If it's fancy you're scouting, you needn't look here. If you're fine with a classic design, a relatively low price and plenty of oomph to handle everyday tasks, you've got your eyes right where they need to be.
Averatec's latest rig is a 12-inch ultraportable that gets powered by a 2GHz Core 2 Duo T6400 processor, a WXGA panel, 4GB of DDR2-800 RAM, a 250GB SATA hard drive, 8x SuperMulti dual-layer DVD writer, WiFi, gigabit Ethernet, a trio of USB 2.0 ports, FireWire and audio in / out. Furthermore, you'll find a VGA output, 4-in-1 card reader, GMA X4500HD graphics set, 1.3 megapixel camera and Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit. This four pound lappie will set you back $699, and if you're already sold, we're happy to inform you that it's shipping right now.
posted Apr 27th 2009 1:22PM
I used to own one of these when they were called Winbooks.
That thing looks so dated!
My wallet says get it, but my mind says don't because its an averatec (I've fixed a lot of computers and I've personally ranked averatecs as one of the computers I won't get)
I still have 4.4lb Averatec (was called Sotec then) laptop that I got Dec of 2002 for $700. It has a Celeron 1.2GHz with 20GB of ram. I upgraded it to 640MB of ram. Other than being a bit dated, it still works fine. My sister uses it now. I wouldn't be afraid to buy one again. The only problem I had was the fan went bad after about 4 years. It still worked but was really loud. I replaced it for $20.
@shawnmoss "20GB of ram" - What on earth are you blathering on about?
@miffe
don't worry he upgraded it to 640gb of ram
my bad, 20GB hard drive.
That's... really not bad at all. Though the price isn't great.
Son, take a walk with me.
Let me tell you about the Vaio P...
@ The WC: lmao
I agree. This looks like a great notebook, and I don't mind the price at all. Just above the price of a good netbook, but with a bunch of nice extras. Only one crippling problem that won't allow me to buy it. No HDMI out. Why would they take a chipset like the X4500HD and not give a digital output of any kind? Stupid decision.
Actually, despite the looks, that looks like a choice piece of gear for the price. Consider the Eee 1000h cost about $700 9 months or so ago.
But that was 9 months ago =)
if you showed me only the bottom half of that photo, say the trackpad down or so, i'd think this thing was from 10 years ago.
I was about to say the same thing, except I was thinking more of the "L" key...
Seriously though, it seems ok, Throw a 9400M in it and it would probably be a hot seller.
The article says $699 but the averatec website lists it as on sale for $799.
The $799 isnt even for this model. Its for the N2500 series.
Cant find the N2700 series in their online store.
I like it except for these three?
1. Averatec = average technology, sounds like what they are aiming for is average...
2. Why is the laptop not flat on the bottom, but flat on top, looks ridiculous.
3. Any kind of graphics that Intel has made have always sucked, I am looking for at least 9400m from Nvidia, you can keep your ATI, also.
I don't know. Looks decent too me. 12 inches is nice too.
That's what she said???
Correction, the website has the N2500 for $799 and no mention of the N2700 at all. "it's shipping right now" O RLY?
You'd also think they could put proportionately correct keyboards on a 12' laptop.
If I have a 12' laptop, it better comes with a piano keys. And I'm not talking about standard size grand piano keys, I'm talking about "Big" movie piano size keys.
I love it when people get bashed for typos...
I'd like to know how the battery life is.
The price is nice, but I'm not sure if this is small or light enough to be called an ultra portable. It's almost as wide as 13" notebooks, it isn't any less deep and it isn't any thinner, and it's still only 4lbs. It would probably be better to just have a 13" screen in there.
Screen is too small, but I like it.
Hmm..Averatec is now part of a Korean company. Maybe their quality has changed....
battery life?
I actually really like this. Simple, functional design. Matte black.... Hell, it looks like a Lenovo to me (well, other than the screen hinges). And the price is pretty nice too... If a netbook is too small/underpowered for your uses this would be perfect for a second computer for vacations or business trips.
Say what you want about Averatec; I've had one--prior incarnation of this model, the 3700 series--and it's survived damn near everything short of catastrophic colon failure at 37,000-feet. And it's got a solid build quality, no hinges all wibbledy-wobbledy, or drive doors catching on everything.
the name isn't so great, at first i thought it was a netbook. also, the base looks warped even in the picture.
I've heard that previous Averatec laptops were like mini suns, creating enough heat to kill off any future generations brewing in your loins. Sort of like the 12" Powerbook of lore.
How are they now?
While Dells mini 12 and many other 12-inches have keyboard stretching edge to edge, this one has clear margins on the sides. This must mean it doesn't have a full size keyboard. That's a major mistake making this computer a no-go IMHO.
oh man, forget the way it looks.. this thing is stacked, especially for a college student (the ones who dont care about looking good) and professionals. man, i would love to get this just to put ubuntu on it, and trick a brainless windows user, after showing them how much better linux is, to buy it for 1000
how is 4 pound ultraportable?
That is quite possibly the most unremarkable laptop i have ever seen....
I'm trying to understand why these manufacturers feel the need to make the right shift key "smaller". I hate that and it's a deal breaker. I use the right shift key heavily and I guarantee i'd be hitting the stupid up arrow all the time.