARD: BUILT-IN 1394 IEEE FIREWIRE PORT
• KEYBOARD: BUILT-IN KEYBOARD
• MOUSE: BUILT-IN TOUCHPAD
• MOTHERBOARD: Intel 945PM + ICH7M Chipset Mainboard
• MEMORY: 2GB (2x1GB) PC4200 DDR2-533 SODIMM Memory [+123] (Corsair Value Select)
• MODEM: BUILT-IN 56K V.92 FAX MODEM
• NOTEBOOK: X5 P53 Notebook 15.4" WXGA 16:10 1280x800 Pixels w/ Wireless 802.11g, Li-ion 6 Cell Battery, Universal AC Adapter, Carrying Case
• NOTEBOOK_COVER: Xplorer X5 P53 Notebook Cover (Red Color)
• NB_LCD: 15.4" WXGA TFT LCD Display Max: 1280x800 Pixels
• NETWORK: BUILT-IN 10/100 NETWORK CARD
• OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional w/ Service Pack 2 [+46]
• RUSH: RUSH!!! READY TO SHIP IN 5 BUSINESS DAYS [+49]
• SOFT: Microsoft® OFFICE® 2003 PROFESSIONAL EDITION [+299]
• SERVICE: STANDARD 1-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY AND 24/7 LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• SOUND: BUILT-IN AC 97 SOUND
• SPEAKERS: BUILT-IN STEREO SPEAKERS SYSTEM
• USB: 3 x USB2.0 PORT CONNECTORS
• VIDEO: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (M54) 128MB PCI-E Video
• WNC: Intel Pro/Wireless 3945A/B/G 802.11a/b/g 54Mbps MiniPCI Card
• FINAL PRICE: (+1560)

 

from what i've heard, cyperpower/ibuypower are fairly bad companies to work with. for more information, check out resellerratings.com. they are average to poor in everything except price. also, i would search for cyperpower or ibuypower in the other manufacturers forum, b/c i believe people have posted their experiences about them there.

 

ejl -- Thanks for that. My question then is, what laptop would you recommend I buy that would meet my $ requirements (<$1500) and be as close as possible to the spec's of the CP I wanted to buy?

 

you could always check out the asus s96j or compal hel80. they should be offering it with the core 2 duo at powernotebooks.com, btotech.com, and gentechpc.com

 

These are excellent suggestions with the added bonus of gaming capability while still being within your budget.

 

ejl --
I appreciate the suggestions but after checking them out, every laptop I've spec'd out similar to the CP config above on the sites you mentioned has turned out to cost around $2,000. That's $500 more than my budget will allow. Is there a specific maker and model that you think I should check out instead of CP that I might have overlooked?

 

1) Buying a second stick of 1gb RAM from a place like newegg will be cheaper.
2) Do you REALLY need MS Office? Openoffice will save you $300. Besides, I think you can get Office for way cheaper...especially if you're a student.
3) They charge you extra for "rush" delivery? Ready to ship in five days? From my experience, PowerNotebooks ship on the next business day (my notebook is shipping tomorrow, the T5600 just came into stock on Friday). I've heard places like GenTech or BTOtech shipping that same day the order is placed.
4) Only 1 year warranty? And besides, do you REALLY want to handle your warranties with CyberPowerPC? I've heard dozens of horror stories of crappy hardware...only to be coupled with crappy tech support or w/e. Places like proportable, gentech, btotech, powernotebooks have AWESOME customer service. In addition, I can't speak about the other websites, but PowerNotebook's PowerPro line has a 3 year warranty.
5) The S96J should easily put you under 1500...the problem is, is that you're trying to get MS Office. Although the other places might be a bit more expensive...you will get exactly what you pay for. Remember that.

And yea, check out ResellerRatings.com

 

who8mahrice --

1) I understand that and am more than happy to buy my ram separately.
2) I MUST have MS Office, including PowerPoint for work reasons. I'm not a student so the student teacher version isn't an option.
3) I'm willing to purchase from any of the vendors you've mentioned, but again, the price for a similar machine is over $500 more. Perhaps I'm missing something when I spec out the machines, but I can't see what.
4) The machine only needs to last about 1 year of heavy travel and use.
5) See #3 above.

Lastly, I am not a loyal CP person or anything, so I have no problem whatsoever purchasing from another vendor IF they can meet my price and specifications. I'm going to go re-spec out some laptops at the vendors mentioned but if someone reading this has a specific suggestion on a vendor and model that will meet my requirements, please tell me! I would like to order these computers (I need two for work) by Friday.

TIA
GeekMan