Averatec Ultra-Portable Laptop at BestBuy BB $549.99 AR

[timswim78]

From the April 27th Sunday Circular:

1.33Ghz Celeron
30GB Hard Drive
256MB RAM
DVD-ROM Drive
4.3 lbs

799.99
-150 BB Bundle Mail-In-Rebate (not sure what the Bundle is, maybe the mouse, phone cord, and pen drive on the same page)
-50 Intel Celeron Mail-In rebate
-50 Averatec Mail-In Rebate
-----------------------------------------------
$549.99

 

[iamme]

Here's a link to the Averatec laptop on the website

This thing looks exactly like the Sotec laptop they sell.

Sotec

 

[Rupster]

These Best Buy house brand lappies look nice. I've played around with them in the store & they seem to work just fine. Does anybody actually own one & have some feedback for us ?

 

[freemanteo]

Yep, looks like a Sotec rebadged!

But it is a good price, does anyone think i can buy this and swap my Sotec CD-RW/DVD combo drive with this laptop since Averatec only have a DVD-Rom?

 

[fargus]

Saw one yesterday. Said SOTEC on the box as well as AVERATEC.

 

[Gungnir]

Just a FYI, Sotec and Averatec are the same thing. Sotec changed its name to Averatec. The the circular ad on the Best Buy site (in PDF) is down now. Online it is $799 before a $100 rebate. Can anyone tell me what you have to buy in that bundle (it it worth $150) or should I go with the $700 deal. BTW, Averatec should be coming out with a new line of low voltage Athlon thin and light notenooks with built in Wifi no less at Best Buy. Here are the specs. You get a burner and USB 2.0, plus DDR memory but crappy VIA integrated graphics. My vote for a much nicer lappy is the Fujitsu AMD with a 13.3 inch screen, but it is twice as expensive.

 

[xkenny013]

Sounds like a pretty decent deal ... but, why change the name?

 

[liquidinferno]

these machines are BAD.. i purchased one for one of my people at work, and first thing that happend the cpu fan is making noise, second keyboard is HORRIBLE, and the overall quality isnt really worth even 500 they are selling it for..

 

[xkenny013]

I guess you get what you pay for. Screen size is only 12.1", but at least it is a Mobile Celeron processor...

 

[Greg03]

ditto on the really cruddy quality. Fan noise, weird vibrations, lines don't line up, like the yugo of the laptop crowd.

 

[bravo261]

Originally posted by: xkenny013
I guess you get what you pay for. Screen size is only 12.1", but at least it is a Mobile Celeron processor...

you can't hold the screen against it...its inherent for ultralights

 

[ntsf]

Originally posted by: bravo261

Originally posted by: xkenny013
I guess you get what you pay for. Screen size is only 12.1", but at least it is a Mobile Celeron processor...

you can't hold the screen against it...its inherent for ultralights

I actually consider the smaller screen an asset for an ultralight.. still use my thinkpad 560... BTW, anyone know how this compares sizewise to the 560?

 

[Quickfingerz]

WHOA! WHOA!

i own the sotec, and I LOVE IT...

-I did have a fan problem but I opened the notebook ruining the warranty but fixed the fan myself. (parts for the machine are easy to find and replace)

-the keyboard seems to have come loose on other machines, but that also is just a matter of adjusting the clips that hold the keyboard in place.

WHY IT'S A HOT DEAL!!
-it's light
-great price for what you do get (want proof? go to cnet.com and search for laptops under 4.5 lbs with 12.1-inch screens and NOTHING comes close to sotec/averatec price (same company)
-most problems on the sotec were easily fixable and with their new name averatec. averatec most likely would have fixed their fan probles (i know it has to be a pain for them to get MANY machines per week to fix the exact same fan problem. also, the fan problem wasn't their fault it's whomever build the heatsink)

I WILL BUY ANOTHER ONE!

 

[jimmyhaha]

$600+ after rebate after tax for a 1.2 inch notebook w/ dvd/cdrw combo is an excellent deal.

This notebook is for mobility, not gaming.

too bad no $ & don't need another pc, & I wonder what sotec build quality.

I heard that they use alloy casing but have bad keyboard layout.

 

[allisolm]

Looks like you get to spend an additional $80 on the pen drive, mouse and retractable phone cord to get the $150 bundle rebate.

edit: Guess I'm wrong on this. Sorry. It looked that way to me.

 

[bradolson]

My local Sam's Club had one of the Sotec laptops with a 1.2GHz Celeron and DVD/CD-RW drive on clearance for $587.91. Only had one left, and this is definiately YMMV, but it might be a better deal with no rebates to chance.

Brad

 

[Adam7]

the laptop is 799-150mir-50-50mir=549.99 and u DONT Have to buy the package

 

[Atrac]

Originally posted by: jimmyhaha
$600+ after rebate after tax for a 1.2 inch notebook w/ dvd/cdrw combo is an excellent deal.

It would be if this one had a combo drive.

 

[hamburglar]

this isn't ultra portable.

 

[Staples]

I wouldn't expect too much from this if I bought it but it is a great price for a first laptop that works. As little as I use mine, I kind of wish I bought a cheap one.

 

[murphy55d]

If this weren't a 12.1 screen I'd be all over it. Too small for me.

 

[numatrix]

Where are you guys getting the -50 Averatec Mail-In Rebate?

I don't see it on the Best Buy site.

 

[gunblade]

Thanks, good deal.
Could someone post the links to all the rebates ? coz I can't find the Celeron and Manuf Averatec rebate...

 

[Herbman]

You have to buy it in the store to get the extra $50.

I picked one up this morning, typeing on it right now

for $799 - $250 in rebates =$549 I think is a great deal.

Happy so far with it no prob's. I am only using for travel for the light weight and small size

 

[Quickfingerz]

Looking for a PERFECTLY FITTING LAPTOP SLEEVE?
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Looking for the sleeking looking hard case?
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Just keeping a heads up for you AVERATEC owners...