System
Aviator FX7
· Aviator FX7: State of the Art 17" Desktop Replacement Notebook - Qty: 1
· Aviator FX7 in Silver with Graphite Accents - Qty: 1
· AMD AthlonT 64 X2 3800+ Dual Core Processor - Qty: 1
· VIA K8T890 + VT8237A Chipset Mobile Motherboard for FX7 - Qty: 1
· 1024MB PC3200 DDR400 SODIMM - Qty: 1
· 1024MB PC3200 DDR400 SODIMM - Qty: 1
· Nvidia GeForce Go 7800 GTX PCI-Express 256MB - Qty: 1
· Built-in TV Tuner with Remote Control for FX7 - Qty: 1
· Built-in ATA Hardware RAID Controller - Qty: 1
· 80GB 5400rpm Serial-ATA Hard Drive with NCQ & 8MB Cache - Qty: 1
· 8X DVD ± R/W Drive Dual Layer w/ DVD Recording Software (Pioneer) - Qty: 1
· 10 in 1 Flash Media Card Reader Bay - Qty: 1
· 17" WUXGA 1920x1200 VividViewT Display w/ Super Clear Glossy Surface - Qty: 1
· Guaranteed No Dead or Partially-Lit Pixels - Qty: 1
· Built-in 4-Speaker 3D Sound System w/ 8.1 Channel S/PDIF Output - Qty: 1
· Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Controller - Qty: 1
· Internal 802.11G 54Mbps Wireless Mini PCI Network Adapter - Qty: 1
· Integrated V.92 56K Fax/Data Modem - Qty: 1
· MS Windows XP Professional CD & Manual SP2 Pre-Installed & Configured - Qty: 1
· 1 Year Platinum Warranty with 24/7 Toll-Free Tech Support - Qty: 1
Warning: Links are to images that are 1M in size.
Ordering unit
Using the online ordering process was mostly painless. Many of the customizable features were cleanly and clearly defined. There were a few items that could have been detailed further. In particular, I would have liked to have known that the internal TV Tuner was by AVerMedia. As it turns out, it is a discontinued model. It works, so not going to go much further on this point. Other items included, memory, wireless controller, SATA HD manufacturer, ect. I personally like to research as many of the components as possible when spending this kind of money.
Rating: 8/10
Auto-updating price on the left and easy to use drop down selections give it good marks, just needs more information on that actual components, both in description and product info.
Purchasing
This one is more on me and my bank than Hypersonic.
When I placed the order I selected the wire-transfer option. When I went to my bank to start the transfer, Hypersonics Routing number was not in their system. Rather than setup a conference call from the bank with me, the bank teller, Hypersonic and any other person my bank deemed required, I decided to just get a cashiers check instead. I then overnighted the cashiers check and ended up spending $6.00 less overall. Hypersonic received the payment and e-mailed a confirmation. In the e-mail it stated that I had shorted them ~$32. I called and directed them to thier own web-page with stated a 1% discount for both the wire-transfer as well as cashiers checks and money orders. My account was properly updated and nothing further occured in respect to this area.
Rating: 9/10
Loses a point for sales not knowing about the 1% discount. Otherwise, everything else was on me and my bank.
Build/Test/Ship
By far the most taxing part of the whole ordeal. Once Hypersonic had received my payment, the order status changed to Built/Testing. This was a little miss leading but the expected ship date was within 3 weeks time. Having read many posts that shipping could be delay'd, I was not entirely surprised when the estimated ship date got delay'd 3 times. The forth time was the kicker and decided to complain (see other posts here on NBF). I have no details on why/what/when/how things delay'd the shipment, I can just assume things didn't perform or were broke and needed fixed. Item was shipped almost 1 month to the day I initially placed the order.
Rating: 6/10
It would have been nice to have received an e-mail each time the order was delay'd. It would have been extremely nice if actuall details could have been provided. The lack of communication is what draws down the rating here. Unit was shipped via next day air and built very nicely (Performance review will detail more). Also should note that an exactly configured system is now $73 cheaper on date of shipping from date of order. Some companies would refund a little of the money or at least throw in something for free. Got nothing.
Initial receipt and WOW factor
Received the shipment and started to unpack:
Original Packaging
Opening up
All nice and neat
Placed everything on table and took inventory to make sure all that I ordered was there:
Overhead View
Headon of all components
All was there and the fun began. First I went thru the intial Windows XP activation process, setting up the network interface, and installed 3DMark tools. Initial results were:
3DMark2001 - 19887
3DMark03 - 13562
3DMark05 - 6628
3DMark06 - 3817
Second, installed MS Office and other work related applications. This all went flawlessly. Then I went all out and installed my games. This thread detailed my shortcomings with what turned out to be a Battlefield 2 issue. Many kudos to to Alex at Hypersonic Support and Pat in their assistance in that matter. Unfortunately during my hardshipps with BF2, I had formated/reinstalled Windows. Now that I knew how to get everything working I fdisk'd the drive and started from scratch. Used updated drivers from all the manufacturers web-sites and was running much better. Final 3dMark results:
3DMark2001 - 21997
3DMark03 - 14987
3DMark05 - 6924
3DMark06 - 3917
Note: Have not play'd with any GPU Over Clocking yet. Might just to see, but will most likely leave them at default for long term duration.
Initial WOW factor is definitely there, Since this was my first personnaly owned Dual Core anything, I was extremely pleased. The 7800 rocks BF2. Purchased a USB 5.1 Headset and have yet to get knifed from behind as a sniper. Movies are abolutely crisp and clean. Analog TV thru the tuner is par with my other desktop using a hardware encoding unit. One short coming is the software. It stretchs the picture to the widescreen format in fullscreen mode, not exactly the best looking for 4:3 showes. In non-fullscreen mode using the native 4:3 aspect ratio and streching the viewable window the picture is more than acceptable. No larger blame on Hypersonic, is more on the TV Tuner manufacturer and thier software. Small blame on Hypersonic as this card is a discontinued model. Unit is suprisingly quiet. Both of my desktops are louder (individually, let alone both powered up). The only time I seem to notice the fans kick on is a powerup and whenever I am gaming. Unit is heavy to carry between work and home, but this fact was easily located and noted when purchasing the unit and was an acceptable factor.
Rating: 9/10
Initial problems with BF2 and that it seemed to ship with slightly older drivers dropped it a point. Otherwise the WOW factor was definitely there.
WOW factor over and reality sets in
After having the laptop for a couple weeks and learning the little quirks, I am still very impressed. My impressions of Hypersonic Support in the BF2 matter are still on the positive side. I have had NO hardware related issues at all. The only major item I could complain about is the heat from the GPU. The GPU sits up under the palm of the left hand. When gaming this area to the left of the touchpad heats up and makes gaming uncomfortable after a few minutes. An external USB keyboard and mouse do wonders to alleviate the discomfort, but are not always convenient or accessable. Have opened up all the compartments and made sure I can get to what I need to if I should have a hardware failure or desire to upgrade a component in the future. All these compartments are easily accessable and their underlying components easly accessed and removed/installed.
Rating: 9/10
Nothing more can be said that hasn't already.
Overall
Basically it comes down to Hypersonics build phase. The long wait and lack of communication was a little disheartnening. Get past this and I was extremely pleased. The next time I have to order a personnal laptop, it will most definitely be a Hypersonic. I would include business purchases, but I am just a lowly little peon in the companies Internet NOC and have absolutely no say on the purchasing. Luckily the let me bring the FX7 into work and use it instead of the POS Dell desktop they tried to give me.
Rating: 8.5/10
Overall very pleased, just cann't get over the long build time and lack of communication when the order was delay'd several times.
Aviator FX7
· Aviator FX7: State of the Art 17" Desktop Replacement Notebook - Qty: 1
· Aviator FX7 in Silver with Graphite Accents - Qty: 1
· AMD AthlonT 64 X2 3800+ Dual Core Processor - Qty: 1
· VIA K8T890 + VT8237A Chipset Mobile Motherboard for FX7 - Qty: 1
· 1024MB PC3200 DDR400 SODIMM - Qty: 1
· 1024MB PC3200 DDR400 SODIMM - Qty: 1
· Nvidia GeForce Go 7800 GTX PCI-Express 256MB - Qty: 1
· Built-in TV Tuner with Remote Control for FX7 - Qty: 1
· Built-in ATA Hardware RAID Controller - Qty: 1
· 80GB 5400rpm Serial-ATA Hard Drive with NCQ & 8MB Cache - Qty: 1
· 8X DVD ± R/W Drive Dual Layer w/ DVD Recording Software (Pioneer) - Qty: 1
· 10 in 1 Flash Media Card Reader Bay - Qty: 1
· 17" WUXGA 1920x1200 VividViewT Display w/ Super Clear Glossy Surface - Qty: 1
· Guaranteed No Dead or Partially-Lit Pixels - Qty: 1
· Built-in 4-Speaker 3D Sound System w/ 8.1 Channel S/PDIF Output - Qty: 1
· Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Controller - Qty: 1
· Internal 802.11G 54Mbps Wireless Mini PCI Network Adapter - Qty: 1
· Integrated V.92 56K Fax/Data Modem - Qty: 1
· MS Windows XP Professional CD & Manual SP2 Pre-Installed & Configured - Qty: 1
· 1 Year Platinum Warranty with 24/7 Toll-Free Tech Support - Qty: 1
Warning: Links are to images that are 1M in size.
Ordering unit
Using the online ordering process was mostly painless. Many of the customizable features were cleanly and clearly defined. There were a few items that could have been detailed further. In particular, I would have liked to have known that the internal TV Tuner was by AVerMedia. As it turns out, it is a discontinued model. It works, so not going to go much further on this point. Other items included, memory, wireless controller, SATA HD manufacturer, ect. I personally like to research as many of the components as possible when spending this kind of money.
Rating: 8/10
Auto-updating price on the left and easy to use drop down selections give it good marks, just needs more information on that actual components, both in description and product info.Purchasing
This one is more on me and my bank than Hypersonic.
When I placed the order I selected the wire-transfer option. When I went to my bank to start the transfer, Hypersonics Routing number was not in their system. Rather than setup a conference call from the bank with me, the bank teller, Hypersonic and any other person my bank deemed required, I decided to just get a cashiers check instead. I then overnighted the cashiers check and ended up spending $6.00 less overall. Hypersonic received the payment and e-mailed a confirmation. In the e-mail it stated that I had shorted them ~$32. I called and directed them to thier own web-page with stated a 1% discount for both the wire-transfer as well as cashiers checks and money orders. My account was properly updated and nothing further occured in respect to this area.Rating: 9/10
Loses a point for sales not knowing about the 1% discount. Otherwise, everything else was on me and my bank.Build/Test/Ship
By far the most taxing part of the whole ordeal. Once Hypersonic had received my payment, the order status changed to Built/Testing. This was a little miss leading but the expected ship date was within 3 weeks time. Having read many posts that shipping could be delay'd, I was not entirely surprised when the estimated ship date got delay'd 3 times. The forth time was the kicker and decided to complain (see other posts here on NBF). I have no details on why/what/when/how things delay'd the shipment, I can just assume things didn't perform or were broke and needed fixed. Item was shipped almost 1 month to the day I initially placed the order.
Rating: 6/10
It would have been nice to have received an e-mail each time the order was delay'd. It would have been extremely nice if actuall details could have been provided. The lack of communication is what draws down the rating here. Unit was shipped via next day air and built very nicely (Performance review will detail more). Also should note that an exactly configured system is now $73 cheaper on date of shipping from date of order. Some companies would refund a little of the money or at least throw in something for free. Got nothing.Initial receipt and WOW factor
Received the shipment and started to unpack:
Original Packaging
Opening up
All nice and neat
Placed everything on table and took inventory to make sure all that I ordered was there:
Overhead View
Headon of all components
All was there and the fun began. First I went thru the intial Windows XP activation process, setting up the network interface, and installed 3DMark tools. Initial results were:
3DMark2001 - 19887
3DMark03 - 13562
3DMark05 - 6628
3DMark06 - 3817
Second, installed MS Office and other work related applications. This all went flawlessly. Then I went all out and installed my games. This thread detailed my shortcomings with what turned out to be a Battlefield 2 issue. Many kudos to to Alex at Hypersonic Support and Pat in their assistance in that matter. Unfortunately during my hardshipps with BF2, I had formated/reinstalled Windows. Now that I knew how to get everything working I fdisk'd the drive and started from scratch. Used updated drivers from all the manufacturers web-sites and was running much better. Final 3dMark results:
3DMark2001 - 21997
3DMark03 - 14987
3DMark05 - 6924
3DMark06 - 3917
Note: Have not play'd with any GPU Over Clocking yet. Might just to see, but will most likely leave them at default for long term duration.
Initial WOW factor is definitely there, Since this was my first personnaly owned Dual Core anything, I was extremely pleased. The 7800 rocks BF2. Purchased a USB 5.1 Headset and have yet to get knifed from behind as a sniper. Movies are abolutely crisp and clean. Analog TV thru the tuner is par with my other desktop using a hardware encoding unit. One short coming is the software. It stretchs the picture to the widescreen format in fullscreen mode, not exactly the best looking for 4:3 showes. In non-fullscreen mode using the native 4:3 aspect ratio and streching the viewable window the picture is more than acceptable. No larger blame on Hypersonic, is more on the TV Tuner manufacturer and thier software. Small blame on Hypersonic as this card is a discontinued model. Unit is suprisingly quiet. Both of my desktops are louder (individually, let alone both powered up). The only time I seem to notice the fans kick on is a powerup and whenever I am gaming. Unit is heavy to carry between work and home, but this fact was easily located and noted when purchasing the unit and was an acceptable factor.
Rating: 9/10
Initial problems with BF2 and that it seemed to ship with slightly older drivers dropped it a point. Otherwise the WOW factor was definitely there.WOW factor over and reality sets in
After having the laptop for a couple weeks and learning the little quirks, I am still very impressed. My impressions of Hypersonic Support in the BF2 matter are still on the positive side. I have had NO hardware related issues at all. The only major item I could complain about is the heat from the GPU. The GPU sits up under the palm of the left hand. When gaming this area to the left of the touchpad heats up and makes gaming uncomfortable after a few minutes. An external USB keyboard and mouse do wonders to alleviate the discomfort, but are not always convenient or accessable. Have opened up all the compartments and made sure I can get to what I need to if I should have a hardware failure or desire to upgrade a component in the future. All these compartments are easily accessable and their underlying components easly accessed and removed/installed.
Rating: 9/10
Nothing more can be said that hasn't already.Overall
Basically it comes down to Hypersonics build phase. The long wait and lack of communication was a little disheartnening. Get past this and I was extremely pleased. The next time I have to order a personnal laptop, it will most definitely be a Hypersonic. I would include business purchases, but I am just a lowly little peon in the companies Internet NOC and have absolutely no say on the purchasing. Luckily the let me bring the FX7 into work and use it instead of the POS Dell desktop they tried to give me.
Rating: 8.5/10
Overall very pleased, just cann't get over the long build time and lack of communication when the order was delay'd several times.
