"I bought a custom Potenza Super Stock. It has an Intel Core i7 4770K processor at 3.9 GHz, 16 GB of RAM, a GTX 770 2 GB video card, a 3 TB Seagate HD and 256 GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD. It came with several free games and free shipping as well since I did spend over $2,000 on it.

I am very pleased with the product. In the past, I would have just bought a Dell and not thought twice about it, but I have moved on and I feel like I will get better performance and service because of it.

This computer will run anything I play on it and I think that will be the case for some time. I am playing games on a 1440 pixel monitor on ultra settings. The graphics are amazing!!

I feel as if this was a very smart purchase and one that I will not regret. The price to pay is not the cheapest, but you are getting a top of the line product that will outperform most other comparable computers and with equally impressive customer service."

"I had some problems with delays but any problem I had encountered was Solved almost instantly thanks to maingear's outstanding customer service. Having questions about buying from maingear? Don't.... They are incredible!"

"I have been a gaming enthusiast for the last 15 years. I have had several gaming machines during that time such as an Alienware Area 51 (before they became part of Dell), Dell XPS, and other custom gaming machines. I recently purchased a Maingear F131 Super Stock Z77. Absolutely, hands down the best gaming machine I’ve owned! Besides the innovate design and killer performance, one of the best things about Maingear is there customer support staff. My gaming machine came with lifetime Angelic Service and phone support. I know, I was skeptical also... “angelic”? That’s not been my usual experience with customer support techs. But the adjective is truly applicable to Maingear. The half-dozen times I’ve called, I received courteous, polite, professional, and timely assistance. Thanks, Ron! You rock! --Bruce "

"Update as of 9/1/2013

This is my final report in regards to my Maingear computer purchase. I've had the computer for a few weeks now and everything is good with it. However it was not a fun process getting to this point. If you buy a Maingear computer and everything goes right, you'll most likely love the company. If something goes wrong, you won't be quite as infatuated with them. That's been my experience. There are two areas where I encountered problems:

1. Response time - Maingear needs to understand that providing excellent customer service is as much about how quickly a problem is solved as how the problem is solved. I have two examples where response time to a problem was an issue.

As I posted before, my original computer had problems. By the time I received my replacement computer, it was almost 5 weeks from when I had originally placed my order. Yes, 5 weeks. The process of agreeing to replace my original computer and then actually doing so, took Maingear almost 3 weeks. My replacement computer went through the same build process as before. It was not expedited in any way that I could detect. The amount of time to build the replacement computer took just as long as the original computer. At one point I was told my replacement computer's build process might be held up if they were having problems with other customer computers. I don't think that happened, but I didn't appreciate the treatment.

As a second example of poor response time, my replacement computer did not come with burning software that was to accompany the bluray burner that I had purchased. It took me almost a week via several e-mails to get the burning software from Maingear. The software that I did get, was several versions old.

2. Quality control - Maingear touts the fact that their computers go through a build checklist. The checklist is included with the materials that you receive when you get your computer. In spite of that checklist process though, both of the machines that I received were missing parts or software. The first machine that I had received was shipped without the Microsoft Office software that I had ordered. It was also shipped without some hardware addons that should have been included with the motherboard. As I already mentioned, the second computer was missing the bluray burning software. The second machine also didn't have the D: partition setup and formatted, ready to go out of the box. Bottom line is, in spite of the Maingear build checklist process, there were quality issues with both machines that were shipped to me.

I do like my new computer. It's very fast and very quiet...exactly what I paid for. However, there's nothing that special about the hardware that I got. I could have gotten it from a number of custom computer manufacturers, or even just built this machine myself. Instead I opted to go with Maingear..hoping for a great machine from a company that delivers great customer service. In the end, I just got a great machine.


=========================================================
Update as of Friday 7/19 -

I heard back from Ivan today. Maingear has agreed to ship me a brand new replacement machine. They are doing their best to build, test and ship the new machine to me as of today.

I'll update this once I receive the new machine. So far things are looking like I can expect a positive outcome on this.

Thank you Maingear....and Ivan.

===========[Original Complaint below]====================

As I type this, I'm reminded by the fact that a few weeks ago, I wanted to replace my aging computer with a new machine. By now I would have been happily using a new computer if it weren't for problems caused by Maingear. I wanted nothing more than to be a happy Maingear customer. Unfortunately I am not.

The first issue that I had with my new computer was the delivery. During the ordering process, Maingear allows you to choose which carrier will handle the delivery. Maingear did not honor my selection and delivered via a different carrier. I don't know why. Once the delivery started, there wasn't anything I could do. The delivery was supposed to be on Friday 7/12. As a result of how this particular carrier handles their signature deliveries, I was not able to get my computer until several days later, on Monday night. I would have had my new computer on 7/12 if Maingear had honored my original carrier selection.

When I finally got the computer home on Monday night, I inspected the shipping box and saw no apparent damage (other than a torn hand grip on the exterior cardboard box). There was no other damage on the exterior box or the interior box with the maingear graphics, logos, etc. Once I opened the interior box though, it was obvious that there were problems.

By the time I had the computer out of the packaging, there were a few broken pieces of plastic on my carpeting. I traced them to a broken filter panel located on the bottom of the computer case. The top of the case has a pop-up media door for access to audio, USB and memory card ports. That media door was already open when I unpacked the computer. The process of closing and re-opening the media door didn't seem as smooth as I expected. I played with the media door for a few minutes before I realized what was happening. The top of the media door and the exterior case of the computer are both metal. The closing/opening of the media door was actually shaving metal parts off the media door corner and also on the interior of the case. Those metal shavings were dropping into the interior of the computer.

From what I could tell, it looked like the computer had taken a hard enough hit during shipping that the bottom filter tray had broken off of its mounts and the pop-up media door had dislodged from it's normal mounting location enough that it's opening/closing was no longer working correctly. There was no exterior damage on the shipping box that indicated any kind of puncture/dent that would be the obvious source of this damage. The fact that the filter tray and media door are on opposite sides of the computer (top/bottom) makes it impossible that I could have missed any type of damage on the shipping box in two separate areas. If the computer had this type of visible damage from such an extremely hard hit, I was worried about the more delicate parts of the machine like fans and hard drives. I didn't try turning the computer on (and still haven't).

I tried contacting Maingear support Monday night, but they were already closed. My first contact with them was on Tuesday morning. I explained the situation to them. Their initial assessment was that my explanation about the metal shavings was impossible because they had never seen this before. I was asked to send in pictures as proof. I sent them a detailed picture on Tuesday night. Soon afterwards I followed up with a phone call to discuss the picture and a solution for all of these problems. I was told that the manager was not available and that I would have to call back on the following day.

I called Maingear late Wednesday morning and talked with a manager named Ivan. He had seen the picture that I had sent. He offered to fix the broken filter tray, replace the media door and blow out the computer with compressed air to clear the metal shavings out of it. I pointed out that the compressed air was just as likely to blow the metal shavings into the graphics card, coolers, nooks and crannys of the motherboard, etc. If the compressed air didn't do that, the process of shipping the machine back to Maingear (I was told the media door required a factory replacement) would do that too. Ivan tried to tell me that I didn't have to worry how he was handling the metal shavings because...the computer case is aluminum. I pointed out to Ivan that aluminum is a conductor and can easily cause shorts resulting in failures...either outright or intermittent...now or in the future. I asked for a 100% replacement machine. After a long discussion, Ivan told me that he would contact me later on Wednesday. Ivan did not call me back on Wednesday.

I called Maingear on Thursday afternoon since I still had not heard from Ivan. After a brief period, I was told that my phone call was being transferred to Ivan. Apparently that really meant that I was being transferred into Ivan's voice mail. I left Ivan a voice mail and never heard from him on Thursday either.

Maingear's actions, treatment of this situation and now lack of response is why I'm writing this review. I'm not happy about Maingear's approach to blowing metal shavings out of a brand new expensive customer computer and their indifference to the long term functioning/stability of my computer after it sustained a hit hard during shipping to do the damage that was done. I've told Maingear that the only acceptable solution to this problem is a 100% replacement of my computer.

While I wait for Maingear's response, I am also in the process of filing an identical complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I'll take this complaint further if I need to."

"I received my Maingear Vybe and upon opening the box and unpacking it the box the professional job became obvious. This has replaced an alienware (original one) not a dell one and this was built far better then that one and was less expensive. I called tech support and they helped me set it up with ease. Tech support was great and didn't mind that I was a 62 year old klutz. I can't recommend this company enough. And IF for some reason a problem developes I am positive they will get it straightened out. If you need a computer build for you do not hesitate to call them and place an order. I will end this so I can go play!"

"This is the second computer I have purchased from MainGear. The first was a powerful laptop I use exclusively for my photography work and the second was a small, low-cost desktop for my parents. I am extremely happy with the computers, the ease of ordering and the step-by-step updates during the build process and shipping. I would recommend MainGear for any computer purchases."

"Two words:

Don't buy.

Long story. So, originally I ordered my F131. Prepaid a total of $1,325.99. You think they would have built it right away? Nope. It took over a month until it finally arrived. Then I came to find out the DVD drive shoots out and scratches my disks. Whatever, I dealt with it. Then I got a random email to submit my review here. The VP of marketing read it and shipped me an identical one with a supposed "upgraded" video card. Same card. So I emailed them back and told them, they shipped the new card out. Come to find it basically takes an IT guy to install a new card with the wiring. So I asked them to send me the fedex labels, so I could just send back the bad PC and the card, I wanted to be done with this. They never did. Two months later, the "replacement" PC they sent me just didn't turn on one day. So I am back to using to PC with the bad DVD drive. Nothing but one huge annoyance for the money I've paid. "

"Ok, so my Maingear F131 was my first custom computer ever. I am disabled (both visually impaired and with some problems with my hands that make upgrading things myself impossible) so I wanted something I would not have to upgrade (hopefully) within the life of my computer. I looked around at a few custom places, but Maingear was actually the first I looked at, and I was very happy with the very easy and straightforward options process.

I was a bit disappointed that they do not provide samples of what the paintjobs and MARC Engravings looked like on the options page. I found a few examples on google and the Maingear forums, but wasn't confident enough that I'd like the look of a paintjob to warrant paying the extra cost. I think if they had had examples, I would have been much more likely to choose that option. Same with the engraving. I am an artist myself and would have loved to have put some art on, but I didn't know how much detail could be done, so the same hesitation applied.

Cost: I just barely exceeded my budget that I had set for myself and was extremely happy with what I ended up getting.

Accessibility: This was, by far, the easiest computer setup I have ever had, though *laugh* it took me a while to find the power plugin. I just ended up feeling around for it. Maingear guys, I have to thank you for the easy to open case, and the easy to snap on side panels. My old Dell's case is still partly open because I don't have the physical dexterity to close it. Also, the ports on top... Great IDEA! That makes it so much easier to hook up. I think I heard on one of the interviews your CEO did about the military veteran who mentioned the top ports that made it easier for him to use, and I must second this! Oh, and the quick start guide did not have tiny print either. I was a bit concerned about that as my ability to read without magnification is limited, but the setup guide was easy.

Shipping: The package (once I got it, that is) was well put together and I'm keeping the box for its nice handles when I move. Everything was nicely and securly wrapped but did not require scissors to open. The shipping method of FedEx was a pain for me, as through various mishaps I got my computer a week after I should have. Had the delivery gone as scheduled, I would have gotten it overnight by FedEx Ground because I live so close to Maingear's headquarters. (I work early shift and my FedEx guy only comes in the morning and there's no one to sign for me... Anyway, FedEX's fault, not Maingear's!).

Speed: This computer is wonderfully fast. I can open up multilayer, huge PSDs in seconds and it makes my work so much easier.

Noise: I think this computer is about as noisy as my 5 year old Dell, but half the noise is probably my 2Tb external harddrive.

Setup: As mentioned earlier, amazingly easy setup. I requested a wireless thing to be included and it was, all I had to do was select my network upon startup and it was great!

Overall I am extremely pleased with my purchase and will recommend Maingear to anyone that needs a custom computer without all the flashy lights and do dads that some other companies use. I also intend to revisit Maingear when this computer lives out its life, may that not be for a long time.

Awesome work guys!

Courtney Wilson"

"I love Maingear Computers. This is the 2nd F131 Superstock that I have purchased. It is a superb machine that is great for gaming and for business. Maingear keeps you informed on the progress of your computer and it arrives in perfect condition on the date that they said that it would. I would not consider buying from anyone else."

"Just purchased two X-Cube systems, both with some customizations. Very happy with both, shipped on time and built exactly as requested. Working flawlessly."

"So far it's been fantastic. I'm not a gamer, just a scientist, and this computer runs all of my programs simultaneously superbly. I was looking for something that could handle all of the programs I run while working on manuscripts and projects. I primarily use my laptop as a desktop computer because it is a little large (17 inch screen, Better version, comes with a huge converter box attached to the cord). Overall, the computer is easy on the eyes, sleek (plum colored actually), and fast. My only complaint is that the keypad seems small. The arrow buttons are intermixed (slightly) with the bottom right control and shift key...this causes problems when I'm typing without looking. But now that I have an external keyboard all is well. I'm happy with my purchase and recommend it to others."

"I bought a Potenza a while back and i couldn't be any more impressed. From the way i was treated to all the guarantees i received i knew right away this was the right choice. Best investment I've made ( i still treat it like it just got out of the box ). The computers performance is amazing, all the games i play i put the graphics as high as possible and until today not once did it lag or freeze.
The only problem i had was when i inserted a CD and the computer kept freezing every time i would try to open the files in it or even attempt to explore it in any way. I called customer service, in about two minutes i was talking to someone and that's when they told me to eject the CD manually ( and that's when i found out the front of the PC opens up), so i did, and when i checked the CD it looked like it had been through hell, no wonder it couldn't read it i don't speak Chinese either ( i tried to insert other CD's in it and everything worked just fine ).
The main issue that i found when I was searching to buy a computer was that most places are desperate to sell you one, and when you try to return it or ask them a simple question they act like they never saw you, so the hospitality alone of MAINGEAR makes you want to get one and backed up by all their fancy and well presented gear and all their awards in such a competitive environment shows you what they are all about. Even the shirt I'm proud to wear!!
5 stars all the way
GOOD JOB MAINGEAR"

"I purchased a Potenza. This was my first experience with MainGear, and overall I was very impressed from start to finish-enough to wear the free MainGear t-shirt around town. I chose MainGear because of the high ratings in computer mags, etc.

Sales was very smart and helpful when it came to designing my rig without overselling on parts that were overkill. The progress reports during build were great; I even received a personalized email from the CFO of the company addressing a question on status--that is what I call personalized service. Everything came on time in perfect condition--gorgeous machine.

I hooked up a third-party bluetooth keyboard and had issues from the start getting it working. The Maingear service rep was able to diagnose the problem immediately even though it was not a Maingear issue (it was a third party software issue). I never got that kind of support from Dell, and I like Dell. I guess that is the kind of special treatment you get when you buy from an elite brand. Best PC experience I have ever had going back 20 years."

"Ordered an F131. My system took over a month to ship to me. Sat in "parts procurement" for two weeks, you'd think Maingear would have all the parts they need on hand in their inventory. System was built, and I was notified the motherboard was bad, had to wait another week. Finally received my system, and discovered my optical drive basically shoots out the dvd when you eject it, and scratches it if you don't hold your hand underneath when you press eject. Contacted Maingear about that and they told me it wasn't their fault, and they tried to blame it on Fedex. Not the greatest experience. I'll shop elsewhere next time I buy a new PC. Maybe their main competitor. Services rendered definitely not worth the money paid. I'm not going to send it back to them and wait another month for them to fix it. Other than that, I suppose I'm happy with the performance, but I should have shopped elsewhere.


Two hours later..........After writing this review the VP of Marketing emailed me, and offered to send me a brand new rig with an updated video card and a gaming bundle. Definitely changed my mind about Maingear, I just hope they hold this same standard of quality to any other unlucky customers.
Thanks Maingear! Changing my rating from very dissatisfied to very satisfied. They're even letting me hold on to the defective rig until my new one arrives, then they'll rebuild the bad one, at least it's not going to waste.
"

"I purchased my F131 a week ago from Maingear, the system was flawless out of the box! I did a lot of shopping around at other boutique venders that had the same F131 style chassis and the prices were higher as well as not giving me certain options that Maingear offered. The binder and the info that was given with the unit makes me feel like the PC was given individual time and care unlike being on a assembly line and being mass produced. There were a few communications issues I had in the beginning but the Maingear team went above and beyond to make sure everything went smoothly and expeditiously. I was a diehard Alienware guy but the Maingear experience is clearly on another level. My future Desktops and Laptops will be defiantly be Maingear."