E2158-530 is disappointing!
Sep 29 '99
I bought this machine 3 months ago thinking I couldn't go wrong with an IBM. I was quite WRONG.
Bads:
1) ESS sound chip is pretty bad in this system, compatibility-wise. This ESS chip is not certified for MS DirectX drivers and many games have problems (some don't work. Period!).
2) The keyboard-based volume control uses software that interferes with applications while changing volume. Problems range from window-minimizing to a complete system hang. They should have a manual volume control on the speakers itself.
3) This system hangs more than average. The really bad part of this is that there is no way to do anything but power it off (from behind the box!) and then turn it on again. They should have had a reset switch.
4) There is no headphone jack which mutes the actual speaker volume (at least I haven't yet found one).
5) Have had a number of software glitches. My MS Office and HP printer software clashed and I had to reinstall my Office, which was one of the most complex Office installations I'd ever done! Don't know why, but only my built-in ConfigSafe tool helped me by restoring a previous system setting. Of course, I had to re-install all my software again after this, but at least my MS Office worked!
5) IBM support is very, very poor. Access is bad, tech support people in Ireland do not know the system well and IBM DOES NOT ANSWER EMAIL! An automated response is duly sent, but is not followed up at all.
Goods:
1) Good price. Got it for $999 on ValueAmerica.
2) Plays games well (after the sound problems are surmounted).
3) I like the ConfigSafe tool.
4) Aptiva Update feature is good if IBM kept their website updated (which I doubt).
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Epinions.com ID:
karlpinto
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Member: Karl Pinto
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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