Averatec 3715

Summary: I bought the low end version (3715-ED1) of this notebook in Staples in 2005 as an impulse purchase for under $600 and it turned out to be the best computer buy I ever made. Of course, the first thing I did was go online and check the notebook forums for workarounds for any known issues and update all the drivers to latest stable versions (something all users should do - and which most don't). Anyway, I installed updated hardware drivers (including touchpad driver - touchpad works great by the way), AMD Power Now Driver and Speed Step monitor to beef up the battery life so I could get at least 3 hours. Still not enough for me - and ridiculously low for a light-weight portable. So I ended up buying a 2nd battery. Fortunately, the batteries charge quickly and with 2 I have just enough juice to last the day.

Except for the battery life, the laptop is perfect - the screen is bright and clear, white color makes everything easier to see (I will NEVER go back to a black laptop again), notebook has solid build and is so light weight that I end up taking it everywhere with me - and despite weighing a mere 4 lbs., it even has a built in DVD drive/CD Burner. The processor is not the latest and greatest but it is fine for me - I regularly run 7 or 8 security apps, MS Office Word, Excel and Outlook, ITunes, Foxit Reader, Irfanview, Firefox and a few other things ALL AT THE SAME TIME with no problems. And yes, DVD playback and video is excellent - I watched Burn Notice last night from USA Network website and it looked (and sounded) great - like with mostly all laptops, the sound through the built in speakers is so so, but sound is wonderful through headphones or external speakers. Laptop came bundled with very good Cyberlink playing and burning software for the DVD/CD drive, Norton antivirus and Phoenix backup software - I like the Phoenix and Cyberlink software better than what came bundled with my high end Dell Desktop. I travel a LOT and have never had any trouble connecting to a wireless network using the built-in wireless (which can be turned on and off using dedicated exterior switch - sweet!). I have used ALL the connectors (USB ports, wireless, card reader, card slot, ethernet port, modem, VGA, headphone jack and microphone jack) with no problems or issues. Keyboard and touchpad are comfortable for touch typist - not too small and good layout. And I love the look and feel of this machine. And 3 years of hard usage later this beauty is still going strong. Yes, I'd like to upgrade to a notebook with longer battery life so I wouldn't have to remember to charge and carry a spare every day - but that is my ONLY issue - and that's saying something. And so far, the only notebooks that match the features of this one (built in DVD/CD drive, 4 lbs. or less, truly usable form factor) cost around $1,500 to $2,000 more and NONE have better battery life except the ultra-expensive Sony SX models. Oh, except for the Averatec 2575 which costs around $1,000. Like I said, one of the best buys I ever made.

Summary: My company gave me this doorstop to use. Touchpad is integrated into the shell so cannot be replaced when it wears thin and loses its glide surface. Mouse drivers also wouldn't behave. Nothing is good about this machine. I see they're selling on ebay for $350. Not even worth that.

Summary: i bought my first 3715 machine and had to send it in about 6 months after i bought it. the hard drive had crashed. I had got it back, and it was stolen. I bought the same machine, and the same problems all over again...crashed. you get what you pay for.