"I never really owned a laptop and I was scouring the internet for a decent website that didn't try to charge me an arm and a leg for every part (Looking at you, Alienware) yeah, they probably have good parts but it was nearly 4,000 dollars for something of similar over there and a bit under half when I bought it from AVADirect. Their website isn't as neat or fancy, but if you took the time to read what they wrote. You'd understand that it put me at ease to give them a try. Keep in mind I never heard of AVAdirect.

Their prices update on a daily basis to reflect on the cost of each part. I placed three orders in the span of three days because I wasn't sure, each one was different from the last by at least fifty dollars. Good or bad, so that's nice. They have an updated pricing system.

When I was building it, I really had no idea what I was doing. But it was pretty simple and with a bit of research I got the idea of what kind of laptop I wanted. Right when I submitted my order, I got a message from Joe Mundy shortly after explaining each part and the compatibility together. (Some were bad and had high failure rates, etc) It was actually kind of nice. He gave me a different set of options and I went with that instead.

After roughly two or three weeks, he kept me updated on how my computer was being made. I think they even send you pictures if you'd like to see it during the progression line. They build it and put it through tests to see if everything is okay, Joe was kind enough to let me know how it was going and eventually sent it out to me last week.

It came pretty secured. A box.. in a box.. in a box with enough cushion to ship a bomb. Anyhow, I ran most of my games on max settings and wow, the thing is smooth and runs like a beast. It didn't have clutter junk or garbage littered on my computer and unwanted programs like my desktop pcs. It was all minimal and even had things setup for me with tests done to it to check on everything before I gave it a whirl. It was great!

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking to buy a PC of any sort instead of going else where to buy a house or car for the similar parts.

Thanks Joe, I don't even like writing reviews for anything. I am too lazy, but I liked the laptop so damn much i'd thought I put in the extra effort.

- Sam"

"I've ordered two high-end systems from AVA. A laptop a bit ago and a desktop very recently. I've been very pleased with both. While laptops are self-contained and component choices limited, desktop configurations can be more complex. I specified the case, memory, video card, hard drives, motherboard, cpu and a third party cooler, and they packaged it all together in a high-quality build that worked right out of the box.

They provided protective foam inside of the case to ensure that the good-sized CPU cooler didn't get damaged from jostling during shipping. Most other companies either don't provide that level of protection or actually charge extra for it.

AVA wired the PC in a very neat and tidy fashion, keeping the main cavity clean and free of any obstructions that might get in the way of cooling. Again, many others do not do this, and some that do charge extra for that level of care.

I can't for the life of me figure out why any company would not automatically include both of those services. Why ship out a computer that you know might end up damaged from shipping or put together in a sub-par fashion? I've already had one system arrive DOA from another builder, and I don't want to go through that again. That's one reason I looked for another vendor and found AVA.

AVA provides a full Windows installation disc so users can do clean installs at will, and they don't jam up the OS with a ton of 3rd party trial software.

They include all of the bits and pieces that come with the case, motherboard, video card and other components so you don't miss out on anything. They stay in touch with you during the preparation for the build and throughout the process, and are clear about shipping and expected arrival dates. All the angles seem well covered.

I don't want to forget to mention how great their Custom Build configuration setup is. I must have done about 5 different configurations, tweaking component choices and emailing them to myself so I could check them out. No salesmen to deal with, no sales pressure. I took my time, and when I finalized the choices, all I had to do was click a link on the most recent email and place the order.

There's not much more to say about the experience except that it was better than any other custom builds I have purchased online in the last 4 years.

When I do snag another custom build, AVA will be the first place I contact.

AVA did mention Reseller Ratings after I confirmed delivery and functionality of the new system, but did not guide the content. I'm just a satisfied customer who feels the money was well spent."

"I'm very happy with this computer. I ordered it just over three weeks ago and it arrived today. One thing that I am personally impressed with is the wiring of this particular system. At first I didn't notice any at all! It's all hidden very well and neat. I know that this is partly to do with the case, but I'm still impressed. This is my second PC from AVAdirect.com and I have to say, as of now, I'm very happy. I also enjoy their customer service, they are available and willing to help and are very reassuring with everything concerning your order. All in all, I highly recommend them. "

"Exactly four years ago I ordered my first custom built PC and it was from AVADirect. I chose them in part for their incredible variety of selection of components and also for the reputation that they had here in this forum. Since I was very satisfied then, when I decided now to upgrade to the state of the art 3rd Gen Core-i7s with the Intel Z77 chipset with native USB3 and PCI Express 3 support, I decided to go back to them. But before I ordered, I also looked at their competitors yet again as a shopping experience. Well, these competitors were still offering a limited selection of components and I knew exactly what I wanted, so I went with AVA again. As an aside, I recommended AVA about 3 years ago to a coworker who ordered a PC from them and was very satisfied by the machine he got from them.

This time it was no different. Excellent craftsmanship in a PC that I expect to keep for 5 years this time. It has 16GB of DDR3 RAM and a fast Core i7 3770 CPU in a Asus Sabertooth Z77 motherboard.

As could be expected, with complex systems like these, custom built one at a time (that is, no mass-assembly lines!) , there was a minor glitch in which the 2TB internal drive (out of a total of 3 drives) was showing as "removable" via the little icon for removing USB3 devices like thumb drives and external USB devices in Windows 7 Pro.

All it took for AVA's great customer support was to remotely access my PC over like less than 10 minutes and fix the issue by editing the Win7 Registry. I was watching all the time and I learned something in the process. Although I am not a "hardware guy", I have been a professional programmer for a long time.

I wholeheartedly recommend AVADirect for all your PC needs. And don't forget to get a *CPU cooler* with it!

- Tony Alicea -"

"After over 3 months, I love my custom gaming system I ordered from AVADirect. They did an awesome job. I had mentioned on the phone if a certain part was back-ordered that I would change to an available part as it was more important to me that the system arrive as soon as possible. However, I got exactly what I wanted and got it early :)

My only call to tech support I got a person first try and they had all the info handy about the system I just ordered. Nothing was wrong with the system, I just had questions about a couple cables.

All and all excellent service and an awesome computer and I will certainly buy from them again.
"

"Just received my laptop today and everything looks up to par! Thank you very much for providing a quality product and being exceptionally responsive to my emails!

I'm already looking forward to my next purchase... Whatever it may be!"

"I do website design and also use my computer for gaming and in the past have purchased custom made computers from other vendors so I can offer a comparison with my experience in my recent purchase from AVA Direct. I took a great deal of time in researching avaialble computer builders by viewing their websites and objective ratings wherever I could find them.

There were two items that separated AVA Direct from all other vendors. First was the truly amazing choice of components that they offered in creating the machine and secondly were the excellent reviews & ratings that I read from other users who had dealt with AVA Direct. What will become clear very quickly if you view most custom builders websites is that they offer only a choice of a few motherboards and CPUs which are the main components of the build. This was true with most other components including cases, video cards etc. AVA, on the other had, made a wide array of items available in every category. You would expect that this wide variety of choices could lead to higher prices but, on the contrary, I clearly got much more computer at a lower comparative price by purchasing from AVA.

Joe Munday, who is the primary sales consultant was extremely helpful in reviewing and suggesting some modifications in the build that provided for greater compatibility and I was able to stay in touch with him and AVA during the build using their online message board. There responses were immediate and they acknowledged every message from me promptly.

The only issue I had was the time to complete the build which was about 6 weeks, however I believe this was due to the fact that one of the components I ordered had just been released for retail sale and the only place I could have gotten it at all was through AVA. I also was advised during the order process that the case I had chosen was too small to hold the motherboard in my order so it tool about a week to order the case. I should add that I typically purchase high-end computers and keep them for 4 years before recycling them to another member of the family so to wait an extra few weeks for an order is not an issue in the big picture. I wanted the machine to be made well with exactly the components I chose - And that is what I got!

The machine arrived packed in double boxes and was beautifully built. Their large choice of cases also provides for a look that you can't get from any other vendor. This computer is a work of art and runs like a dream.

I fully intend to purchase my next machine from AVA based upon this experience and would recommend them to anyone. "

"I recently purchased a custom built workstation from Avadirect. The machine arrived today, it was extremely well packed. Upon opening the package there were clear instructions on what to do to ensure you safely start the machine(there was a good bit of interior safety packing as well). I'd never ordered a machine like this and it was both very handy and reassuring. It was a very simple process to get the machine up and running and Avadirect had really already taken care of the leg work. The machine was well tested and there were performance and testing records left for me to view. I feel very confident in the workmanship that the personnel put into assembling and testing this machine. All that being said a few steps of the process could be improved. Mainly I found the interface when initially customizing and choosing parts difficult to navigate. For instance, I did not discover that one could check the availability of parts simply by clicking on its image until after I had placed my order and been informed that a part (the CPU cooler) I had chosen was not available. This didn't cause much delay but In general I think the interface could be more intuitive in terms of navigating between components. Also at first the drop downs when selecting components was rather overwhelming I got used to it but it continued to slow me down at times when trying to find a particular component again. A final note, the ability to swap components within a quote would be a nice feature. All in all a very good experience and the product is of great quailty. I would highly recommend avadirect to my peers looking to purchase a custom built machine. "

"First off I'd like to say that this company makes some quality computers. The packaging was well done and opening my laptop for the first time really made me proud of my purchase. The computer runs great. I ordered the new AMD 7970M graphics card and I couldn't be happier. The performance from this machine is absolutely fantastic. Their customer service is also very friendly and polite. I have sent many messages asking about the status of my order and all other questions regarding the actual laptop and its functions. They always responded in a timely and respectful manner. Overall this company and its computers are great.

My only complaint was that my computer came a week later than I was told it was going to arrive. As a college student, I was pretty anxious to be able to finally try out my new laptop as soon as finals were over but I had to start my internship, which made enjoying the computer a little more difficult. However, this might also have been due to some complications because I had made some changes to my original order but regardless the company was able to accommodate which I was pleased about (although it was now priced a little lower than I was charged).

Would recommend to someone looking for a good custom computer."

"I had so much trouble getting my components; I had to get them piecemeal from other suppliers. When I came across the AVA Direct website, they were extremely helpful to me, I received an accurate quote, they got me the quantity of components I needed, worked with me with shipping and taxes, and our items arrived quickly and safely. It was a win-win situation for everyone! "

"I’ve bought two computers from AVA Direct, a workstation in the fall of 2011, and a laptop in mid-2012. In both cases, I’ve been very satisfied with the experience, and would recommend AVA to prospective buyers.

Last fall I was contemplating building a desktop to replace my seven-year-old Dell workstation; I’d been happy with the three Dell computers I’d owned, but this time I couldn’t find the configuration I wanted. However, I wasn’t experienced enough to be sure about choosing compatible components, so a friend suggested looking for a build-to-my-specs company, and I discovered that AVA offered by far the most comprehensive selection of components, and easy access to information about them.

Using a credit card to place an order for over $1000 is a little complicated because they want you to FAX an authorization form with your signature. I decided to use PayPal instead, and that required getting in touch with AVA for special instructions, because they don’t have a PayPal account. It didn’t turn out to be that hard, and I found dealing with Joe Mundy to be a pleasure: He sent prompt and helpful replies to my emails. Although it’s a bit awkward, it’s a good idea to use your customer account for emailing because the whole correspondence is stored in an easily available format.

There were glitches in both computer orders. The workstation took six weeks between ordering and receiving, where I had expected two. And I understand that unforseen problems can arise, but I was upset that they didn’t let me know that there was a problem with the optical drive and the build would take longer than expected. I had to contact them twice to find out what was happening. With the laptop, after I placed the order I got a message from Joe Mundy saying that the OCZ SSD I had selected was causing problems in laptops and they recommended going with another brand. I decided on an Intel, and it turned out to be backordered. So I finally went with a Corsair. We could have saved some time if AVA had removed the OCZ drive from its list of compatible components.

Both units were beautifully packed for shipment, and the laptop box even included the unused portion of the special thermal compound I had chosen. The build of the workstation looks fine, with attention to cabling details; a friend who builds computers was impressed by the quality of the components and the workmanship."

"Everything was great. Had to wait a long time for delivery of my system but I knew that at the beginning. The price for my build was only about $150 more than what I would have paid for the parts on NewEgg. However, be aware of price fluctuations."

"I recently completed my second purchase from AVA direct. 3 years ago they built a powerful home desktop for me and I was very pleased. Most recently, I purchased a custom power laptop and I am impressed again. Great customer service. Joe walked me through several design issues to optimize my unit and get the most performance for my money. I anticipate using AVA for all my future computer needs."

"I first purchased my notebook on 12 April 2012. I designed a Clevo P270WM and was quoted a 1 month build since I also ordered a custom paint. Joe at AVA direct was extremely helpful in choosing a computer that is right for my various needs. I have been in the Army for 9 years, but also work part time in 3D graphics. I plan to go into the field full time after this last contract is up. I also game on X-box 360 and PS3 emulators (I buy the games a burn them to hard drives and play them on my computer). I need a killer machine with a powerful GPU, lots of RAM, and huge hard drives. Well, for those of you who don't know, the Clevo P270WM was recalled around 7 May due to frequent motherboard issues. NOT AVADIRECT's fault!! I then had to either wait at least 6 months or change my order. I changed it to the Clevo P170EM and a VG 236H monitor (3D capable). The price difference was about $800, which AVA direct REFUSED to refund me. I then looked into canceling my order. I was told that because I had custom painted parts that there was a 20% cancellation fee (over $1,100). THIS IS AVADIRECT's fault!! Because it was cheaper just to overpay I decided to proceed with my order. I was again quoted an approximate 1 month build time. I then waited from 9 May to 6 June to call to see how the build was going. I was told that all the parts were in and it was being built and would ship early the next week. Satisfied, I then waited again....and waited.....and waited until 26 June when I called them again. I was told that they were mistaken last time and that the GPU hadn't come in when I made my previous call, but that it had recently arrived and my notebook should ship no later than 2 July. They were only one day off as it shipped at 5 P.M. yesterday (3 July). My Notebook should arrive on 9 July, just shy of 3 months after my initial order and a full two months after my order change.
Overall Positive experiences:
1. AVADirect offers a huge variety of options for custom computing needs at prices that no other reseller I found can match. In some cases it is actually cheaper to order from them than it is to buy parts and build it yourself.
2. The customer service is great. I never once felt like I was being talked down to even though they are pros and I'm a novice. Joe even gave me pointers with a software issue on my current HP that I DID NOT buy from AVA Direct
Overall Negative Experiences:
1.Communication / wait: I know that they are busy, but I also know that Joe has help because he isn't the only person I talked to. I found out that AVA has had difficulties with the 7970M I ordered in my second notebook. I didn't find this out through AVADirect, but through a third party. It would have been nice to know the reason for the long time on the second build. Maybe they could have sub steps in the "Processing" status such as waiting for parts, assembling parts, bench testing, etc.
2. Inflexible Policies: For me I am talking about their fees for cancellations or for refunds. At the time AVA direct had over $5,600 of my money with nothing invested on their end. I don't understand why they couldn't give me the partial refund when I had to change my order to a cheaper machine.
3. No military discounts and no shipping to APO addresses. A military discount is nice, but I can understand if they can't afford it since they do have low prices anyway. What I don't understand is why they can't ship to at least some APO addresses. For those of you who don't know, the postal service recently put a ban on all electronics containing batteries going to Middle East addresses (APO, AE) This includes laptops, walkman's, IPods, watches, and anything else that contains any type of battery regardless of size. I don't know why they did it, they just did. AVA Direct still can ship to military addresses in Europe (APO, AU) or Asia (APO, AP), but they don't and I don't understand why.
I will update once my notebook arrives and I have used it a bit.

It is now 6 July 12 and I have my Notebook. It works great, but there are two problems. First, the 3d vision kit that Joe prescribed does NOT work with my GPU. I have to return my monitor and get one that works with an ATI Radeon 7970M GPU. Second, the computer did not get the custom paint job that I paid for. I now have no clue why the build took 2 months since AVADirect didn't do the step that they claimed was taking the longest! I will post again and give an update regarding the resolution to these problems. BTW, Let's add lack of after hours customer service as another improve.

31 July 12 Okay, I've been meaning to update this since I got my new monitor around 24 July. The returns / exchange process is amicable. AVADirect paid for shipping both ways and substituted the non-compatible monitor for one that was compatible with HD3D. The listing price is about $50 diferent in AVA Direct's favor, but all the specifications are the same and the product has favorable reviews so I don't mind. That being said, nothing has been done about the lack of custom paint job. I was told that it was written out because of the difference in price from my original bid and my second bid because my second bid was supposedly more expensive.(Clevo P270WM to Clevo P170EM with 3D capable monitor) As I mentioned earlier, the actual difference in sticker price when i went back and built the system with the specs on my updated receipt(according to the AVADirect website) was approximately $800 in AVA Direct's favor. Without the custom paint job it goes to $1,150 in AVA Direct's favor. Either way, I didn't get the paint job I requested, I overpaid, and it took 3 1/2 months to complete this transaction.

3 Sep 2012

I talked with Joseph Mundy at length on 7 August and it became apparent that AVA Direct really does care about providing a good experience to it's customers. He provided me with a few things that definitely improved my experience with the company. He was extremely receptive to feedback and sudgestions that I had (especially with the order tracking process). I also found his demeanor over the phone to be polite and respectful as always."

"Absolutely the best laptop I've ever owned. My request was small enough: after causing myself considerable damage carrying around my 18" Qosmio to work every night, I wanted something much smaller and lighter (about the size of a netbook) but which could handle running a game like Minecraft. I tried Samsung's Chromebook and a few other options, and liked the size (about 11") but none of them could handle even the meager requirements of Minecraft. I tried talking to a couple of custom shops, but nothing could be done. Then a Google search turned up AVADirect, and I'm ecstatic to say that not only did I get a super-light-and-portable laptop (about 11"), and not only can it handle Minecraft, but for only a $1000 price tag, it can even handle Arkham City without much trouble. Initially had some problems trying to get my Batarang wired-USB joystick working, as it may have wanted to use just too much power from the USB port, but other Xbox-style USB controllers work just fine. Absolutely no complaints, although some of the pre-installed software had to be removed (the HotKey app kept interrupting typing whenever I'd hit Caps Lock) or edited (the Synaptics touchpad app doesn't seem to have the "disable when other pointing device is plugged in" option that my Qosmio version's does). "