Preserved Topic: Averatec. Worth buying?

I am looking to buy a laptop, and Averatec seems to be half the price of most other better-known notebooks with approximately the same specs. But I have not heard of this brand until today. Does anyone know what it is and if it is reliable?

Also recommendations of ~$1500 12" notebooks would be appreciated.

well, i've never heard of them before either but this
and this
seem to give it a pretty good review, espically for the money.

Later,

C:\


~Binary is best~

Never heard of 'em either, but apparently, they got a PC Mag Editor's Choice, which is fairly respectable. Looks like a good value, too.

I think I've heard of them before, just can't remember where or what the discussion was about.

It looks like a good deal to me, but you'd probably want to try one before you buy it.


The other other other other other white meat.

Nice review on tom's hardware:
http://www.tomshardware.com/mobile/20040610/index.html
And on notebookreview is a complete section about this brand: http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=21
another review on hardware central:
http://hardware.earthweb.com/computers/article.php/3376351

The site looks ok and easy to navigate, there is an pdf with RMA instructions and contact adresses.
So it's easy to contact them at first sight. I don't know if thei customer service is any good though, maybe you have to wait for hours on the phone or maybe the don't answer email questions (quickly).

It can be good value for money, but you might have a problem when the machine is broken, i guess you have to send it back to the factory. Personally i like to bring it to a local shop where i can pick it up later the same week.

------------------------------
Support Justice for Pat Richard

(Edited by Rinswind 2th on 07-04-2004 15:28)

(Edited by Rinswind 2th on 07-04-2004 17:48)

Averatec used to be called Sotec.

http://www.averatec.com/archives/index.htm

They make the no-brand name laptops sold by major electronic stores such as Best Buy. The VPR Matrix was a rebranded laptop. The only thing to consider when buying these kinds of low cost computers is that the support will be minimal at best. And you can be sure that supplies lines are minimal ie. 1-2 years parts before "planned obsolescence".

Among the reasons why they are so much cheaper than branded computers is that they do little marketing like other manufactures and again, tech support leaves you on you own. Having had my VPR for 1 year 7 months. Overall no complaints.