  | Averatec AV3500T60-01 Tablet PC (AMD Athlon XP-M 2200+, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW Drive)
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Average user rating:  | |
 Very good | |
| This is my first tablet and it also functions as my desktop at work. The best thing about this tablet of course is the built in DVD-rom/CD-RW drive. Why no other tablet has one is beyond me. The screen is nice, and the VGA and TV out options complete the package. It also comes with a protective cover so some of you may not even need a case for it. The 4 USB 2.0 ports and PCMCIA slot are also a nice touch. Handwriting recognition software is good and gets better as you get the hang of it. The speakers aren't loud but overall sound is good. While the laptop heats up quite a bit, it is limited to a specific corner so you can rotate the screen accordingly to avoid getting burned.
Now some advice, if you want to use a tablet primarily for gaming, buy a Toshiba M200 instead, if you only need ocassional gaming this will do. Warcraft 3 plays fine, but MOH:AA doesn't even load. The stylus is responsive enough for games, so the graphics chip is what is holding it back. If you want a tablet primarily as a web browser this is perfect. The battery only last 2 hours at best, but the 12" screen is perfect for browsing. For on the go note taking I would suggest something smaller, about 8" diagonally. Oddly enough the screen seems to be too big to use on something other than a desk. This is where it helps to be able to switch to laptop mode and still use the pen. But there is a corner that gets quite hot, so you need to keep that in mind, especially in landscape mode because it becomes the front right corner. Note taking is best done in portrait mode, easy to get to with the push of a button. As a portable movie player the DVD drive, 60GB HDD and big screen shine. But the built in DVD player refuses to output copyrighted DVDs to a TV, so keep in mind that you will need to get another program or change the DVDs to another format for TV watching. Besides the TV out thing, there are other anoying things. The power button is hidden in tablet mode, so in order to turn the PC on, or come back from standby or hibernation you need to open it up and bring the keyboard out. Also, when using an external display you can't close the lid all the way, or you'll get weird mouse behaviour. Overall I like it. For their next model I would like Averatec to use a real graphics chip, include an external power button and a joypad, and fix the lid/mouse thing. I commend them for using a DVD combo drive when nobody did and for keeping their price when nobody did as well. | |
 Four strikes you're out! | |
| If this computer worked (or if Amazon shipped new computers) this would be a great buy. I got four and had to send all of them back.
1) First computer had a latch problem. In hindsight I should have just kept this one as it was the best of the bunch. 2) Second one had a problem with the keyboard. Reinstalled the OS, updated all drivers, etc. Averatec tech support determined there must be a problem with the hardware. 3) Third one arrived with two stickers on the bottom marked REFURBISHED. Returned it without even turning it on. 4) Fourth one arrived in a box that had obviously been opened before. Bottom of the laptop had scratches and a sticker from stuffbak.com that they didn't even bother to take off before reshipping this used compter to me. Returned it without even turning it on. I've given up. For the record, I was generally impressed with Averatec's technical support when I had to deal with them. And I'm genrally pleased with purchases from Amazon, but their supplier has left Amazon with a lot of egg in their face for shipping refurbs and used computers. I am giving this computer two stars instead of one because if you get lucky with a unit that works then you've got yourself a great deal and a computer worthy of five stars. But that has not been my experience. | |
 Awesome from the start. | |
| I haven't had a problem at all. I did see some previous owners complain about the stylus problem but I went through and made some adjustments on the tablet program and had zero problems. This computer was probably the first one I've ever bought where the setup including wireless setup went flawless. I absolutely love this little machine. | |
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