Miscellaneous laptop discussions forum: Futuretop CommandTop... anyone have one?

I wouldnt be askign if i couldnt afford it. i can very well afford it. these guys have more than what i want in my laptop, for prices cheaper than alienware. i can only get a max of 3 gigs of ram in an alienware, but i can get 4 gigs in a futuretop. i can also have a tv tuner with 4 gigs, but in an alienware, i can only have 2 gigs with a tv tuner. im trying to get EVERYTHING.

so the original question is:

has anyone ever bought from hybridgear/futuretop?

if so, how is the product? any problems?

Ok. i asked if anyoen bought a futuretop commandtop laptop from hybridgear/futuretop. i didnt ask about alienware, and weather i can afford it or not is not your bussiness. someone please simply answer the question!

by the way, the last person who responded.... i didnt really understand your post.

I am in the process of purchasing a CommandTop. I have looked high and low for a machine that is completely upgradeable by the user. I have a friend that has one and it is a kick ass machine, high speed with beautiful graphics. Gameing is a blast and yet you can use it for work or just whatever. The best bang for the buck out there. They have a great warranty and wholesale on any parts to be upgraded down the road, and they buy back your old parts.

Google has a special with FutureTop and you can get one hell-of-a-deal and one kick ass machine with what ever you want. Don't be afraid to buy one if you can afford it. But remember if you do, you'll be King of the block.

or Hexus.net or PC World or PC Magazine or Tom's Hareware or Laptop logic or Notebook Reviews.com or Cnet or Sharkyextreme.com. But, one guy says "it's cool" so you're ready to buy one?

What Bob Proffitt, a pretty in touch guy about notebooks BTW, is trying to tell you is that boutique machines are often a big problem and you're likely better off choosing from one of the companies that you can be sure will be around for a while.

But, what the hell, one guy told you it was a great machine and that's what you wanted to hear, so it's all good.

Maybe this can answer some questions.
FutureTop Laptop Computer Systems, established in 2002, manufacturers and distributes a range of the most advanced laptop computer systems from affordable workstation class systems to the fastest laptop computer systems in the world. Featuring more advanced technology, more options, and a lower price than the competition, FutureTop is for anyone in need of an efficient, fast computer system. With the advanced coverage of our 3 Year Premium Warranty Protection Plan, customers can enjoy a lifetime of upgrades at our wholesale cost + receive trade-in credit on their existing components! With several prototype designs in the works to revolutionize our relationships with computers, FutureTop is devoted to developing new technology and advanced computer solutions for all its customers, while maintaining an excellent record of quality products, return customers, and overall customer satisfaction. All FutureTop systems undergo an extensive 200 point burn-in test before they ever leave our warehouse to ensure each system is operating at 100% when it reaches the customer. If your system is not shipped out our doors within 4 business days, we will pay for your shipping! At FutureTop, we guarantee the lowest price in the nation! If you find a lower price, we will beat it. Cheaper. Faster. Smarter. FutureTop.

I plan on getting all top of the line stuff.

im waiting for the brand new 7800 gtx 512mb graphics card to be available for installation, then i will order the laptop. i also read some place they have 2gb so-dimm moduals for 533mhz each, as they already have 1gb moduals for 533mhz.... im so excited..

I set up a laptop with the baddest everything, proceeded to check out and when it asked me for my credit card info name and everything else, I happened to look up and there was no https no secure site what so ever, it does not even mention being secure at all, then I tried to look for the company at BBB and I could not find anything, I looked for hg and could not find enything either, there is no adress on their site, so we don't even know were this guys are, an average person wouldn't know how to track them. even their website looks like a five year old kid made it.

I really don't know it sounds to good to be true. But if a can confirm they are a legitimate, trustable company I would not doubt to get one of their systems.

Were you happy with your FutureTop notebooK?

I have yet to see posting of anyone about their own purchase.

Well, Ladys and Gentleman:

I know all of you have been waiting patiently for the results of my receiving my Commandtop Futuretop. Without going into all the Tech. issues I will give you a honest general view with pro's and cons.

Pro's

I have had the machine for about 3 to 4 weeks now and I must say I am happy with the product. It came with all the bells and whistles as advertised. It arrived packaged very well and loaded with the OS and additional software I requested. Additionally all the software CD's were included to include accessories and a Laptop bag.. I also receive a Homita 7" Portable DVD Player with all acessories as a promotional item for purchasing a FutureTop at no charge. Very nice little DVD player.

The 3.8 Ghz Intell P/4 processor is fast with the 800 FSB. Yes it is 64 bit ready. The on board monitor is excellent. Pictures and video's are displayed amazingly. Very large easy to use key pad. I have already burned both DVD's and CD's with out a problem. The Nero sowtware suite (which was included) runs very well with out any problems and makes burning what ever you want a breeze. I did get the Microsoft Windows XP Pro Media OS as well.

I have loaded additional softwae to include Auto Cad and Turbo Cad, both graphic intensive (I use these in my work). I usually have both running to include other programs that I need with many windows open and this machine just keeps on running without a problem. I also have some background programs runing that are intensively crunching numbers along with the other programs mentioned and still am able to be online and write this forum to you.

The gereral appearence of the machine is that it is large and yes it is heavy compaired to a Compaq Persiro laptop. I took the machine with me to Las Vegas on a business trip and discovered it isn't meant to be carried around for a long period of time.

I have to admit that Futuretop came thru without a problem. The cost of this machine was much lower compared to a Sager, Dell, Ailenware, Widow, etc. and it is basically the same laptop.

For my money (and your money if this is the kind of machine your looking for) this is the machine to buy.

Con's

Futuretop had to back order my remote control that comes with the media addition. I'm waiting on it.

Conclusion

For the dollar it is the best bang for the buck. When I compare it to a Sager or Widow it is a Sager/Widow but with a Futuretop label. If you have the money and looking for the best deal and a fast machine, hey Futuretop is the way to go. Well, thats about it, I'll stop by here again and see if anyone else has made the smart move.

David is the head cheese of Hybrid Gear sales, I believe. He comes across as rather arrogant over the phone. Call the 1-888-577-GEAR number during the morning hours and you'll get David. But most of the time, in my experience, you'll get the answering machine. You leave messages...but they go unanswered. I got lucky once and called the number one late afternoon and spoke to the boss, Matt. Matt is the owner of the business, I believe. He came across very personable and even gave me his personal phone numbers. After talking to the boss man, I placed an order several days later through Steve, who was helpful. I scribbled Matt's phone numbers down on a post-it pad but misplaced it somewhere. Otherwise, I would call Matt today to let him know what a lousy job his employees are doing to satisfy customers.

By the way, try emailing their sales and support people. Before I placed my order, I did a little test. I emailed several messages to their sales and support people to see how prompt they were about answering customers inquiries. NONE, none of my emails were answered. I should've gone with my first instinct after the email test failure and not place an order. However, after talking to the owner of the business, who even gave me his personal phone numbers including his cell phone, he gained my confidence. How many business owners would do that, give out their personal phone numbers? Too bad his employees are lousy at satisfying their customers. Lame excuses doesn't work when you're trying to compete against Dell, Sager, Alienware, VoodooPC, WidowPC, etc...

I wouldn't buy from these guys. I placed an order for their top of the line CommandTop notebook with all the bells and whistles for +$4000. I waited and waited and waited for 28 days and nothing, no computer. Not even a courtesy call from them to talk to me in person to explain why the delay and problem! I had to make numerous efforts myself to get updates on the status on my orders and got one excuses after another. One guy even said that he wasn't ''authorized to know why'' my order have been stalled. And in an attempt to cancel a order, another guy over the phone said that he wasn't ''authorized to cancel any orders'' and that I would have to speak to David. I left several messages with David but they were all unanswered. I finally get in touch with David by phone and was told that they had been having phone problems for days. After exhausting efforts, I finally lost faith and got my order cancelled, at least verbally over the phone. David even had the chutzpah to ask me why I cancelled my order. Geez, these guys are clueless when it comes to customer service. I was already very patient and gave them 28 days. I'll just take my $4,000+ bucks somewhere else. There are many other companies that makes these same Clevo-based notebooks anyhow. Sure, Hybrid Gear/Futuretop have somewhat of a cheaper price, but I wouldn't hesitate to pay an extra couple hundred bucks for better customer service and support. The savings ain't worth it.

I've already informed my credit card company. I'll give Hybridgear a few days to credit back the cost to my account. My credit card company told me that their policy is to wait 15 days before they take actions. That kinda **** me off about them too. SHEESH, 15 days. Meanwhile, my bill is due by the end of the month.

As to getting another notebook, I'm just gonna stick with Dell. At least I know what I'm getting from them, mediocrity and all.

It's now 2 weeks and they haven't refund my +$4000.00 yet. I talked to my credit card company who will now investigate the situation. Meanwhile, the credit card company says that it is their standard policy to allow the merchant, in this case the crooks at hybridgear, 90 days to respond to my dispute. WTF??? 90 days????!!!!! I'm cancelling this credit card once this ordeal is over. Crooks they are all crooks. Meanwhile my bill is due by the end of the month. I'm going to have to start screaming to get a temporary $4000.00 credit on my account so that I won't have to pay this bill while the credit card company investigate the situation. Daggum!!! Crooks, they're all crooks!!!!

So, how long did you wait until you got your laptop? I gave Hybridgear 28 days but they couldn't deliver. 28 days = 4 weeks! I reported the entire ordeal to Discover Card immediately on the day that I cancelled the order and was told that it was their ''standard policy'' to wait 15 days for vendor/merchant to refund my account before they would investigate the matter. Meanwhile for 2 weeks, I call Hybridgear literally almost every day and was told by David, et. al, that it was out of their hands, as they (Hybridgear) rely on a third party to handle credit card transaction and that ''all (they) could do'' was to submit to this ''third party'' my request for cancellation. What a load of crap!!!! Shoveled high all the way to the ceiling, too!!! I bugged Discover Card again several time and finally was told that they will investigate the matter since 15 days have elapsed. After numerous phone calls and keeping the wheel squeaking, Discover Card finally squirted a lil' oil and agreed to give me a ''temporary credit while pending investigation'' so I wouldn't have to fork out the money to pay for something I never received and cancelled over 2 weeks earlier. However, Discover Card also to me that it was again their ''standard policy to allow the merchant 90 days to respond'' to my dispute. What another load of horse manure pile up high, and this time completely unexpected from Discover Card, too. Et tu, Discover Card??? So that'll be a potential total of 105 days before I hear something. Boy, I tell you what, there's no real protection for the consumers, not even from Discover Card. 105 days, can you believe it? I sure wasn't expecting this huge disappointment from Discover Card on top of it all. 105 days, Daggum! Meanwhile, I'll keep on bugging all of them every day until I get my refund.

BTW, you're David aren't ya. C'mon fess up. You sound like you're one of them.