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Hi all,
After much debating on a widescreen laptop (Compaq X1010, Dell widescreen, VPR Matrix, eMachines, and the Gateway), it came down to between the Compaq and Gateway. I liked the 60gb disk and the ATI9200 in the Compaq. I didn't like the price difference and had to have a machine now so I couldn't wait for a built-to-order unit with educational discount from the Compaq site.
I trekked down to CC and the Gateway store to check both of them out again. I wound up with the Gateway, mainly due to the price (it's now $1499 and we get a 7% corporate discount making it $1394 vs CC's best price with price match of around $1525 after $200 in mail-in rebates). They also threw in a free Targus backpack case and one of those 32MB USB pen-drive things.
So far I'm pleased. The machine zips along pretty well, and the display is fantastic. Slot-loading drive is cool, though not as nice as the one on the Powerbook. It's pretty bare-bones in terms of software bundle, but I was surprised to find MS Word 2002 installed (is that part of Microsoft Works now)? Graphic performance is surprisingly good. I loaded up Q3 and played a few games and everything was very smooth with no ghosting on the display.
Anyways, so far I'm pleased. I wish it had a little larger disk (40gb) so it could hold my music collection, but that's okay. BTW it has both types of firewire connectors on it, so hooking up my iPod was not a problem!
After much debating on a widescreen laptop (Compaq X1010, Dell widescreen, VPR Matrix, eMachines, and the Gateway), it came down to between the Compaq and Gateway. I liked the 60gb disk and the ATI9200 in the Compaq. I didn't like the price difference and had to have a machine now so I couldn't wait for a built-to-order unit with educational discount from the Compaq site.
I trekked down to CC and the Gateway store to check both of them out again. I wound up with the Gateway, mainly due to the price (it's now $1499 and we get a 7% corporate discount making it $1394 vs CC's best price with price match of around $1525 after $200 in mail-in rebates). They also threw in a free Targus backpack case and one of those 32MB USB pen-drive things.
So far I'm pleased. The machine zips along pretty well, and the display is fantastic. Slot-loading drive is cool, though not as nice as the one on the Powerbook. It's pretty bare-bones in terms of software bundle, but I was surprised to find MS Word 2002 installed (is that part of Microsoft Works now)? Graphic performance is surprisingly good. I loaded up Q3 and played a few games and everything was very smooth with no ghosting on the display.
Anyways, so far I'm pleased. I wish it had a little larger disk (40gb) so it could hold my music collection, but that's okay. BTW it has both types of firewire connectors on it, so hooking up my iPod was not a problem!
