Gateway: Item Ordered: MX 3702 Notebook Computer [REVISION THREE VISTA SP 1]
Written: Jan 04 '07 (Updated Apr 14 '08)
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Pros: Gateway provides a terrific product at a reasonable price and home based customer care.
Cons: Shovelware is pre-installed, slowing down cpu speed, eating up ram.
The Bottom Line: I recommend Gateway and their computer series because I feel their products and services far exceed others in the same market place. Give them a try and see for yourself.
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| GaryD's Full Review: Gateway |
This has been my very first experience with Gateway. The actual purchase was made via HSN.com, thought, the ordering process was handled primarily via Gateway. My order was handled promptly but took about seven days before Gateway actually shipped the item order. Once shipped I had my new notebook in about two days. Everything was as promoted with the exception of one undisclosed fact. Gateway does preinstall software they deem to be of value to their customers. To me this is nothing more then shovelware. There were a number of games pre-installed ready to play but not a full version of any of them. The Google toolbar and desktop and AOL internet came pre-loaded as well. Both of which are available on-line as free downloads. Both of which I do not use. Because of the shovelware added to the system it seemed to run far too slow for a new computer with such a fast processor. My first task was to remove all of the un-necessary software I would never use or want and reboot. After this – the machine has been running as expected and looks to be a keeper. I would suggest Gateway to include the essentials pre-load and the fluff on a cd/dvd for user installation if desired. Additional information on making a back up cd/dvd for your system purchase would be nice too. Since you only get one change to make the driver and application cd/dvd. Gateway has the best customer service in the pc industry and their reps are in the USA and speak English. This is the first reason I elected on purchasing a Gateway, the second and third is based on their quality and value.
THE STYLE
The Gateway MX 3702 Notebook Computer is very stylish with its slim-line design and black and silver color. It's ultra thin at one point four inches. Very light weight at only five and one quarter pounds. The notebook feels durable and finger prints doesn't seem to be an issue.
THE KEYBOARD
The keyboard has solid travel and feels good. Keys depress easily with just the right touch of resistance. Ideal for anyone performing a great deal of typing. However, one that needs a notebook for major number crunching may want to look elsewhere. Though the Gateway MX 3702 Notebook Computer has a full size keyboard. The number pad keys are intergrated within the qwerty keys and requires the depression of a 'FN' key to access the number pad.
The keyboard is laid out well and you have access to several different functions of the notebook without manipulating the mouse pad. Just depressing the 'FN' key you can turn on or off the wireless G adapter, increase or decrease the widescreens brightness level, raise or lower the speaker volume, switch between the notebook's built-in screen or and external monitor or have both active concurrently.
THE WIDESCREEN
Widescreen LCD monitors are definitely here to stay and provide in my opinion the best images for computer work. The widescreen integrated into the Gateway MX 3702 Notebook Computer is a truebright screen. The display is excellent in almost all lighting conditions. Whether its direct or indirect lighting. The screen however, is not anti-glare. But I only notice reflections when displaying blacks or very dark colors. By not using a non-glare screen movies on the MX 3702 Notebook Computer are crisp, sharp and bright and look great.
THE CPU
The cpu is a 1.6GHZ centrino core duo - translating into about a 3.2GHZ system. The two cores however must share the cache between themselves. Thus giving you roughly 1MB cache each. Hyper-threading is not an available option with this processor.
THE RAM
Memory on this system from the factory is basic for a system running Microsoft Windows XP Pro Media Center - 512 MB. It should have come standard with at least 1GB. However, students, most home users and some business users with find this adequate for their needs initially. Upgrading the memory is an easy process that takes less then five minutes. You can find less expensive memory outside of Gateway and save on their built-in installation fees.
THE INTERGRATED MULTI-CARD READER
I exclusively use secure digital media in my primary electronics. Therefore I may only comment on this portion of the intergrated multi-card reader. I have experienced no difficulties or issues using a 1GB, 2GB PNY SD, 2GB 120X RIDATA SD or (most recently) Transcend's 4GB High-Speed 150X with SLC Flash SD cards. You may read my review on the Transcend secure digital at http://www.epinions.com/content_350420176516. Note the Transcend 4GB SD card is not a SDHC (SDHC is explained in the Transcend review.)
I have not located any documentation in the Gateway notebook's manual to suggest it will or won't accept a SDHC card. I haven't purchased an SDHC card yet to try.
THE SOFTWARE
The software included with the notebook purchase in my opinion isn't much to speak of. However, if you are a first time user, a student or don't have a suite of software you are familiar with -- then the included software on a dvd waiting user installation may be the ticket for you. The dvd contains the following titles: Aquazone Desktop Garden, Betty Boop Crosswords, Britannica Desktop Encyclopedia 2006, Cook'n with Betty Crocker, Financial Powertools, HotFax Message Center 6, Hoyle Board/Puzzle Games, Quicken Willmaker Plus 2006 (This may be a keeper) Resume Works Pro, Send Photos Gold 4, Solitaire Games, SpongeBob SquarePants Typing, Sudoku 600, Sunbird Calendar, Thunderbird email, Printshop 21 Essentials, Turbo Backup (this may be a keeper too), Wizard Chess, Zoner PhotoStudio 7 Home Edition. Only four titles interested but two ready stuck out of the crowd as keepers.
Software Included:
Pre-Installed Software: Microsoft Works 8.5 (word processing, spreadsheet, database, calendar and Internet tools), Money 2006, Digital Image Starter Edition 2006 (60-day trial), Microsoft Office 2003 Student Teacher Ed. (60-day complimentary trial), Encarta Online, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Internet Explorer, Media Player 10, Real Player, Power DVD, Power2Go, AOL 9.0 (6-month trial), McAfee Internet Security Suite (6-month trial), Napster (30-day trial).
User-Installed: DVD One: Aquazone Desktop Garden, Hoyle Board Games, Hoyle Puzzle Games, Betty Boop Crosswords, Solitaire Games, Sudoku Master 600, Wizard Chess, Britannica Desktop Encyclopedia 2006, Cook'n with Pillsbury, Financial Powertools, Resume Works Pro, Quicken Willmaker Plus 2006, Sponge Bob Squarepants Typing, HotFax Message Center 6, Sunbird Calendar, Thunderbird Email, Turbo Backup, ZipMagic 9.0, Send Photos Gold 4, The Printshop 21 Essentials, Zoner PhotoStudio 7 Home Edition
Gateway still has not delivered the WIndows Vista Premium Upgrade. Their very slow and they won't say when I can expect to recieve it.
BATTERY LIFE
Gateway states the supplied battery should offer up about three hours of continuous run-time on a single charge. Depending solely on how the notebook is used and the applications running. I average 2.5 hours if I've watched a movie and surf the internet and a little over three hours when just browsing the internet. Of course, optical drive motors eat away at your power. To receive the best battery performance avoid the DVD +- DL RW when powering from the battery only. If you like watching movies on your notebook you should seriously consider opting for an additional battery at $129.99.
You will receive better battery life from your notebook if you disengage the built-in wireless adapter when not in use. I receive about 3 hours continuous run time with the wireless activated and 4 to 4.5 hours with wireless disengaged. Switching the wireless off and on to perform task gives me about 4 hours of continuous run time. In addition, I'm not running the ultra bright lcd screen at it's peak either. I typically have the monitor bright enough for comfortable viewing when performing general task. To receive the maximum life from your battery over time -- be sure to use the ac power supply when mobility isn't needed.
PUMP UP THE JAM
I have enjoyed crisp clean highs and lows from the built-in speakers -- whether I play jazz, classical, or rock on the Gateway MX 3702 Notebook Computer. One issue I have is the placement of the speakers. They’re placed on the front left and right corners of the notebook. Where they are covered by your wrist and arms if typing. I believe they would have been of better service if they were located just above the keyboard function keys.
LOAD with PORTS
4 in 1 memory card reader
3 USB ports
1 phone jack
1 RJ45 lan port
1 power port
1 VGA port (HD RGB)
1 Built-in wireless 'g' adapter
1 expresscard adapter slot (that accepts the 34 and 54 expresscards)
1 ac power jack
WIRELESS ALL THE WAY
The Gateway MX 3702 Notebook Computer can be completely wireless out of the box with practically no effort at all. Just turn it on, let the wireless g card scan for a wireless network and you're off surfing the web in less then two minutes. Should the wireless point have encryption enabled it's a matter of plugging in the requested information. The wireless connection is quick, secure and I haven't had any signal drops or disconnections. Do note that this wireless adapter built-in is not downward compatible with wireless 'a' or 'b' networks.
The wireless on this notebook does not always wake back up after being in sleep mode or hibernation. This is not an issue of the notebook's hardware but with the Vista Premium. But the Service Pack 1 update has resolved the problem--even if it's a little over a year later-- it was worth the wait. Now let us pray Microsoft will get Service Pack 2 out sooner then SP 1. The Gateway MX3702 is perfect for any user that wants to multitask.
USING A WEB CAM?
If you enjoy IM'ing your friends and family etc. the Microsoft Life Cam NX 6000 is the way to go. I'm using this webcam now and been delighted with its performance. Check out my review at: http://www.epinions.com/content_315873201796
WHAT'S MISSING?
Even in this price range there should have been a full 1 GB of memory installed on the system. Since it is being touted as a Vista capable machine. The free Vista premiums upgrade information that I have come across suggest at least 1GB to benefit many of the cosmetic features of Vista. The video card has 64 MB of available memory and then shared up to another 64MB from the installed ram. Prior to upgrading my ram the 512MB installed left just 448 MBs after sharing 64MBs with the video card. Once everything was up and running and before I opened any programs. The system merely had 118MBs of physical ram to work with and today's programs tend to be memory intensive. Therefore, I opted to max out the memory expansion to a full 2GBs. This helps the system rely less on virtual memory paging the hard drive and speeds up the machine as well.
MICROSOFT WINDOWS VISTA UPGRADE
Part of the package with purchase is a FREE upgrade to Microsoft Windows Vista Premium when it becomes available this month. Yes Free, and no shipping fee like the other big guys are touting.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE FREE WIRELESS EXPRESSCARD
When HSN.com was pushing, sells of the Gateway MX 3702 Notebook Computer they touted the free wireless expresscard which normally sells for $199. But from my understanding of the documentation supplied with the notebook. In order to take advantage of the offer you must subscribe to the wireless service. The card should still be given whether or not you become a customer of the wireless service. Be prepared to shell out about $40 a month for at least a year to receive the free wireless expresscard.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Processor Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology
Intel® Core™ Duo processor T2050
1.6 GHz | 2 MB L2 Cache | 533 MHz FSB
Screen 14.1-inch Widescreen Ultrabright™ TFT
Memory 512 MB DDR2 Dual Channel memory 533 MHz (1 x 512)
Expandable to 2 GB
Total slots: 2 DDR2 slots | Available slots: 1 DDR2 slot
Video ATI Radeon® Xpress 200M graphics
Up to 128 MB of shared video memory
Audio High definition 2-channel audio
Hard drive 60-GB PATA hard drive (4200 RPM)
Optical drive DVD+/-RW Multi-Format Double Layer optical drive
Write maximum: 8X DVD+/-R, 6X DVD-RW, 8X DVD+RW, 2X DVD-R DL, 2.4X DVD+R DL, 24X CD-R and 16X CD-RW discs
Read maximum: 24X CD-R/RW/ROM, 8X DVD-R/RW/ROM, 4X DVD+/-R DL, RAM discs
Media reader 4-in-1 Digital Media Manager
Memory Stick®
Memory Stick Pro®
Multimedia Card™
Secure Digital™
Modem 56K ITU V.92 ready fax/modem
Network 10/100 Mbps built-in Ethernet
Integrated 802.11g wireless LAN
Interfaces 3 - USB 2.0 ports
1 - VGA external connector
1 - RJ11
1 - RJ45
1 - Microphone In
1 - Headphone/Audio Out
Pointing device Touchpad with vertical scroll zone
Expansion slot Expresscard™ Type 54
Battery 6-cell Lithium-ion
Dimensions Inches: 1.41 (H) × 13 (W) × 9.45 (D)
Millimeters: 35.81 (H) × 330 (W) × 240 (D)
Weight 5.28 pounds (2.39 kilograms)
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1099.99
Version Number or Year: MX3702 Notebook with Microsoft Windows XP Pro Media Center
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Epinions.com ID:
GaryD
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Location: Kentucky
Reviews written: 275
Trusted by: 80 members
About Me:
My books R N bookstores, on-line ,Percentage of royalties donated to my favorite charities.
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