Dell versus Gateway?

[AndyM]

Time for a new laptop...

I get a Dell discount through my employer, but I've found I can get more Gateway for the money I want to spend.

It seems everyone buys Dells these days, and no one mentions Gateway anymore. What gives? Is there a reason it would be a poor choice?

 

[Dargo]

I don't know about lately, but Gateway has had some fairly well documented reliability and customer service issues.

 

[SonnieP]

It would be a poor choice because it's not a Dell.

I have a Dell i-9300 and got it for a steal of bargain. Love it! I just don't see the bargains on Gateways although on just about every computer I've ever purchased I've given Gateway a shot. That's about 7-8 computers over a 8-10 year period or so.

Can you get these kind of Dell deals...

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[PineRidge]

Andy we have always used Gateways. Had one that developed an intermittent problem and because Gateway couldn't put their finger on the problem they just sent us another brand new computer, new model had a faster processor to boot (sorry about the pun). The original was over one year old at the time. Can't complain here about Gateway service issues.

We have no experience with Dell.

 

[AndyM]

Gateway® M520X

Microsoft® Windows® XP Home (SP2) w/ XP Home Backup CD
Microsoft® Office Professional Edition 2003
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 538 with HT Technology (3.20 GHz, 533MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache)
512MB 333MHz DDR SDRAM (1-512MB module)
60GB 4200rpm Ultra ATA hard drive
Integrated 24x/10x/24x CD-RW / 8x DVD combo
Integrated 802.11b/g wireless networking card
Integrated Intel® 10/100 Ethernet Adapter
Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Dockstation with VGA
Integrated 802.11b/g wireless networking card
Targus Sport Backpack
D-Link AirPlus G DI-524 Wireless Router
Gateway 256MB USB 2.0 Flash Drive

$1,815.20, including tax, title, and license plates.

I haven't made the final decision yet, but I couldn't find a Dell with a 3.20 GHz Pentium 4 anywhere near that price. Dell is practically giving desktops away ($299), but they don't seem to be dealing on the laptops. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[SonnieP]

I have no idea about a P4 in a laptop... I use mine literally as a laptop while sitting in my recliner, which I'm doing right now. I can only imagine a P4 being scorching hot after a couple of hours. Right now I'm watching the Steelers whoop up on the Eagles while typing this post (Eagles may be on a comeback though). I have a Pentium M in mine... runs much cooler and it's ALL the speed I need in a laptop with 1GB of Ram.

 

[Dargo]

I have 2 laptops. One has the regular Pentium 4 and the other has the Pentium M, with Centrino tech. The P4 is 2.8 and I don't even know what the M is. They run about the same speed. The M will run nearly 4 hours on the battery. The P4 will go maybe a little over an hour, maybe not. Must carry 2 spare batteries with P4 to watch a full movie on a flight.

It may mean nothing to you, but the P4 is good if you are going to be plugged in all the time. If you're not going to be plugged in all the time, I'd pass on the P4.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I am with Dargo, Not only do they cruise threough the batteries, they are HOT. I have had about 4 that used desktop processors cook themselves. I bought them all at one time, and never even noticed they weren't mobile. I figured no manufacturer would do such a boneheaded thing. Boy, was I wrong!

I will never have a notebook` that doesn't have a mobile processor.

 

[SonnieP]

Hey... my little Pentium M 1.6Ghz scored 7115 on 3DMark2001...

 

[thcri]

Gateway use to be on the top of my list. But then a few years back when I would call in I would wait for hours before a tech got to me. I didn't like that much anymore and switched to Dell. It seems like Dell has much faster response time and I also read one of them Consumer Digest articles where they tested the various laptops and Gateway was not rated good as they were not as fast as they claimed to be. Now this is only something I read many years ago. I guess I switched to Dell for my business computers and never had a reason to look back.

murph