Everex StepNote XT5000T 17" Notebook PC $699 shipped + tax at officemax.com

[LegendKiller]

Originally posted by: weirdichi

Originally posted by: RedBeard
7600 destroys the X1400 (3dmark 05 scores should be ~1700 vs ~2700)

17" vs. 15.4"? These really aren't comparable. They are different classes. DTR vs. Mid size...

Yeah, I know the specs of the Everex is better than the Inspiron. I've read mediocre reviews on the Everex though and if I'm not a hardcore gamer, then x1400 should do the trick (although having a 7600 wouldn't hurt either).

What mediocre reviews?

 

[gcy]

Originally posted by: LukeMan
the $30 promo code works well, $703.48 after tax here.

email coupon worked for me too, $717 shipped.
Here is an Everex StepNote XT5000T review.

 

[weirdichi]

Originally posted by: LegendKiller

Originally posted by: weirdichi

Originally posted by: RedBeard
7600 destroys the X1400 (3dmark 05 scores should be ~1700 vs ~2700)

17" vs. 15.4"? These really aren't comparable. They are different classes. DTR vs. Mid size...

Yeah, I know the specs of the Everex is better than the Inspiron. I've read mediocre reviews on the Everex though and if I'm not a hardcore gamer, then x1400 should do the trick (although having a 7600 wouldn't hurt either).

What mediocre reviews?

See post right below yours. Maybe those things mentioned in the reviews are just a personal thing with me. There are some reviews of it at hardforums also.

 

[LegendKiller]

Originally posted by: gcy

Originally posted by: LukeMan
the $30 promo code works well, $703.48 after tax here.

email coupon worked for me too, $717 shipped.
Here is an Everex StepNote XT5000T review.

That "review" sucks and I called the editor and reviewer on it. Why?


1. They reviewed an HP9000z with the exact same screen and said the HP screen was awesome, while they panned the Everex screen (I have a coworker who has the HP, I think the everex screen is a tad brighter) despite the HP being 2.5x as much.

2. In the same HP review they gave a decent worded review to the Go7600, but a lot less kindly worded one to the Everex. Considering the HP had a better proc, more cache, 2x as much ram, and only a ~100 3dmark difference, the HP got better language.

3. The tool bashed the Everex for not having HD-DVD and said the screen wouldn't have even supported it. On the same token he lavished wording on the HP for supporting HD-DVD despite it having the same exact screen resolution (which doesn't support 1080p, but does 720p, which I am sure toolboy didn't know).

4. In comparing a Dell Inspiron 1505 he said the X1300 graphics were great, yet everybody knows the X1300 sucks compared to the 7600. Even better, he uses auto settings, not keeping things constant (huge no-no in reviewing), thus you have no basis for accurate comparison.

5. He forgets to mention that the Everex tops out at 4Gigs whereas the HP and Dell only get 2. He also forgets to mention dual HDD bays and a host of other features (or lack thereof in regards to the damn bloatware).

All-in, the guy utterly fails at hardware reviewing. He's biased, untrustworthy, and lacks any sense in how to correctly review items. I used to do HW reviews and I know quite a bit about statistical testing...etc...so I have a basis for comparison.

When I wrote them (twice) to tell them this they just backpedaled saying that it was a fair (HAH!) comparison and the guy has been doing stuff for 15 years (Like I care, a crap review is a crap review). They had no valid points in rebuttal and really came off as uncaring and poorly educated in proper testing.

This is the best dang deal for the money that I have seen in months. It's got flexibility, decent quality, and good components, all for a rock-bottom price. I bought one for myself and my wife and she even thinks its great.

Compare to her old Dell she loves it. Personally, I think Dell sucks. I have personally had 2 work notebooks die from them. My wife's Dell's hinges broke (she is *VERY* careful and meticulous with her stuff). My work desktop's motherboard fried 2 times. My MIL's dell was RMA'd twice. Dell blows.

HP? My previous job's HP/Compaq was OK, except for the dude in the cube next to me had his mobo fry on him, twice.

 

[foolish501]

http://laptopmag.com/Review/Everex-StepNote-XT5000T.htm

that has to be the worse review i've ever read, the reviewer just bashes the laptop for no reason, the quote below is an example, what other ports are you expecting to find ?

"The XT5000T's selection of ports is fairly basic; a 4-in-1 memory card reader, three USB ports, FireWire, an ExpressCard slot, and S-video and DVI-I connectors for outputting the video signal to a TV or bigger LCD"

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: LegendKiller

1. They reviewed an HP9000z with the exact same screen and said the HP screen was awesome, while they panned the Everex screen (I have a coworker who has the HP, I think the everex screen is a tad brighter) despite the HP being 2.5x as much.

Wow, yeah this review was bought.

 

[weirdichi]

Ok.. I broke down and bought one, after thinking about a Dell. So now my question is, how much of a difference am I going to get going with 533 vs 667 RAM and would it matter if I have matched or unmatched SODIMMS in there? I would like to game every once in a while. As a semi-casual gamer, do I plop down $110 for a pair of 1GB Crucial RAM and get rid of the other module or do I just get value RAM and use Kingston and the AData RAM it came with?

Yes, I did go read the long thread at hardforums, but they all seem to be OCing everything the can get their hands on and I'm just going to use it outta the box. Thanks in advance.

 

[LegendKiller]

Originally posted by: weirdichi
Ok.. I broke down and bought one, after thinking about a Dell. So now my question is, how much of a difference am I going to get going with 533 vs 667 RAM and would it matter if I have matched or unmatched SODIMMS in there? I would like to game every once in a while. As a semi-casual gamer, do I plop down $110 for a pair of 1GB Crucial RAM and get rid of the other module or do I just get value RAM and use Kingston and the AData RAM it came with?

Yes, I did go read the long thread at hardforums, but they all seem to be OCing everything the can get their hands on and I'm just going to use it outta the box. Thanks in advance.

AFAIK, most ocing is done only to the GPU, people haven't figured out how to get the CPU OCd. There are a few guys on there that'll sell you their other stick for ~55 shipped. Not having to buy two sticks and saving yourself $50 might be worth it.

 

[imported_Shivetya]

Originally posted by: weirdichi
Ok.. I broke down and bought one, after thinking about a Dell. So now my question is, how much of a difference am I going to get going with 533 vs 667 RAM and would it matter if I have matched or unmatched SODIMMS in there? I would like to game every once in a while. As a semi-casual gamer, do I plop down $110 for a pair of 1GB Crucial RAM and get rid of the other module or do I just get value RAM and use Kingston and the AData RAM it came with?

Yes, I did go read the long thread at hardforums, but they all seem to be OCing everything the can get their hands on and I'm just going to use it outta the box. Thanks in advance.

Between the two speeds you won't notice much, instead go for 2gb of memory.

 

[weirdichi]

Originally posted by: Shivetya
Between the two speeds you won't notice much, instead go for 2gb of memory.

So get 2GB of 667 RAM or buy two unmatched modules? What are the risks or is there any of using unmatched pairs of RAM? I have a Kingston 1GB and 512MB that came with Dell and it's fine in my current laptop now.

 

[LukeMan]

Originally posted by: weirdichi

Originally posted by: Shivetya
Between the two speeds you won't notice much, instead go for 2gb of memory.

So get 2GB of 667 RAM or buy two unmatched modules? What are the risks or is there any of using unmatched pairs of RAM? I have a Kingston 1GB and 512MB that came with Dell and it's fine in my current laptop now.

unmatched brand sticks are no problem, purely aesthetic

 

[magis123]

Let me be the stupid one to pose a stupid question here ....

I have been holding out for a deal on a Inspiron e1705/9400 with the Truebright ultrawide screen but there has been little movement on them or even the ones in the outlet.

So now I have been considering this as a replacement for my current laptop. Would this be an improvement or not (seriously, I just want to make sure when I drop the cash, I am spending wisely EDIT- also I will probably pick up another 1 GB stick along the way with this one so that should help speed it up considerably):

Current setup:
Inspiron 5100
Intel P4 Northwood 2.4 GHz 533 FSB
1 GB Crucial PC2700 RAM
ATI Radeon Mobility 9000 64 MB VC (Updgraded from the ATI 7500 16 MB)
60.0 GB ATA100 5400 RPM HDD
DVD/CD-RW Drive
15.4 SXGA+ Screen

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: magis123
Let me be the stupid one to pose a stupid question here ....

I have been holding out for a deal on a Inspiron e1705/9400 with the Truebright ultrawide screen but there has been little movement on them or even the ones in the outlet.

So now I have been considering this as a replacement for my current laptop. Would this be an improvement or not (seriously, I just want to make sure when I drop the cash, I am spending wisely EDIT- also I will probably pick up another 1 GB stick along the way with this one so that should help speed it up considerably):

Current setup:
Inspiron 5100
Intel P4 Northwood 2.4 GHz 533 FSB
1 GB Crucial PC2700 RAM
ATI Radeon Mobility 9000 64 MB VC (Updgraded from the ATI 7500 16 MB)
60.0 GB ATA100 5400 RPM HDD
DVD/CD-RW Drive
15.4 SXGA+ Screen

Night and day.
The Turion X2 may not be an C2D killer but it is dual core and it will run much faster/cooler/efficient than your P4m (plus it is 64 bit but that really doesn't matter).

3d performace will jump 3-4 generations..... The 7600Go is a good heat/price/performance mid-high level chip.

 

[magis123]

Redbeard,

That was kind of what I was thinking but the more I thought about it the more I kept talking myself out of it and saying eventually Dell will run a special ... eventually Dell will run a special. For some reason, I am running out of eventually's.

 

[therhino]

I jumped on this deal the first day it was available... However, I hated the keyboard layout so much I returned it.

However, due to the popularity of this deal, I'm thinking that someone more capable will be able to locate a source where Everex sells parts for their notebooks. If they have a higher-end 17" notebook with a better keyboard, it may be be a drop-in replacement for this one. All of the other features are great - but I do a ton of typing and just have to have a better keyboard. I wireless or USB keyboard is not an option for me due to portability & space issues...

Sooo, if any of you that have expressed hate for this keyboard find a replacement source, you could share the source or even sell them on Ebay_... I would buy one from ya!

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: therhino

Keyboard hate

What do you hate about the laybout? It seems to be just like 17" Gateway and HP laptops I have owned.

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: magis123
Redbeard,

That was kind of what I was thinking but the more I thought about it the more I kept talking myself out of it and saying eventually Dell will run a special ... eventually Dell will run a special. For some reason, I am running out of eventually's.

Even if dell does run run a deal, you will not find a laptop as powerful for the buck. If you can get a E1705 w/ a 7900GS for ~800 then you will be doing better.

Just saying

 

[weirdichi]

Yeah, the keyboard sucks big time. Why does it have freakin three forward (or are they backward) slashes? I'm trying to remap the keys with Sharpkeys, but I can't seem to find the location of the \ key on the right side. I think it must be one of the unkown keys, but there's about 50 unknown keys. Do I want to test out each one? If anybody figures it out, gimme a ring.

 

[dementedlemur]

Originally posted by: magis123
Let me be the stupid one to pose a stupid question here ....

I have been holding out for a deal on a Inspiron e1705/9400 with the Truebright ultrawide screen but there has been little movement on them or even the ones in the outlet.

So now I have been considering this as a replacement for my current laptop. Would this be an improvement or not (seriously, I just want to make sure when I drop the cash, I am spending wisely EDIT- also I will probably pick up another 1 GB stick along the way with this one so that should help speed it up considerably):

Current setup:
Inspiron 5100
Intel P4 Northwood 2.4 GHz 533 FSB
1 GB Crucial PC2700 RAM
ATI Radeon Mobility 9000 64 MB VC (Updgraded from the ATI 7500 16 MB)
60.0 GB ATA100 5400 RPM HDD
DVD/CD-RW Drive
15.4 SXGA+ Screen

If you're wanting the WUXGA version of the e1705, you may be disappointed with the resolution on the Everex. Right now it looks like you're running 1400x1050 on a 15" standard ratio screen so 1440x900 on a 17" widescreen might not cut it for you.
If the high resolution isn't a priority then the Everex is a really decent deal.

 

[LukeMan]

I don't remember if anyone mentioned this earlier, but w/ some searching around (Hardforums.com) you can find the $30 off $200 coupon and apply it to this online purchase. It essentially takes care of the tax you will be paying. I bought this laptop for $703.48 after tax.

 

[magis123]

Damn I know I am delaying on this but the resolution is not such a big thing (doesn't look like it affects my real estate too much) ...

I haven't seen the resolution of the WUXGA e1705 so I was just going with it because I tend to keep everything on my screens small to maximize my real estate (plus I write miniscule so that sorta ties in).

 

[magis123]

And now the $30 coupon has expired ... DOH!

 

[stockjock]

Anyone having these problems...zippo battery life...last like only 15 minutes. I've also had to reload the OS twice and yesterday I got the invalid registration key and had to call MS to get a new code. So, i think I'm gonna return this and ask for a replacement.

 

[LegendKiller]

Originally posted by: stockjock
Anyone having these problems...zippo battery life...last like only 15 minutes. I've also had to reload the OS twice and yesterday I got the invalid registration key and had to call MS to get a new code. So, i think I'm gonna return this and ask for a replacement.

The battery kind sucks in the first place, but you should be getting an hour to an hour and a half on battery saver mode.

 

[magis123]

Ha, well I guess I waited too long ... now there are none available anywhere near me for shipment ... I guess that is what I get for trying to order late