Needed power and beauty... I got it.
Written: Mar 28 '03
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Pros: *Elegant Design
*Comfortable Keyboard
*Large screen
*Huge Hard Drive/RAM capability
*Excellent support
*Timely delivery
Cons: *Very heavy
*Badly placed speakers
*Easily undone latch
*only USB 1.1
*Can get expensive
The Bottom Line: Financially, technologically and aesthetically a great computer. I'd give it a 98/100. Solid "A". High Pass. Even "Distinction".
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| td99's Full Review: Gateway 600XL PC Notebook |
I am an architecture student at Harvard, in my last semester of school. I faced the problem of having purchased my last computer three years ago, and wanting to complete my highly computing-based education on something better than a P-III 800, but at the same time knowing that I'll be moving soon and not wanting to lug around a desktop.
The obvious choice was a desktop-replacement laptop. I researched online extensively for way too long - so long that by the time I had made my decision, the semester was already halfway over, and I'd gotten used to using the computer clusters. Nevertheless, I went ahead and got the Gateway 600XL.
I would like to say at this point that for me the aesthetic appearance of a laptop is paramount. Since it is portable, it is by definition an accessory. So my options were limited from the get-go. In terms of alternatives, so you know what other computers there are out there that are similar, I was looking at the Sony GRX or GRV, and the Fujitsu CELSIUS. The reason I didn't get the Fujitsu is simply that I didn't have the money - configured the same as my final Gateway, the Fujitsu would have cost me about $800 more at $4k. The reason I didn't get the Sony is because, to this day, even the top-notch laptops don't come with a graphics card with more than 32 megs of dedicated memory... (A shame). Secondary reasons for not getting those two were that the Fujitsu's screen is not as luxuriously big as Sony and Gateway, and Sony is also a bit too expensive.
Let me just say that it had to take a LOT for me to get a Gateway. Here at the design school, a lot of credence is given to design, and I am completely bought into this dogma. And I've always seen "gateway" as a kind of "family computer", destined for new moms with .6 megapixel digital cameras who want to send pictures of Joyce and Billy's first steps. I was very surprised when, after reading a glowing review on CNET, I went on their website and found computers that offered just as much processing and graphic power as I was looking for. The clincher, as it were, was when I saw the 600XL also offered a 64MB graphics card. Since I am not only an architect but also a computer gamer, this was always high on my list. (Sure, I'd love to get an "Alienware" or "Voodoo" computer to satisfy my gaming needs, but a) I don't have the money, and b) since they're hand-assembled, it takes forever (literally) to get the computer...)
So enough about the reasons why I got it: it's pretty and it's strong. Let me tell you about my experience with the 600XL so far...
First of all, delivery was precisely on the day they promised. Everything came bundled neatly in two boxes that were unfortunately printed with a cow pattern. (I got rid of the boxes as soon as I could.) I ordered mine with these specs:
2.4 GHz P-IV
1 Gig DDR RAM
60 GB Hard Drive with
40 GB Additional modular hard drive
CDRW/DVD combo
ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 64MB DDR video memory graphics
the combo drive is standard.
I also got an additional battery, an optical mouse that matches the silvery finish of the laptop, the valuePLUS service plan for thre years, the Targus carrying backpack (highly, HIGHLY recommend it - its great), and that's it.
All of this came at the whopping price of: $3,186
I'm not stupid enough to think this is an "affordable" configuration, but honestly, considering all comparable configs out there, not only was this one of the cheapest, but it also offered the most extras - like the huge 15.7" screen, and the great warranty. The mouse and backpack are also nice to have in this price. I was thinking of the Fujitsu CELCIUS, which is close to $4,000, and that wouldn't have come with any of these things. (Although for those of you that can afford it and also enjoy tight design - the CELCIUS is gorgeous...)
I've been using the computer daily now for about two weeks. Today is the last day of the 15-day return policy, and it's sitting comfortably on my desk, no packing tape in sight. I am very happy with its processing, it's DVD playing, it's dual-screen capability (I have a CRT hooked up to it at all times - it's a godsend), and it's graphics chip. It is a heavy mother, so the backpack is definitely key to lug it around. Also, the little latch thing in the front is very easily dperessable, which is annoying at worst.
Since owning a Gateway is nowhere near as cool as owning, say, a VAIO - I have to admit I am very happy with the way this computer looks. It is all silver, and the gateway logo on the top is the new gateway logo - the stylized "G" within a blob - and it's not half bad looking, and made of some high-quality metal. I'd say stainless steel - but I'd be guessing. Either way, it looks good. Also, once open, then keyboard is placed on a clean, flat, dark-grey surface, the only indents being the stylish touchpad and speakers. It's quite professional-looking. (None of those weird zoomorphic blobules that are "hand-rests" supposedly on the Dells.)
There are easy-access buttons to launch your email client, the internet, a search, etc. I am still not used to using them, but I will be. The touchpad is "smart" which means that it registers the pressure as well as scrolling ability on the bottom and right side. There is also a scroll button. The cursor arrows are a bit small, as are the home, pgup, etc buttons - but it's not a big deal. The only key that's annoyed me consistently is the positioning of a "Fn" key where the left-hand "Ctrl" button should be (which is itself moved in rightwards a little bit). The "Fn" button controls the extra functions of the laptop like moving it to standby mode, or setting numlock, etc. But for those of you who, like me, use Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V a lot, that function key will be a bane.
I am quite, quite pleased with this machine, and I strongly recommend it from every point of view. If can get over the Gateway stigma, as I did, this is a sexy, powerful desktop replacement. There are many additional ports, including firewire, a swappable bay for extra storage, etc., and a gorgeous screen. the keyboard is comfortable and solidly built.
It gives off an aura of discreet power. Which is, of course, the best kind of power to have.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 3,186.00
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Other
Processor speed: over 1000
Screen Size: Greater than 15 inches
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): Over 50
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Epinions.com ID:
td99
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Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 5 members
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