Gigabyte's swivel screen M912V netbook gets reviewed

There's a whole mess of netbooks out there, but if you're scouting one with a swiveling screen, chances are the M912V is sky high on your list. For starters, this one's pretty pricey at $699, and for that much change, you'd really expect the battery life to be better than "poor," the temperature to remain a few degrees below boiling and the keyboard to not be described as "cramped." Of course, not everything was a downer -- the speakers were strong, the port assortment was praised and the touchpad was smiled upon. Still, critics couldn't recommend procuring one without strong reservations, so unless you're just goo-goo for swivel, your dollars are probably better off spent elsewhere.

[Flashpoint @ Aug 12th 2008 3:14AM]

You've got to be out of your mind to purchase one of these no named Chinese generic laptops.

I allready know that Chinese made laptops are going to explode in number as soon as SSD's become more affordable in the 50GB+ range. All they'll do is clone disk images and pass these things out like Cheetos.

One of my friend's parents asked me to try and troubleshoot/fix his chinesemade laptop and after a long look at it, I could only suggest he get a new one. Even his battery was worn out...and he hadn't had it for more than a year.

No way I'd make a mistake like this.

[Firehose @ Aug 12th 2008 5:41AM]

No named? Dude, Gigabyte has been around for ages and they're quite reputable most of the time. Just check out their motherboard range for example.

Next time you're going to generalize and dis "chinesemade" products, I'd suggest you educate yourself a bit more.

[matt @ Aug 12th 2008 5:52AM]

So where do you think Vaios, dell's and macbooks are made?

Most laptops are built by 4-5 big companies that are then sold by sony/dell/apple.

[PrimoLevinas @ Aug 12th 2008 3:53AM]

Well, the m912 has been tested earlier, at least in germany (and in german) http://www.golem.de/0807/61378.html

The sad point is this could be a matchwinner - at least for me! But add, as has been tested earlier, "unreadable display" to the points listed by engadgets article and it is a no-go even for those who are a goo-goo.

[PrimoLevinas @ Aug 12th 2008 4:14AM]

Actually it had been tested earlier, albeit in german. They added "unreadable display" to the list. Although the m912 could be a matchwinner, this makes it a no-go even for a goo-goo.

[revaaron @ Aug 12th 2008 9:58AM]

damn, I was hoping this would be the sheezbomb. I need to be able to review pictures while at biggest shows when I need to wait between sets.
that sucks.

[avester @ Aug 12th 2008 10:06AM]

Looks like Engadget has forgotten that this is just about the only tablet in this price range.

I think about getting this one, I think that it's worth of the extra 100$ for a touchscreen and the swivel screen.

You guys forgot to mention expresscard 34 slot, that allows real "internal" upgrades easily

[lukas88 @ Aug 12th 2008 4:58PM]

I'm not sure the author knows it is a tablet, he just mentions "swivel screen" not "touch screen." A little strange.

[Javaflash @ Aug 12th 2008 10:10AM]

Flashpoint, Apple Macbook and Macbook Pro (iPhone, too) are made by Hon Hai (Foxconn)... if you think that's a no name Chinese company, your ability to read needs help. Firehose is right. There are only a handful of manufacturers that make all the laptops, smartphones in the world. These guys come up with basic design on interior guts + exterior profile. Labels like Apple, Dell, HP carve out specific "look and feel," make sure logo shows up somewhere, send the print back to Taiwan. Taiwan push orders into their massive Chinese factories. You buy whatever stuffs come out of those factories... with a fat markup, of course.

[thedesolate1 @ Aug 12th 2008 8:38PM]

Wait doesn't Taiwan belong to Japan?