Averatec's almost ultra-portable AV2260-EK1 reviewed

PCMag got their hands on the top dog in Averatec's "ultra portable" – although at 4.2-pounds and 1.43-inches thick, we would classify it as more of a thin-and-light – 2200 series, and the verdict seems to be a resounding "meh". The AV2260-EK1 sports some solid specs, like a built-in DVD burner, 1GB of RAM, 80GB of storage and a 12.1-inch WXGA screen with Averabrite, but the AMD Turion 64 MT-32 can't keep up with most of the new Core Duo machines and dropped battery life to a pitiful 1 hour 42 minutes with the included cell. You can add an extended life battery for an extra $100, but that puts a hurt on the $1079.99 retail price, bumping it to about the same level as the thinner, faster Macbook or Dell's shiny M1210. All that plus a "cramped" keyboard lead us to believe we should keep scrimping and saving until we have enough for something truly ultra-portable.

[Michael @ Jul 8th 2006 7:28PM]

I don't get it, why are laptops with smaller screens more expensive then typical 15 inch models? You'd think they would be cheaper.

This machine has all the specs of my last laptop (for the most part) but a smaller screen and a $400 increase in price.

[Trae @ Jul 8th 2006 7:56PM]

A smaller screen gives them less room to put parts in. It takes more to fit it all in the smaller package.

[Dee Duby @ Jul 8th 2006 8:39PM]

Hey is the Engadget crew planning a Bay area meet up anytime in the near future? The last one was kick a$$.

Dubya

[llshibata @ Jul 8th 2006 11:41PM]

Don't trust Averatec....period.
They may make eye appealing and nice looking budget priced notbook pc's for a affordable price, but their quality and customer service is horrible.

I owned a 3200 series which I bought about a year ago. During that time my harddrive failed twice (replaced it twice as well) due to the PC running at extremely hot temperatures and lost all my data, not to mention the mechanical damage to the HDD. I don't trust this company and their products. The 3200 series recieved good review from PC Mag, but after talking to other owners, I soon discovered that I was not the only one haveing this problem. I replaced the 3200 with a Sony Vaio and Iam more than satisfied now.

I recommend paying a little more for brand name PCs that you can trust and have good customer service. Aferall, should'nt the PCs you buy nowadays last more than 1 year after purchase?

[Korey @ Jul 9th 2006 10:13AM]

umm yeah can i downgrade the thing and customize it cuz ive been looking for a 12 inch laptop for awhile and i cant find one

[mikes @ Jul 9th 2006 10:21AM]

I also had an Averatec 3200. It started to overheat to the point where it would shut down if it wasn't on this cookie rack I bought for it. The power connector got so hot that I actually got a blister on my thumb from accidentally touching it when unplugging it.

When I brought it in for warranty work, Staples informed me that Averatec had backed out of their warranty agreement, and refused to do any repairs for them. Staples replaced it with the computer that I'm using right now, a Toshiba Satellite A100 (a great machine, no problems yet...)

So, ditto on the "don't trust Averatec" sentiment.

[Geckoboy @ Jul 9th 2006 10:29AM]

I own a 2150 and it works like a dream...this is the model that replaces mine...
i have yet to have any problems though i will agree that i heard there post puchase service does stink...but i know enough to fix any problem that happens to come up.

if you know a decent amount on software and hardware...i recomend these laptops due to the price...

yes there not ultraportable but they are more portable the a 14-17inch one...

the macbook is a 13" and cost around the same but there are more problems with them. and a sony or any other 12 inch model wil cost you atleast 500 dollars more

[Lawrence Sheed @ Jul 9th 2006 1:20PM]

Not very quality driven.

Specs are nice, but the thing overheats like a mofo, and the keyboard is spongy crap. In the one I used the space bar and mouse button were already broken.
It does look nice though.

[Tracy L @ Jul 10th 2006 2:46PM]

mikes:

I have a 3200 series and I've been pleased with it. It currently has it's first problem: a faulty barrel-shaped power connector on the motherboard. It is loose and rocks back and forth. When it is in the wrong position, the battery does not charge AND the barrel connector gets blazing hot. Sounds similar to your problem.

According to a coworker that runs our electronics shop, loose power connectors is a common problem. He says it takes 4 hours to dismantle the machines to fix it, but he is able to repair and reuse laptops that others are just throwing away.

[Ockie @ Sep 4th 2006 1:59PM]

Pretty cute and hot---Yeap- the power connector burnt out--completely. It continue to power off, even with a cooling pad the lap still overheated. I contacted Averetec company which no responsibility, action, explaination and would not replace it.

Don't buy--- Don't buy! The company will never tell you the truth of the how many complaints and concerns it has received.