Just bought a Jetbook/Metabox/ITC/Systemax

Hi,

Theres a lot of questions on here surrounding this notebook so i thought id mention I've just guinea pigged myself and purchased a "jetbook 9620T" (red lid).

I'm in Australia, and i actually bought it badged as the "PowerNote DL70" from a company called DigitalStar, so far there service has been great and this particular store has had reasonable reviews in previous pc mags over here.

As everyones been pointing out theres also Systemax with this model and their name, and you'll also find Compal, ITC/Metabox also use this model with their trade name.

It seems all these laptops are being bought from one source in bulk and without brand name, thus i guess these guys can make their systems a little cheaper than the rest. Especially if their buying pre/built un-configurable. I've been on a laptop search for years and finally i've layed down the cash on this model. I was originally going for a Mac powerbook G4 15" but in the end the price tag turned me off. I feel i've actually got a better machine than what apple offer at the mo, and i've saved myself $1200 AU.

The move to pc was started by a company over here called TPG offering a laptop @ 1.6Ghz, 60Gig HDD, 64MB MR 9700 wireless 6 cell battery etc for $1700 AU probably the best deal going round. Initially i was going for this but did a bit more research on cheap/unknown brand laptops. In the end i nailed it down to the DL70 because i wanted my specs a little higher (games, video audio work etc). I didn't want to go dell because to me having a 17" and all that extra weight just doesn't make sense for portability.

i got these specs for $2,281 AU:

PowerNote DL70 15.4" WSXGA+ 128Mb ATI X600 Sonoma Notebook
Barebone : 1 x PowerNote DL70 15.4" WSXGA+ ATI X600 + TV Tuner Barebone

Optical : 1 x PowerNote 8x Dual Layer DVD-/+ RW DVD Burner for DL70

CPU : 1 x Intel Pentium-M 740 1.73G 2M Cache 533MHz Sonoma Mobile CPU

RAM : Total 1Gb DDR 333MHz RAM (2 x 512MB DDR 333MHz SO DIMM Notebook Memory)

HDD : 1 x 2.5" 80GB 5400rpm Notebook Hard Disk

WIFI : 1 x Intel Pro/Wireless G 2200BG (802.11 b/g) Mini PCI Card

TV : 1 x FREE Built in TV Tuner Analog with Remote Controller Option

Warranty : 1 x 2 Years On-Site PickUp & Return Notebook Warranty by UEE<$3K


Its got the built in tv tuner, you can play cd's witout turning the thing on, remote control for media, 8 cell battery, its just under 3 kilos and of all the companys around offering the same model digital star gave me the best price with a 2 year warranty. In the end i paid about $550 AU more than the tpg but got a better specd machine, better style and more bonuses with a 2 year warranty. You can also drop the OS from the buddle and minus some cash off the price which was nice.

Now i just have to wait for it turn up. Close up pics here: www.itchannel.com.au - look at the 523 model.

I'd like to do a review of it, but i dont really know much about all this benchmark stuff everyones on about. If theres anything anyone wants to know in particular about the machine once i get it i'll let you know, otherwise i can't wait get the thing!

Cheers guys,

Matt

 

My first post.

I just ordered a similar system to you from p4laptops.com.au - the metabox 523. I got mine specced as follows:

P-M1.6 G
256 meg ram
X-600 PCI-E
15.4in WSXGA+ 1680x1050 screen
40 Gb hard drive
CD-RW/DVD combo

just wondering how do you find the computer in general use and for gaming and how long does the battery last if you flog it flat out playing games, and when you dont play games at all. I know yours will be a lot snappier in games due to the 1Gb of ram but I will be upgrading mine when funds permit to 1Gb also, and a faster hdd.

Cheers
Ben

 

I just brought the systemax 4220 which on the box it stated that it was a DL70.

1.7 Ghz M-Pentium 740
1 GIG Memory
1 CDRW/DVD
1 SmartCard reader
1 60 Gig HD
1 Firewire
3 USB
Centrino Wireless
15.4 in. Screen
ATI X600 w/ 128 mb
MS XP professional


It has a red lid also.

So Far this rig is great. I can run the battlefield 2 demo at High Res.

 

Ah that! That's the Compal DL70, Compal is a Taiwanese company that produces laptops for alot of people.. including the big names.. who all put their label on it. Saw it once in person.. solid machine, great screen, little flex.. its only flaw is the battery life.

 

Art,

That unit is a fine unit, We have been a jetbook dealer here in the US since 1999, During this time we have found it very easy to get assistance from them when needed. which has not been alot. We have shipped several hundred of the 9620 units and have only had one that we had to send back due to a bad motherboard.. Don't feel you are a guinea pig you purchased a fine unit and I do not know about the company you purchased from or their level of support to their customers, but I know that the support from Jetta (jetbook) to us has been awesome-

They will also provide support to end users directly, if someone wants to go through them instead of the dealer that sold the unit. They have been in business since 1991 and have a 3 day turn around on service here in the US on units sent back to them for service. Their factory is able to do all repairs on all units they sell in house and whenever we have needed parts for a customers unit we had them in most cases the next day.

- If I can ever be of help just let me know. Although I do not think you will have any hardware problems with your jetbook -- Good Luck

 

Well i just upped my specs at the last minute before finalising payment - so am now getting:

P-M 1.73
512MB
60G 5400
DVD-RW

(p4laptops had a special going, and I looked at it and thought geez I'm mad not paying the extra $200AU for the upgrades shown)

I've also fired a lot of enquiries at ITC while waiting for delivery and their response has been pretty prompt and helpful. They seem to be not such a bad bunch

 

Good luck! I'm just about to load World of Warcraft onto the newest Jetta model (17" 2550) so I can write a gamer's review of it!

Definitely can't beat the customer service on these....

 

Well am pretty pleased with it - the only drawback is the battery life - 2 hours and 45 minutes but thats ok I guess as I am close to a power point most of the time. The only other gripe is the mini pci slot for my 2200BG card is under the keyboard - had to find a service manual to find where to put in the card.

Otherwise pretty pleased. Cranking the screen down to 30% makes the battery last about 3.2 hours and the screen is still perfectly readable.

 

Hi,

ITC have a great rep for service. I sell their laptops as well as other brands and have always found them easy to deal with and quick to fix problems.

btw - i've just launcehed a new web site http://www.laptopchoice.com.au/ and need feedback on it. bugs, good points, bad points, etc..

anything would help!

Cheers,
Matt