Over 2-1/2 Years With Sotec 3120x

I bought a Sotec (for those who don't know, Averatec used to be Sotec) 3120x around 2-1/2 years ago and I figured I'd share my comments and experiences with the notebook.

Price Paid: $909 at www.walmart.com
Processor: 1.2 GHz Celeron
Memory: 256 MB SDRAM
Hard Drive: 20 GB
Optical: DVD/CD-RW
Ports: VGA, Ethernet, 56K modem, PC-Card slot, 3 USB 1.1, headphone, microphone
Screen: 12.1" XGA TFT

I bought the notebook mainly, as most did, because of it's bang for the buck and relatively light weight and small size. Back then, it was one of the few notebooks one could find at that price point with the listed features.

I can say with confidence that I have not regretted this purchase. The notebook has served me well, and has taken a beating. I've been carrying it around in a backpack 5 days a week for the past few school years, and it's held together solidly except for a crack on the left front corner near the PC-Card slot. I don't know if the slot still works or not (the eject button is bent) since I don't have a PC-Card.

The battery still holds over a 2 hour charge, and I can get 2.5 hours with the screen on dim and only working on a word document. Not superb, but not terrible.

The only major problem I had with the notebook was the infamous grinding fan issue. However, this was easily fixed. I purchased a replacement fan for $18 and installation was a snap. Have had no such grinding problems since.

Overall, this was a really nice notebook. Were I not in the market for something even smaller and lighter with longer battery life, I would surely buy another Averatec. A great starter notebook.

 

OZ, the great and powerful-

This is a great time to pay attention to the man behimd the curtian! I'm so glad to hear some positive news on the quality and lifespan. Heres to ya buddy (raises a pint)!

Looks like you've been using your lappy as hars as I do currnetly (daily to work and school), and I too am as pleasantly supprised at the proformance and price value.

Thanks again for some positive feed back1

DD

 

I had the 3120. Bought it 2 years ago. The battery made it about 16 months, then suddenly stopped working altogether. Customer support was non-existent then . . . and I mean literally. Then at about 20 monnths, the screen cracked, but was still somewhat useable until the keyboard stopped working.

The piece of junk limped along to about the 24 month mark . . . that was it.

Now I'm looking for a replacement, and had been considering a 3360, but after coming here and being reeminded of all the problems I had with it, I am going to find something different!


<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by ozwald

 

I'm sorry to hear you've had so many problems with yours. But that's the way it goes, I guess. Take two identical notebooks, and one could go through a war, while the other one would break after two minutes. Go figure.

 

Where did you find a fan? I need one and suppliers are on back order.