Advent 6413b Review

Overall Rating

Very hard to find any, good deal at dixons.

**WARNING** DO NOT PURCHASE THIS COMPUTER
Mostly flimsy build quality, cheap plastics. Windows ME is useless, but that is a seperate issue.

The Advent 6413b computer I purchased from Dixons over 1 year ago has not worn well. Windows ME has a lot to be desired, not very user friendly and has consistent update problems. The computer itself is not very well made, the lid on the screen has cracked on the bottom left hand corner due to opening and shutting. The top of the lid is also showing stress marks where it is opened and closed and it probably won't be long until that also gives. The finish on the computer wears off, mostly where I put my hand for the touched. The backlight on the screen intermittently goes out for no apparent reason, and the cooling fan on the CPU consistently rattles whilst the dialup Internet socket is loose. Oh, and the most irritating thing about this computer is the CD drive, they have put the open/close button just so it catches on the side and opens when you don't want it to.

DO NOT BUY THIS COMPUTER! THERE ARE BETTER MAKES AROUND FOR THE SAME MONEY!

Members' Comments onMac.'s Review

• bobby. on 20th Dec 2002

  I went into a leading electronics store in the UK and the sales person warned me off from buying this laptop as they had had many problems with people returning their advent laptop.

• Dave. on 5th May 2003

  I really am not surprised! I bought my Advent 7006 laptop just over a year ago for just over £1700 (inc. 3 years coverplan) from PC World.
  
  Within 1 month, one of the keys had fallen off and the 'B' key has always had to be hit really hard to work.
  
  The latest fad for the darling little machine, is that it needs formatting and complete re-installation every 3 days or so. I am a self employed computer engineer, so this isn't very taxing for me, but it annoys the life out of me!!! It is about to be taken back to PC World and inserted in them!!! If you know what I mean!!!

• Mac. on 15th May 2003

  Hi
  
  Just for the record, my advent got even worse. A massive white line is now right down the centre of the screen which is very annoying.
  
  To make matters worse, it was only repaired 2 months ago at dixons
  
  I am now buying a new laptop (not an advent) as I have had enough with this lump of junk.

• Dave. on 3rd Jul 2003

  I agree DO NOT BUY this laptop
  i have the same problem it's SO bad! not even worth a tenner!

• Fox. on 23rd Jul 2003

  Hi there!
  
  I have the same laptop and its true, it's really a terrible laptop.The screen goes off for no reason,the CD drive(Toshiba) no working (writing with errors all the time), the USB port its not working for no reason. Wow 1600 pounds for what? I woul not mention the WinME because I did changed the OS with WinXp(again problems, no drivers).
  
  Dont buy any ADVENT computer ! They don't even have a web support site!

• macster on 26th Sep 2003

  Hi its me again, Mac
  
  After many complaints to the Managing Director of DSG retail I finnaly got somewhere!
  
  This morning a voucher arrived for the full value of my old laptop. (WHOOO!) So i am going to purchase a new laptop from PC world (a branded one this time) and sell it on e-bay to pay off the finance that was on the origional machine.
  
  By the way I have been using a compaq evo n800v over the past 6 months (which was brand new when I purchased it). And it has been used hard (i have already worn the keys to that tell tale shiny look) and guess what................NO PROBLEMS AT ALL!!
  
  HA HA HA!