Joined on 09/08/04
satisfactory
Pros: Aside from the obvious - this is a very small power supply (fits very well in the bitfenix prodigy micro itx case, for instance), with adequate length cables (longer than I needed but again it's a small case), and it's very quiet.
Cons: No cable to power a case fan - you'll have to spend a buck or two to get an adapter if you have more fans than your motherboard has fan headers (this is common)
Not so happy with this component
Pros: Seems to deliver stable power. My system (e6320 and 8800 gts) is hardly the most demanding, but still, it works.
Cons: Ok, about the noise - the device is basically very quiet, but there is a persistent high pitched squeal that many people cannot hear. I happen to have good hearing, and the noise is very annoying. I may RMA it, or I may return it and bite the restocking fee to get a different brand. It seems I am not the only one with this problem ... I just don't know if it's a design flaw or if my unit is defective.
Follow-up review
Pros: Already reviewed once - see other post for numerous pros.
Cons: Touchpad sucks ... but this can be partially resolved. Symptoms: Noticable response delay, frequently missed 'touch-clicks' AND excessive sensitivity, terrible scrolling gesture support. I've never used a touchpad this terrible - you move your finger to do something and it doesn't register instantly like others ... you try to move the mouse across a page and end up a. not where you wanted and b. clicking 3 links along the way - without making any sort of clicking motion once in the process. Then when you want to click on something it doesn't register always - double clicks are especially bad.
Overall Review: Solution! I tried fiddling with the settings and tried updating/downgrading the Alps touchpad driver. It doesn't help. What did help ... ironically ... was downloading a Synaptecs generic touchpad driver. After installing a driver from the competitor to the company that makes this touchpad, the device is responsive and efficient. All the problems are gone, with one bad side effect - you cannot configure anything fancy using the synaptecs generic driver, ie: no 'tap-zones', no disable-touchpad-when-typing feature, no extra sensitivity options. I think you might be able to find a synaptecs driver that gives you everything though .... I'll keep looking. Post here if you find a good driver as numerous owners of this notebook are cursing this terrible touchpad (it's the driver, though).
About what I expected
Pros: Excellent specs for the price range, very attractive appearance, cooling/noise appear to be superior to the average. Generally very good performance, both in typical apps, bootup times, and games (what you'd expect based upon gpu/cpu/memory/hdd).
Cons: Touchpad - it's ok but doesn't seem as precise as others I have used. Screen - truly subpar ... I would say passable at best, due to the poor viewing angles, poor contrast, and mediocre color (subjective). Audio is mediocre.
Overall Review: At current prices & given current competition, this is a great buy. The only aspect with which I was disappointed was the screen. It is truly subpar. Compared to a 7 year old laptop it replaces (admittedly a nice one), the contrast is laughable, colors don't look that vibrant, text is uncomfortable to read (relatively - it is quite usable), and worst of all the viewing angles are below average.
DRM is out of control
Pros: Good game.
Cons: As others have pointed out, this game installed a rootkit onto your computer. I strongly suggest you do not buy it until (if ever) this is stopped. You CANNOT uninstall the root-kit, even if you uninstall the game.
Overall Review: I purchased this game, but honestly I wish I hadn't. I hate to support scummy DRM like this - why can't companies go the route of Steam? That's copy protection done right - except that if you buy this game through steam you STILL get the rootkit!
Best Case I've tried yet
Pros: This case will not disappoint. Set the fans to low (the top fan to medium) and it's quiet enough for anything short of a recording studio (heck, it might even work there). The airflow is just amazing. I am using a nice heatsink with no fan, and it seems to cool better with just the case fans than many other cases and heatsink+fan combos.
Cons: Dust? None in my case yet, but it'll get dusty eventually. All cases get dusty, though.
Overall Review: Great shipping, somewhat high price (but well worth it); as usual I am very happy with Newegg.