Deciding on which retailer is no easy task.

Hi there,

Okay, so I've priced out some configurations on the Clevo P170HM models from a few different companies, but I'm having issues on who to choose. I've spoken to reps from each and all have been equally kind and helpful, so choosing based on customer service would be impossible. Mythlogic, for example, say that they are not a "Reseller", but a true custom laptop maker as opposed to companies like Malibal who is apparently a Reseller. Both offer comparable warranties and the like, but price is another matter. I customized a system to roughly $1,690 with Malibal, then I selected the exact same specs with Mythlogic and theirs came to around $2,100. Is there a reason why there is such a huge jump in cost between the two?

I don't want to start an argument or debate, I'm just trying to gather as much information as I can so I can make an informed choice based on some of my own research, but more so from others' experiences.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

 

Mythlogic, unlike the others, builds the laptops themselves, and has a very rigorous testing process. They are also a much smaller operation, which contributes to it. They were the first to offer things like color calibration, and the only one who does custom paint jobs that I know of. The laptops are built by a small group of experts and assembled with love, unlike factory laptops. I love my Mythlogic laptop, and would recommend them to anyone.

 

I was under the impression Malibal was a builder, not a reseller. Am I wrong?

 

As far as I can tell, Mythlogic doesn't take built Sager laptops, customize, and resell them, but instead does what Sager does: take Clevo barebones models, customize them, and sell them. From what I can tell, though, the end result is essentially the same.

 

I'm very interested to know if Malibal is a Reseller or Custom Maker as well. Don't get me wrong, Mythlogic is very enticing, but the extra $400 dollars for the same system I can get from Malibal, along with Free 1 Year Warranty and a Service Depot right here in Canada (yes, I'm Canadian) is just a huge plus in Malibal's favor. Adding ontop of that, I'm told that Malibal offers free shipping for NBR members as well (even for Canadian customers, is this still true?), while Mythlogic does not which I've confirmed with one of their reps.

 

Considering they all build off of the same Chassis, what is it about it being a reseller versus a "Custom maker" that matters to you?

 

Malibal is a reseller

 

I think they only offer the free shipping to US customers? as the shipping cost difference is up to like $100 if you choose UPS expedited, and that SHOULD be the one you choose as the brokerage fees for UPS standard puts the overall shipping cost to be around the same, but expedited is way faster. you can still ask for a shipping discount though.

 

the $400 premium from Mythlogic is a deal breaker for me, I would rather go with xoticpc, malibal or powernotebooks

 

The benefit to Mythlogic is the added assurance that you won't have any issues with your laptop when you receive it. They put all of their laptops thru a rigorous series of benches and stress tests before it leaves their facility to ensure there will be no issues. When you get your laptop you will get a copy of the results saved in a folder on the desktop. Mythlogic will also go out of their way to provide what you want even if it isn't something they normally offer. After dealing with Mythlogic for almost 3 months while deciding what I wanted I have nothing negative I can say about the service I received.

 

I am sure they are really good. The fact remains you can get exactly the same products for much cheaper. If you have trouble with anything you can get it replaced free of charge.

 

I can't argue with that, but the point I was making was that with Mythlogic you might not have to send it back for anything. Their testing ensures you are getting a fully functional laptop the first time instead of possibly having to send it back for an issue not picked up by another reseller. For me, the little bit of extra cost was worth the peace of mind.

 

if it worked for you , its really good! I would never spend $400 for piece of mind, maybe you are rich

 

The price difference all depends on what you get actually cause I just priced one out on Malibal and Mythlogic and Myth was only $25 more. Myth offers free color calibration, free IC diamond thermal compound, and a free pixel guarantee where Malibal charges. Also Myth charges less to upgrade from a one year warranty to a three year than Malibal.

Bottom line, you need to price out exactly what you want on every retailers site since each offers some parts cheaper than the others and each has some things more expensive than the others.

 

^^^^How true that is. It is the bottom line price (the total out of your pocket) shipped that is important.
_

 

Don't all resellers offer lifetime labor warranties? I thought the parts warranty was only to cover accidental damage (and shipping cost)

 

I'm not sure what you priced, but I just did another quote and with Malibal's current promos, I got even better parts and still got it for less. These are the totals:

Malibal - Satori P170HM - $1,657.73 (Total without Blu-Ray Burner, $1,735.33 with)
Myth - Nyx 1711 - $1,933.55

I added in a 90% NTSC Glossy LED Screen with Malibal (which Myth no longer seems to offer for this model, so I was stuck with the default choice), a Blu-Ray Burner for the Satori with current promos is -$95 going from the Blu-Ray reader, and another huge plus is that Malibal has a Service Depot here in Canada with no additional charge for the default 1 Year, whereas the same option with Mythlogic would tack on an additional $75 dollars for the same type of warranty. The total price for the Malibal model also includes the Pixel Warranty, IC Diamond Compound and the Monitor Calibration too.

For shipping costs, the cost for the UPS Expedited option (the one that includes brokerage) comes to $158 and that's coming from California whereas the shipping costs with Mythlogic comes to $240 for the exact same option and Ann Arbor (where Myth is located) is a 3-4 hour drive from the Canadian Border.

Myth will not price match because they are not a "Reseller" and won't offer any kind of Free Shipping. Malibal I haven't spoken to directly, but I'm told that they may even offer Free Shipping to Canadians as long as it's by Ground (if anyone can confirm or deny this, please feel free to chime in here).

 

No free shipping, but they might still do some % off of it if you are an NBR member.

Essentially it's comparing Granny Smith apples to Golden Delicious apples.

 

Source? I just talked to a Malibal rep the other day, and they claim they're a builder.

 

That's exactly why I was saying you have to determine by what you are getting. That build appears to be quite a bit cheaper with Malibal. The build I did on both is what is in my sig with the pixel guarantee, monitor calibration, IC Diamond, and 3yr waranty. And as I said the price difference was minimal. It just all depends on what equipment you want who is going to have the cheaper overall price. For you, it appears to be Malibal.

 

Nope the parts warranties cover parts, not labor. Unless otherwise specified none of the warranties cover accidental damage. So yes while pretty much everyone offers lifetime labor, its the parts that get you