ibuypower vs. cyberpower laptops?

[hodgenutts]

Anyone had any experience ordering a PC from either of these companies? I'm considering a laptop from one or the other. Thanks for the advice.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Well, I'll tell you in about 2 weeks. Ordered two of these babies from them last weekend

CyberPowerPC branded Clevo W230SS :
Intel Core i7 4810MQ Mobile Processor 2.80GHz
NVIDIA GTX 860M 2GB PCIe GDDR5
G.SKILL 16GB DDR3-1600 Memory
256GB ADATA SP600 SATA-III 6.0Gb/s
13.3" FHD/Matte 1920x1080 Display
3x USB3.0 Ports + 1x USB2.0 Port
6-cell smart lithium-ion battery
802.11 b/g/n Wireless LAN + Bluetooth

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Both companies' resellerratings.com scores are crazy-good.

I've read generally good things about both brands from a price/performance and built-like-a-freakin'-tank standpoint, too.

 

[hodgenutts]

Through the company special, I can get a 17.3" 1080p laptop with 8gig ddr3, 1 TB 7200 rpm hdd, i7 4810mq and nvidia 860m with 4gigs ddr5 vram for $1199.

Or, pretty much the same system but with the video card upgraded to a Radeon R9 m290X with 2 gig ddr5 vram for $1499

On the Cyberpowerpc side, I can get a 17.3" 1080p monitor 8 gigs ddr3 ram, 1 TB 7200 rpm hdd, AMD A10 5750m CPU, and a radeon R290X with 2 gigs ddr5 vram for $1225.

Just not sure what the best value would be...? I figured it was the $1199 ibuypower system, but not sure. I know the cyber power PC is a lower price for the 290X, but I didn't know how inferior to the i7 CPU the AMD A10 CPU would be. Any input would be highly appreciated. Thanks

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

You missed a great CyberPowerPC special over last weekend :
http://slickdeals.net/f/6870498-xpl...1920x1080-904-after-100-rebate-free-shipping?

 

[frozentundra123456]

Through the company special, I can get a 17.3" 1080p laptop with 8gig ddr3, 1 TB 7200 rpm hdd, i7 4810mq and nvidia 860m with 4gigs ddr5 vram for $1199.

Or, pretty much the same system but with the video card upgraded to a Radeon R9 m290X with 2 gig ddr5 vram for $1499

On the Cyberpowerpc side, I can get a 17.3" 1080p monitor 8 gigs ddr3 ram, 1 TB 7200 rpm hdd, AMD A10 5750m CPU, and a radeon R290X with 2 gigs ddr5 vram for $1225.

Just not sure what the best value would be...? I figured it was the $1199 ibuypower system, but not sure. I know the cyber power PC is a lower price for the 290X, but I didn't know how inferior to the i7 CPU the AMD A10 CPU would be. Any input would be highly appreciated. Thanks

The A10 CPU makes no sense with a discrete gpu. I think your first impression to go with the 1199 one is correct.

 

[hodgenutts]

Ok, my understanding was that all laptops that had AMD solutions for the CPU was their apu's. Maybe that's why the A10 was used? Is it AMD's biggest mobile CPU and to keep price point down? I do not know that's why I'm asking. And from a "gaming" standpoint would you notice a difference between the A10 and the i7? Once again, I don't know and that's why I'm asking so I can be educated.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Ok, my understanding was that all laptops that had AMD solutions for the CPU was their apu's. Maybe that's why the A10 was used? Is it AMD's biggest mobile CPU and to keep price point down? I do not know that's why I'm asking. And from a "gaming" standpoint would you notice a difference between the A10 and the i7? Once again, I don't know and that's why I'm asking so I can be educated.

You can always add a discrete GPU.

The APUs have better built-in graphics on-chip, but if you're gaming, you're just using the 290x and/or 860m. (The on-chip would be used while you're running light 3D or 2D only loads, and the computer would idle the big GPU to save power.) I don't think most people'd notice.

The disadvantage with the A10 in this is case is that it'd be slower than the i7. The 2 module / 4 core is going to bounce between i3 and i5 performance, depending on the task.

That matters for gaming if the game uses a lot of CPU horsepower (whether a game is primarily limited by CPU or GPU performance depends on the game.) And/or if the game is heavily multithreaded or not.

The advantage to the A10 is that it'd be cheaper.

 

[hodgenutts]

I just wonder if the combination of the i7 and radeon mobile 290X is worth the $1499, and if it would be a valid desktop replacement in regards to gaming for at least 2 years...

 

[DooKey]

I own this Cyberpower laptop and it is outstanding:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834198037

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I just wonder if the combination of the i7 and radeon mobile 290X is worth the $1499, and if it would be a valid desktop replacement in regards to gaming for at least 2 years...

There are laptops out there with SLI and stuff, and bigger price tags to match. But for the money, they only way to get more gaming power is a traditional desktop.

If you're only planning two years out, it should be plenty of grunt.

 

[hodgenutts]

I know traditional desktop is more powerful, but I want something more mobile when I leave for the weekends for work...

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Well, right, I was addressing the question of whether it would be a sufficient desktop replacement.

The answer is: it doesn't really matter if it is or not - it'll have to be, because you can't get much more in that form factor anyway, and certainly not at that price.

So you decide you want a laptop, and you deal with the downsides.

That said, as I've already indicated, I think it's probably plenty of "grunt" to play new titles for then next couple years at acceptable performance levels.

 

[Necrolezbeast]

I've had the original Cyberpower Fangbook for about a year now. First day I doubled the RAM from 8gb to 16gb and added a 250gb samsung 840. The system itself has been top-notch and hasn't hiccup'd in the year of use as my primary machine.

It's used for gaming, typing up papers, video and photo editing, and as an HTPC. Like I said, no problems. And it's still in like-new condition with no creaks, squeaks, or any of that sort of stuff. As solid as a rock!

Anyway, if I were to go back in time I would buy it again. I've had no problems and it has met or surpassed all expectations I'd set for it.

 

[hodgenutts]

For limited time, I can get a cyberpower 17.3" fangbook with intel i7 4510mq CPU, 8 GB 1600 ddr3 ram, 1 TB 7200 RPM hdd, WiFi a/c -Bluetooth 4.0 wireless card, blue ray burner and nvidia 780m with 4gb DDR 5 video RAM delivered for $1540. Anyone know if this is a decent deal? Would I notice a very big difference vs. A system with pretty much same specs except it had an 860m with 4 gn DDR 5 for $1199. Also I can get same system with 770m with 3 GB dddr 5 for $1350. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

That's a very beefy system. If you can afford it and it meets your other criteria, then it's simply a matter of who's selling it and why. Reputable sellers with warranty info only. Avoid Craigslist "deals."

If it were me, I'd probably save the $200 and go with the 770m, but if gaming is super-duper important to you, then it's your money to spend.

Also, personally, I'd want a 13" or 15" machine. More than that is getting into luggable territory.

 

[hodgenutts]

All systems are brand new from cyberpower with warranty. This will be a desktop replacement and I will take it with me one weekend a month for military duty. Honestly, i wouldn't mind a smaller form factor, because While home it will be ran into a 25 or 27" 2080p monitor. To get the 770m or 780m I have to get the 17.3" laptop. The only video card option in the 15.3" and 13.3" sizes is the 860m. Thank you very much sir for your input and response. It is much appreciated

 

[hodgenutts]

But I read the new maxwell 860m is on par with the 770m, and if all I'm playing on it is SC2, W.o.W., Diablo 3, Star wars the old republic and skyrim, the 860m maybe all I need with the i7 4810qm

 

[dave_the_nerd]

But I read the new maxwell 860m is on par with the 770m, and if all I'm playing on it is SC2, W.o.W., Diablo 3, Star wars the old republic and skyrim, the 860m maybe all I need with the i7 4810qm

This is true.

Will you be playing only (mostly) those games for the next couple years?

 

[hodgenutts]

Yes on the laptop these would be the primary games. And can get a system with 860m and an i7 for about $1100 in a 15.3" screen

 

[Cozarkian]

I had a terrible experience with ibuypower.

I purchased a computer on a Labor Day sale in 2012 and added rush processing for $40. The day before my computer needed to ship to arrive my the promised rush delivery date, they sent me an email indicating it was going to parts gathering. After various emails and telephone calls they offered to upgrade my shipping to 2-day UPS, but the tech recommended declining the upgrade since I'm only 1-day away by UPS ground and the upgrade would end up slowing delivery. They took the maximum time for standard service to finally deliver my computer and did not refund my rush shipping fee.

Just within the 1-year warranty my computer stopped charging. I sent the computer in for warranty service in original packaging. After a week of not hearing anything, I emailed them to inquire about the status of repairs. They lied to my face, claiming they just received the computer that day (I had a shipment confirmation from UPS for 3-4 days earlier) and told me it would take 2 weeks just to diagnose the problem. Eventually, they completed the repairs and sent the computer back packaged in loose bubble wrap (they had discarded the original packaging I used to ship it to them).

It arrived with no power adapter. I emailed customer service and called and they told me they had sent it separately. They also told me they would refund my rush processing fee which they hadn't refunded earlier. The power adapter never arrived, I contacted them again a few months later (I already had a generic adapter) and they promised to send me a new adapter and to refund my rush processing fee. I never received either. I thought about suing them in small claims court, but never got around to it.

About 4-5 months after the warranty repairs, I started having weird problems where certain keys in my keyboard would vary between getting stuck and not working at all. So, for example, at times I couldn't type the letter "r" and at other times the letter "r" would type repeatedly. It started with just "r" and then expanded to other keys, including "t" and page down.

Then my computer started having power problems again where it would have difficultly reading the adapter. Eventually, around 8 months after the warranty repair it stopped charging completely. I used the remaining battery life to backup my documents and decided to just purchase a new laptop instead of trying to deal with their customer service any more.

edit: In short, there is a reason ibuypower/cyberpowerpc have lower prices than other custom build companies. My new laptop is from XoticPC, and they have provided much better service than ibuypower did.

 

[hodgenutts]

Ok Cozarkian, thank you for sharing your story and I'm sorry to hear that has happened to you. I'm looking more at cyberpower, so far I haven't heard anything alarming of that company

 

[Cozarkian]

Ok Cozarkian, thank you for sharing your story and I'm sorry to hear that has happened to you. I'm looking more at cyberpower, so far I haven't heard anything alarming of that company

I was giving you my story because I'm pretty certain the two companies have some connection. When I was shopping in 2012 the two companies had the same promotions, prices, configurations and the only information on cyberpowerpc's address was that it was in the same city of Industry.

I just checked, and cyberpowerpc's website is vastly improved over what it looked like in Fall 2012. It appears they are on the same street as ibuypower but in a different building. My guess is they have separate marketing facilities but share an assembly warehouse and staff.

That said, since my problem was largely with ibuypower's customer service, so you should be okay with cyberpowerpc since it appears they at least have a different service department.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

City of Industry, CA, is some kind of big import hub. Newegg has warehouses there, and a good chunk of the stuff I get from small-time chinese crap importers on eBay comes from there.

CyberPower and iBuyPower both rebadge Clevo laptops, among other OEMs. Xotic resells Clevo as well as a few other OEMs, including ASUS and MSI.

Most boutique gaming laptops from smaller sellers are rebadged Clevos, seems like. Big'n'burly.

I'd worry more about the OEM of the laptop than the service department I have to deal with, but I'm the kind of guy who shrugs, buys the parts, and repairs it himself, anyway. (This may sound weird coming from a Mac user, but in general, I'd rather have something that's easy to fix than somebody who'll fix it for me.)

 

[hodgenutts]

Well I want to thank everyone for their advice and info. I decided to take a gamble and just ordered a 15.3" 1080p cyberpower. Intel i7 4810 mq CPU, nvidia 860m GPU, 8 GB gskill ddr3 RAM, 1TB 7200 rpm hdd, 6 speed blue-ray burner, wireless a/c with Bluetooth 4.0, 3 USB 3.0 ports and 720p webcam, windows 7 pro 64 bit. Getting it delivered for $1230. Now just crossing my fingers... I can return it within 15 days of receipt for a full refund if I'm not happy with it since I ordered it through the military exchange program. I opted for the new 860m vs the 780m because it was cheaper, cooler and uses less power so should last longer on a battery with the new optimus technology, and the 860m with the i7 should handle the games I play. Once again, thanks everyone for the advice. This was a tough decision, but hoping with the 15 day return policy I thought was a fairly safe gamble.

I wish everyone a great week.