Check out the Gateway M500S!

[HostVisions]

Hey all,

Gateway's new M500 laptop is a nice little machine for the money! I read the review on Cnet this morning then checked one out at lunch at the local Gateway store. Very nice machine:

2.2ghz Intel P4M
512MB DDR SDRAM
40GB UATA hard drive (4200rpm)
8/8/24 CDRW 8x DVD SLOT LOADING combo drive
Geforce4 420Go graphics with 32MB DDR memory

Good expansion: PC Card slot (1), SD slot, 3 USB 2.0, VGA for dual monitors <not mirrored>, 2 powered IEEE ports (haven't seen powered ports on a notebook), S-Video TV Out, ethernet, modem, built in 802.11b (no bluetooth).

FANTASTIC 15.2" WXGA TFT active matrix screen. Very very sharp picture. Audio is also awesome. I was impressed for a laptop (includes a small subwoofer in the unit).

Nifty little LCD next to the keyboard for multimedia controls. Jog shuttle for DVD/CD playback. You can even play a CD without turning the laptop on.

Keyboard was very very good. Nice feel. Only bad side to this is the thing weighs 6.1lbs. No wonder you get a free backpack case to go with it!

All that for $1599 and a free case. Not a bad deal at all. Most gateway stores have them in-stock for immediate purchase. I had to refrain, but might go back and get one,

 

[bolinger]

This laptop has no configuration options; you can't choose a higher resolution screen, less RAM, more HD space, better graphics adapter...

 

[Pennstate]

The rebadged SAmsung X10 is the Gateway 200X for 1599. Very light too. But the standard 3-cell battery gets only 2 hours.

 

[HostVisions]

Originally posted by: bolinger
This laptop has no configuration options; you can't choose a higher resolution screen, less RAM, more HD space, better graphics adapter...

True, but it's pretty stocked up at a reasonable price. And it you needed more storage the powered firewire ports are a big plus. And who would want less RAM?

 

[HostVisions]

Originally posted by: Pennstate
The rebadged SAmsung X10 is the Gateway 200X for 1599. Very light too. But the standard 3-cell battery gets only 2 hours.

And what does this have to do with the M500?

 

[bolinger]

Originally posted by: HostVisions

Originally posted by: bolinger
This laptop has no configuration options; you can't choose a higher resolution screen, less RAM, more HD space, better graphics adapter...

True, but it's pretty stocked up at a reasonable price. And it you needed more storage the powered firewire ports are a big plus. And who would want less RAM?

Students who can buy their own 512MB module for half the price that BTO places charge.

 

[Pennstate]

Originally posted by: HostVisions

Originally posted by: Pennstate
The rebadged SAmsung X10 is the Gateway 200X for 1599. Very light too. But the standard 3-cell battery gets only 2 hours.

And what does this have to do with the M500?

Let see: It's a better laptop!

 

[hox]

The Gateway 200X seems different than the Samsung X10. The samsung x10 uses the nvidia graphics card with 64mb ram whereas the 200X from gateway uses Intels extreme graphics solution. This would imply completely different chipsets on the system board. Also the weight of the 1.7 ghz Samsung X10 sold in the UK is 1.8 kg which is less than 4lbs, the Gateway weighs in over 4.2 lbs. So maybe they share some common parts but these findings suggest the machines are very different. What do you think. I am trying to purchase an X10 if I do I will post a review.