Laptop

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[Tinks]

I am looking to buy a laptop. Has anyone had any personal experience with a Gateway 450
Your comments would be appreciated.

[bill]

I'm very impressed with my Dell 8200 Inspiron
2 GHz Pentium 4
1 GB RAM
60 GB hard drive
built-in WiFi

I was a big Gateway guy until they closed all their stores in Asia with no notice. Looks like they're doing the same in the US now too, but they probably have the service techs in place...I now have several orphaned desktops under warranty, but it's hell to get service.

Laptops need service at times...more so than desktops. I wonder whether Gateway will still be around by the time your warranty runs out. They left their fans in Asia hanging....forgive my beer induced Friday rant...

[msgraph]

My Dell lasted two years without a glitch, then suddenly heat issues arose. First I some keys didn't function half the time, then the processor went out. Good thing I bought the extended warranty :)

So before buying, run some searches on your model number with the phrases based around overheating issues etc. Every computer regardless of the model will face these problems but I have found that some can't handle them well at all.

[Rumbas]

Running a Dell Latitude P4 2,4 Ghz, 1/2 gig RAM here. Smooth, but I'm not happy with the display. All other than 1600x1200 looks awfull and boy does the font look small on that res ;)

Agreed msgraph - seems to get _really_ hot, fans run like crazy most of the time. Other than that I'm happy with my new tool and especially happy with the DVD and TV-out.

[HowlingWizard]

From my experience supporting many laptops (mine and clients) The brands to look at first are Toshiba, IBM and Dell.

Each brand typically has multiple lines. I recommend staying away from the low end consumer machines. These are built with a primary focus on purchase cost. For the long term look at machines built with more focus on quality components and long term quality.

[kyr01]

Ok, since we are talking about this: would you buy a Centrino laptop right now, or stay with the 'old' Pentium 4?
I am trying to figure out, but it seems that the new Centrino is weaker right on web content creation.

[gibbon]

vaio man myself - i like the keyboards, plus they look groovy

[WibbleWobble]

Rumbas:
All other than 1600x1200 looks awfull and boy does the font look small on that res.

Aren't TFT monitors designed for only one resolution? Couldn't you just up the font size? :\

Laptop at home runs rather hot, its a Dell. Its like having a really geometric cat on your lap - purring and being warm and uncomfortable more often than not.

[Rumbas]

>Aren't TFT monitors designed for only one resolution?

Exactly. That's the problem, you can't adjust it down to get a resonable good contrast.

>Couldn't you just up the font size?

Yup. I did already, but you know a lot of sites don't support font size changes in the browser (WebmasterWorld does :)) It also become a problem with some software types and the look and feel of XP. Buttons, icons etc. are sooo small.

>geometric cat on your lap
Hehe, agreed. Amazing so hot they get. Had an HP laptop for years and it didn't get nearly as hot.

[Jock Philips]

I have a gateway 450 laptop and i am very impressed with it here are the specks I have a router in the top bedroom with the wireless ether net card and it works perfectly anywhere in the house or hotel that has a router.
The battery lasts for 4 hourswith the option of a second battery for $1.00 it is a brilliant buy

Intel® Pentium® 4M processor 2.0GHz
512MB memory
40GB HD
Modular 24x/10x/24x CD-RW and 8x DVD combo
Microsoft® Works Suite 2003
15" SXGA+ TFT active matrix

Thin and light -- The Gateway® 450 blends price, performance, and portability.

Standard Features:
Intel® Centrino™ mobile technology or
Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
1 Year Limited Warranty¹
14.1" - 15a XGA TFT Display
5.79 - 6.01 lbs.²
Integrated Sound & Stereo.
1 Year America Online® Internet access

[PaulPaul]

I also have worked with many desktops and notebooks. I choose HP products and have never been unhappy with my decision. I have an old HP Pavillion laptop running as my Mail Server, its up 24x7 for months at a time, always processing mail based on numerous rules and providing virus protection. It hasnt once given me a single hardware problem...

[aspdaddy]

I sometimes choose laptops for clients, I usually use IBM . If its for business, find a new or used B2B dealer that you trust rather than the high street.