Good Experiences With Averatec

Pretty recently we have been hearing lots of bad stuff about averatec, quality/customer service/etc, and was thinking that we could use a thread devoted to just the good experinces people have had with averatec. Especially since bad will be louder then good. Please keep any negatives out of this thread. And those that have had good experiences, Please Post!

Guess I will start, I bought a 6130HS-20 in October 2004, and it has served me well, it will operate even through extreme heat and not shut down. Once i was doing vid editing/dvd burning and the ENTIRE unit was hot, yet it didn't shut down. I have not changed anything on it from stock specs, no new ram, cpu paste, and no cooling pad. I have also had really good performance from the ralink wireless card in it. No problems whatsoever with the software from ralink directly.
Generally it has handled pretty much everything i have throwen at it, the graphics performance is quite good (omega drivers), it has handled the few games (not super new) quite easily. I have also experimented with MEPIS Linux on it and that was working good.
I haven't had to deal with customer support yet, so i can't comment on that, but if and when i do, hope it goes well (obviously tho, who wouldn't?).

I guess thats all for now. So others PLEASE POST in support of your averatec notebook.

 

I own the 6130hs model. It's a P4 3gh HT, 60 gig, 1.25 gig memory. I bought it September 18 2004 and it's never over heated on me. It still has stock everything except for the increase in memory. I do use a notebook cooler to keep it cooler. I've been very happy with this notebook. I've managed to run the latest games well on this machine. The Graphics chip is excellent. I've edited video on this machine and it has warmed up but not to the extent of over heating. I haven't used the wireless connection because I haven't bought myself a wireless router. I haven't had to contact costumer support. I'm pleased with this notebook.
-Andrew

 

3250:
I had it for 1 and half yr. I used it very very careful, like my first born. Well, it didn't help, my wife and my 15 yrs old use it like a piece of brick, yes, tossed it a round, dropped on carpet several times, scratch, and left it inside a car for over several hrs while the sun is shining bright in the afternoon.....it still works. it still does everything it supposed to do except the battery is gone. battery life is about, well, 600 seconds. If that bothers you, yes, the averatec laptop is gone/bad. The battery life does bother me a bit, but consider the price....I bought another averatec 6 months ago! Other than the battery problem, it does run a little bit warm, the wireless NEVER drop out, not even once, screen is brighter than my compaq desktop..........and the bottom line, I bought another averatec. Oh yes, the volume was low, but not after I learned how to make it loud (see thread bunanson tips on low volume 3250)

6235
so far so good. problems, a few, not prohibiting. heating problem on the 3250 is totally gone, no fans noise, not hot, just warm occasionally. screen, the brightest I ever seen in my whole life (words of mouth from someone whose habit is 'toying' with computers, has personally own 50 plus laptops/desktops/PDAs), fortunately, 6 mon now, still no dead pixels. Wireless, some dropouts until i updated to the latest Ralink driver (see thread bunanson 6235 annoyance.....), no more problems (signal is still weak and stays on 11 mbps 60% of the time and 54 mbps when in activity?). battery, 6 mon now, still running 2+ hrs. DVD plays, burns, have not had any problems. Conclusion: Averatec has problems with QA.


bunanson

 

I've bought my 6130hs-10 back this november, I've had the cracking issue many of you have experienced, but my local staples accepted the repair (the unit has not been sent back to averatec, so maybe it would have been refused if it would have been). I've added 512mb ram, i'm satisfied with what it gives me. I generally don't need the battery for a long time, but I want a killer video card, so I've chosen video over battery. The only reason why I might change, would be to get a better screen, something with brightview, they look very nice, and a little more battery, 3 hours would make me happy.

I've emailed averatec a couples of times, they answered most of the time, never had to call them tho.

Generally, i'm satisfied, even if the laptop has obvious limits.

Math

 

I do have one Averatec 4265 for almost one month. Well, all I can say is amazing. Of couse I know there are many more NB much better than Averatec 4265, such as SONY S360, 460.....etc. but you have to consider the price. I believe if one day you see IBM and Averatec are almost the same price then you will get IBM for sure. For the price I get 999 from Staple that I think 4265 is the one with right weight, right features and right price. Plus, I have no problem with my 4265 til right now. (not even the overheat.)

 

I don't have an Averatec, but here's a positive review posted last year on the 6200

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2016

 

:centrino: well i have had 2 averatec laptops one i still own a 5110h and have had it 1 year and going on 4 months and this computer has been flawless only prob ive ever had with it is the wireless card died after a 1year and 1 month but thats not bad they are cheap and it was in use all the time wireless is my primary connection battery life on this model is great as well the other averatec ive owned is a 3150p which the new owner of it still has had no probs with and it is about 2 years old and the couple of times ive called averatec for simple things they have been polite and answered my questions with no prob so i cant complain about customer support either and i will say every manufacturer has lemons but so far ive had great luck with the averatec brand so i am going to stick with them and just to throw this in i have run a freelancer game server on the 5110h 10 players and myself no lag whatsoever

 

One of my Notebooks is a 5110 and its been good up until the LCD had a bad connection on one of the leds which gave me a line down the screen. Got it replaced. Other then that its been flawless for 1 year and 5 months. I treat it like a newborn baby. Never over heating, wireless has been good and everything else has been fine. everything has its problems so I can't complain about the LCD, its man made and its amazing all models of notebooks work as well as they do, with all the surface mount components in them and size, heat generated, etc....

 

A year ago I began the search for an inexpensive, quality laptop I could use for school, and maybe occasionally for work. After much research I landed on the 6130...which I picked up for just over a grand. Now, knowing the pros/cons of this device BEFORE I plunked down a chuck of change...I can honestly say that nearly a year later this device has NOT let me down!

I did have an issue right away with the battery...dead as a brick. I contacted Averatec support and they promptly replaced the defective battery, no problem. Irony is I hardly use the battery power anyway. I easily put 10 to 12 hours of work on this almost every day! It goes to school with me...plugged in and hits the campus WiFi perfectly every time. Then goes to work and is on most of the time there too...I use Bluetooth thru USB to connect to my phone for internet access there. It’s also replaced my home desktop to such a degree that I sold it!

This device has preformed flawlessly from day ONE! Which is way beyond my expectations! I have upgraded the memory to a gig, added a Panasonic slot-loading DVD burner and do use a cooler. It's been MORE reliable than my work system (and they're GOOD systems) and better in many ways than my friends/co-workers lappies (except for the ones that cost TWICE as much, HA!). I've burnt hundreds of DVDs and CDs while doing homework, editing, flash, web/software development...all with zero issues (except a coaster or two).

My few complaints, the case is wimpy; there’s no other way to put it! It's thin and gives a great device a cheep feeling initially. Also, with the quality hardware, CPU and bus speed this has built into it...why, oh why did they have to put in such a SLUG of a hard-drive??? It's the only true bottleneck of the ENTIRE system. I'd have replaced it by now, but I can’t risk loosing the data I’m working with.

Bottom line, when I need another lappy, Averatec is the FIRST company I’m going consider for a replacement. I give 'em 4 out of 5 stars...loss of a perfect 5 due to what I mentioned above.

DamnageD

 

I have the av6130HS-20. (about 6 months)
No major issues. Has served me well thusfar.
The only flaw is the Lite-on dvd drive,which had trouble oddly enough reading some cd's.
Overall very satisfied.

 

6130HS-20 bought last Xmas. First one came from Amazon and the screen was dead out of the box. Second one came from another online retailer and has been steady. One big issue was that the built in microphone didn't work. I had to take apart the monitor case to fix a shorted out wire. I changed the thermal paste as well. My 2-year-old broke off the enter key which I glued back on several times. I finally emailed customer service asking if I could just buy the enter key. After about 5 days, they emailed me back asking for my address. 3 days later, I had a new enter key for free. I installed it myself and I am awfully pleased to have an enter key again. It seems that one gets a lot of use.

 

I have a 6130, I loved the price/proformance ratio on this machine. I got it last November and it runs well. It sometimes overheats, and have had trouble with the wireless, but I still like it. It has a lot of power.

I have had occasional regrets only for not getting a smaller Averatec model, but then I noticed how slow my friends lower end Toshiba ran compared to my Averatec and I was quickly cured of that. Overall I'm happy with my 6130.

 

I have had a 3255P1 for a year now, and it will not die. I have dropped it at least six times (which, because it was plugged in and fell on the plug, destroyed the socket, but that's to be expected). After I fixed the socket following one of my drops, I had some bare solder very close to the chassis that shorted out. Despite a shower of sparks the system did not even turn off. This happened a few times before I put some electrical tape on my socket wires. The system just kind of sat there, laughing, as if it were saying "Massive unintentional electrical discharge? Is that all you got, punk?" I have never seen a system that fundementally robust.

 

woah...that's crazy!!!!!

 

I bought an Averatec 3225HS over a month ago and I have to say it was an amazing offer. For only about $570usd / $690cdn

Athlon XP-M 2200+
512 PC2700 DDR Ram
40 GB, 4200RPM, Ultra-ATA/100
4.6 pounds
DVD/CD-RW
3 USB 2.0 Ports
Built-In Wireless
12" XGA Screen

It worked right out of the box, preinstalled with Windows XP Home, the wireless worked great too. The only thing I do not like about this laptop is the weird keyboard layout, however, after some practice you should be able to get use to it.

 

AV3270EH1: Overall very nice build and works great. Light, affordable, fast (enough). A keeper ... until the DVD burner just died. Sent in for refund, and got a AV1020ED1. (both fr saveateagle.com)

AV1020ED1: Very nice, solid build. A bit on the sluggish side, but hey its Celeron. Very nice screen, but not the glossy type of Averabrite screen. Still, its very nice ... until I find myself squinting at the screen. The screen is *gorgeous* ... but when you try to write code (C++) on it, its killing. Good for those who needs to travel and want a 2spindle machine that is affordable and looks decent at that! ... got a AV4265EH1 from Averatec shop online.

AV4265: Like the screen, weight, speed, keyboard, ports ... everything ... except for the slightly plasticky white case. Its different form the AV1020 although both are white. The AV1020 is like Lego plastic feel, while the AV4265 is more like ... plastic utensils plastic. Something like that. But other than that, its serving me very well.

NOTE: The AV4265 that came to me was missing a PCMCIA Dummy card filler. So I emailed support service and they replied, telling me I should email customer service instead. They did not even forward my email to customer service! *bummer*

Customer service replied and told me I had to call their service line if I got it from the online store. *bummer*

Called Customer service, and the staff do not understand what "PCMCIA" or PCCARD is. *BUMMER* They insist I need to talk to support. *sigh* They routed my call to tech support.

Support told me they do not have parts for the dummy card and its not a repair or something. That I should call customer service and try to tell them that its the slot that is around 2.5" wide at the side. *SIGH*

In the end, I gave up and am now hunting for a dummy card to fill up the hole before some insects decide to make a nest in it.

Overall, still happy with the notebooks from Averatec, but their service support strucure really need some working on.

Seriously, does it take that much to come up with a proper service support structure in a company?

 

I've got the 6210, and it's been, overall, a good machine. I think the issues I've seen, have been experienced by others. It's a bit anemic and slow, but does alright with the things that I use it for. I keep it set on power settings that ramp down the CPU so that the fan doesn't run ALL the time. When CPU intensive tasks need done, the fan ramps up and it can sound quite loud in a work environment or meeting.

Since last March the touchpad quit working, a few weeks after Sam's would let me take it back. So I need to send it in now. I use a mouse, so I've managed to live without the touchpad. I do miss it though.

I've just recently lost use of the DVD/Cd Writer. It was getting flaky and now I found out last night, quit working altogether. I don't know what to do now. I've heard that I could probably replace that myself, but doesn't sound all that great if I'm going to be voiding my warranty.

I use the wireless in my house, and I love that. I do believe, however, that the range of reception on this laptop sucks. If you are close to the source things are copacetic though.

Screen is still in good shape, keyboard works well. No hinge issues.

It's hot all the time, I wonder if this heat is what is slowly causing this laptop to degenerate... It's winter, so having a little heat source around my hands is OK, but last summer, it sucked!

I guess I need to send this in, i have no idea what to do next, how long it will take or what it will cost. The tone of my review could change significantly should none of this go my way... LOL.

 

rfphill,

If you are going to send it in for repair, phone Averatec Cs. After the requsite troubleshooting and RMA will be issued if it is a hardware issue.

Turnaround time is 3-4 weeks and often a second RMA is needed. The repair facility is dismal.

Good luck with your notebook.


susan

 

So Susan, whats going on with your 1020? Did you sell it or something??

 

rahulnirmal, no the 1020 is still here. i just ignore it.

i am setting up an iBook that arrived today via FedEx Ground from Sacramento to Cleveland, Ohio.

Ordered it online Friday morning about 10:45 and it shipped out Friday evening.

Averatec stuff takes 10 DAYS from San Jose one way. Tracking info on Averatec always had a notation "delivery exception" and the parcel did not move for a day or so.

Wonder if some half-fast computer company is not paying FedEx according to terms and has shippments frozen

have good one!

susan

 

Just sitting around collecting dust huh? What was wrong with it again? Maybe you should try selling it on www.averatecforums.com. I know there's several computer enthusiasts there that I'm sure would like to buy your 1020 and tinker around with it. Even if you don't get that much money, its better than it just sitting around doing nothing you know?

 

The 1020 had a bum motherboard and memory. Was RMA'd twice in the first 90 days after purchase. Parts were replaced.

The RMA procedure is painfully slow. Averatec's poor quality and questionable business ethics turned me off completely. A reputable company would have shipped a replacement unit and not make a customer wait for three months to get repairs.

Check out posts by Bigbandan. He got one bad-out-of-the box on Dec 2, 2005 and they are still plucking around with him. No working unit yet!

I have excellent quality systems here. No need to risk my data on an Averatec.

Thanks for asking.

susan

 

To their (Averatec's) credit, I ordered my 4265 from them and it arrived in 3days (groundship CA to NM). But I've read enough of long shipping on averatecforums to conclude that I got lucky this time!

So I think Susan was stating more of the norm, while my case was the exception (?).

So, Susan, whatcha doing with the 1020 besides ignoring it? ... is it actually still functional? Or is it really moot? You should raise this to BBB. They sometimes seem to impress on companies more than customers, and get the companies to do something. Maybe a refund for your case perhaps?

 

I guess I must be lucky then because my 6130hs is still running strong after a year and a half. The DVD writer works like a champ but now that I have my tax refund I'm thinking of buying a dual layer DVD writer.

 

Snappy,

I just don't fool around with the 1020. My arms are not long enought to reach over the flawless Macs and pick up the 1020.

What you read on the Averatec forum is just the tip if the iceburg.There is very active off-list communication among people who have been burned by Averatec.

The fanboys on the unoffical Averatec site shout down anyone who has a bad experience with this company. Too bad. Could save folk time and money it the forum was not so intolerant of reality.

I post when I get ready, but many others are less inclined to do so.

Glad your 4265 is satisfactory.

susan

 

I guess as I'm about to give up my 6130-HS for a Sager, I'm starting to get a little sentimental about it. Yes, it's had an ongoing problem with the hard drive slowing its data transfer rate, and I suspect Averatec is going to dismiss the problem since it's hard or impossible to reproduce at will and it only happens once every 2 or 3 months or so.

But apart from that, I still think they're a really powerful laptop for the price. Apart from the problem stated, mine has performed really well - the Radeon 9600 is a little dated now but it still plays semi-older games like COD really well (especially online). It gets very warm, sure, but I've never had the shutdown problems others have talked about. I use a Targus chillmat. I like the keyboard, the unit looks pretty nice, the screen is great (no dead pixels) although I have a paranoid suspicion that its brightness has declined slightly - whites seem more "off" than they did, or maybe it's just me. Not something that ever worried me anyway.

However, does anyone else find that the brightness distribution is a little uneven at power up? Mine has slightly darker areas (visible on a white screen especially) which seem to even out once the thing gets warmed up.

A big negative - the cracked case. Though I guess for the price, you're not getting a Thinkpad or a Toughbook. Sucks when you baby a computer only to have cracks appear anyway!

 

Bad Experience #1:

In August of 2004, I bought my daughter an Averatec Tablet Laptop 3500 at Staples. I returned the Averatec computer the same day because the power cord would not stay plugged - the power kept on failing and the Averatec Tablet computer would not charge, because of some bad connection where the power cord meets the computer -I took the computer back. The employee at the store tried it and found the same problem. They exchanged it for another Averatec Tablet. Same thing. Back to the store again. They exchange it for a third Averatec computer. This time it works.
You would have guesses that I should have moved to another brand after the second failure out of the box? Well, I didn’t' because of the price. Within 6 months, the electronic pen to write on the screen failed. A month ago, the Averatec computer totally failed. When you turn it on, it powers off within a minute. Now I am in the process of going through the warranty process with Staples. God help me! The warranty expires in August 2006, my daughter is away in college, and now she will have all that trouble to deal with.

Bad Experience #2

Having little money should work as a good reason to think things over. In my case it didn’t. Again, drawn to the low price, I bought an Averatec 3200 Laptop. The sound never worked. What came out of the speakers is mixed with lots of what sounds like static noise. The headsets never worked at all! My warranty expires at the end of October 2006, and now I will, (I hope, because I have not been able to get through to a customer service rep at Circuit City extended warranty. You have to do that before you bring it in,) part with the computer that has all my work, so they can fix it. Again, I hope. Why have I not done that before? Because I need my Averatec Laptop for work and school and could live without being able to plug in a headset and watch a movie or listen to music. Why Now? Because my Averatec Laptop power cord connection has failed and the computer does not charge. Another dead Averatec laptop in the family.
So, do yourself a favor. Buy a laptop from another brand even if you have to pay a couple more hundred dollars. I knew I was buying two computers and figured I would be saving about $500-$600 in between the two. Now we have two broken Averatec computers!
And by the way: The battery, (I did try diffrent seetings,) was never able to last over 1:15min since it was new!