Gateway M285-E 14" Convertible Laptop (Intel Core Duo Processor T2300E, 1 GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, Windows XP Tablet Edition) | List Price: $1,599.00
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Brand: Gateway
Binding: Personal Computers
Features: - Versatile Tablet PC with swiveling 14-inch screen for handwritten notes, drawn diagrams
- 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo T2300E processor, 60 GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM, DVD±R DL drive
- Connectivity: 3 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 PC Card, 1 VGA, 1 headphone, 1 microphone, 7-in-1 memory card reader
- Tri-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g); built-in 10/100/1000 (Gigabit); Intel GMA 950 graphics card
- Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system
Solid and reliable [Posted on 2007-07-20]
At first, I wasn't terribly impressed. I had been accustomed to working
with a Toshiba Protege M405 at home and when I purchased the Gateway for
exclusive use at the office, my initial impression of the machine when
I put it into action was noticeably lacking in enthusiasm or excitement.
I've since come to appreciate this notebook for something much more
impressive that I couldn't gauge out of the box, and that was its
amazing reliability and performance over time.
This machine is solid. It does not crash.
Having initially been a software tester when entering into my current
profession, 10 years of accumulated thrashing expertise doesn't give
my Gateway notebook the slightest indication of indigestion, let alone
system instability. I can crash my beloved Toshiba on a dime, in
comparison. The Toshiba is 'sexy' and in my opinion, the finest notebook
currently on the market (as of 2006 year-end, anyway), but not for its
withstanding the test of time. The Gateway is a substantially more robust
in its physical components. It is substantially more weighty, as well.
I can install an insane number of marginally stable applications and it
doesn't complain. I can then uninstall and it marches on like a loyal
soldier for as long as it can before I wipe it clean and restore to
factory condition and believe me, a less stoic system would have been
driven to its knees long before the Gateway even breaks an uncomfortable
sweat.
I am not a kind task mistress. I push my computers to the edge both in use
of any externally exposed physical parts like buttons, latches, keys,
ports, pins, lcd panels, cords, etc., and those internals of system usage
like memory, disk, networking, process speed, etc.. The Gateway can take
a beating. I haven't dropped this notebook, yet, so I can't make a
comment as to its withstanding impact (unlike my Fujitsu, Averetech, and,
today, the Toshiba), but if unlike me, you aren't in the habit of doing
that, there is no reason to doubt the reliablity of this machine.
What I don't like..no..what I detest is using the keyboard. It *looks*
like a generously sized and unremarkable standard keyboard, but using it
*kills* my fingers. The tips of my fingers are literally raw. I don't
know if it's my finger positioning when I type or the shape or the
materials used, but after typing for a half hour or so, the cramps in my
fingers and wrists will compel me to stop working.
Using the touchpad mouse for any length of time is even worse and makes
the skin on my fingers burn after awhile. I've not experienced this with
any machine I've worked with previously. My fingernails are literally
smashed into the tips of my fingers and I think it's because I have to
press the keys *much* harder in order for them to respond. In fact, the
keys that have a farther reach from the standard typing position will
often require an additional pass because enough pressure hadn't been
applied.
That coupled with the keyboard construction make for an uncomfortable
experience, as far as my own goes. The pen leaves much to be desired (as
they all do, for one reason or another), as well. It's too thick and
thus, also becomes uncomfortable to use for any length of time. Worse,
now it doesn't consistently get recognized by the LCD panel and I have
to resort to using the keyboard, again.
This is not an uncommon problem. Gateway doesn't use the Watcom pen
technology for this model, instead opting for the Finepoint. It has
since, in the latest model or upgrade to this model, resumed using Watcom
which could very well solve the problem.
The pen has its own battery and requires being in its 'docking' space or
it dies, cold. I learned this by trial and error. It's not clearly noted
anywhere that I am aware. To that effect, the bios can be altered to
alert the user with an alarm if attempting to shut the system down when
the pen is not detected being locked and secured in its cubbyhole. I
could also do without the latch which secures the pen or its position
under and too far back than intuitively one would expect to find it,
unless my fingers are fatter than the average bear.
The last two detractors have ranged from being merely annoying to
inspiring homicide. They are the noise made when using the left and right
touchpad navigation buttons and the infernal creaking sound made by the
lid whenever it is ever so slightly moved (includes using the pen on the
LCD screen).
That particular sound is an insufferably loud cacophony that originates in
the hinge and seems to amplify as it travels the surface of the lid. I
have, to the horror of friends and family, been overheard threatening the
lid to my Gateway with assorted instruments of torture and once to a
sword fight before slamming the lid shut and refusing to talk to it for
days.
No, WD-40 will not work. Still my all-purpose last resort to use when
running up against a wall, this old stand-by won't help, either (and is
likely to cause considerable grief if it comes into contact with any
electrical components or your bed sheets).
Apparently, plastic-on-plastic is neither self-lubricating, lubricant
friendly nor conscious of the rewards and benefits there of. If it also
proves not to be self-correcting, one of us will need to leave. (and,
yes, it *is* that nerve wracking.)
Like most every other prebuilt system, it comes loaded with a bunch of
unwanted stuff which I ceremoniously dispatch with, anyway, so it doesn't
bother me. Other people might find those same things useful. YMMV.
All in all, it's a heavy work-horse that emits unconscionable sounds from
its moving parts and the ride isn't comfortable for trips longer than a
half hour at a shot, but may be satisfactory to someone else, as I tend
to be exacting to my idea of comfort considering the length I spend
typing.
The Toshiba has been for comfort and ease of use what the Gateway is for
reliablity and stability during use.
If reliability is what you're interested in, (on my machine at least), I
can recommend it 100% as a system you can give, say, to a 14-year old
teen and it (the Gateway) will survive an average 14-year old teenage
standard of care.
The teen, however, I cannot similarly guarantee will be as reliable.
Having had several of these, as well, before attempting to test my mental
stability with another, I would instead prefer to be dropped on my head
from a tall building similar to what my Toshiba and other machines have
been subjected. While all lived, some were sustained damage. Regardless,
the end result seems preferrable to the alternative.
Again, YMMV.
Great Product [Posted on 2007-09-02]
I am very happy with the Convertible Notebook. It works very well with the applications I have for home inspection. If you are in need of a tablet, I would definately recommend the Gateway convertible.
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