Hypersonic Aviator GX7 review

Managed to purchase, wait, receive, and set up my GX7 without posting. Now it's time to pay back a little of the info I lurked and read since last December. This will be broken into 2 posts over a couple of days due to it's length. It's my second post and I hope some will find it helpful for any questions they may have between the Sager 8790 and the GX7. We’ll start with the whole process. I’ll probably make this as a couple of post since I tend to be both detailed and sometime long winded. Apologies up front for the latter.

MS Windows XP Professional SP1 CD & Manual Pre-Installed & Configured
Integrated V.92 56K Fax/Data Modem
Linksys Power2GO AC to DC Inverter for Automobile
6 in 1 Flash Media Card Reader Bay
60GB 7200rpm Ultra ATA Hard Drive w/ 8MB Cache
3.20GHz Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT (800MHz FSB)
2Year 24/7 Toll-Free Tech Support Platinum Service & Lifetime Support
Internal Bluetooth™ Module
Intel 865PE+ICH5 Chipset Socket 478 Mobile Motherboard (800MHz FSB)
2 x 512MB PC3200 DDR400 RAM SODIMM
Built-in 4-Speaker 3D Sound System w/ 5.1 Channel S/PDIF Output
Built-in ATA Hardware RAID Controller
Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
Paint Mouse to match system
^4X DVD+R/W Drive w/ DVD Recording Software
Aviator GX7 in Reflexxion Series Omniscient Red Metallic
ATI Radeon Mobility 9700 (M11) 256MB for GX7 (w/ TV Out)
Built-in TV Tuner with Remote Control (GX7)
Logitech MX900 Bluetooth Optical Mouse
Internal 802.11b+g Turbo 108Mbps Wireless Mini PCI Network Adapter
17" WSXGA+ 1680x1050 Wide-Screen Display w/ Super Clear Glossy Surface
upgrade 12 cell battery with matching Reflexxion Series Omniscient Red Matallic paint
Optional Subwoofer with matching Reflexxion Paint
Hypersonic PC Everglide Giganta V-1 High-tech Mousing Surface
Subtotal $4011.00

Order Date 05/06/04
Expected ship date 06/10/04
Actual ship date 06/17/04
Arrival date 06/21/04



Ordering.
I ordered with a credit card. My initial thought was to call my credit card company and tell them I was ordering a large order and to pre-approve the order. Then I thought, “Nah, it will probably be OK.” Should have listened to my little voice. I placed the order, received immediate conformation of said order, then promptly received an e-mail the next day saying my credit card company refused the order. At that point the estimated ship date was 05/26/04. I called the credit card company, OK’d the order and then phoned Hypersonic to tell them to try it again. Got the e-mail the following day saying the order was approved and thanks so much for giving us your money, an arm, and a leg (kidding). The “new” ship date now, however, was 06/10/04. Huh?? One day made that much difference???? Advice. Always call your credit card company to avoid this if you purchase a high dollar item (esp. computers since they are high on the theft/fraud lists). It may save you trouble the next day.

After a couple of days of checking the website’s “order status” page and not seeing my “order confirmed” status yet, I called the company again to make sure there was no hold up and to add a couple of things to the order. I decided to slap on an additional year warranty, the subwoofer, the 12 cell battery, and get it all to match the system. Once done with the upgrade I had the salesman read back the changes I made to be sure of the accuracy. He read back everything I asked for, noted the up charges and told me the new link to my system order may not reflect my changes. Whatever, as long as they’re there. I asked about the new shipping date and he stated the new date was correct and the old one must not have allowed for the custom paint.. He also advised he’d call over to processing and tell them to get it going now that it was approved by my cc company. Thanks and goodbye. Visit to the site the next day and the new status was “confirmed.”

After a couple of more days and it was “built,” then “being tested,” and “passed.” Off to the paint facility and the longest 30 days of my life. No info while being painted. Finally info that shipped via DHL shipping. Began tracking shipment from their website. Left the plant on Thursday early a.m., processed and in Orlando on Sunday and out for shipping to my place on Monday. Not bad. Only one complaint. The tracking info said the package had to be signed for and about 10a.m. on Monday, a knock on the door and by the time I got to it, Mr. DHL (D**k Headed Loser) driver was climbing back into his truck and leaving with my big white Hypersonic PC box lying right on the doorstep in plane view of the street!!! Mind you, I had both cars in the garage so no sign of a living being anywhere in site.

Packaging.
Anyway, the package was in perfect condition and the laptop was very protected with that waxy type of Styrofoam. I have pics, will post later. Even though I don’t remember any info on the site about what carry case comes with it, it came with a low-end vinyl messenger bag with the handle/optional shoulder strap. Great for a carrying something you don’t care that much about, but, not really recommended for what I consider a new family member. I instead have the Boa XL backpack from BOOQ.

Opening up the box and taking inventory of all items, I quickly see that my 12 cell battery is not painted to match the system and the subwoofer is nowhere to be seen. I wait to get started with the machine before worrying about a phone call yet. Everything else seems in order with all program disc including a Hypersonic PC recovery disc, Bluetooth, G-link wifi, and XP Professional. The matching MX900 Bluetooth mouse and cradle, both painted red also were likewise flawless and pleasure to work with.

Boot up.
It booted up quickly without flaw out of the gate. Connected the mouse cradle to the USB hub and immediately got it working. Got the WEP entered and the internet was soon up and running. I had to go 64bit instead encryption instead of 128 because it didn’t have enough space to enter the 26 characters I was running with my Linksys G setup. I haven’t looked into this more to see if it’s possible to run. That’s later when I get bored. Too much other stuff to load into now. It works, for now that’s enough.


Screen.
Flawless. Glossy, brightest screen I’ve seen yet on any lappy except maybe the Sony with the extra bright screen. I didn’t purchase the pixel guarantee but it didn’t have a single dead/stuck pix and I went over it VERY close. BIG!!!! Everyone that sees it can’t believe it. I actually have to knock it down a level or two sometimes depending on what I’m doing because it’s so bright. I love the resolution. Not to brag or anything, but even at 40 I’m fortunate to have about 20/13 vision (see like standing 13 feet away from an object from 20 feet) so I love the picture. Movies look like 3D or plasma like quality. Not kidding. I’ve always been a “higher resolution the better” person. Not anymore. Even I have to bump the font up a little, but get no eye strain. I have no need for a WUXGA now. The SXGA screens I’d seen always had a slight blur to the dvd’s for me personally. Not this one. Perfect.

Keyboard.
Very smooth. Easy to work with. However, it seems occasionally, if I mis-hit a key or two together, the curser “jumps” somewhere upward into the middle of my document. Although, I’m typing all of this on it now and it doesn’t appear to be doing it any more. Must be “Operator error.”

Heat.
It’s there. While I don’t find any particular spot on the keyboard too hot to touch, I can feel quite a bit of heat (or maybe even the slightest breeze of hot air) coming up from the area of the lower left keyboard, around the ctrl/fn/alt/spacebar area. It came preloaded with Mobilmeter and can run anywhere from 36-40 average, up to 50 while taxing, then the fan kicks in (like a miniature turbine engine, kinda funny actually) and drops it rapidly down to 41-42 again. Fan doesn’t kick on all the time at start up, just occasionally, if the machine was on, then off for a few and back on so the temps up a little. HDD runs about 48.0 while cpu is 40-41. I have noticed it can warm the work area around it at a station. I have the power brick with the fan on it. I’ve only heard it kick on one while up on a table. I placed it on the floor and it cooled better and cut off. While warm, not too hot to touch or hold in your had for as long as you want. After on for a while I do get the slightest high pitch whine from the fans. Not really that noticable. I'm still debating on even worrying about disecting it and attempting the fix with the foam as outlined in the forum when the 8790 first hit the street. Doubt I will do anything, it's very subtle and low in volume.

Sound.
Not bad. I ordered it with the tv/tuner in place and they didn’t send the sub so I can’t tell you yet how much of a difference it will make if any. I can tell you the stock 4 speakers are not nearly as bad for me as many of the reviews I’ve read. While not the B&W’s I have as primary speakers in my home system, I don’t find them bad for laptop speakers. Much better than the stereo speakers on the front only on the Thinkpad I’m use to at work. No comparison. My friend has a Dell Inspiron (?) and I think it beats it also. I do notice the vast differences between some media such as live stream via internet vs. dvd playback on certain disc. Over all passable. Headphone jack isn’t nearly as bad either as what I’ve read. While nothing is playing I do hear plenty of low level static/crackles, but, as soon as I put any media on, it immediately covers it and doesn’t have to be the least bit loud. I tried to mute various lines in the audio controller with limited success. I believe the newer models must have better drivers or something lowering the noise because, here again, I’m pretty fickle about my audio. I’ll repost when the sub comes in and see the difference.

Camera.
Not the best digital imaging, ok for a quick pic to send for fun or to impress someone that this laptop does indeed have EVERYTHING. Pretty jerky with movement, but, not a single glitch with operation.

TV/Tuner.
Haven’t had a chance to play with it yet. Sorry.

Touchpad.
One of the best I’ve ever tried. Extremly sensitve. Has a great scrolling feature that goes both vertically and horizontally. Very smooth and I’ve not had any trouble with accidental touches while typing as some I’ve read.

Overall, this is one sweet machine. Although people just about fall out when they find out how much it cost, not one has said it wasn’t worth the price and can see the quality. I have to say I was thinking hard about the paint and justifying the expense. Now, I would recommend it to everyone who wants the “WOW” factor. People who know nothing about compters all are amazed and it oozes “exspensive” from across the room. While I agree it’s what’s under the screen that counts in the end, I want a machine I put over $3,500.00 (without paint) to scream to all “Look At ME!” It does too. It looks the part of a $4,000.00 piece of equipment and if you have the funds, plan on keeping it for a few years, go for it, you won’t be disappointed. That’s it for the night. I’ll post the problems I had with the Bluetooth and Wifi next post. Later.

Hi again everyone.

Now that the overall appearance aspect of the machine is out of the way. Lets look at a little of the operation and dealing with Hypersonic Tech Support.

First day.
Once I saw everything appeared to be good, I called Hypersonic, spoke with Adam Benjamin who pulled up my order to see about the sub/12cell. Bad news. Even though the salesman read back my changes, he didn’t add the subwoofer and matching paint to the order. He did add the 12 cell w/paint and extended warrenty. Adam promptly apologized and said he would place the order for me (without charge) but, would have to check with someone first and would get back to me. If I didn’t hear from him in a couple of hours I was to call him back. Tick Tock Tick Tock. Nothing. Called him back 2-1/2 hrs later. Said he was working on it at that exact moment and he would call me back. OK.

Try to start loading the MX900 Logitech Bluetooth mouse without the docking station.
First it wouldn’t find it. Then it finally located it, but wouldn’t allow it to be added to the list of items to connect and use. Frustration. Had the wifi toggled “off” in case of conflict, Bluetooth “on”. No matter what I did, couldn’t get it done. It’s late at night (my time of the day since I work nightshift). Decided to give the 24/7 Tech support a try. Called the # and a female answered, asked which company I purchased the computer from. Huh?....
”Which company did you purchase from?”
“Hypersonic PC.”
“I need the Service Number to the unit.”
“Huh?”
“The Service Number. It should be a 6 digit number on the side or bottom of your computer.”
I look to no avail. She can’t help me without a service number. Seems it was left off and I can’t get anything done until I call Hypersonic during business hours. Lotta good the 24/7 Premium Super Fantastic Stupendous Platinum Don’t you wish you had our Tech Support Now? Warranty was doing me. So glad I dropped the extra cash to extend this “couldn’t live without aid.” Yes, minor annoyance. So I decide I’ll just wait ‘til the next day to call and talk to them.

The next day, got up and decided to try a couple of things first before calling. Reinstalled the Logitech driver from disk. Nothing. Quit for the time being. Had to go to work. Placed it in the backpack and off I go. I stopped and purchased a small notebook mouse for the backpack since I couldn’t get the new Bluetooth going without the hub. I work in a large hospital in a Open Heart surgical ICU as a RN and we have accessible Wifi (if one knows the SSID id…and I do, ha ha ha ) with a T1 line and relays about every 50 feet in the hallways. The net just screams with speed. Got it up and running in a few minutes. Flawless, then started to have some hesitation with the wifi and other programs, just dragging by when they should be snapping along. Don’t know what the answer could be at the time and couldn’t really dedicate much time to trouble shooting the problem since caring for my patient.

Tried installing the small Microsoft Optical Notebook Mouse. Plugged it into the USB port and it the link connection audio sound, but……wouldn’t install the mouse automatically. Tried to go through the New Hardware manager….wouldn’t let me. Said it was currently trying to install an item and could only do one at a time. Rebooted. Same thing. Started a DVD. Played flawlessly for about 30 min then started to pause and jerk with each progressively becoming longer. Lost the internet connection. Wouldn’t connect back even though I could see the signal. Getting slightly irritated, however, understanding with all the stuff crammed into this machine it’s bound to take a few days to get a few quirks ironed out. Patience is the answer. I still want the internet back, but, busy at work so give up.

Next day, I get up before work, try the mouse again. Still won’t install. Now having trouble linking up with my home wifi. Low signal or no signal. Get it and it would go. Wouldn’t link when showing it should. Time for tech support. Placed call and spoke with Brian (don’t know last name). Very friendly and tried to get me up and running but no matter what we tried, same result. Told him I re-installed the software/drivers from the mouse. Part of the problem, it overwrites all other info. Can I just take a moment here and say half of the 72 hour “burn in” time must be installing the drivers for the Bluetooth. About 6-7 minutes each way for uninstall/reinstall. After about 15 min, he actually got a MX900 in had and tried to install it. Said he’d call me back in about 15min after getting it set up. Tick Tock. 20 min later, he called and said bad news, he had to call Logitech and talk to their tech support. Mouse couldn’t be set up with the internal Bluetooth of the laptop. HUH???? “So I spent $50.00 bucks on the Bluetooth, $99.00 on the mouse, and $30 on the paint for nothing?” “Uh, let me send you back over to Adam to see if he can work something out with you since you need to talk to him still about your order.” He did give me a Tech Support Number by phone and said he would mail the sticker to me to place on the bottom of the machine. He really was as helpful as he could be in the situation.

Adam on phone. I told him who I was and reminded him I hadn’t heard anything from him since the last time I called him back a couple of days ago. He said he ordered the parts for me and will send them with a painted 12 cell and a MRA for the other 12cell. I told him about the Bluetooth module and he refunded the $50.00, then asked if he could credit the money toward the cost of the sub/paint. That’s fine with me. It was less than I was getting and I can still use the mouse/hub while at home, I just didn’t want to lug the hub around in the backpack which is why I ordered the optical mouse to begin with. Turns out I end up using the scroll pad about 60% of the time (or more) and the small notebook mouse is perfect for this application. The one I got is the red/silver one and even somewhat matches the system.

Adam said it would probably take a couple of weeks for the sub/battery to get to me since the factory paints systems first and accessories second. Whatever, just don’t forget (which believe me, I won’t).

Back to the lappy. It’s still bogging down a little. Finally had it. I didn’t have any other device I cared to link via Bluetooth and decided G-Omaha was correct in his review and decision to remove it from the second unit. Call back to Tech Support for some guidance on ripping the module out of the unit. Can’t remember who I spoke with, however, walked me through it and had it removed within about 3 minutes. Simple task really, just took an extra minute to be careful since this is my first lappy and I’m more use to digging around in my desktop than a laptop. I was telling the support guy about my internet problems and he started to help me with that (since I still couldn’t get on), however, I told him I could do some troubleshooting myself and call him back if I couldn’t get it going again. Hung up, promptly begin the uninstall of the Bluetooth drivers……took a nap…woke up after process finished….and guess what……..Perfect work order now. Where before I could only get any where from a 6-11db reception strength before in my living room, now I could get up to 80%. Go figure. I snapped the connection right up, took it work with me that night, jumped right on the net. Plays any dvd now without a hick-up, jitter, or pause. My notebook mouse installed without any problems and works fine. I don’t know what type of crack that Bluetooth was smoking, however, it had the machine wasted to no end. No more Bluetooth for me. I’ve read where some have no problems and even run it with the wifi on….Lucky them. It will not go back in unless in the future I give it a try after a newer driver becomes available, however, with how good the lappy is now, I’m sure the module will never see the warmth of this GX7 again.

That about sums it up for this trip. Hypersonic did send their plastic binder with the benchmarks they ran during the burn-in test. I’ll post them next time and when I get a chance I’ll download the programs and try them out myself. And yes, I promise pics will be on the way. In fact, think I’ll try the CF card now from my Canon G2 and see if I can up load a couple of pre-lim shots. They may to too large. I'll take some more and reduce the file size. Right now I have to start painting the living room which is what I'm supposed to have been doing this a.m. instead of this! Later.

Back again, letting the trim paint dry and waiting for the wife to get home. As stated before, I haven’t had a chance to download benchmark programs. Here are the results according to the sheet provided by Hypersonic with the system.. I don’t know, I’m not a benchmark pro, however, these seem pretty high. I’ll definitely have to burn these on my own. As is stands, here’s what’s on the sheet provided:

Motherboard & RAM: Sisoft Sandra
Int Buffered aEMMX/aSSE/iSSE2 Bandwidth: 4439 MB/s
Ram Flat Buffered aEMMX/aSSE/iSSE2 Bandwidth: 4393 MB/s

Video (Direcct3D): 3DMark 2001

3DMark 2001 1024x768: 11706 3DMarks
Game1 Car Chase Low Detail: 138.5 fps
Game1 Car Chase High Detail: 73.3 fps
Game2 Dragothic Low Detail: 183.9 fps
Game2 Dragothic High Detail: 105.2 fps
Game3 Lobby Low Detail: 184.7fps
Game3 Lobby High Detail: 93.7 pfs

3DMark 2001 1280x1024: 8820 3DMarks
Game1 Car Chase Low Detail: 107.3fps
Game1 Car Chase High Detail: 57.4fps
Game2 Dragothic Low Detail: 130.5fps
Game2 Dragothic High Detail: 81.7fps
Game3 Lobby Low Detail: 133.0fps
Game3 Lobby High Detail: 76fps
Game4 Nature: 39.7fps

Video (OpenGL): Quake III Arena

Quake III Arena 1024x768:
Demo 1: 225.5fps
Demo 2: 226.9fps

Quake III Arena 1280x1024:
Demo 1: 145.7fps
Demo 2: 148.9fps

Video DX9: AquaMark3

Score: 26264
Graphics: 2048
CPU: 9483

Hard Drive: HD Tach
Random Access Time: 17.2ms
Read Burst Speed: 90.8 Mpbs
Average Read Speed:30.8 Mpbs
CPU Utilization: 1.9%

After looking at the back at the overall scores, I’d say they’re pretty much in line with what others have been getting. I first looked at the fps which just looked over the top numbers. Like I say, I’ll run these myself within the week.

I’m going to try to hook the tv tuner up later tonight to see what it’s like. Not expecting much from what I’ve read to date. Until the next post…..

They are specific to my machine. I really don't have too much time on my hands. I'm typing this between coats of paint and doing a bunch of other things at the same time. I'm really just trying to provide my share of info on this laptop to try to pay back so much of what I've read for the last 6-7 months. This forum was my savior and checked multiple times a day..

I tried the CF Card slot on my 7/1 reader. I put it in and the info was exchanged in a matter of a couple of seconds. I couldn't believe the speed. I was always use to having them read from my Pocket PC or my Printer CF reader. Plugging directly into the body was such a faster download. Man, I'm gonna love taking this on my upcoming cruise to Alaska in August. The ship has free Wifi and I'll be able to torture my friends back home daily with pics! Yes, mean I know, but, fun.

Thanks for the info Msyvc. My wife and I were just talking a few moments ago about setting down this weekend and finishing our tour highlights. We already have a couple of things arranged, however, we will def. look into your suggestion! We've never been and are looking forward to it. Of course, going ANYWHERE that's cool in August from this God Forsaken Sandbar called Florida in summer sounds good to me!!

Sorry layzie, I TweakXP messenger out when I first got it. I check the forums a lot during the day and night (unless its a work day which I'm sleeping during the day). You can Private Message me anytime you want and I'll answer, or I'll give you my number if you have a lot of ?'s.

I didn't buy the dead pixel warrenty. Took a chance and had no problems. When I talked to a guy at tech support, I told him how much I admired the screen and he said they haven't had any dead/stuck pixels shince they switched to the new WSXGA+. I would have gone through PCTorque if it wasn't for the sales tax in FL, however, I have to admit I love my new machine and everyone at Hypersonic has been very helpful when I talked to them. Other than the "no call back" that one time, I haven't had any problems with service, support, waiting on hold or anything like that. Now we'll see if I get my parts within a couple of weeks.

I did hook the tv tuner up last night and played around. I would be OK in a pinch, but nothing to brag about. Suffice it to say G-Omaha covered that piece of hardware more indepth than I have time for. Anyway, let me know layzie if I can help you out. Ratmyr is on a lot also, he may have msn messenger.

The tv tuner was just acceptable to me. It was nothing great and nothing like the dvd quality. The 720 x 480 is the default size on my computer and it was fine to watch. If you want to do a lot of recording I would probably recommend an external tuner, although I have to admit I haven't really sat down and tried to tweak it to perfection.

I can't advise about the AX7. It's my understanding the AMD chips have better pipelines than the Pentiums. The GX7 still has the higher mb graphic card, however, from some of the benchmarks I've read, it's not all about the mb when it comes to performance. It would be a tough call for me and If I were waiting until now I would probably have to do more research into the newer AX7. It looks like they both use the same body for both componants so size and display should be identical.

I chose to stay with the 3.2 chip over the 3.4. I couldn't justiify the extra expense over the .2 worth of speed. I could be wrong, however, my current set up seems to scream with speed. Instead I put the extra $250.00 (not exact, just out of memory) into cosmetics.

As far as bluetooth, you see what problems I had with it. It wouldn't hurt to have it preinstalled and not activate it until down the line. It was installed just under the harddrive and easy to install so if you wanted to in the future would be easy to do. I would imagine with better drivers to come in the future the conflicts would be far fewer. I would now put it off, save the $50.00 and if you wanted it down the line you could always add it for most likely less. If you don't think you want to install it yourself, spend the $50.00, it's already there and you can just disable, download the newest drivers and fire it up in the future. Whichever you decide, good luck, I don't really think you will go wrong.

the tv picture at full screen is totally unacceptable. Way too blurry to watch. It's the best clarity/size ratio at the 740x480 size (about 6" square). I optid for the internal 108 wifi just for the future so I'd already have it. No complaints about the way it works so far.