New Prelude

[Norwood06]

I ordered a prelude on 5 Dec and received the order on 26 Dec. The system performs very well, ran wow and mass effect with zero problems. The system easily topped 60fps on the latter, even at highest settings on my 22" monitor, keep in mind I spent less than $1800. The OS is clear of unwanted addons and advertisements, and is fully updated, allowing me to bypass setup and jump right in.

The aluminum at the rear of the case is warped outward slightly, which I blame on the extreme temp changes the system went through traveling from maingear to my apt. This hasn't had an effect on connectivity, though.

Overall I am extremely happy with my experience with maingear.

I do have one suggestion, to improve transparency during order processing/assembly:

I did not receive updates while my order was being processed. As it turns out, an incorrect component was ordered and installed. Maingear customers are generally pc buffs. It seems like a wasted opportunity to not take advantage of our enthusiasm. Maingear should consider an automated method to notify customers when & what components are ordered and when a tech is assigned to their order. A system that also updates customers as their orders progress from pre-assembly to testing would provide a more enjoyable wait for us, and in my case, catch mistakes well before the system is assembled.

Thank you for my great system!

[AnorexicBuddha]

I do have one suggestion, to improve transparency during order processing/assembly:

I did not receive updates while my order was being processed. As it turns out, an incorrect component was ordered and installed. Maingear customers are generally pc buffs. It seems like a wasted opportunity to not take advantage of our enthusiasm. Maingear should consider an automated method to notify customers when components are ordered and when a tech is assigned to their order. A system that also updates customers as their orders progress from pre-assembly to testing would provide a more enjoyable wait for us, and in my case, catch mistakes well before the system is assembled.

i second that. this will be my 5th pc ordered and my 1st from maingear and this is the only one where i'm out of the loop as to whats happening with my order. it would be so much easier to have an automated update via the website vs. having to call every few days to find out.

[RottynDawg]

Thank you for taking the time to post up a review Norwood. Enjoy the new system!

[ostego]

Thanks for the review norwood glad you enjoy your pc

[AnorexicBuddha]

just to add to what i said before. some sort of online update would be nice or at least take the time to send me some sort of automated email which gives me an update as to where in the "build process" my pc is.

when i call once a week to get an update i get the feeling that i am bothering them. in a phone call to get an update, that lasts less than 2 minutes, i dont want to walk away with the feeling rubbed off on me that i'm wasting their time. regardless if you spend over $5000 like i did or if you bought a base model prelude or dash for $850 nobody should feel like they are hassling someone when all they want is a build update.

[golfman560]

Thats odd, whenever I talk to them they seem like they want to talk, maybe its just been gloomy there over the last few weeks because of so many orders from the Holidays.

But what do you talk about? If they don't enjoy what youre talking about they're probably less likely to keep the conversation going.

[AnorexicBuddha]

i just call to get an update on where in the "build process" my pc is. and everytime i call i get somewhat of an update and then the call ends with "we will email you as soon as it ships". i am not asking for a "set in stone" ship date but some sort of general timeframe. i understand there can be problems during the build such as bad components which would push it back but that's why i think some sort of automated update via email or the website would be nice. to use the line "we will email you when it ships" sounds rude and you might as well say "stop calling and bothering us. we have better things to do than talk to you". thats just the feeling i get when i call. i just think that calling once a week for an update isn't excessive or out of line. in my opinion to spend less than 2 minutes of your time once a week on the phone updating me isn't asking a whole lot. maybe i'm just taking it the wrong way and if i am i apologize to the maingear guys but thats just how i feel when i get off the phone with them.

[golfman560]

Well you do know that they test the computers before they ship right? Like 3Dmarks or whatever it is and all that, so sometimes theres problems that they have to fix. They don't want to give you a date because then (almost always) the customer complains when it isn't met. Its a hard wait, but its better to have an eager customer than one ****ed that the ship date wasn't met.

[AnorexicBuddha]

yes i do know that they test them. but to give someone an estimated (notice: just as before i am not asking for a guaranteed) ship date shouldn't be like pulling teeth. i understand things may go wrong that will push back a ship date. but a little transparency helps. all you have to do is tell me the estimated ship date is changing and the reason why. that would make me feel a little better about the overall wait than telling me "we'll email you when it ships".

[Plan1x]

They do give you a time frame or should. When they call back and talk to you when you initially place the order it is manditory to tell you about the 3-5 week wait time. Normally its on the back end of 4-5 weeks. As for when you call in and they give you "the run around" when you for an estimated shipped date they really can't give you one, except if they count back from when your order was processed and than give you the max time. Otherwise, if they do give you or anyone else a specific date or week and they do not meet that standard, then they are yelled at for lying to the customer or taking to long.