Averatec AV7170-EC1 jumps into dual core

Looks like Averatec's finally taking the plunge into dual core mobile computing with their new AV7170-EC1, your usual AMD Turion 64 X2-based box with 100GB 7200rpm drive, up to 2GB of RAM, a somewhat whimpy WXGA+ (1440 x 900) 17-inch display, 5-in-1 media reader, ExpressCard, gigabit Ethernet, and a 1-inch thick 7.2 pound body. The budget price is in effect, though, since you'll be able to snag one as cheap as $1150, not too bad an investment even if it isn't the highest quality PC on the market.

[Via Laptoping]

[Eric @ Jul 9th 2006 7:14PM]

This laptop will feature:
nVIDIA® GeForce® Go 6100 integrated graphics





For anyone else wondering like I was.

[TeleCustom @ Jul 9th 2006 7:27PM]

mrr...integrated graphics >:C

[Jazzay @ Jul 9th 2006 8:17PM]

is it just me or does that look like a 19"?

The keyboard and numpad must be small if thats a 17"

I mean, kudos for actually including a numpad, but 17"ers Ive seen are edge to edge with the numpad, while 19" has empty space on either side

[Fredrxson @ Jul 9th 2006 8:17PM]

Available now for $999 at Costco:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11134208&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=

[Dull @ Jul 9th 2006 8:31PM]

Are there any notebooks that have broken that 2GB RAM barrier? It looks, as though every computer manufacturer believes that 2GB ought to be more then enough for anybody.

[Tull @ Jul 9th 2006 8:50PM]

Unless you plan on uninstalling home and reinstalling the x64 edition, there's no need to have more then 2GB. And the fact that it has integrated graphics makes it seem relatively useless in the first place. =/

[bobsmith @ Jul 9th 2006 10:08PM]

I bet that thing flies when reinstalled with linux.

[Hubbs @ Jul 9th 2006 10:53PM]

The Question Is - Is It Waterproof?

[greg @ Jul 9th 2006 11:36PM]

tried the laptop. it sucks. mousepad is in awkward position. mouse buttons are hard to press. Software problems in windows. then again you get what you pay for.

[DC @ Jul 10th 2006 4:04AM]

Just curious...what dual core laptop would you Engadget junkies recommend? I wouldn't need it for gaming, but I would use it for just about everything else. Thin and light or ultraportable is preferred.

[Nagabhushana @ Jul 10th 2006 5:06AM]

Total Junkie it is. It sucks power like anything. Need to check what Intel Centrino laptops. even if they are bit costly they are reliable.

[regre7 @ Jul 10th 2006 11:44AM]

@DC: If you're looking for ultra-portable, you should consider Apple's MacBook (I'M NOT LOOKING FOR A FIGHT!). They're thin and light (my friend has one, I've got a MBPro), and if you don't like OS X, you can run Windows on it via Boot Camp. However, if you're going to run Vista on it (once it comes out, sorry, too easy), you'll probably want more than the integrated graphics.

[WTF @ Jul 10th 2006 3:11PM]

regre7, you must be looking for a fight. Since when is 5 lbs considered ultra-portable?

[Matt winschel @ Jul 12th 2006 11:39PM]

bought this one at costco a week or so ago. was all excited when i first saw it specs seemed awesome. overall very disappointed. thinking it is going back. processor seems to scream although benchmarking tests crashed repeatedly... dont know exactly why. screen is nice. price was nice at 999.

cons: keyboard sucks, keys are non standard sizes, touchpad is the worst i have ever used, speaker and sound system are so subpar its not funny. Battery life is the topper which at best to date has been 1 1/2 hours in "max battery" mode with everything shutting itself down if i take a second to sneeze. really leaning on getting the core duo HP instead at costco at the end of the month. honestly i much prefer my compaq presario x1000 to this machine. much higher quality build.

[Arty @ Sep 22nd 2006 1:23PM]

I saw this unit at Costco and had a chance to play with it. It's good value for the bucks. The Costco dude told me Averatec was giving away these notebooks as part of a contest, you design notebooks skins. I checked it out. It's like the Dell contest. Notebooks and GPS units as prizes. Think I'll try to win one before plunking down $$$. The contest is at www.CreateYourCase.com.