So Averatec is definitely a bad idea?

I figured it would be a bad idea to buy a notebook from a company that I had NEVER HEARD OF until about a week ago... but their specs are hard to beat for the price... and they are rather tempting.

My budget is limiting me to get a cheaper notebook, so should I go with a brand name with a reputation, or from a not-so-popular company with better specs (Averatec)?

 

Some of there units are great for the money you spend. Just check here and http://www.averatecforums.com/index.php
to find out what kind of problems they are having. I have been pleased with mine. The only problems I'v had is a cracked LCD, then they failed to tighten the screws on the case and cracked it. They did cover every thing under waranty. Was just with out the unit for 2 months. Their service dept is anything but stellar. Get a extended service contract if offered.

 

We just posted a review of their compact model. They're not the greatest, but for the money, they can be tough to beat. It really depends on the type of machine. Dell typically also offers great prices for the spec. You can also look at our deals tab, we routinely have some great sub $1000 and even sub $500 deals in there.

 

If you get a bad one, be prepared to do months and months of battle with Averatec and buy another notebook to use in the process.

I did, now I have a 1020 here collecting dust.

The Averatec forum has a large number of cheerleaders, some not even using the product and company ringers.

Be careful!

good luck

susan

 

Hi - not a company rep, just an Averatec user here. I bought the 6120 a year and a half ago. So far, I have not had one problem with it. Two weeks after I bought it, and I bought it shortly after it came onto the market, they came out with a newer version with a DVD burner and a larger hard drive. I called to complain to customer support that I can understand a newer version of the same thing coming out in several months, but a few weeks?? They apologized and said that the release date of the 6120 was later than expected, and while they weren't going to send me the newer version, they did send me a pack of CD-Rs, a laptop case (albeit one that didn't fit the 15.4" laptop I owned), and a few Averatec pens.

I'm currently contemplating the 1050, but would I buy Averatec again? I'm thinking of Lenovo X41 right now, but it's double the price. I can't help but think that I got lucky with this Averatec, so why not another one?

Whatever you decide, enjoy it!
Traci

 

Just don't get one with a P4, is all.

Get one with a low heat output processor like a Pentium M.

I don't think Averatec are big on heat dissipation. That shouldn't be a problem with a Pentium M or similar.

For what it's worth, I have a love-hate relationship with my 6130-HS. On the one hand, it seems to screw up every 3 or 4 months or so and I have to do a reformat, and not one person has been able to get to the root of the problem for me, nor have I heard of anyone else with the same problem. And it does get very hot if overworked (I have the P4 you see). And the screen isn't the best. Not bad, but you'll get a better screen on a Sony for instance. Oh yeah and mine has a couple of very small case cracks, just like so many peoples. The chassis isn't supertough but in this price range, all laptops are a little flimsier. Nothing too bad, just don't drop them.

On the other hand, I can play Call of Duty on it quite smoothly. It seems to boot up really quickly even though the HD is only 5400rpm. And I love the keyboard, I've hammered it a ridiculous amount over the last year or so and it's still perfect. Feels really solid and with minimal flex. All of the functional buttons and green LEDs still work after more than a year, not something I can say about most other laptops I've had.

I would say that had I not had the bizarre mystery problem with mine, I would have been more than happy with it. I'm about to build a desktop system but until then I'm quite content with my Averatec.

 

I have not had any problems with my 6130hs. It's typical to format about twice a year kind of like changing the oil in your car to keep it peforming well.

 

If you are in the USA check out Circuit City's weekly specials this week. There is an Acer for $480 that might suit your needs.