I didn't recommend a Dell!!??

swimtech · Mar 27, 2005, 02:10 AM

OK, shoot me, bang me on the head with a rolling pin. I must have been nuts.

After years of recommending IBM and Dell laptops to folks around the area and for faculty/staff at the university, I recommended a Gateway, a 460.

Reasons? With a Pentium M processor (2Mb L2 cache) at 1.86Ghz, 40G hard drive, ATI X600 graphics (wanted DX9 hardware support in case we ever need to put Longhorn on them two years from now), an SXGA+ 15" screen, Combo optical drive, and wireless (b and g), an eraserhead pointing device (yes, it's optional), and a 3 year "whoops I dropped it off the roof of my house by accident" warranty it looked to be a much better value than a Dell Latitude 610. Gonna become warranty for them too... It should be a great mid-high range laptop. Looked excellent for the money, but have not used them before.

We'll see how they do...

Comments please???

Judas · Mar 27, 2005, 10:13 AM

er........... i'm not sure.....

I was told that Gateways.... specially laptops... not a top choice....

But i can't say much of anything as i've absalutely no experience....

Sandok · Mar 27, 2005, 10:30 AM

I find t that dell laptops are the best on the market and I've tried many... For me, gateway had it's good times a long time ago but seriously, if I'd have to buy a laptop from ANYBODY (alienware, voodoo, etc...) it'd be a dell!

Sauro · Mar 27, 2005, 01:40 PM

Ah well as long as its not a Packard Bell or a HP laptop then you laughing

riles9262 · Mar 28, 2005, 12:15 AM

It looks ok to me...but I've never had a laptop. My favs are the toshiba laptops that I see at costco

Powercolour · Mar 28, 2005, 12:51 AM

i wish u could build a laptop... however the chances of not breaking those delicate parts and fitting them in a laptop case thing is unlikely

LeanWolf · Mar 28, 2005, 01:18 AM

i'm a dell laptop man myself, but the gateway you describe sounds pretty good - on paper. Only time will tell the wisdom of your decision

Let me know how it works out!

swimtech · Mar 28, 2005, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeanWolf

i'm a dell laptop man myself, but the gateway you describe sounds pretty good - on paper. Only time will tell the wisdom of your decision

Let me know how it works out!

Thanks guys, and I will be keeping tabs on these - I'll let y'all know...

And I hear you Powercolour, it'd be very cool to be able to build one - trouble is that on all the mainboards the heat sink positions, miniPCI slot, memory slots, display connectors, etc., are in such different positions with respect to one another you have to construct the case parts so carefully - very proprietary...

Zardon · Mar 28, 2005, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeanWolf

i'm a dell laptop man myself, but the gateway you describe sounds pretty good - on paper. Only time will tell the wisdom of your decision

Let me know how it works out!

Yeah I rate Dell laptops highly for stability, great machines, hard to beat the latitudes for a workhorse.

Vikingod · Mar 28, 2005, 09:23 PM

I worked on a Gateway lappy a few years back doing some video editing for a figure skating club. The thing was actually pretty reliable. My only gripe was the cd drive that kept breaking for some reason (maybe the cold of being on an ice rink for hours at a time, man i put that thing, and an HP I had, through hell). All and all it was a pretty good laptop. Support I found was pretty good, when you got someone that knew what the hell they were doing. Liked it better than the dell I have now, which I hate.

swimtech · Mar 30, 2005, 01:20 AM

Oh yeah, one last and fairly important reason...

These units are going to be used in a mobile computer lab situation - stored in a cart and rolled into a classroom with a wireless access point. This particular unit within the university is already using Gateways for three of these setups - will make support by the person who got those (if he's needed and I'm not available or busy) easier for him - already established contacts, web access for support, buying parts and accessories (if needed), etc.

I'll get used to it - but note that I am using a Dell - it's been solid as a stone. I will be getting my hands on one and wring it out a bit when they come in...

Glad I haven't heard anything that I would rate as tragic or a major faux pas, and as I mentioned earlier, this purchase allows my shop the needed leverage to become a "factory authorized" service center without a lot of hassle...

I really appreciate the input guys...

Killer avatar and sig Zardon - man, you've outdone yourself!

Callandor · Mar 31, 2005, 08:17 AM

Well, when it comes to laptops, I prefer Asus ones, though I don't have one. From what I've seen and read, they look pretty good, but the Toshiba Satellites are really good, used one alot a few years ago, but I don't know how they do now.

Though the new tablet one from Toshiba's not too bad either.

And Zardon/Judas, those avas are real killer, nice job.

Nuke209 · Apr 5, 2005, 01:11 PM

Toshiba and Sony and Alienware

Callandor · Apr 5, 2005, 02:31 PM

Well, Sony's good, but it's too expensive/over-priced in my mind.

Smashing sig by the way.

blade5545 · Apr 5, 2005, 02:47 PM

Dell laptops also have oops i dropped it warranty its called complete care.

swimtech · Apr 9, 2005, 03:23 AM

I thought this was done last week, but noooooooooo...

Looks like I'm getting Dells after all - no loss certainly, and for the most obvious reason - money. Large purchase being made and they want to pad it some more with my purchase to reduce the price of laptops within the entire purchase. I agree - it's a good move - nice to save money.

I got the note this am to spec Dells similar to the Gateway above. How about that?

Mar 27, 2005, 02:10 AM	#1
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 122 System Specs	I didn't recommend a Dell!!?? OK, shoot me, bang me on the head with a rolling pin. I must have been nuts. After years of recommending IBM and Dell laptops to folks around the area and for faculty/staff at the university, I recommended a Gateway, a 460. Reasons? With a Pentium M processor (2Mb L2 cache) at 1.86Ghz, 40G hard drive, ATI X600 graphics (wanted DX9 hardware support in case we ever need to put Longhorn on them two years from now), an SXGA+ 15" screen, Combo optical drive, and wireless (b and g), an eraserhead pointing device (yes, it's optional), and a 3 year "whoops I dropped it off the roof of my house by accident" warranty it looked to be a much better value than a Dell Latitude 610. Gonna become warranty for them too... It should be a great mid-high range laptop. Looked excellent for the money, but have not used them before. We'll see how they do... Comments please??? __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

Mar 28, 2005, 12:15 AM	#5
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 70 System Specs	It looks ok to me...but I've never had a laptop. My favs are the toshiba laptops that I see at costco __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away.

Mar 28, 2005, 01:18 AM	#7
LeanWolf alpha male Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Skyrim Posts: 5,702 Rep Power: 80 System Specs	i'm a dell laptop man myself, but the gateway you describe sounds pretty good - on paper. Only time will tell the wisdom of your decision Let me know how it works out! __________________

Mar 28, 2005, 09:23 PM	#10
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,187 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	I worked on a Gateway lappy a few years back doing some video editing for a figure skating club. The thing was actually pretty reliable. My only gripe was the cd drive that kept breaking for some reason (maybe the cold of being on an ice rink for hours at a time, man i put that thing, and an HP I had, through hell). All and all it was a pretty good laptop. Support I found was pretty good, when you got someone that knew what the hell they were doing. Liked it better than the dell I have now, which I hate. __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Mar 30, 2005, 01:20 AM	Thread Starter #11
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 122 System Specs	Oh yeah, one last and fairly important reason... These units are going to be used in a mobile computer lab situation - stored in a cart and rolled into a classroom with a wireless access point. This particular unit within the university is already using Gateways for three of these setups - will make support by the person who got those (if he's needed and I'm not available or busy) easier for him - already established contacts, web access for support, buying parts and accessories (if needed), etc. I'll get used to it - but note that I am using a Dell - it's been solid as a stone. I will be getting my hands on one and wring it out a bit when they come in... Glad I haven't heard anything that I would rate as tragic or a major faux pas, and as I mentioned earlier, this purchase allows my shop the needed leverage to become a "factory authorized" service center without a lot of hassle... I really appreciate the input guys... Killer avatar and sig Zardon - man, you've outdone yourself! __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

Mar 27, 2005, 10:30 AM	#3
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 66	I find t that dell laptops are the best on the market and I've tried many... For me, gateway had it's good times a long time ago but seriously, if I'd have to buy a laptop from ANYBODY (alienware, voodoo, etc...) it'd be a dell!

Mar 27, 2005, 01:40 PM	#4
Sauro DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 28 Rep Power: 0	Ah well as long as its not a Packard Bell or a HP laptop then you laughing

Mar 28, 2005, 12:51 AM	#6
Powercolour DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 411 Rep Power: 0	i wish u could build a laptop... however the chances of not breaking those delicate parts and fitting them in a laptop case thing is unlikely

Mar 31, 2005, 08:17 AM	#12
Callandor Forged on Dragonmount Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 6,876 Rep Power: 256 System Specs	Well, when it comes to laptops, I prefer Asus ones, though I don't have one. From what I've seen and read, they look pretty good, but the Toshiba Satellites are really good, used one alot a few years ago, but I don't know how they do now. Though the new tablet one from Toshiba's not too bad either. And Zardon/Judas, those avas are real killer, nice job. __________________

Apr 5, 2005, 01:11 PM	#13
Nuke209 DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. Paul Posts: 568 Rep Power: 0	Toshiba and Sony and Alienware __________________ 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX

Apr 5, 2005, 02:31 PM	#14
Callandor Forged on Dragonmount Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 6,876 Rep Power: 256 System Specs	Well, Sony's good, but it's too expensive/over-priced in my mind. Smashing sig by the way. __________________ Last edited by Callandor; Apr 5, 2005 at 02:36 PM.

Apr 5, 2005, 02:47 PM	#15
blade5545 Shoots first ask's questions later Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 330 Rep Power: 0	Dell laptops also have oops i dropped it warranty its called complete care. __________________ Dell Inspiron 700m 2 ghz Intel Mobile 2mb L2 cache 12.1 Ultrabrite 1.25 gig ram 80gig hdd 8x DVD-RW 4.5lbs 1.5" thick 5 hours battery DFI NF4 Ultra - D AMD Winchester 64 3200+ @4125+ 2.62ghz sold Swiftech H20-120-BB REV. 3 LIQUID COOLING KIT 2x512 OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel sold Platinum Rev 2 OCZ POWERSTREAM 520W sold ATI X700 PRO SEAGATE 160GIG SATA Windows XP PRO SP2 / PearPC - Apple OS X 10.2 Unknown "The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself."

Apr 9, 2005, 03:23 AM	Thread Starter #16
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 122 System Specs	I am recommending Dells, again... I thought this was done last week, but noooooooooo... Looks like I'm getting Dells after all - no loss certainly, and for the most obvious reason - money. Large purchase being made and they want to pad it some more with my purchase to reduce the price of laptops within the entire purchase. I agree - it's a good move - nice to save money. I got the note this am to spec Dells similar to the Gateway above. How about that? __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.