First, the most important difference is, the Lenovo isn't a Gateway. I figure once you get past chosing machines with the compliment of components and features you want (CPU, amount of RAM, hard drive, display size, etc.), most entry level laptops are built in the same few factories in China, and the biggest difference is the support you get when you need it.
I've had the most good experiences with HP/Compaq because their techs have always given me great service when dealing with my own and friends' laptops, and finding links to specs, drivers, manuals, etc. is always easy, and they've even helped me through their online chat for machines that were out of warranty.
I've had a couple of good experiences with Fujitsu, and I've been able to find what I was looking for on Lenovo. Lenovo also has a good basic rep for the quality of their builds.
OTOH, I've had nothing but misery trying to get help from Gateway, even for machines under warranty. One incident that I think is revealing happened when I was helping a friend with a Gateway machine that out of warranty. I went to gateway.com and entered the model number, and it asked for more info, including serial number and other stuff. When I entered everything it requested, it still couldn't find any drivers.
At that point, I phoned their toll free number. The CSR immediately asked if my friend had an extended service contract. I told him I didn't need their tech help; I just needed some help finding info that should be available to anyone by searching their site. He refused to help unless my friend wanted to buy a service contract. Hell! The machine was old enough that it wouldn't be worth the price of the service contract after I got it up and running.
AFIC, the only way I'd take a Gateway machine is if it was free, and even at that price, I'd feel overcharged the first time it needed any support. :thumbsdown:
Second, I think 2 GB of RAM is inadequate for Win 7 64 bit, and 3 GB is marginal but OK, as long as you don't intend to keep a number of apps open at the same time or do anything that requires a lot of memory. If you think you may get to that point, you should look for machines that max out at 8 GB of RAM, rather than 4 GB, even if you don't need it, now.
Also, check the specs and supported features for the CPU. Not all models are the same, even at the same clock speed or from the same manufacturer.
Then, go out and look at each model you're considering to see if you like the aesthetics, the way it looks and feels and how it operates in your hands. Some models are clearly more appealing than others for the keyboard layout, mouse pad, screen, etc.
Third, feature for feature, you can almost always find a better deal on a laptop at Staples or Office Depot than at Best Buy.
I recently spec'd this beautiful
HP G62-340US laptop from Office Staples for a friend with a 2.20GHz dual core Athlon II and 3 GB of RAM (max 8 GB) for $350 after rebates, and I told him he should use some of the money he saved for a second 2 GB stick of RAM to bump it up to 4 GB. I helped him set it up for his personal preferences, and it really is that good. It's now back up to $500 after a smaller rebate, but the next great deal will happen when it happens.
I didn't find any deals at either Staples or OD, this week, that were anywhere near as good, but check their weekly ads online. Staples posts their upcoming Sunday flyer on Thursday, and OD posts theirs on Friday. That gives you a couple of days to scout the specs of any machine that looks interesting by going to look at them and searching for reviews online.
Finally, in keeping with your user name, remember, "good enough" isn't necessarily good enough, especially when you can get better for less with a little homework.
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