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I took the plunge and bought ABS zForce F2

post #1 of 81
1/15/04 at 3:16pm
Thread Starter 
Well, after months of researching and patiently waiting for the news on Dothan to come out, I've decided to buy the AOpen based ABS Zforce F2.

Specs are:
1.6M
15" SXGA+
1gig DDR333
60g 5400 16mb cache HDD
DVD/CDRW
64mb MR9600

$1775.50 Free shipping and no Tax.

I was seriously considering the Gateway M505XL as well, but decided against it for 2 reasons.

1. Widescreen is not practical at this point, especially when most games are designed for 4:3 screens. If Gateway offered a higher resolution on their 15.4" widescreen then I'd have bought the Gateway.

2. Weight. Gateway weights almost a full pound more than the 1557G. I've gotten used to my current 2810T at a nice 6lbs and I want to keep it that way.

I would've really loved another Compaq, as my 2810T/N800v has been a wonderful machine, but the N8000 is nowhere near "affordable".

Review will follow once I get the system. I ordered online so I can't comment on the sales experience.
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post #2 of 81
1/15/04 at 3:20pm
I'm not far behind you...I will prob. either order tomorrow or Monday.
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post #3 of 81
1/15/04 at 3:58pm
Ok, I called Cyberpower.

Me: is the S4-2200 a widescreen notebook like it says on the website?

Them: yes, I think it is pretty wide- wider than some other notebooks. It is a desktop replacement, you know.

Me: thank you, goodbye.

So: back to the ABS. On the configurator, I can get two 256 meg 333 ram for $8 less than one 512 meg 266 ram. Is there any reason I wouldn't take the 333 (2 chips) versus the 266 (one chip)? (I'm only interested in 512 total)
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post #4 of 81
1/15/04 at 4:08pm
and now the dreaded waiting begins...

While your waiting you could d/l the user manual for the 1555G from AOpens website. Its a little more relevant to the 1557G than the generic one they pass out with the system. Be warned, its over 10mb!
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post #5 of 81
1/15/04 at 4:28pm
Thread Starter 
Hm...Should've ordered earlier so I'd have something to play with over the long weekend.
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post #6 of 81
1/15/04 at 4:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnh123
Ok, I called Cyberpower.

Me: is the S4-2200 a widescreen notebook like it says on the website?

Them: yes, I think it is pretty wide- wider than some other notebooks. It is a desktop replacement, you know.

Me: thank you, goodbye.

So: back to the ABS. On the configurator, I can get two 256 meg 333 ram for $8 less than one 512 meg 266 ram. Is there any reason I wouldn't take the 333 (2 chips) versus the 266 (one chip)? (I'm only interested in 512 total)
Wider than some other notebooks aye? CyberPower doesn't instill confidence.
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post #7 of 81
1/15/04 at 4:59pm
I'm also not quite clear on their return policy. Some places it suggests that if you return the computer within 30 days in like new condition there is no restocking fee, at other places it suggests that there is a 15% fee no matter what. Anyone know what the deal is?
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post #8 of 81
1/15/04 at 5:24pm
John,
I am considering purchasing the Mayhem G1 and I e-mailed ABS customer support about that same warranty question last night. It is confusing on their website. When I hear back from them I will post.
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post #9 of 81
1/15/04 at 5:42pm
It looks like it's 30-day on systems and 15% on Parts. So with a new notebook you should be OK.
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post #10 of 81
1/15/04 at 6:39pm
Anyone know the answer to this?

On the configurator, I can get two 256 meg 333 ram for $8 less than one 512 meg 266 ram. Is there any reason I wouldn't take the 333 (2 chips) versus the 266 (one chip)? (I'm only interested in 512 total)
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post #11 of 81
1/15/04 at 6:44pm
Many people wish to eventually upgrade to 1024MB memory. Having only one chip enables future upgrades, and since this isn't dual channel memory (DDR works differently), having one or two chips does not affect performance.
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post #12 of 81
1/15/04 at 7:33pm
Mmm...waiting for that ZForce F2 review. It looks like pretty much everything you'd want on a laptop - performance, graphics, size, and weight - and is affordable to boot.

Just wondering, though...how is the screen on that thing? I heard on a forum that the screens from ABS are decent at best. Please say that's not true...
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post #13 of 81
1/15/04 at 8:46pm
what kind of warranty did u buy? Can u purchase a 3 year extended warranty either onillne or by talking to them?
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post #14 of 81
1/15/04 at 9:25pm
WooooHoooo! hey XSternMinator, I don't think it'll be much of a waiting game for you! I ordered almost the exact same system as you on the 13th and checked my order number and it shipped out today(15th)!!! I ordered:

1.6M
15" SXGA+
1gig DDR333
80g 5400 8mb cache HDD
DVD/CDRW
64mb MR9600
for $1750 free shipping, no tax

so far ABS rocks, and I haven't got the laptop yet!... and 2 days is unheard of! I tried to buy a gateway 505xl on the Jan.3rd and gateway gave me a ship date of the 9th and then on the 9th they gave me a ship date of the 23rd. I'm so glad I cancelled due to frustration and found this laptop. The only other laptops that fit my desired specs are the hp nc8000 and the ibm r50p, great specs except for price, waaaay OVERPRICED! Plus, since my friend got her 505x from office depot, I found the wxga screen is completely inadequate for the programs I use. (flash,3dmax,dreamweaver,photoshop). Really excited about this laptop, and since there's a 30 day satisfaction policy, it's no risk, which definately wasn't the case with the gateway. Anyway... I'll post up a full review for you guys when I get it, maybe review it alongside my friend's 505x since these two machines appear to be the best value out of the pentium m+9600 laptops out right now.
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post #15 of 81
1/15/04 at 9:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ancientmtk
what kind of warranty did u buy? Can u purchase a 3 year extended warranty either onillne or by talking to them?
You can buy a three year on-site warranty. I think it is about $175.
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post #16 of 81
1/15/04 at 10:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by devast
WooooHoooo! hey XSternMinator, I don't think it'll be much of a waiting game for you! I ordered almost the exact same system as you on the 13th and checked my order number and it shipped out today(15th)!!! I ordered:

1.6M
15" SXGA+
1gig DDR333
80g 5400 8mb cache HDD
DVD/CDRW
64mb MR9600
for $1750 free shipping, no tax

so far ABS rocks, and I haven't got the laptop yet!... and 2 days is unheard of! I tried to buy a gateway 505xl on the Jan.3rd and gateway gave me a ship date of the 9th and then on the 9th they gave me a ship date of the 23rd. I'm so glad I cancelled due to frustration and found this laptop. The only other laptops that fit my desired specs are the hp nc8000 and the ibm r50p, great specs except for price, waaaay OVERPRICED! Plus, since my friend got her 505x from office depot, I found the wxga screen is completely inadequate for the programs I use. (flash,3dmax,dreamweaver,photoshop). Really excited about this laptop, and since there's a 30 day satisfaction policy, it's no risk, which definately wasn't the case with the gateway. Anyway... I'll post up a full review for you guys when I get it, maybe review it alongside my friend's 505x since these two machines appear to be the best value out of the pentium m+9600 laptops out right now.
Great minds think alike!
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post #17 of 81
1/16/04 at 5:49pm
Thread Starter 
Yay the laptop is now in assembly stage. Looks like I might get it next week!
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post #18 of 81
1/16/04 at 6:10pm
Possibly... I know when I ordered mine, it was at stage 1 an hour after I ordered, stage 4 the next day, and stage 8 (shipping) the next morning. But I checked ABS site today to price what I got out on the configurator and noticed that they are already out of stock on the 333ddr 512m option! so hopefully that message went up after they reserved your sticks of memory.
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post #19 of 81
1/16/04 at 7:28pm
Thread Starter 
Oh no! The anticipation is killing me.
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post #20 of 81
1/17/04 at 3:03pm
what consideration moved you to buy the zforce f2 instead of the mayhem g1? i know it may sound like a naive question, but i know little about laptops and the mayhem seems to have everything i'm looking for in a portable.
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