Features

• Portable, affordable, tough
• Personal and professional use
• Store all types of files
• Out-of-the-box performance
• USB, plug-and-play technology

Amazon.com Product Description

It wasn’t so very long ago that a sub-$1000 notebook was an underpowered, outmoded notebook. But with its new 400 Series, Gateway has brought speed and versatility to the entry-level mobile world. Though it shouldn’t be counted upon to drive ultra-demanding 3-D graphics or manage a flock of complex business applications, the Gateway 400 Series is certainly enough for most typical personal, light business and entertainment tasks. And at this price, that’s really saying something.

Gateway has turned to Intel for the unit’s CPU, a top-of-the-line Celeron 2.2 GHz. By no means a Pentium, a Celeron with this sort of clock speed is nevertheless a solid workhorse. At 256 MB, the system’s memory allotment is fair, and its 32 MB ATI Radeon Mobility video card is superior to the video chipset in many pricier rigs.

Surprisingly, the affordable 400 Series features a comparatively large 40 GB hard disk. This is more than enough room for an average mobile complement of programs and files. The unit does not offer DVD recording, but it does provide a DVD/CD-RW drive through which you can listen to and burn audio CDs, archive files and watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters.

At 13.2 by 10.8 by 1.7 inches and 7.53 pounds, the 400 Series is of average size. Flip open the top and you’ll find a spacious 15-inch active-matrix display capable of 1024x768 resolution, a full size keyboard with touch pad controller, and stereo speakers with emulated 3-D sound.

Connectivity options include two traditional USB 1.1 ports for linking to external devices such as scanners and optical drives, a high-speed FireWire port (commonly used for data transfer to and from digital camcorders), and a 6-in-1 card reader for interpreting memory and media cards from high-tech devices such as digital cameras and PDAs. For communication, you can use either the built-in low-speed 56K dial-up modem or the 10-/100-Mbps Ethernet Network card. The system does not feature wireless capabilities.

Your Gateway 400 Series will ship with a pre-installed copy of Microsoft Works Suite 2003. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Compact and battery efficient yet more powerful and versatile than many larger, bulkier portable computers, the Gateway M505X Notebook is a smart choice for those who put equal emphasis on performance and portability.

Not surprisingly, the unit features Intel's new Centrino technology. Built upon a triad of interconnected elements -- an Intel Pentium M CPU (with 1 full GB of Level 2 cache), an Intel 855 chipset, and a cord-free network connection -- Centrino-equipped notebooks deliver more power and more perks than their comparatively diminutive size and rated processor speed would otherwise indicate. In the case of the Gateway M505X, that processor is a 1.4 GHz Intel Pentium M, which works hand-in-hand with the system's 512 MB of DDR SDRAM memory and impressively punchy ATI Radeon 9600 graphics controller (64 MB dedicated video memory) to efficiently handle all but the most complex 2-D and 3-D business and leisure notebook applications.

Measuring just 14 by 10 by 1.4 inches and weighing a mere 6.7 pounds with optical drive and battery installed, the Gateway M505X is nevertheless crammed with impressive mobile features. Though the unit's 40 GB hard disk is only of average size, its optical drive permits CD playing and burning and DVD playing. Its display offers a surprisingly generous 15.4 widescreen inches of viewing area at crystal clear 1280 by 800 resolutions, and its on-board stereo speaker system features a miniature subwoofer for added audio depth. Moreover, its communication options include not only a standard 56K dial-up modem and a 10/100 Ethernet network adapter, but also an integrated 802.11b wireless connection for those times when you can't or don't want to plug in.

Other important amenities include three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast interaction with external peripherals such as scanners or digital cameras, two IEEE 1394 FireWire ports (typically used for digital camcorder downloads), a VGA port for external monitors, a parallel "printer" port, and an S-Video TV-out.

Bundled software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Works Suite 7.0 and a 90-day trial with Norton AntiVirus. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very nice multi-media machine
I like this notebook. I had purchased a cheaper laptop earlier, but sent it back because of the fan noise. The cheaper laptops typically use Intel Celeron processors which do not include "Speedstep" technology. Intel's speedstep (or AMDs similar technique) is needed to reduce power consumption/dissipation (and hence heat) to keep the fan off. In Intel's line, it seems to only come with Mobile Pentium M (part of "Centrino") and with *Mobile* Pentium 4s. The Gateway M505X which has the more advanced Pentium M (1.4 GHz which is equivalent to perhaps a 2.4 GHz P4)) does not run the fan at all during most uses (probably would if one ran games, etc.), and the hard drive is virtually inaudible. In short, the machine is totally silent. In addition, the bottom only gets moderately warm (not hot). Also, the palm rests do not suffer from heat buildup like some competing models (hard disk location is better in 505X).

The touchpad is awesome. Has a very smooth feel, never missing my finger's commands. I wish the left/right mouse keys were slightly less stiff, and I must say that although the keyboard is nice (less force needed than on HPs and Compaqs), I am dissappointed that Gateway left a chasm below the j, k, and l keys. When these keys are hit, the keyboard flexes slightly and the sound made is significantly different than the keys on the left side which have structure below them. But I'll learn to live with it... :-)

The multimedia capabilities of the machine are excellent. Especially the sound quality. I am frankly amazed at how good this thing sounds. As an Electrical Engineer, I know it is not easy to make good sound from tiny speakers, but this machine does a good job. (It's not going to compare to large speakers, of course, but it is infinitely better than the speakers in the cheaper laptop I purchased and returned). The 505X has, in addition to the two top speakers, a "subwoofer" that does a very credible job of enhancing the lows. Makes bass guitar tracks, etc. very clearly heard, and fills out the sound in general. There's even an equalizer that comes up in the system tray that you can use to alter the tonal quality and add effects such as reverb! The only negative on the sound is that max volume is not too high. In a noisy environment, this might be an issue, but its certainly fine for around the house.

The widescreen is also nice. Native resolution is 1280 x 800, which is OK for my eyesight. Like other laptops, if you go to a different (lower) resolution, the fonts look a bit rough, so be sure you can read text at the native resolution. The text is going to be slightly smaller than say, a 15 inch TFT with 1024x768 native resolution. Brightness is good, and has many levels so one can save power and battery life by turning it down if you want. One slight negative on the display is that mine has one bad pixel. It is stuck on and noticible with dark backgrounds, but completely invisible most of the time, so I can live with it... On the subject of battery life, I went 4 hours of mixed use (surfing web wirelessly, loading a few programs, playing snippets of DVDs, intermixed with some idle time on a mid-brightness setting), and still had 20% left in the battery.

Wireless works fine. Seems to get as good a signal or better than my external card on my other machine. Power management is pretty good too. When I put it to sleep (hibernate mode), it gets there in 13 seconds. Waking from hibernation takes 22 seconds. Not bad for a machine with 512Mb of RAM. Of course, your mileage may vary, depending on what software you are using.

Finally, the aesthetics and build are nice too. The metal lid and keyboard surround are fashionable and the machine feels quite solid. Would be nice if it were a few pounds lighter, but the 6.7 pounds is about state-of the art for what it contains.
For the price, I'm very pleased!

great notebook, for great price
had the notebook for about a month now, and love everything about it. No problems to report so far.

Pros: wide-screen is definitely a major plus, at 6.7lbs lighter than other comparable notebooks. Sturdier than comparable models. S-video port, and 3 USB ports. Looks VERY cool.

Cons: No infrared (has the port built in, but its been disabled), at 1.4M not the fastest out there, 40 gigs is slightly smaller than others.

Final note, I was debating between the toshiba m35 which was cheaper at the time than this,but the toshiba seemed flimsier and even though it had a bigger hard drive, it was not that appealing. The keyboard on the toshiba feels quite uncomfortable.

Gateway M505X vs. Toshiba M35-S359
Similar to another notebook shopper, I debated between the comparable Gateway M505X and Toshiba M35-S359, (see the very complete review "Nice machine, nice price", December 2, 2003 for the Toshiba).

Unlike that reviewer, I ended up purchasing the Gateway for a couple of reasons:

The Toshiba felt a bit flimsy and the keyboard was mushy. The Gateway seems to be constructed better and have a more subsantial feel with a very nice keyboard, without being much heavier (~1/2 pound).

The Gateway has much better speakers and a subwoofer which enhances the sound. The Toshiba sounded faint and metallic in comparison. The Gateway also has a very handy AV panel with LC display.

The screen on the Toshiba might be a little better, or at least a little brighter at its highest setting, but both are very good.

The Gateway offered better extended warranty packages for less money. Also, you can take it into any Gateway store instead of shipping it somewhere. Complete extended warranties with accidental damage coverage offered by computer retailers for about the same price were only 2 years vs. Gateway's 3.

The Gateway is much sleeker, and cleaner looking with its monotone metallic case and integrated speakers.

I realize that most of my points are aesthetic, but the hardware is almost identical, and performance should be very comparable. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Get more for less with the eMachines T2958 desktop PC. Just right for students, home use, and even more demanding computer users, it features a 2.66 GHz Celeron processor, an 80 GB hard drive to store all your digital media files, 512 MB of RAM, and a combo DVD/CD-RW drive to accommodate all your multimedia needs. It comes with Windows XP Home Edition installed, along with all the software and utilities you'll need to get up and running fast.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: With an 80 GB hard drive you'll have ample room for everything you need to store, including digital photos, audio files, and digital videos.
• Processor: The ultra fast 2.66 GHz Intel Celeron D 330 processor has a 256 KB L2 cache and is fast enough to handle demanding applications.
• Memory: There is 512 MB RAM (PC 2100) in one slot, and is expandable to 1 GB for future upgrades.
• CD/DVD Drive: The CD-RW/DVD combo drive reads CDs at 40x and DVDs at 16x. It also writes to CD media at 16x and rewrite at speeds of 10x, so you can play audio CDs, access CD-ROMs, watch DVDs, make your own mix CDs, or backup files on CD-R or CD-RW media.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a standard multimedia keyboard and 2-button wheel mouse.

Sound and Graphics
With an integrated Intel Extreme Graphics 3D card with 64 MB shared memory, you can play 3D games with realistic graphics and watch DVDs with movie-quality color and resolution. It also comes with amplified stereo speakers,and AC '97 audio for true Plug and Play audio so you can start listening to music right out of the box.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
It features a built-in 56K ITU v.92 ready fax/modem and Intel PRO 10/100 Mbps built-in Ethernet so you can get online easily whether you choose to use dial up or a high speed Internet connection or connect your computer to a network. Also included is an 8-in-1 Digital Media Manager to read USB 2.0, Secure Digital (SD), Smart Media, Compact Flash, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Micro Drive, and Multimedia Card. It also features the following external ports:

• 5 USB 2.0 ports (1 in Media Manager, 4 in back) for connecting to a wide range of peripherals, from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 serial port for connecting to older electronics like modems or mice
• 1 parallel port for connecting to printers or cameras based on older technologies
• 2 PS/2 ports for the keyboard and mouse
• Audio in and audio out ports for connecting headphones, microphone, or speakers

Preloaded System and Software
The eMachines T2958 is powered by Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. Windows XP Home Edition is packed with multimedia features to help you get your creative juices flowing. Windows Media Player lets you burn and play CDs, in addition to playing and organizing digital audio files. Windows MovieMaker is a basic video editing tool that helps you capture and edit digital video to save your memories and share them with others.

It also comes packed with the following software: Microsoft Works 7.0, Microsoft Money 2004, Encarta Online, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Real Player, PowerDVD, Internet Explorer, CompuServe, AOL (with 3 month membership included), Norton AntiVirus 2004 (90 day complimentary subscription), and BigFix.

Dimensions and Weight
The tower PC measures 7.25 x 14.12 x 16.0 inches (W x H x D).

What's in the Box
eMachines T2958 desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, amplified stereo speakers, power cable, user's manual, and warranty information. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Featuring embedded wireless support, reduced power consumption and enough Level 2 cache to noticeably accelerate your day-to-day multitasking, Intel’s innovative Centrino technology is the sophisticated centerpiece of Gateway’s 200 Series Notebook. A fast and capable machine that houses an impressive number of upscale amenities in its tiny 12.4 by 10.2 by .94-inch, 4.35 pound frame, the Gateway 200 will appeal to anyone prioritizes portability yet needs a full-service notebook.

Driven by a 1.6 GHz Pentium M processor incorporating Centrino technology, a whopping 512 MB of Random Access Memory and an integrated Intel Extreme Graphics 2 graphics chipset with shared (not dedicated) video memory, the Gateway 200 Series isn’t ready for high-end 3-D animation or taxing 3-D games, but it will make quick work of most common desktop applications. Furthermore, Gateway hasn’t allowed the system’s subcompact frame to limit data handling options, equipping it with a surprisingly spacious 60 GB hard disk and a convenient CD-RW drive through which you can burn and play audio CDs and archive data.

The unit features an impressively generous 14.1-inch XGA TFT active matrix display screen (1024 by 768 resolution) and stereo speakers. User controls include a full-size keyboard and EZ Pad pointing device. Other helpful amenities include two high-speed USB 2.0 ports for external devices such as scanners and optical drives, one FireWire port (commonly used for fast data transfer to and form digital camcorders), and S-Video port for feeding your display to a TV and an S/PDIF high-quality digital audio output. When you need to communicate, you can do so via high-speed LAN, low-speed modem or through the integrated 802.11b Wireless Networking card.

Your Gateway 200 Series will ship with pre-installed copies of Windows XP Professional Edition and Microsoft Works 7.0. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Crashes if volume control used after waking up from standby
I bought a Gateway 200E (200 ARC series) 2 days ago from another online store (I'm still posting it here, so that other potential buyers may find out about this before making a buying decision). The quality, features and speed are good. The reason I'm giving 1 star is because Gateway doesnt accept responsibility for their bugs, and doesn't want to fix them.

If I put the computer into standby and then wake it up, and use the volume control by pressing Fn + left or right arrow keys, the system crashes. It freezes completely. Even ctrl + alt + del doesn't work.

I called Gateway, and this is what they said:

"It's an already documented problem with this model.

Gateway doesn't have a solution for this problem, they only have two workarounds:

1. Don't use the Fn + key combo for volume control, use the volume control icon on the system tray with your mouse.

2. Don't use the Fn + key combo for a while after waking up from
stand by"

My reply to #1, I dont want to look for the icon and click it, I want a shortcut whenever I want to control the volume. That's what it is there for. Besides, I press ctrl + arrow to tab through my text documents. It's very easy to press Fn instead of ctrl, and this is more possible in this model especially since Fn is the outermost key on the left side, and ctrl is to the right side of it, unlike most other laptop keyboards where ctrl is the outermost key. I dont want my laptop to crash when I'm browsing through my text documents or writing code.

#2. I even tried doing this after an hour, and it still crashes.

I have the latest BIOS (v 42.01.02), and Gateway doesnt have a newer BIOS update of fix for this. I use Win XP Pro, by the way. This crash is reproducible every single time I do what I described above (use volume control after waking up from standby).

Gateway said they just wont fix it or replace this laptop. If I send it for service, they won't give me a time estimate of how long it will take to fix it. They are just trying to deter me from sending it for service I guess.

The tech who answered my second call was so rude and yelling on the phone telling me not to use the key combo, rather than focusing on how to fix it. He even said he won't let me talk to Level 2 tech people when I asked. I had to give him a piece of my mind before he would let me talk to Level 2.

The level 2 guy was even more ridiculous. He suggested that I use the screensaver instead of standby. Moron, he doesnt even know the difference between the use of a screensaver and a standby mode.

Perhaps, he thinks people who buy their laptops are starfishes who they can push around and deny service for their defective product.

How many of you have had this problem replicable with the Gateway 200 ARC series? Can you try this on your laptop and see if it happens?

Does anyone know a fix for it? I badly need it. If you have the same problem, or know how to fix it, please email me at sen@stanmed.net

If there are enough number of people with this problem, without
proper service being provided by Gateway, I think a class action
lawsuit would be feasible.

Thanks.

Sen.

Extremely pleased!
I've had this computer for 3 months now, taking advantage of all of its many features. I spent a long time looking for the right model, with the requirements being: wireless, good portability, computing power, good connectability (variety of outputs/inputs for interfacing with accessories, other computers, etc.), XP Pro, etc. This one has all that and more -- I love it! Even better, I had originally looked into getting it directly from Gateway, but delivery would have taken a relatively long time. I looked into Amazon to see if they had the same model, and coincidentally they did -- except no DVD burner, but $400 less! ($500 less with the $100 rebate!) Perfect for me -- I don't need a DVD burner, and if I did, I'd be reluctant to pay an extra $400 or $500 for it!

So why 4 stars instead of 5? The battery it comes with is simply unacceptable. You'll get 90 minutes if you're lucky; probably closer to 1 hour. I knew this ahead of time and purchased the bigger battery from Gateway. (Amazon should have it but they don't!) It took well over 1 month to receive it. In the end, the battery life with the new battery is acceptable, but not great. It's double the other, so if you're using it for low-consuming tasks, maybe you'll get 3 hours. If you're playing a DVD, you *may* just squeak out the full DVD with 1 charge. That is, if the DVD is <2 hours.

I would say that this is really the only criticism, and for me, this ain't bad. (Well, that and the fact that Prince of Persia wouldn't work on it. But in all fairness, you need a gaming computer for that app. Still ... with a brand new computer, you expect that it should be able to run virtually any app that you can pick up at Costco... The game wouldn't work on my friend's new Toshiba either. If you want a laptop for gaming, you'll need something very special. But i digress.) The computer works perfectly on my home wireless network, and has worked perfectly on other wireless networks (airports, hotels, etc). It's fast. It has a firewire port, which I've used for transferring files between computers -- excellent! I use it for work: I do training courses, so I use the computer for Powerpoint presentations, and I also burn CDs for the participants at the end of the course. The keyboard is great, and the scrolling wheel is an excellent touch! AND it has a stylish look -- very chic! All in all, I'm very pleased with this product -- I'd recommend it to friends, and if I could do it all over again, I would definitely select it again.

Very Pleased
I have had the computer for about 2 weeks. I especially like the speed, keyboard (like desktop) and wireless connection. My only problem would be that I can't adjust the contrast on the desktop. Since this is my first laptop, I don't know if I could do it with a different one. Very light to carry, especially since the CD/DVD is internal. Also like the scroll button near the touch pad.

Great notebook with minor issues!
This notebook is great for someone that travels. After comparing many notebooks in it's class. Going to stores annd physcially playing with them I found this notebook to be most portable and have some of the more powerful features. This is the lightest I found in the 14.1 in screen size notebook. This notebook looks great and is powerful enough to satisfy most users. I guess I can list all the problems that way buyers can pay attention to those things when purchasing this notebook. The most noticeable draw back was the battery life. It comes with a 3 cell battery which amounts to about a 2 hours max battery life. I suggest buying the 6 cell battery which will double you battery life. I did have some issues with the 802.11b card which signal faded alot. I had them put in the 802.11g instead and it works great. The next problem I found was the notebook gets really hot after a while (1/2 hour). But not to where it might burn you just a bit unconfortable. Finally I the cd-rom drive to be a bit loud. Aside from these minor issues which can be easyly fixed, I found this notebook to be a great buy. After rebates and discounts I think this was the best bang for my buck.

Not as advertised
Gateway 200 series notebooks have been advertised as less than 1 inch thick. The technical specifications says it is 0.95 inches thick. I bought the Gateway (instead of a Dell, which is 1.33 inches thick)and measured it. It is 1.3 inches. It is 0.95 inches only when the top (the screen) is open and you don't include the screen in your measurement. And this is measuring from the thin end of the labtop. The rear end is even thicker! Someone should tell Gateway to stop such false advertisement. A corret way to measure the thickness of a laptop is to lay it on a flat surface, put one end of a ruler on the same flat surface, and note the highest point the laptop reaches on the ruler. ... Read more

Features

• Start and close applications¿¿¿, save files and load software, launch CD-ROMs, and Perform troubleshooting techniques
• Correctly start and turn off your computer
• Identify the elements of your computer
• Set up your desktop
• Work with Windows and WordPad

Product Description

Since its foundation, Gateway has been a consistent innovator in the PC industry, starting with a business model that provides maximum value to its customers. Gateway was the first PC manufacturer to bring to market such customer-focused concepts as integrated Internet services, a broad selection of peripherals and software, a personalized Internet portal and bundled Internet access with the purchase of most Gateway PCs. ... Read more

Features

• Portable, affordable, tough
• Personal and professional use
• Store all types of files
• Out-of-the-box performance
• USB, plug-n-play technology

Features

• Works with notebooks
• Most popular wireless standard
• Fast network access
• World class technical support
• Plug and Play

Amazon.com Product Description

No matter how you prefer to input your data, the Gateway M275X Tablet PC has you covered. If you favor traditional methods, the M275X is packaged with a flip-open full-size keyboard. If you'd rather work with a stylus, the unit's swiveling display allows you to write and store information, sketch pictures and annotate documents via your own handwriting. Versatile, adaptable, compact and substantially more powerful than the majority of competing tablet PCs, the Gateway M275X is ready to handle virtually any situation and user preference.

Certainly Gateway has designed the unit with portability in mind. Tipping the scales at just 5.7 pounds and measuring 12.6 by 10.8 by a mere 1.1 inches, the Gateway M275X is larger than many tablets but substantially slimmer and more lightweight than the notebook norm.

Gateway has turned to Intel's new Centrino platform to power the system. Centrino, a technology built upon a triad of three interconnected elements -- an Intel Pentium M CPU (with 1 full GB of Level 2 cache), an Intel 855 chipset, and a cord-free network connection -- allows portable computers to be smaller, more power efficient, and faster than their rated CPU speeds might indicate. The Gateway M275X features a snappy 1.4 GHz Pentium M processor and a smallish alloent of 256 MB DDR SDRAM as its power base, and an Intel Extreme Graphics 2 3-D graphics chipset with 32 MB shared (not dedicated) video memory to drive its 3-D visuals. Consequently, the unit is ready for most standard mobile 2-D tasks but will have some troubles in intense multitasking situations and when trying to smoothly display midlevel and high-end 3-D apps and games.

The distinctive Gateway M275X sports several other desirable amenities, including a generous 14-inch XGA TFT Active Matrix display (large by tablet standards), a 56K modem, a 10/100 Ethernet connection, and an 802.11b wireless networking card for trouble-free LAN and Internet access in any environment. The enclosed 40 GB hard disk is of average size, and the system's optical drive handles CD playing and burning and DVD playing but doesn't support DVD writing. Connectivity options include two high-speed USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire port (typically used for downloading from digital camcorders) and an integrated 4-in-1 card reader for linking with memory cards from PDAs, digital cameras, and the like.

The bundled software package features Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet Edition, Microsoft Works 7.0 and a 90-day free trial with the respected Norton AntiVirus utility. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Killer Computer
Are you looking for an awesome deal on a laptop? Need the best Tablet PC on the market? Are you a student that has difficulty with there typing skills? Are you an office worker that thinks they can be more productive if they didn't have to type everything? Do you need an excellent computer, but don't want to pay $2,000* + on a computer that's not as good as the M275? If you answered yes to any of these questions than the Gateway** M275 convertible tablet pc is the right choice for you. Now you're probably saying ok here's a laptop reasonably priced nothing special hmm... next! WRONG the M275 unlike most tablets that don't have built in keyboards and, unlike most laptops that don't offer handwriting recondition the M275 offers the best of both worlds, when you first open it up it's a normal laptop, then all you have to do is turn the screen, push a button and Boom... it instantly becomes a tablet. What is a tablet you ask, a tablet is a special type of computer with special software made by Microsoft*** that offers converted handwriting recondition, that means that with a special pen (Included) you can write on the screen press a button and BOOM!!! It converts your handwriting. As well as offering handwriting recondition it also offers a 14" screen, something only offered by two manufacturers of tablets (Gateway** and Acer**) in addition it also offers a memory card reader so if you are going on vacation and you're bringing along your digital camera you don't have to pack a cable for your digital camera (if it supports SD, Memory Stick**, or Smart Media) This is why I think the M275 is a excellent system!!!!

By Andrew Kostin -- Student

*Depending on options system can be configurable to exceed $2,000 as of 6/23/04

** products/companies are registered trademarks of there respected owners

The Next Revolution in Mobile Computing- I Love This Tablet!
Versatile, lightweight, portable, durable and powerful.

I love this thing! I've had my Gateway tablet for about two months now and it's already changed the way I use my computer for both business and fun.

First of all: Some other reviewers had complaints about the latch breaking... mine is still working just fine! It's easy to get carried away having fun with such a cool new technology, but you have to remember that this is NOT a toy! It's a powerful hybrid computing system that gives you an edge over both laptop AND tablet PC users. If you screw around with it of course it's going to break- just like any number of other delicate parts on your laptop. The latch is built well and works perfectly if you make sure not to force it.

For the guy who broke his after 20 days... you should have gotten an extended warranty! I highly reccomend the extended warranty on this because, like any other advanced technology, you're going to want to protect yourself from any repair or replacement costs you might face should something go wrong. I didnt get the extended warranty because this is a bad computer... I got the extended warranty because it's the smart thing to do!

I love my tablet because it's smaller than a notebook but still has a full-size keyboard. Basically you get the best of both worlds with this one!

I can now do all of my graphic design work by sitting the computer on a desk or my lap and writing directly on the screen... and then swivel the screen out so I have acces to the keyboard when I need to write an e-mail or chat online... this is brilliant!!

I have this set of CDs I recently purchased that contains materials and resources I'm studying for an upcoming licensing exam. Before, I had to sit at my PC for hours a day reading this stuff. Now I just throw the CD in the tablet PC and I can recline or relax at ANY angle and I'm able to hold the tablet whichever way is comfortable. If you ever use your laptop to read, watch movies, or even just surf message boards then you'll love the M275X.

I can't say enough good things about this computer. It's made working when I travel so much easier. Tablets are so far superior to laptops in terms of ease of use and comfortable viewing/ operating options. And this tablet takes it a step further by including the ONLY thing that tablets were missing- a keyboard! Maybe the only downside is all the attention it attracts when I'm using it at Starbucks! Tablet PCs are the future!

I want my etch a sketch!
-----------------------------------------
HARDWARE

M275XL tablets 1.6 GHz is one of the high speed tablets compared to other on the market plus not very expensive. Yes more expensive than a laptop. Before buying Tablet PC make sure that you hold it and use it for a while before you buy it (do not drool... bad for screen)

Display View Angle: In tablet mode you will often hold it in different angles and hold it much closer than a laptop. Most screens fail in this test. M275 works OK in default landscape mode but very bad in both portraits and reverse landscape.

Pen: Check how well pens perform at the screen edges. Often scrollbars are on the edge in maximized view. I noticed sometime physical touch point on the screen and the 'soft pointer' don't align (off by 1/2 the thickness of scrollbar) making it difficult to use. M275X works OK. Few times I have had to recalibrate pointer/pen.

Processor and Memory: Low CPU speeds and lesser RAM might might be a factor if you plan to use this for something more than data entry and/or etch-a-sketch.

SOFTWARE

M275 ships with Table PC Edition 2002. Microsoft will be launching 2004 Edition with better features in June... that is what I last heard. It ships with Windows Journal and Office Works OneNote, which are really good basic tools for free form writing and recording information in tablet mode.

Other more serious graphic application such as Corel Graphigo, SketchBook, or Office 2003 with OneNote will improve your productivity.

BOTTOM LINE

M275 is good hardware except viewing angle issues. I just use it in default landscape mode and I am OK with that. Go for more CPU speed and memory. Hard disk space of 40GB~60GB is ample. Upgrade to Edition 2004 will be free... yeah from Microsoft. If you can't wait... BUY IT!!! And, if you can... DON'T WAIT!!!

It takes a week to get used to pen and different user interface.

NOTE: Don't buy (or take it for free) cheapest Gateway carrying case. Better off using manila envelope. Very thin. No pockets. Minimal padding. No protection. No use. Buy an extra Pen $20.

Great Machine and Very Versatile
The best part about this machine is the versatility it has in providing you both the Tablet PC experience and when needed converts to a standard laptop. It took me about two weeks to get comfortable with the stylus but now it is second nature.

I use the M275 in Tablet mode about 75% of the time. I have downloaded Microsoft Reader and find it quite easy to read ebooks. I also have subsribed to Zinio Magazine reader and have subsribed to both PC Magazine and PC World. Being able to hyperlink to various products in the ezines in great.

The system is a bit heavy but it has not prevented me from carrying it around the house. The Centrino CPU makes it very convenient to take around the house and connect wirelessly to the net. I had no difficulty setting it up with my wireless network. Battery life is quite good and the battery charges very quickly. I can't say enough good things about this system. Although a bit heavy it is well worth the money I paid to get this great system. Gateway has done their homework and developed a great Tablet PC. ... Read more

Product Description

Since its founding, Gateway has been a consistent innovator in the PC industry, starting with a business model that provides maximum value to its customers. Gateway was the first PC manufacturer to bring to market such customer-focused concepts as integrated Internet services, a broad selection of peripherals and software, a personalized Internet portal and bundled Internet access with the purchase of most Gateway PCs. And, in a move that has yet to be replicated, Gateway is the only major PC manufacturer that has a company-owned retail network, which allows for a myriad of customer-oriented services.PRODUCT FEATURES: Over 16 million colors; Excellent contrast and legibility; Space-saving and lightweight design; Reduced power usage. ... Read more

Features

• 1,280 x 1,024 resolution
• 0.264 mm dot pitch
• 110-vertical and 140-degree horizontal viewing angles
• 250 cd/m2 brightness, 350:1 contrast ratio
• 25 to 30 ms response time

Reviews (1)

Excellent monitor
I purchased this monitor to replace my old 21" VX1100 CRT which, quite literally, took a dive.I am very pleased with it.First of all, MAN it freed up a lot of desk space!More space for empty cans of Jolt ;) The clarity is outstanding (naturally, since it's an LCD) far better than my 21" CRT even at lower resolutions.I have had it since the model came out about 2 1/2 years ago, and all pixels still work.It should also be noted that it's fairly durable.On several occasions I have accidentally smacked the screen with my paper-holding rack thing which is on a swinging arm, and it still works perfectly.One of the things I like about it is the styling.The silver and black really looks great and it isn't molded in a design as tacky as some other flat panels, like Dell's.I'd like a larger size, but the 17" is very affordable and very functional.Great product. ... Read more

Product Description

Gateway projectors feature a micro-portable design and revolutionary technology, delivering images with incredible brightness and clarity for brilliant presentations anywhere, anytime.PRODUCT FEATURES: DDR DLP technology from Texas Instruments; Micro-portable design (under 4 lbs); Connectivity support for analog and digital inputs; Durable magnesium alloy case. ... Read more

Features

• 1,024 x 768 XGA resolution, Texas Instruments DLP technology
• 1,500 ANSI lumens of brightness, 900:1 contrast ratio
• Keystone correction; 35 to 290-inch display size
• Remote control with laser pointer
• Easily portable with carrying case and AV cables

Amazon.com Product Description

If you’re shopping for a high-performance computer for a home or school setting that offers some of the latest features and technology and breezes through demanding multimedia tasks, the Gateway 500X desktop PC is a terrific choice.

The 500X’s slick silver and black mid-tower case design houses a 2.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with 512 KB of L2 advanced transfer cache that--combined with 256 MB of 266 MHz DDR SDRAM, upgradable to 1 GB--enables you to smoothly run multiple applications simultaneously. An 80 GB hard drive offers voluminous storage capacity for data, application, and multimedia files.

The system includes an 18-inch analog/digital LCD flat-panel display that combines with a 128 MB nVidia GeForce4 MX440G graphics chip with TV-out to provide large, sharp, bright images. The 500X includes Boston Acoustics BA745 speakers with subwoofer and a SoundBlaster Audigy audio card with a FireWire interface for streaming digital video directly into the computer at lightning speed.

A DVD-ROM drive (16x DVD/48x CD-ROM) lets you enjoy DVD movie releases, and a CD-RW drive (48x/40x/12x) allows you to listen to and create audio CDs, back up data quickly on CD, and play CD-ROM-based games.

The 500X offers five PCI expansion slots and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, an integrated 10/100Base-T Ethernet interface for wired network connections and broadband Internet access, and a 56K modem. Ports include six USB interfaces (two on the front and four on the back), parallel and serial interfaces, a VGA output interface, and two PS/2 mouse and keyboard connectors. The 500X includes a multifunction keyboard and Logitech USB Optical Wheel mouse.

Bundled software includes Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Works Suite 2003 (including Microsoft Word and Encarta), and a Norton AntiVirus 90-day introductory offer. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Superior desktop machine at a reasonable price
It's true that you can get a decent desktop pc...these days. But that usually means (at best) 256 mb ram, 40 gb hard drive, a modest pentium 4 processor and a big ol' crt-monitor that takes up a lot of space on your desk. However, if you invest a little more you can end up with the Gateway 500x with 512 mb ram, a 120 gb hard drive (I axed the printer and upgraded the hard drive instead), P4 2.53 ghz processor and a sweet 17" flat panel monitor. I've had my 500x for a few months now and absoultely love it. If my buddy Renato were here he'd give you all the overly in-depth technical details, but he's not so here's the deal in laymen's terms: Unless you're a heavy (and I stress heavy) duty gamer or do tons of video editing, the 500x has more than enough muscle to meet your everyday computing needs (and then some), including web surfing and downloading all your favorite images, movie and sound clips. Both the cd and dvd drives have worked flawlessly for me. I work with multiple applications open at all times (including those that are known to be resource hogs) and have had zero reliablity problems with virtually no notice of speed degradation. Everything about this machine has been rock solid and it performs tasks at a blindingly fast speed. The sound system and video graphics are great. For the price and quality, you could do a heck of a lot worse than the Gateway 500x (and not that much better). ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Basics:
Not so large that they’re prohibitively cumbersome or so compact that they’re prohibitively expensive, Gateway’s newest eMachines blend sensible styling with many of today’s most desirable amenities and enough power for typical notebook tasks. This model, the eMachines M2352 Notebook PC, sports a high-end AMD Athlon CPU, wireless connectivity and a movie-friendly widescreen display. Other models in the new eMachines series offer goodies such as DVD recording, enhanced 3D graphic capabilities and futuristic 64-bit CPUs, yet the eMachines M2352 is nevertheless a solid yet very affordable choice for business and personal users alike.

Processor:
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (processor), a massive array of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today’s notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU’s on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The eMachines M2352 is equipped with an AMD Athlon XP 3000 CPU operating at 2.2 GHz. This is a powerful processor that compares favorably in real world tests to current high-end Intel Pentium 4 CPUs, even though its 2.2 GHz clock speed is not as high as the 3-plus GHz of today’s fastest Pentium 4s. Forward-thinking folks should note that this is a 32-bit processor, not one of the new 64-bit processors found in some state-of-the-art desktops such as the eMachines M6811. Nevertheless, it is quite sufficient for most any application, from business to entertainment and all stops in between.

Memory:
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The eMachines M2352 incorporates 512 MB of RAM of PC2700 DDR RAM, an average allotment and speed for midlevel and high-end notebooks. But unlike many current portables, which allow you to expand your RAM to one or two GB or more, this unit supports a maximum of only 768 MB. This should not be an issue for most users, though anyone who plans to engage in ultra-heavy-duty multitasking or other high-drain procedures such as multi-track audio recording should explore notebooks that support more RAM, such as the eMachines M6810 or M6811.

Video:
CPU’s are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen, a duty that falls upon the graphics card (or graphics controller). This system’s graphics controller is an ATI Mobility Radeon IGP 320 with 64 MB of shared video memory. This is not a particularly high-end video controller, as it appropriates up to 64 MB of the system’s main memory rather than providing its own "dedicated" video memory. As such, the system will accurately display 2D and many midlevel 3D tasks, but is not recommended for the latest 3D games or other demanding applications such as 3D animation and 3D graphic design.

Display:
Some of today’s largest notebooks are equipped with massive 17-inch displays, while many super-compact "ultra-lights" sport substantially smaller 12-inch displays. The eMachines M2352 features a midsize 15.4-inch display in the same widescreen format favored by moviemakers.

Hard Disk:
While the integrated 60 GB hard disk isn’t particularly generous by desktop standards, it’s considered quite adequate in a notebook and therefore satisfactory for those who need to operate a broad range of applications and also keep a small library of space-gobbling music and/or multimedia files.

Optical Drive:
An optical drive is essential in today’s computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Most drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This system features a CD-RW/DVD drive through which you can play and burn CDs and play DVDs.

Audio:
The eMachines M2352 is equipped with an integrated audio chip, built-in stereo speakers, a microphone jack and headphone/audio out.

Keyboard and Controls:
You’ll control your notebook via a standard mobile keyboard and a touchpad with vertical scroll zone.

Connectivity and Expansion:
The eMachines M2352 offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, a 10/100Mbps Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and an integrated 802.11g wireless connection for cord-free e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via a local public hotspot. Other key amenities include four high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and an S-Video Out for feeding the display to a television set.

Operating System and Software:
Gateway has fitted the unit with today’s most popular operating system, Microsoft’s Windows XP Home Edition. Other applications include Microsoft’s Works 7.0 productivity suite, Microsoft’s Money 2004 financial center, and an array of multimedia and Internet utilities.

Dimensions and Weight:
Notebook computers are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Many of today’s most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and therefore too big and bulky for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that generally aren’t as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and fit comfortably inside a large purse. At 7.5 lbs and 14 by 10.4 by 1.6 inches, the eMachines M2352 is of medium size.

Power:
The unit is equipped with an 8-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
Sporting many of the high-tech innovations and amenities of Gateway's new top-of-the-line PCs but with less power, comparatively mediocre 3D graphics performance and half the memory, the Gateway 420GR Desktop PC is nonetheless a strong midlevel computer that delivers impressive bang for the buck. The unit is suitable for business, home, entertainment and all-purpose environments, though fussy and/or demanding users will probably need to upgrade one or more components relevant to their chosen applications and requirements. But even without upgrades, the Gateway 420GR is both ready for the future and nicely equipped for the vast majority of duties today.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. The Gateway 420GR features a fast Intel Pentium 4 515 CPU. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache for a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a 2.93 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this is a strong processor in all but the toughest situations.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. For the 420GR, Gateway has installed 512 MB of speedy 400 MHz DDR memory, configured in a dual channel setup for even faster response. This is a typical allotment for a midlevel computer, and more than enough for most multitasking situations and complex applications. Moreover, the system's mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a stunning 4 GB, though most users will never need to do so.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that "shares" the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures.

The Gateway 420GR features a new style of video controller -- a sort of hybrid between high-end standalone "dedicated memory" cards and less impressive integrated "shared memory" controllers. It's called the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900, a module that is indeed integrated on the motherboard but features more refined components than traditional integrated controllers. However, though some variations of the Graphics Media Accelerator 900 can utilize up to 224 MB or more of the system's memory, thus generating better 3D performance, this particular controller is unable to use more than 64 MB. As a result, anyone seriously involved in 3D gaming or 3D graphic design will undoubtedly need to add a standalone graphics card. But if you're usually involved in 2D and/or undemanding 3D work, the system will suffice nicely as is.

Display:
Gateway has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The Gateway 420GR produces stereo and surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for six distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. Gateway has also enclosed a pair of amplified desktop speakers, though serious audiophiles will undoubtedly upgrade to a three-piece subwoofer-enhanced set or a surround sound configuration.

Hard Drive
At 160 GB, the unit's internal hard drive is substantially less roomy and costly than today's latest high-end monsters yet spacious enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is exceptionally quick -- sporting a fast 7200-RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a high-speed Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

Like its pricier Gateway brethren, this system features two optical drives -- a CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a DVD +/- RW Double Layer Multi-Format drive through which you can not only do all of the above but also make use of double layer DVDs (twice the capacity of standard DVDs). What's more, with two optical drives you can make extremely fast CD copies.

Connectivity and Expansion
With a total of seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you'll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. Gateway has also included a trio of IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 8-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated 10/100Mbps Ethernet LAN interface for high-speed access to networks and the Internet, and a 56K data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections.

Operating System and Software
The Gateway 420GR features a comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft's beefy Windows XP Home Edition operating system. Gateway will also pre-install Microsoft's Money 2004 financial center, Microsoft's Works 8.0 productivity package, Microsoft's Picture It! Premium photo and graphic editing suite, and a variety of sophisticated multimedia utilities such as the excellent Nero 6 Suite CD and DVD burning package.

Control
Completing the system is a Gateway Premium Multimedia Keyboard and a two-button mouse with scroll wheel. ... Read more

Features

• Create DVD and DVD-compatible movies
• Edit video clips and shoot great video
• Video hard drive transfer and video project edit
• Add text and still images, music, voiceover and sound effects, and special effects
• Save and share your movie

Features

• Copying digital files to a CD-R
• Identifying digital audio hardware components and creating a music library database
• Understanding the difference between CD-R & CD-RW and identifying digital audio managers
• Making a personal or backup copy of a CD
• Building and using a personal playlist

Product Description

The FPD 2020 monitor is a high-resolution color LCD with 1600 Ã 1200 maximum resolution, over 16 million colors, excellent contrast and legibility, space-saving and lightweight design, and reduced power usage. ... Read more

Features

• 1,600 x 1,200 resolution, 0.255 mm dot pitch
• Analog and digital DVI-D inputs
• Ultra-wide 176-degree viewing angles
• 250 cd/m2 brightness, 300:1 contrast ratio, 30 ms response time
• Removable base, VESA-standard mounting for optional wall bracket

Amazon.com Product Description

Are you a PC power user coping with iMac envy? If you’re searching for a slim, all-in-one Microsoft Windows-compatible desktop computer with no-compromises powerhouse credentials, look no further than the Gateway Profile 4X desktop PC for advanced power and features.

The Profile 4X CPU, integrated with the computer’s built-in hinged flat-panel display, features a matte black finish with silver accents. A 2.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor--with 512 KB of L2 advanced transfer cache and 256 MB of DDR SDRAM, upgradable to 1 GB--provides a profusion of computing power for smoothly running multiple productivity and multimedia applications simultaneously. An 80 GB hard drive offers vast storage capacity for data, application, and multimedia files.

The Profile 4X’s 17-inch display, coupled with a 32 MB nVidia GeForce2 MX400 graphics processor with VGA-out interface, delivers large, bright, sharp images. The computer includes built-in stereo speakers and headphone/speaker, line-in, and microphone jacks. The Profile 4X features a CD-RW drive (24x/16x/10x) that makes it easy to listen to and create audio CDs and play CD-ROM-based games.

The 16.59-by-18.2-by-7.87-inch Profile 4X offers one Type II PC Card slot and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, an integrated 10/100Base-T Ethernet interface, and a V.92 56K modem. Ports include six USB interfaces, parallel and serial interfaces, two integrated IEEE 1394 (FireWire), and two PS/2 mouse and keyboard connectors. The Profile 4X includes a multifunction keyboard and Logitech USB Optical Wheel Mouse.

Bundled software includes Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Works Suite 2003 (including Microsoft Word and Encarta), and The Sims software. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

If you’re shopping for an affordable desktop computer that offers solid all-around performance and features well suited to first-time users or those seeking a supplemental home system, the Gateway 300X desktop PC is a great choice.

The 300X’s slick silver and black microtower case design houses a 1.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor that--combined with 256 MB of DDR SDRAM, upgradable to 512 MB--enables you to run several applications smoothly at the same time. A 60 GB hard drive offers generous storage capacity for data, application, and multimedia files.

The system includes a separate 15-inch LCD flat-panel display that combines with an integrated Intel Extreme Graphics video processor and up to 64 MB of Dynamic Video Memory to deliver clear, bright images. The 300X includes enhanced audio GCS300 speakers and audio ports for headphones, a microphone, and a line-in jack. A combination CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive (40x/32x/10x CD, 16x DVD) lets you enjoy DVD movies, listen to and create audio CDs, back up data quickly on CD, and play CD-ROM-based games.

The 300X offers three PCI expansion slots and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, an integrated 10/100Base-T Ethernet interface for wired network connections and broadband Internet access, and a 56K modem. Ports include six USB interfaces (two on the front and four on the back), parallel and serial interfaces, a VGA output interface, and two PS/2 mouse and keyboard connectors. The 300X includes a multifunction keyboard and Logitech USB Optical Wheel Mouse.

Bundled software includes Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Works Suite 2003 (including Microsoft Word and Encarta), and a Norton AntiVirus 90-day introductory offer. ... Read more