review of my emachines M6805

Reviews on this forum were definately helpful in deciding the best notebook for me. Here's my attempt to return the favor.

First, my background. I'm an engineering student who is accustomed to my 500Mhz Gateway Desktop that runs Windows XP. I know the basics of computers, but I'm no expert.

The best thing about this laptop is its speed and power. It hasn't balked at anything I've asked it to do. Multitasking is a breeze. It runs all of my engineering programs just fine. In addition, I've been playing UT2004, Halo, and Far Cry (Far Cry only runs at medium/low quality settings, but it still looks great). I did overclock the GPU to have better gaming performance.
DVDs and games look great on the widescreen. The CD burner is very quick. The keyboard is easy to get used to. I do have one issue with the keyboard, and that is the fact that the 'control' key isn't where I'm used to. Play with one at Best Buy to see if it bothers you.
My opinion of the wireless card is a bit mixed. It works great on my D-Link home router. It detected the connection and is running at 54 Mbps, as advertised. However, I would have definately appreciated a card with b/g capability. Many hotspots in cafes and at my university require b capability. The problem is solved by a b wireless PCI or USB card ($20-40), but it's annoying that eMachines decided to skimp a bit here.
Overheating and battery are also so-so. The laptop doesn't overheat, but it's too warm to sit it directly on my lap. I've found that the battery lasts three hours for web browsing and word processing (full screen brightness, WiFi turned off, processor clocked at 800MHz). I've watched a DVD for over two hours on the above settings, but I think Return of the King is out of the question without dimming the screen.
Another area that needs improvement is the sound. The speakers themselves are ok for listening to tunes while working, but that's about it. I attempted to connect some speakers to the sound output, but there wasn't enough power to get reasonable volume out of them. Basic headphones do work fine.
Overall, I am pleased with this purchase. I paid $1250 after rebates from Best Buy. It would be hard to get this much power and this many features. Granted, I would love to have had b wireless capability built-in, and maybe even a 5400 or 7200rpm hard drive. However, these can be upgraded later.

 

actually, wireless G is backwards compatible with wireless B, I use mine on my Schools wireless B network all the time, works like a charm!

BTW i also have the m6805

 

Have the 6809 myself and love it so far. Agreed with previous post in the the machine has no trouble backwards complying with wireless b, as this is what I have at home powering my gaming adapters for both my Xbox and PS2, and now the 6809. The only problem I've had is I had to upgrade my cordless phones to the new 5.8Ghz because my 2.4's would occassionally interfer with the signal the notebook was using and it only would interfer with the notebook(odd). On the horizon is wireless "a", which uses the speed of "g" at the 5.8Ghz frequency, but that would require a replacement of router and all recieving adapters.

 

I have to agree with the earlier posts. I am using a linksys accesspoint which is 11 b and it works perfectly fine. Other then that I have purchased a chill pad to keep the system cool. I only have 2 problems with this system Ram and Drivers. One ram slot is inaccesblle and the other one is taken over by a 256 chip. I could live with the 4200 rpm hd of now. The drivers is my biggest issue I cant get the wireless card working with linux default distros. I know would wind up compliling it with the proper dirivers but it is a issue. Does anyone know if the wireless card is replaceable?

 

I stand corrected! I didn't realize wireless g is backwards compatible. Thanks.

 

1 more thing to add, I did have a bad battery pack right out of the box, it wouldn't charge fully to 100%, and they corrected it in 1 day by replacing the bad pack. So far the support has also been great.

 

When did you buy it? Bestbuy offers only $100 main-in, so $1500 - $100 = $1400. How did you get $1250?

 

$1,250 is/was the price of the m6805 (see thread topic).

The second rebate for $150 off of a m6809 expired on 6/5/04, but someone mentioned BB brings that rebate out every couple weeks, it seems.

PS, when BB brings out the second rebate it's not listed in their website. You have to go to the store (or call) to find out if they currectly have one.

Update 6/22/04: Time to eat my words. The m6809 $150 rebate is back as expected, and it is now also listed on their website...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1077627972718&skuId=6459325&type=product&cmp=++

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Wyrm

 

Tiger Direct is offering it for $1150.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Tzar

 

You're right. It's refurnished but still has 90 days warranty. But with no sales tax (savings of about $100) and only 35.00 for shipping. It's tempting.

 

I am considering M6805/M6807 and HP zv5000z notebooks.
The main concern about M6805/M6807 is their sound quality.
I've heard that HP offer much better sound quality with its H&K speakers.
M6805/M6807 owners, what is your opinion?

And, by the way, what about built quality and tech support of eMachines?

Thanks for the answers!

 

Long time lurker, first time poster

If you go to the store, the rebate is $275 from BB making the 6805 $1225. There is a $100 rebate from eMachines and two gift card rebates: $125 from Best Buy and $50 from eMachines. According to the flyer in the Sunday paper, the girt card rebates can be redeemed for cash.

I guess I will find out today when I get my 6805. Wahooo!

Incidently, Best Buy has a little known (to me anyway) program for businesses called Reward Points. You basically get back $6 for every $125 spent as a credit on the Rewards Card that allows you to buy more stuff. I signed up as I have a business but was never asked for proof of the existance of the business. So...think of a name for your business and sign up for it I figure I will get about $80 back with the purchase of this laptop. So I'm basically getting it for $1145.

Thanks for all the cool info over the past couple of months. Tonight I will have a 6805

Steve in MD

 

vr5,

In regards to the better sounding notebook, I find that HP notebooks have better sound than my M6805. The speakers are better quality and in a better position (firing up rather than out). The build quality for the eMachines is solid in my opinion, but I can't comment on the HPs. I've had no problems whatsoever, so I haven't tried the tech support.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by blustrexe