Averatec AV7160-EC1 Laptop Review

The lure of a big screen notebook like the Averatec AV7160-EC1 is hard to resist as you navigate the laptop aisle. While the machine boasts the promising combination of a huge 17-inch widescreen and an attractive price ($1,199), weight to a slight 7.2 pounds; many 17-inch notebooks we've seen weigh more than eight pounds. Still, this is no featherweight, and the big screen makes this system too bulky to tote often.

Flip open the large lid and you'll find the AV7160's glossy widescreen. The AveraBrite technology helps deliver sharp images with rich, deep colors. The downside is noticeable glare and reflection, especially in brightly lit rooms. Viewing-angle performance from the panel was superb, with no color shift or drop in brightness as we moved off axis. The WXGA+ (1440 x 900) resolution lets you work in comfort, without requiring you to employ large fonts or high zoom levels. However, fans of high-res screens take note: Other 17-inch laptops are available with 1680 x 1050 panels.

The $1,199 Averatec AV 7160-EC1, the top model in the company's 7100 series, eschews pricey, powerful graphics and TiVo-like DVR functionality for a simple design, a thin profile, and a light weight. The AV7160EC1 also affirms Averatec's reputation for aggressive pricing; though it lacks the performance and the features found on other desktop replacement laptops, it's about the cheapest 17-inch model you'll find. If you require more oomph than this midrange configuration provides, you'll have to look elsewhere; the AV7160-EC1 is a fixed configuration, meaning you can't customize the specs prior to purchase. Granted, 17-inch laptops such as the Dell XPS 1710 and the Toshiba Qosmio G35AV600 provide much more performance and features, but they cost twice as much. For added screen real estate in a laptop for basic office tasks, not to mention DVD viewing when the workday is done, the Averatec 7160-EC1 is an excellent value.