Legit Reviews

I got a chance to take a look at the Clevo M57A DIY (Do It Yourself) Notebook this weekend in my hotel and it is a VERY sweet 17" notebook with nVidia Geforce 7800 GTX 256mb graphics and uses the Pentium M processor. A very sweet system to use for a gaming Centrino system.

The notebook comes with two batteries, but one is in the optical drive so you either have an optical drive or the extra battery. This is unique, but nice as you don't have to buy an extra battery later if you need one. The notebook is solid feeling and features a semi-gloss exterior case that looks good. It also features integrated bluetooth, DVI out (No VGA out) and a webcam in the top of the monitor casing. I didn't have time to load windows because I had to give this one away to one lucky winner in my workshop. Expect an article on one of these in the near future.

The Clevo M57a Chassis


The Model Number Sticker


The Seperated Touch Pad


The Clevo M57a Power Button


A couple system builders are selling these systems complete, but I am trying to find a source of these notebooks so we can build them on our own.

Well, you could always try looking at some of the HyperSonic systems.

They allow you to basically strip down the entire system (except for the processor) in the customization area.
(Does that still count as barebones?)

Though... even when completely stripped of all extras and reduced to the cheapest CPU (Athlon64 X2 4200+), an Aviator FX7 will still cost you $2,830.00.

A stripped down Aviator EX7 with a Pentium4 530 only runs $2,205.00 though, might be worth considering.

http://www.hypersonic-pc.com

wow, that is a really nice notebook. just perfect. whoever won this was really lucky!

Looks like this laptop is based on that chassis:
http://www.pro-star.com/index.cfm?mainp ... model=5722
Cheapest version is just under $2k, not bad.

Here is the chassis itself, if you want to DIY, but it doesn't look any cheaper, once you give it the same options as a pre-built one from ProStar:
http://www.rjtech.com/miva/merchant.mv? ... Code=M570A

This is some pricing at a seller who doesn't sell to consumers. You have to have an account set up with them and be a Distributor/Reseller to buy from the company i am pricing.

Barebone M570A with BATTERY, CARD READER, W/O CD ROM, W/O VGA CARD

17" WXGA $ 720.00
17" WSXGA+ W/Glare $ 790.00
17" WUXGA W/Glare $ 850.00

Options of Video card:
M26+128MB - USD140
M28 PRO + 256MB - USD370
G70M GTX+256MB - USD420

Since the notebook is using an MXM slot it comes with no video and you need to add a card to it. Gets expensive adding in a high end GPU. The ATI X700 isn't bad for $140 though.

Well I'm a reseller and can probably get an account with them if anyone is intrested. Any way of getting info about the seller Apoptosis?

I myself would very much like to get my hands on this notebook chasis seeing as how I being able to upgrade to a 7800 later along the road would be well worth getting an account set up and paying a bit more (as apposed to the Z71V).

It is correct to assume that the video card can be upgraded to a 7800 if I choose to get the X700?

sbohdan wrote:wow, that is a really nice notebook. just perfect. whoever won this was really lucky!

You took the words right out of my mouth!

I'm still working on trying to find a supplier that would sell clevo laptops to resellers. I contacted Clevo and they told my that the company itself only sells to major resellers and system intregrators.

Right now the lowest price I found was from rjtech ... which is pretty steep at about $1200 + shipping for a X700 model with no cpu, memory, wifi card and hard drive.

you got a PM

It is correct to assume that the video card can be upgraded to a 7800 if I choose to get the X700?

Yes it is a standard MXM-3 slot, so you can go between all the cards listed above.

Apoptosis wrote:you got a PM

It is correct to assume that the video card can be upgraded to a 7800 if I choose to get the X700?

Yes it is a standard MXM-3 slot, so you can go between all the cards listed above.

Apop...-> do you know of any stores which do barebones Laptops which are in Europe? Pref. in the UK... (Ireland is better...but good luck finding 1 there!)

Well I got an account with the company and as it turns out they do not carry the Clevo M570A yet. The only Clevo they sell is the D900T and D900K which is a P4 and they come in either ATI X800 or ATI 6800 Ultra.

The prices aren't really impressive either imo. I would actually save $200 if I buy out of state so I don't pay tax.

well that is where the one in this thread came from ;)

Not sure whats happening then. =/

I'm probably not going to buy from them, their prices are higher than some online resellers. The Z71V is $750 and I've seen them as low as 720 else where.

Has there been any change in the availability and pricing of this chassis as barebones? It's still pretty darn pricy through RJtech and it certainly has piqued my interest.

And I'd think from the above posts, not mine alone.

Thanks.

I got a reseller account from Pro-star this week and I'm trying to get pricing from them for the barebone. The only problem is you lose a lot of warranty "perks" when going barebone.

The cheapest this laptop will go (preassembled) is about $1900 + tax and shipping. 512MB memory, Nvidia 7800 video card, 40GB hard drive.

If the barebone goes under $1199 (price from rjtech.com for barebone) then I'm going for it.

Well I just got a price list for barebones from Pro-Star (reseller prices)

W/O CPU, RAM, HDD, WIRELESS LAN CARD & OS
Subtotal does not include S&H and taxes

M570A Barebone with ATI X700 $1,160
M570A Barebone with 7800 256MB $1,440

Price compared to RJTECH Online store
M570A Barebone with ATI X700 $1,199
M570A Barebone with 7800 256MB $1,499

So its basically a saving of $40 to $50. Big woop.

Add in CPU, Memory, hard drive and WiFi card and it will run you between $1800 to $2000 depending on where and what you buy.

Still debating whether its worth paying $700+ for this laptop rather than the Z71V (only big difference is the video card).

I think that this laptop is manufactured by

http://www.clevo.com.tw

http://www.clevo.com.tw/products/M570A.asp

I want one but the prices here in AUS are just stupid

Later
Mussie

Hi,

Did you succeed on your search after a reseller of the laptop parts ?
I am looking at the D900K of Clevo, which I think is a nice Desktop replacement.
Does any one have any information on where in Europe to buy the parts ?

thnx in advance,

Lambik

nearly any local computer shop should be able to order a Clevo notebook from their distributor... just call and ask!