Gateway M250X vs. HP DV1000

[Tostada]

I think I've settled on the idea that a thin 14" widescreen is the perfect size for me.

Dell doesn't appear to offer anything in this size, and 12" is just a little too small (mostly the keyboard). I'm not totally against the Latitude X1 or Inspirion 700M, but the X1 takes a 1.8" hard drive (can't upgrade to 7200 RPM) and costs a lot more (and Latitudes don't have coupons often). While the 700M doesn't have those problems, it's actually thicker than a lot of 14" laptops and almost as heavy.

So, I've seen many people recommend the HP DV1000 (same thing as the Compaq V2000). I was recently in a Best Buy and saw Gateway's 14" widescreen, though, and it looks really nice. Here's a comparison of a similarly configured M250X and HP DV1000:

Both: Pentium M 725A (1.6 GHz)
Both: 14" 1280x768 Brightview/Ultrabright
Both: 40GB 4200RPM HDD (would upgrade this to 7200RPM myself)
Both: DVD/CD-RW combo
Both: Sonoma GMA 900 IGP

Gateway: 5.0 LBS
HP: 5.3 LBS

Gateway: 1.1" thick
HP: 1.5" thick

Gateway: 9-cell battery doesn't extend past the end of the laptop
HP: only options are a 6-cell or a 12-cell that bulges out (and the 12-cell adds $25)

Gateway: 1 x 512MB (easy to upgrade to 1GB later)
HP: 1 x 256MB (1 x 512MB adds another $75)

Gateway: $930
HP: $994 after a $50 mail-in rebate

Gateway: 3-year coverage is $160, 3-year on-site is $210
HP: 3-year coverage is $180, on-site is not available

Also, I swear the DV1000 used to say it had the 855GM chipset. Was it recently updated to a Sonoma?

It seems like the general opinion around here is that Gateway sucks and HP laptops are pretty decent. So, is there a reason not to get the Gateway? The Gateway seemed pretty solid when I played with it in the store. It looks to me like the HP doesn't have anything going for it. It's heavier, thicker, more expensive, and has no on-site coverage option.

 

[Tostada]

Basically I'm just wondering if there are any problems with the M250X. Has anybody seen any reviews of it?

 

[fbrdphreak]

I've played with the M250X a few times. It seems like a decent machine.
Personally I love the dv1000, and its Turion counterpart the L2000 seems very nice also.

In regards to the dv1000 & 855GM chipset, it did use to have that. It has been updated to the Sonoma platform.

One thing: I've not heard anything good about Gateway support. I don't think HP has the best either, but I've heard less bad things about HP's support; not that that means much.

The M250X isn't bad by any means, personally I would go with the dv1000 hands down; but that's me

 

[Tostada]

I'm hoping if I spring for the 3-year on-site, things couldn't go too bad for me. I just really like the look and feel of the M250. I played with the Turion version of the Compaq V2000, and the laptop itself felt solid but the keyboard seemed pretty terrible, but that's probably because it was a beat-up display model.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I've heard the Compaq V2000 keyboards suck. dv1000 keyboard was nice for me

 

[tvarad]

I have a V2000 and the keyboard defiinitely sucks. Keys are not that responsive (e.g. shift key works only when pressed at the outer edge). But it is a cheaper alternative to the DV1000 and if you don't need the DVD/remote features of the latter, then it's worth it IMHO. Haven't used the Gateway offering so can't comment on that. Toshiba has recently come out with a 14" widescreen model that looks good and Asus has one that has ATI graphics but is more expensive.

In any case, a 14" screen is a perfect compromise as far as screen size goes. It's not so small that you have to squint at the characters nor large enough that it doesn't fit on an airline seat tray with the seat reclined. I upgrade my laptop every 6 months and this is the first time I haven't seen the need to replace my Compaq V2000 (despite it's shortcomings).