Suggest Best Number Crunching Laptops

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Thanks for the reply. I looked up in gateway...and found 7422GX with
similar configuration but 1GB RAM.  

One concern I have is, I've seen some reviews saying...AMD
processors...generate a lot of heat and also eat up Battery quickly.
Is it really a concern do you think or is it same for almost any
laptop?
(I donot have any laptop use experience).

Thanks
Jaladhar

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:

> Hi
>
> I am looking for a laptop which can give me fairly good performance in
> terms of number crunching and Image processing applications, and on
> simmulation and computing applications like MATLAB.
>
> Basically, I am looking for a fast computing laptop, as an away from
> work place resource to work on. (I would be satisfied if it gives me as
> good a performance as a standard Desktop of 512 MB RAM, P4 2.4 GHz). I
> am looking for some thing like below 1500 $.
>
> Can any one suggest a good one?
>
> Thanks in advance. Oh, BTW I will be working predominantly on Windows
> and partly on Linux.

Gateway 7405GX. Especially with 64-bit Linux. Or there are numerous other
AMD-64 notebooks in your price range.

> Jaladhar

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
> Thanks for the reply. I looked up in gateway...and found 7422GX with
> similar configuration but 1GB RAM.  
>
> One concern I have is, I've seen some reviews saying...AMD
> processors...generate a lot of heat and also eat up Battery quickly.
> Is it really a concern do you think or is it same for almost any
> laptop?
> (I donot have any laptop use experience).
>
> Thanks
> Jaladhar

Anything that you do with a notebook computer that involves moderate to
heavy CPU/HD usages is going to eat battery - there is no getting around
this; it's a fact of notebook life. Maximum battery life is predicated
on such things as web surfing, email, document editing, i.e., any
activity in which reductions in CPU speed, HD access, and the like are
going to be more or less transparent to the user. Once you get into the
realm of serious, extended CPU usage, you will be tethered to the AC
adapter if you hope to accomplish anything productive.

Q

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:

> Thanks for the reply. I looked up in gateway...and found 7422GX with
> similar configuration but 1GB RAM.  
>
> One concern I have is, I've seen some reviews saying...AMD
> processors...generate a lot of heat and also eat up Battery quickly.
> Is it really a concern do you think or is it same for almost any
> laptop?
> (I donot have any laptop use experience).

Well, depends on how you define "generate a lot of heat and also eat up
battery quickly". I get 2-3 hours battery life, and while it's definitely
warm sitting in my lap it's not so hot that it's uncomfortable. If I was
in a hot climate I might feel differently though.

If you need long battery life then you should be looking at a Pentium-M or
Centrino (Centrino is Pentium-M plus some other specific Intel components)
machine, but your number-crunching performance will be compromised,
severely so in the lowest-power modes.

> Thanks
> Jaladhar

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Thanks again.

I looked up for comparisons between AMD Athlon 3200 Mobile processor
and Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz processors. Both "seem" comparable in their
performance aspects. Disagree?


Warning:....You might find the question below a lil' DUMB  

A) So I am curious why is this (gateway 7405gx or 7422GX with such
incredible performance capabilities) is priced 1400 and similar configs
in dell are priced around 1700? I am unable to explain this difference.
Can anyone help?

One difference could be in the hard drive rpm.

Jaladhar

J. Clarke wrote:
> jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > Thanks for the reply. I looked up in gateway...and found 7422GX
with
> > similar configuration but 1GB RAM.  
> >
> > One concern I have is, I've seen some reviews saying...AMD
> > processors...generate a lot of heat and also eat up Battery
quickly.
> > Is it really a concern do you think or is it same for almost any
> > laptop?
> > (I donot have any laptop use experience).
>
> Well, depends on how you define "generate a lot of heat and also eat
up
> battery quickly". I get 2-3 hours battery life, and while it's
definitely
> warm sitting in my lap it's not so hot that it's uncomfortable. If I
was
> in a hot climate I might feel differently though.
>
> If you need long battery life then you should be looking at a
Pentium-M or
> Centrino (Centrino is Pentium-M plus some other specific Intel
components)
> machine, but your number-crunching performance will be compromised,
> severely so in the lowest-power modes.
>
> > Thanks
> > Jaladhar
>
> --
> --John
> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
> Thanks again.
>
> I looked up for comparisons between AMD Athlon 3200 Mobile processor
> and Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz processors. Both "seem" comparable in
> their performance aspects. Disagree?
>
>
> Warning:....You might find the question below a lil' DUMB  
>
> A) So I am curious why is this (gateway 7405gx or 7422GX with such
> incredible performance capabilities) is priced 1400 and similar
> configs in dell are priced around 1700? I am unable to explain this
> difference. Can anyone help?
>
> One difference could be in the hard drive rpm.
>
> Jaladhar
>
> J. Clarke wrote:
>> jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks for the reply. I looked up in gateway...and found 7422GX with
>>> similar configuration but 1GB RAM.  
>>>
>>> One concern I have is, I've seen some reviews saying...AMD
>>> processors...generate a lot of heat and also eat up Battery quickly.
>>> Is it really a concern do you think or is it same for almost any
>>> laptop?
>>> (I donot have any laptop use experience).
>>
>> Well, depends on how you define "generate a lot of heat and also eat
>> up battery quickly". I get 2-3 hours battery life, and while it's
>> definitely warm sitting in my lap it's not so hot that it's
>> uncomfortable. If I was in a hot climate I might feel differently
>> though.
>>
>> If you need long battery life then you should be looking at a
>> Pentium-M or Centrino (Centrino is Pentium-M plus some other
>> specific Intel components) machine, but your number-crunching
>> performance will be compromised, severely so in the lowest-power
>> modes.
>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Jaladhar
>>
>> --
>> --John
>> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Given that there is no fully-complete 64bit version of Windows and few
64bit compatible applications, the performance of the AMD 64 on a
crippled OS and 32 bit applications can only be described as "awsome".
Frankly, though, if I were doing any computationally-intensive or
graphics-intensive work, I would not use a laptop since as good as
today's high-performance laptops are, they still cannot match the
performance or long term upgrade path of a good desktop.

Q

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:

> Thanks again.
>
> I looked up for comparisons between AMD Athlon 3200 Mobile processor
> and Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz processors. Both "seem" comparable in their
> performance aspects. Disagree?

Were you looking at Athlon or Athlon 64? The 64 is a different animal.

> Warning:....You might find the question below a lil' DUMB  
>
> A) So I am curious why is this (gateway 7405gx or 7422GX with such
> incredible performance capabilities) is priced 1400 and similar configs
> in dell are priced around 1700? I am unable to explain this difference.
> Can anyone help?
>
> One difference could be in the hard drive rpm.

Near as I can tell Dell doesn't have a comparable model. The closest they
can come would be an Inspiron XPS I think, which has better video (Radeon
9800 vs 9600), which is moot unless you're a gamer. Dell doesn't tell the
disk speed that I could find. Under Windows the two machines should have
roughly comparable performance, under Linux it's a different story--the
AMD64 can run 64-bit Linux, the Intel can't. And every benchmark I've seen
shows a marked performance improvement in the performance of Linux when
recompiled for a 64-bit architecture.

As far as the pricing goes the main thing is that Gateway was deliberately
designed as a company (for example they sought out the locality in the US
with lowest labor costs, taxes, and other costs of doing business and put
their main operation there) to be able to undercut Dell's pricing with
comparable quality, and to their surprise they found during the merger that
e-machines was even more efficient as a business.


>
> Jaladhar
>
> J. Clarke wrote:
>> jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>> > Thanks for the reply. I looked up in gateway...and found 7422GX
> with
>> > similar configuration but 1GB RAM.  
>> >
>> > One concern I have is, I've seen some reviews saying...AMD
>> > processors...generate a lot of heat and also eat up Battery
> quickly.
>> > Is it really a concern do you think or is it same for almost any
>> > laptop?
>> > (I donot have any laptop use experience).
>>
>> Well, depends on how you define "generate a lot of heat and also eat
> up
>> battery quickly". I get 2-3 hours battery life, and while it's
> definitely
>> warm sitting in my lap it's not so hot that it's uncomfortable. If I
> was
>> in a hot climate I might feel differently though.
>>
>> If you need long battery life then you should be looking at a
> Pentium-M or
>> Centrino (Centrino is Pentium-M plus some other specific Intel
> components)
>> machine, but your number-crunching performance will be compromised,
>> severely so in the lowest-power modes.
>>
>> > Thanks
>> > Jaladhar
>>
>> --
>> --John
>> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

One difference between Gateway and the others....Quality or lack of for
parts and service. Gateway is terrible when it comes to getting a system
serviced. From personal and business experience, stay away from Gateway
products.

Dan

J. Clarke wrote:
> jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Thanks again.
>>
>> I looked up for comparisons between AMD Athlon 3200 Mobile processor
>> and Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz processors. Both "seem" comparable in
>> their performance aspects. Disagree?
>
> Were you looking at Athlon or Athlon 64? The 64 is a different
> animal.
>
>> Warning:....You might find the question below a lil' DUMB  
>>
>> A) So I am curious why is this (gateway 7405gx or 7422GX with such
>> incredible performance capabilities) is priced 1400 and similar
>> configs in dell are priced around 1700? I am unable to explain this
>> difference. Can anyone help?
>>
>> One difference could be in the hard drive rpm.
>
> Near as I can tell Dell doesn't have a comparable model. The closest
> they can come would be an Inspiron XPS I think, which has better
> video (Radeon 9800 vs 9600), which is moot unless you're a gamer.
> Dell doesn't tell the disk speed that I could find. Under Windows
> the two machines should have roughly comparable performance, under
> Linux it's a different story--the AMD64 can run 64-bit Linux, the
> Intel can't. And every benchmark I've seen shows a marked
> performance improvement in the performance of Linux when recompiled
> for a 64-bit architecture.
>
> As far as the pricing goes the main thing is that Gateway was
> deliberately designed as a company (for example they sought out the
> locality in the US with lowest labor costs, taxes, and other costs of
> doing business and put their main operation there) to be able to
> undercut Dell's pricing with comparable quality, and to their
> surprise they found during the merger that e-machines was even more
> efficient as a business.
>
>
>>
>> Jaladhar
>>
>> J. Clarke wrote:
>>> jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thanks for the reply. I looked up in gateway...and found 7422GX
>> with
>>>> similar configuration but 1GB RAM.  
>>>>
>>>> One concern I have is, I've seen some reviews saying...AMD
>>>> processors...generate a lot of heat and also eat up Battery
>> quickly.
>>>> Is it really a concern do you think or is it same for almost any
>>>> laptop?
>>>> (I donot have any laptop use experience).
>>>
>>> Well, depends on how you define "generate a lot of heat and also eat
>> up
>>> battery quickly". I get 2-3 hours battery life, and while it's
>>> definitely warm sitting in my lap it's not so hot that it's
>>> uncomfortable. If I was in a hot climate I might feel differently
>>> though.
>>>
>>> If you need long battery life then you should be looking at a
>> Pentium-M or
>>> Centrino (Centrino is Pentium-M plus some other specific Intel
>>> components) machine, but your number-crunching performance will be
>>> compromised, severely so in the lowest-power modes.
>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>> Jaladhar
>>>
>>> --
>>> --John
>>> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
>>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

.............

> Frankly, though, if I were doing any computationally-intensive or
> graphics-intensive work, I would not use a laptop since as good as today's
> high-performance laptops are, they still cannot match the performance or
> long term upgrade path of a good desktop.
>
> Q
>

I've been looking at one of the small footprint boxes from Shuttle, which
you can build with some pretty high-performance components. The box itself
is under 10 pounds, but what about a lightweight, portable screen, keyboard,
etc? Has anyone out there specifically put a system together for
portability? How does it hold up to the bumps and bruieses of travel?

Joe Davis

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"Joe Davis" <davisexp@attglobal.net> writes:
> I've been looking at one of the small footprint boxes from Shuttle,
> which you can build with some pretty high-performance components.
> The box itself is under 10 pounds, but what about a lightweight,
> portable screen, keyboard, etc?

Connect a small laptop via ethernet or wifi.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Joe Davis wrote:
> ............
>
>> Frankly, though, if I were doing any computationally-intensive or
>> graphics-intensive work, I would not use a laptop since as good as
>> today's high-performance laptops are, they still cannot match the
>> performance or long term upgrade path of a good desktop.
>>
>> Q
>>
>
> I've been looking at one of the small footprint boxes from Shuttle,
> which you can build with some pretty high-performance components. The
> box itself is under 10 pounds, but what about a lightweight,
> portable screen, keyboard, etc? Has anyone out there specifically
> put a system together for portability? How does it hold up to the
> bumps and bruieses of travel?
> Joe Davis

The "barebones" or "small form factor" computers are a good trade-off if
you work like me and rarely move the laptop from your desk. You have to
be careful, though, some of these units have very low power supply and
marginal cooling. They also have only one AGP or PCI express slot and
one PCI slot, but are pretty well equipped out of the box (or
mainboard). Shuttle has a "portable" LCD in 17 and 19 inch models; they
are expensive and not real good performers. Better monitors can be had
for less money. See Anandtech.com (or was it tomshardware.com?) for a
specific review. Poke around www.newegg.com for what's available in
SFF boxes.

Q

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

I second the hard-crunching-eats-power note. We have a Tohsiba Techra M1
with a 1.7GHz Centrino (Banias, not Dothan). Just for fun, I've let it
run SETI@Home. It takes an average of 2.25 hours per work unit. For
comparison, a 2.4GHz Dell Pentium 4 desktop here takes the same software
and OS 2.75 hours average.

But instead of 3-4 hours battery life (light browsing, etc.), it runs
a little over an hour on a charge when crunching this hard. And the
cooling fan stays on with very warm air coming out the vents...

Jim Horn (sure beats my 533MHz Celeron at home - 14 hours per work unit)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

You've got me thinking....My internet search on reviews about gateway's
customer service tell me otherwise. People at large seem happy.

Finally,..before I actually go and buy the laptop...i wanted you guys
to comment on the following config..of GATEWAY 7422GX...


Question: Should Upgradability of RAM be a major factor/concern? I will
be using the laptop for at least next 3 years.

NOTE: In this config...RAM can only be updated uptil 1.5GB.


**********
Specifications

Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition1

Processor
AMD Athlon™ 64-bit 3400+ Mobile Processor
Operates at 2.2GHz
1MB L2 Cache
HyperTransport™ technology up to 1600MHz

Chipset
VIA K8T800

Screen
15.4" Ultrabright TFT WXGA

Memory
1024MB DDR (2 x 512MB) SODIMM (PC2700)
Expandable to 1.5GB

Video
ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® 9550
64MB Video Memory

Audio
PC2001 Compliant AC '97 Audio
Built-in Stereo Speakers

Hard Drive
80GB4

Optical Drive
DVD+/-RW, Multi-Format Double Layer
Write max: 8x DVD+/-R, 4x DVD+/-RW
24x CD-R and 10x CD-RW Disks
Reads max: 8x DVD-ROM Disks
24x CD-ROM Disks

Media Reader
6-in-1 Digital Media Manager
Compact Flash, Micro Drive, MultimediaCard (MMC); Secure Digital
(SD); Memory Stick; Memory Stick Pro

Modem
56K ITU V.92 ready Fax/Modem

Network
802.11g integrated wireless (up to 54Mbps)
10/100Mbps integrated Ethernet LAN

Pointing Device
Touchpad with Vertical Scroll Zone

PCMCIA
1 - Type I or Type II; Card Bus

Interfaces
4 - USB 2.0 Ports
1 - VGA External Connector
1 - IEEE 1394 port
1 - S-Video
1 - RJ11
1 - RJ45
Microphone In
Headphone / Audio Out

Battery
8-cell Lithium-ion

Dimensions
1.6" H5 x 14.0" W x 10.4" D

Weight
7.5 lbs6 (8.65 lbs. total travel weight)

Warranty
1 year parts and labor7

************

Thanks in advance.
Jaladhar


Angry American wrote:
> One difference between Gateway and the others....Quality or lack of
for
> parts and service. Gateway is terrible when it comes to getting a
system
> serviced. From personal and business experience, stay away from
Gateway
> products.
>
> Dan
>
> J. Clarke wrote:
> > jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
> >
> >> Thanks again.
> >>
> >> I looked up for comparisons between AMD Athlon 3200 Mobile
processor
> >> and Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz processors. Both "seem" comparable in
> >> their performance aspects. Disagree?
> >
> > Were you looking at Athlon or Athlon 64? The 64 is a different
> > animal.
> >
> >> Warning:....You might find the question below a lil' DUMB  
> >>
> >> A) So I am curious why is this (gateway 7405gx or 7422GX with such
> >> incredible performance capabilities) is priced 1400 and similar
> >> configs in dell are priced around 1700? I am unable to explain
this
> >> difference. Can anyone help?
> >>
> >> One difference could be in the hard drive rpm.
> >
> > Near as I can tell Dell doesn't have a comparable model. The
closest
> > they can come would be an Inspiron XPS I think, which has better
> > video (Radeon 9800 vs 9600), which is moot unless you're a gamer.
> > Dell doesn't tell the disk speed that I could find. Under Windows
> > the two machines should have roughly comparable performance, under
> > Linux it's a different story--the AMD64 can run 64-bit Linux, the
> > Intel can't. And every benchmark I've seen shows a marked
> > performance improvement in the performance of Linux when recompiled
> > for a 64-bit architecture.
> >
> > As far as the pricing goes the main thing is that Gateway was
> > deliberately designed as a company (for example they sought out the
> > locality in the US with lowest labor costs, taxes, and other costs
of
> > doing business and put their main operation there) to be able to
> > undercut Dell's pricing with comparable quality, and to their
> > surprise they found during the merger that e-machines was even more
> > efficient as a business.
> >
> >
> >>
> >> Jaladhar
> >>
> >> J. Clarke wrote:
> >>> jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Thanks for the reply. I looked up in gateway...and found 7422GX
> >> with
> >>>> similar configuration but 1GB RAM.  
> >>>>
> >>>> One concern I have is, I've seen some reviews saying...AMD
> >>>> processors...generate a lot of heat and also eat up Battery
> >> quickly.
> >>>> Is it really a concern do you think or is it same for almost any
> >>>> laptop?
> >>>> (I donot have any laptop use experience).
> >>>
> >>> Well, depends on how you define "generate a lot of heat and also
eat
> >> up
> >>> battery quickly". I get 2-3 hours battery life, and while it's
> >>> definitely warm sitting in my lap it's not so hot that it's
> >>> uncomfortable. If I was in a hot climate I might feel
differently
> >>> though.
> >>>
> >>> If you need long battery life then you should be looking at a
> >> Pentium-M or
> >>> Centrino (Centrino is Pentium-M plus some other specific Intel
> >>> components) machine, but your number-crunching performance will
be
> >>> compromised, severely so in the lowest-power modes.
> >>>
> >>>> Thanks
> >>>> Jaladhar
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> --John
> >>> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
> >>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Your choice, it took their "repair facility" three tries , read three
different trips, to get my laptop running again. And I am on my second
system from Gateway. I consider this a $3,000 lesson, in what not to buy.

I had also done a ton of research on the web, and felt good about my
purchase a year ago. My next laptop will be an IBM.

Dan

jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
> You've got me thinking....My internet search on reviews about
> gateway's customer service tell me otherwise. People at large seem
> happy.
>
> Finally,..before I actually go and buy the laptop...i wanted you guys
> to comment on the following config..of GATEWAY 7422GX...
>
>
> Question: Should Upgradability of RAM be a major factor/concern? I
> will be using the laptop for at least next 3 years.
>
> NOTE: In this config...RAM can only be updated uptil 1.5GB.
>
>
> **********
> Specifications
>
> Operating System
> Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition1
>
> Processor
> AMD AthlonT 64-bit 3400+ Mobile Processor
> Operates at 2.2GHz
> 1MB L2 Cache
> HyperTransportT technology up to 1600MHz
>
> Chipset
> VIA K8T800
>
> Screen
> 15.4" Ultrabright TFT WXGA
>
> Memory
> 1024MB DDR (2 x 512MB) SODIMM (PC2700)
> Expandable to 1.5GB
>
> Video
> ATI MOBILITYT RADEON® 9550
> 64MB Video Memory
>
> Audio
> PC2001 Compliant AC '97 Audio
> Built-in Stereo Speakers
>
> Hard Drive
> 80GB4
>
> Optical Drive
> DVD+/-RW, Multi-Format Double Layer
> Write max: 8x DVD+/-R, 4x DVD+/-RW
> 24x CD-R and 10x CD-RW Disks
> Reads max: 8x DVD-ROM Disks
> 24x CD-ROM Disks
>
> Media Reader
> 6-in-1 Digital Media Manager
> Compact Flash, Micro Drive, MultimediaCard (MMC); Secure Digital
> (SD); Memory Stick; Memory Stick Pro
>
> Modem
> 56K ITU V.92 ready Fax/Modem
>
> Network
> 802.11g integrated wireless (up to 54Mbps)
> 10/100Mbps integrated Ethernet LAN
>
> Pointing Device
> Touchpad with Vertical Scroll Zone
>
> PCMCIA
> 1 - Type I or Type II; Card Bus
>
> Interfaces
> 4 - USB 2.0 Ports
> 1 - VGA External Connector
> 1 - IEEE 1394 port
> 1 - S-Video
> 1 - RJ11
> 1 - RJ45
> Microphone In
> Headphone / Audio Out
>
> Battery
> 8-cell Lithium-ion
>
> Dimensions
> 1.6" H5 x 14.0" W x 10.4" D
>
> Weight
> 7.5 lbs6 (8.65 lbs. total travel weight)
>
> Warranty
> 1 year parts and labor7
>
> ************
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Jaladhar
>
>
> Angry American wrote:
>> One difference between Gateway and the others....Quality or lack of
>> for parts and service. Gateway is terrible when it comes to getting
>> a system serviced. From personal and business experience, stay away
>> from Gateway products.
>>
>> Dan
>>
>> J. Clarke wrote:
>>> jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thanks again.
>>>>
>>>> I looked up for comparisons between AMD Athlon 3200 Mobile
>>>> processor and Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz processors. Both "seem"
>>>> comparable in their performance aspects. Disagree?
>>>
>>> Were you looking at Athlon or Athlon 64? The 64 is a different
>>> animal.
>>>
>>>> Warning:....You might find the question below a lil' DUMB  
>>>>
>>>> A) So I am curious why is this (gateway 7405gx or 7422GX with such
>>>> incredible performance capabilities) is priced 1400 and similar
>>>> configs in dell are priced around 1700? I am unable to explain this
>>>> difference. Can anyone help?
>>>>
>>>> One difference could be in the hard drive rpm.
>>>
>>> Near as I can tell Dell doesn't have a comparable model. The
>>> closest they can come would be an Inspiron XPS I think, which has
>>> better video (Radeon 9800 vs 9600), which is moot unless you're a
>>> gamer. Dell doesn't tell the disk speed that I could find. Under
>>> Windows the two machines should have roughly comparable
>>> performance, under Linux it's a different story--the AMD64 can run
>>> 64-bit Linux, the Intel can't. And every benchmark I've seen shows
>>> a marked performance improvement in the performance of Linux when
>>> recompiled for a 64-bit architecture.
>>>
>>> As far as the pricing goes the main thing is that Gateway was
>>> deliberately designed as a company (for example they sought out the
>>> locality in the US with lowest labor costs, taxes, and other costs
>>> of doing business and put their main operation there) to be able to
>>> undercut Dell's pricing with comparable quality, and to their
>>> surprise they found during the merger that e-machines was even more
>>> efficient as a business.
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Jaladhar
>>>>
>>>> J. Clarke wrote:
>>>>> jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks for the reply. I looked up in gateway...and found 7422GX
>>>>>> with similar configuration but 1GB RAM.  
>>>>>>
>>>>>> One concern I have is, I've seen some reviews saying...AMD
>>>>>> processors...generate a lot of heat and also eat up Battery
>>>>>> quickly. Is it really a concern do you think or is it same for
>>>>>> almost any laptop?
>>>>>> (I donot have any laptop use experience).
>>>>>
>>>>> Well, depends on how you define "generate a lot of heat and also
>>>>> eat up battery quickly". I get 2-3 hours battery life, and while
>>>>> it's definitely warm sitting in my lap it's not so hot that it's
>>>>> uncomfortable. If I was in a hot climate I might feel differently
>>>>> though.
>>>>>
>>>>> If you need long battery life then you should be looking at a
>>>>> Pentium-M or Centrino (Centrino is Pentium-M plus some other
>>>>> specific Intel components) machine, but your number-crunching
>>>>> performance will be compromised, severely so in the lowest-power
>>>>> modes.
>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>> Jaladhar
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> --John
>>>>> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
>>>>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:

> You've got me thinking....My internet search on reviews about gateway's
> customer service tell me otherwise. People at large seem happy.
>
> Finally,..before I actually go and buy the laptop...i wanted you guys
> to comment on the following config..of GATEWAY 7422GX...
>
>
> Question: Should Upgradability of RAM be a major factor/concern? I will
> be using the laptop for at least next 3 years.
>
> NOTE: In this config...RAM can only be updated uptil 1.5GB.

How much RAM do you need for whatever you are doing? If 1-1.5GB is
sufficient then don't worry about it. You're going to find precious few
laptops that allow more than this in any case.

The 7422 appears to be the same basic machine as the 7405 and the emachines
6800 series and a bunch of others, all basically the Arima 730 with
different trim and assorted minor changes. Should be fine.

> **********
> Specifications
>
> Operating System
> Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition1
>
> Processor
> AMD Athlon™ 64-bit 3400+ Mobile Processor
> Operates at 2.2GHz
> 1MB L2 Cache
> HyperTransport™ technology up to 1600MHz
>
> Chipset
> VIA K8T800
>
> Screen
> 15.4" Ultrabright TFT WXGA
>
> Memory
> 1024MB DDR (2 x 512MB) SODIMM (PC2700)
> Expandable to 1.5GB
>
> Video
> ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® 9550
> 64MB Video Memory
>
> Audio
> PC2001 Compliant AC '97 Audio
> Built-in Stereo Speakers
>
> Hard Drive
> 80GB4
>
> Optical Drive
> DVD+/-RW, Multi-Format Double Layer
> Write max: 8x DVD+/-R, 4x DVD+/-RW
> 24x CD-R and 10x CD-RW Disks
> Reads max: 8x DVD-ROM Disks
> 24x CD-ROM Disks
>
> Media Reader
> 6-in-1 Digital Media Manager
> Compact Flash, Micro Drive, MultimediaCard (MMC); Secure Digital
> (SD); Memory Stick; Memory Stick Pro
>
> Modem
> 56K ITU V.92 ready Fax/Modem
>
> Network
> 802.11g integrated wireless (up to 54Mbps)
> 10/100Mbps integrated Ethernet LAN
>
> Pointing Device
> Touchpad with Vertical Scroll Zone
>
> PCMCIA
> 1 - Type I or Type II; Card Bus
>
> Interfaces
> 4 - USB 2.0 Ports
> 1 - VGA External Connector
> 1 - IEEE 1394 port
> 1 - S-Video
> 1 - RJ11
> 1 - RJ45
> Microphone In
> Headphone / Audio Out
>
> Battery
> 8-cell Lithium-ion
>
> Dimensions
> 1.6" H5 x 14.0" W x 10.4" D
>
> Weight
> 7.5 lbs6 (8.65 lbs. total travel weight)
>
> Warranty
> 1 year parts and labor7
>
> ************
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Jaladhar
>
>
> Angry American wrote:
>> One difference between Gateway and the others....Quality or lack of
> for
>> parts and service. Gateway is terrible when it comes to getting a
> system
>> serviced. From personal and business experience, stay away from
> Gateway
>> products.
>>
>> Dan
>>
>> J. Clarke wrote:
>> > jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
>> >
>> >> Thanks again.
>> >>
>> >> I looked up for comparisons between AMD Athlon 3200 Mobile
> processor
>> >> and Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz processors. Both "seem" comparable in
>> >> their performance aspects. Disagree?
>> >
>> > Were you looking at Athlon or Athlon 64? The 64 is a different
>> > animal.
>> >
>> >> Warning:....You might find the question below a lil' DUMB  
>> >>
>> >> A) So I am curious why is this (gateway 7405gx or 7422GX with such
>> >> incredible performance capabilities) is priced 1400 and similar
>> >> configs in dell are priced around 1700? I am unable to explain
> this
>> >> difference. Can anyone help?
>> >>
>> >> One difference could be in the hard drive rpm.
>> >
>> > Near as I can tell Dell doesn't have a comparable model. The
> closest
>> > they can come would be an Inspiron XPS I think, which has better
>> > video (Radeon 9800 vs 9600), which is moot unless you're a gamer.
>> > Dell doesn't tell the disk speed that I could find. Under Windows
>> > the two machines should have roughly comparable performance, under
>> > Linux it's a different story--the AMD64 can run 64-bit Linux, the
>> > Intel can't. And every benchmark I've seen shows a marked
>> > performance improvement in the performance of Linux when recompiled
>> > for a 64-bit architecture.
>> >
>> > As far as the pricing goes the main thing is that Gateway was
>> > deliberately designed as a company (for example they sought out the
>> > locality in the US with lowest labor costs, taxes, and other costs
> of
>> > doing business and put their main operation there) to be able to
>> > undercut Dell's pricing with comparable quality, and to their
>> > surprise they found during the merger that e-machines was even more
>> > efficient as a business.
>> >
>> >
>> >>
>> >> Jaladhar
>> >>
>> >> J. Clarke wrote:
>> >>> jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>> Thanks for the reply. I looked up in gateway...and found 7422GX
>> >> with
>> >>>> similar configuration but 1GB RAM.  
>> >>>>
>> >>>> One concern I have is, I've seen some reviews saying...AMD
>> >>>> processors...generate a lot of heat and also eat up Battery
>> >> quickly.
>> >>>> Is it really a concern do you think or is it same for almost any
>> >>>> laptop?
>> >>>> (I donot have any laptop use experience).
>> >>>
>> >>> Well, depends on how you define "generate a lot of heat and also
> eat
>> >> up
>> >>> battery quickly". I get 2-3 hours battery life, and while it's
>> >>> definitely warm sitting in my lap it's not so hot that it's
>> >>> uncomfortable. If I was in a hot climate I might feel
> differently
>> >>> though.
>> >>>
>> >>> If you need long battery life then you should be looking at a
>> >> Pentium-M or
>> >>> Centrino (Centrino is Pentium-M plus some other specific Intel
>> >>> components) machine, but your number-crunching performance will
> be
>> >>> compromised, severely so in the lowest-power modes.
>> >>>
>> >>>> Thanks
>> >>>> Jaladhar
>> >>>
>> >>> --
>> >>> --John
>> >>> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
>> >>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Angry American wrote:

> One difference between Gateway and the others....Quality or lack of for
> parts and service. Gateway is terrible when it comes to getting a system
> serviced. From personal and business experience, stay away from Gateway
> products.

The 7400 series Gateways, which are made by Arima, not Gateway, are sold in
substantially identical form under many other brand names. Parts should
not be an issue and service I've never concerned myself with--if I can get
the parts I can fix it. However I think you will find that emachines,
which is the Gateway subsidiary that actually is responsible for these
machines, has developed a pretty good reputation for service.

> Dan
>
> J. Clarke wrote:
>> jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks again.
>>>
>>> I looked up for comparisons between AMD Athlon 3200 Mobile processor
>>> and Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz processors. Both "seem" comparable in
>>> their performance aspects. Disagree?
>>
>> Were you looking at Athlon or Athlon 64? The 64 is a different
>> animal.
>>
>>> Warning:....You might find the question below a lil' DUMB  
>>>
>>> A) So I am curious why is this (gateway 7405gx or 7422GX with such
>>> incredible performance capabilities) is priced 1400 and similar
>>> configs in dell are priced around 1700? I am unable to explain this
>>> difference. Can anyone help?
>>>
>>> One difference could be in the hard drive rpm.
>>
>> Near as I can tell Dell doesn't have a comparable model. The closest
>> they can come would be an Inspiron XPS I think, which has better
>> video (Radeon 9800 vs 9600), which is moot unless you're a gamer.
>> Dell doesn't tell the disk speed that I could find. Under Windows
>> the two machines should have roughly comparable performance, under
>> Linux it's a different story--the AMD64 can run 64-bit Linux, the
>> Intel can't. And every benchmark I've seen shows a marked
>> performance improvement in the performance of Linux when recompiled
>> for a 64-bit architecture.
>>
>> As far as the pricing goes the main thing is that Gateway was
>> deliberately designed as a company (for example they sought out the
>> locality in the US with lowest labor costs, taxes, and other costs of
>> doing business and put their main operation there) to be able to
>> undercut Dell's pricing with comparable quality, and to their
>> surprise they found during the merger that e-machines was even more
>> efficient as a business.
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Jaladhar
>>>
>>> J. Clarke wrote:
>>>> jaladhar@gmail.com wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for the reply. I looked up in gateway...and found 7422GX
>>> with
>>>>> similar configuration but 1GB RAM.  
>>>>>
>>>>> One concern I have is, I've seen some reviews saying...AMD
>>>>> processors...generate a lot of heat and also eat up Battery
>>> quickly.
>>>>> Is it really a concern do you think or is it same for almost any
>>>>> laptop?
>>>>> (I donot have any laptop use experience).
>>>>
>>>> Well, depends on how you define "generate a lot of heat and also eat
>>> up
>>>> battery quickly". I get 2-3 hours battery life, and while it's
>>>> definitely warm sitting in my lap it's not so hot that it's
>>>> uncomfortable. If I was in a hot climate I might feel differently
>>>> though.
>>>>
>>>> If you need long battery life then you should be looking at a
>>> Pentium-M or
>>>> Centrino (Centrino is Pentium-M plus some other specific Intel
>>>> components) machine, but your number-crunching performance will be
>>>> compromised, severely so in the lowest-power modes.
>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>> Jaladhar
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> --John
>>>> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
>>>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Angry American wrote:

> Your choice, it took their "repair facility" three tries , read three
> different trips, to get my laptop running again. And I am on my second
> system from Gateway. I consider this a $3,000 lesson, in what not to buy.
>
> I had also done a ton of research on the web, and felt good about my
> purchase a year ago. My next laptop will be an IBM.

Your research appears to be lacking in thoroughness and attention to detail.
Google "Lenovo IBM".

> Dan

<snip>

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

I know about the buy out, obviously more than you do. The ThinkPad line is
still going to continue, with the same quality and attention to detail. Tech
support for US will still be based in the US. I have since purchased a T42P,
and can't be happier with it. The quality and "extras" make anything I have
used or seen from Dell, HP, or Gateway pale in comparison. Purchasing from
Gateway is like playing Russian Roulette. You never know what your going
get, nor how long it will last.

I had to actually drive to the Gateway HQ in Sioux City, SD to get
satisfaction, anything else I tried was like banging your head against the
wall. I know from personal experience Gateway couldn't find their way out of
a paper bag, much less fix a hardware issue with a laptop. Having had 2
different laptops from Gateway, with the same results from both systems,
pretty much proves to me their lack of support, lack of ability to take care
of a customer, and I no longer wonder why they are having financial
problems.

Dan


"J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:ctbfg70gcf@news3.newsguy.com...
> Angry American wrote:
>
>> Your choice, it took their "repair facility" three tries , read three
>> different trips, to get my laptop running again. And I am on my second
>> system from Gateway. I consider this a $3,000 lesson, in what not to buy.
>>
>> I had also done a ton of research on the web, and felt good about my
>> purchase a year ago. My next laptop will be an IBM.
>
> Your research appears to be lacking in thoroughness and attention to
> detail.
> Google "Lenovo IBM".
>
>> Dan
>
> <snip>
>
> --
> --John
> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

I have had nothing but bad luck with the gateway that I got from my son.
When it arrived it didn't work - battery didn't work. Had to run it on AC
for 3 weeks until they replaced the battery. Now 2 weeks after the warranty
ran out it just stopped working. Gateway will not even listen to my claim
that it should "probably" still be under warranty" because of the problems I
had in the beginning. Not only that but they don't offer much help with
trying to find out what is wrong with it. It just stopped working. They
tell me to call the line where you pay or send it in for repairs at 200.00
min. I will never even consider a gateway product. I have had good luck
with an e-systems desktop -- but now I will stay away from them since they
merged with Gateway.

JW

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Angry American wrote:

> I know about the buy out, obviously more than you do. The ThinkPad line is
> still going to continue, with the same quality and attention to detail.

Or so claim the Chinese.

> Tech support for US will still be based in the US.

Which does a fat lot of good when the tech support people have to refer to
documentation written by the Chinese in transliterated Mandarin.

> I have since purchased
> a T42P, and can't be happier with it. The quality and "extras" make
> anything I have used or seen from Dell, HP, or Gateway pale in comparison.

And your point is? Hint--the Lenovo deal is not yet complete--you did not
get a Lenovo machine and your experience with it means nothing about the
future of Thinkpads.

> Purchasing from Gateway is like playing Russian Roulette. You never know
> what your going get, nor how long it will last.

Of course you do when the machine has been in production for over a year and
is sufficiently popular that it has its own dedicated independent fora.

> I had to actually drive to the Gateway HQ in Sioux City, SD to get
> satisfaction, anything else I tried was like banging your head against the
> wall. I know from personal experience Gateway couldn't find their way out
> of a paper bag, much less fix a hardware issue with a laptop. Having had 2
> different laptops from Gateway, with the same results from both systems,
> pretty much proves to me their lack of support, lack of ability to take
> care of a customer, and I no longer wonder why they are having financial
> problems.

Oh, now I understand. Sears-Roebuck sells an object called a "screwdriver".
Perhaps you should obtain one and familiarize yourself with its use.

Look, if you need IBM-quality support and are willing to pay for it, IBM can
be very good while the product is under maintenance. But they are also a
long way from perfect. I have sitting here a recent Intellistation for
example that came with NT installed. I asked IBM for a recovery disk for
it and they told me that they can't provide them anymore because their
contract with Microsoft doesn't permit them to distribute NT anymore. And
try to get a replacement for a scratched OS/2 Warp 4 CD. And see if you
can find the docs on the PS/2s. They're still on the IBM site but try to
find them without knowing exactly where they are.

Don't get me wrong--I like Thinkpads. If there was a 64-bit Thinkpad I'd
have likely gone with that instead of a Gateway, but there isn't and I can
get a Gateway and a spare for the price of the Thinkpad that comes closest
in performance.

> Dan
>
>
> "J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
> news:ctbfg70gcf@news3.newsguy.com...
>> Angry American wrote:
>>
>>> Your choice, it took their "repair facility" three tries , read three
>>> different trips, to get my laptop running again. And I am on my second
>>> system from Gateway. I consider this a $3,000 lesson, in what not to
>>> buy.
>>>
>>> I had also done a ton of research on the web, and felt good about my
>>> purchase a year ago. My next laptop will be an IBM.
>>
>> Your research appears to be lacking in thoroughness and attention to
>> detail.
>> Google "Lenovo IBM".
>>
>>> Dan
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>> --
>> --John
>> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

JW wrote:

> I have had nothing but bad luck with the gateway that I got from my son.
> When it arrived it didn't work - battery didn't work.> Had to run it on AC
> for 3 weeks until they replaced the battery. Now 2 weeks after the
> warranty
> ran out it just stopped working. Gateway will not even listen to my claim
> that it should "probably" still be under warranty" because of the problems
> I
> had in the beginning. Not only that but they don't offer much help with
> trying to find out what is wrong with it. It just stopped working. They
> tell me to call the line where you pay or send it in for repairs at 200.00
> min. I will never even consider a gateway product. I have had good luck
> with an e-systems desktop -- but now I will stay away from them since they
> merged with Gateway.

(a) If you're going to get a Gateway get it from a retailer, not the
mail-order. Gateway retail and Gateway mail-order are different companies
in just about everything but name.
(b) If it fails then take it back to Best Buy and they'll likely swap it out
out if you have their service contract--if they don't have another Gateway
who knows, you may get a Thinkpad out of the deal.
(c) You say that Gateway will not listen to your "claim". Well, it's not
their technicians job to settle legal issues and the validity or lack of
same of the warranty is a legal issue--have your people talk to their
people if you really think you have a valid claim.
>
> JW

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> writes:
> > My point with Gateway is these laptops did not last a month, before they
> > needed service.
>
> So? Everybody makes a lemon now and then. Even IBM. Can you say "75GXP"?

One of the keys just popped off of my X40 keyboard and won't go back
on! I've never had that happen with a Thinkpad before. It's the
right-arrow cursor key, so I can work with it missing, but I guess
I'm going to have to send the x40 in for repair eventually.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Angry American wrote:

> Gateway's business class laptops!

Classic oxymoron?

Regards,

James

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> wrote in message >
> (a) If you're going to get a Gateway get it from a retailer, not the
> mail-order. Gateway retail and Gateway mail-order are different companies
> in just about everything but name.
> (b) If it fails then take it back to Best Buy and they'll likely swap it
out
> out if you have their service contract--if they don't have another Gateway
> who knows, you may get a Thinkpad out of the deal.
> (c) You say that Gateway will not listen to your "claim". Well, it's not
> their technicians job to settle legal issues and the validity or lack of
> same of the warranty is a legal issue--have your people talk to their
> people if you really think you have a valid claim.
> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

a. The laptop was a gift from my son and he did get it from a retailer -- a
Gateway store in Texas. They are gone now -- I think they are all gone
now.
b. See a. I wish I had a service contract. I normally don't get one but
with Gateway I would recommend an extended warranty.
c. I was not talking to the tech people about my warrenty claim. I was
talking to the Gateway customer service people. Many times-- many different
people.
I talked to the tech people about the hardware issues.

JW

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

JW wrote:

>
> "J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> wrote in message >
>> (a) If you're going to get a Gateway get it from a retailer, not the
>> mail-order. Gateway retail and Gateway mail-order are different
>> companies in just about everything but name.
>> (b) If it fails then take it back to Best Buy and they'll likely swap it
> out
>> out if you have their service contract--if they don't have another
>> Gateway who knows, you may get a Thinkpad out of the deal.
>> (c) You say that Gateway will not listen to your "claim". Well, it's not
>> their technicians job to settle legal issues and the validity or lack of
>> same of the warranty is a legal issue--have your people talk to their
>> people if you really think you have a valid claim.
>> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
>
> a. The laptop was a gift from my son and he did get it from a retailer --
> a
> Gateway store in Texas. They are gone now -- I think they are all gone
> now.

By a retailer I mean a place like "Best Buy" or "CompUSA" or "Joe's
Whorehouse and Computer Store" that sells more than one brand of computer.

> b. See a. I wish I had a service contract. I normally don't get one but
> with Gateway I would recommend an extended warranty.

I always get one with a laptop on the basis that they take a beating.
Doesn't matter the brand.

> c. I was not talking to the tech people about my warrenty claim. I was
> talking to the Gateway customer service people. Many times-- many
> different people.

The only people who can address a _legal_ issue are the _lawyers_. The
customer service people _might_ do you a favor if they are in a good mood,
but they are certainly under no legal obligation to do so.

> I talked to the tech people about the hardware issues.

Statistically, the Joe's Whorehouse operations do better on customer support
than any of the majors. The trouble is that if Joe gets the clap and dies
you're SOL. The small shops also tend to have higher prices.

> JW

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Paul Rubin wrote:
>
> One of the keys just popped off of my X40 keyboard and won't go back
> on! I've never had that happen with a Thinkpad before. It's the
> right-arrow cursor key, so I can work with it missing, but I guess
> I'm going to have to send the x40 in for repair eventually.

Line it up and push down firmly, it will snap back on.

--
James

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

JHEM wrote:

> Paul Rubin wrote:
>>
>> One of the keys just popped off of my X40 keyboard and won't go back
>> on! I've never had that happen with a Thinkpad before. It's the
>> right-arrow cursor key, so I can work with it missing, but I guess
>> I'm going to have to send the x40 in for repair eventually.
>
> Line it up and push down firmly, it will snap back on.

If (a) he hasn't lost the key and (b) it's not physically broken.

> --
> James

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> writes:
> JHEM wrote:
> > Line it up and push down firmly, it will snap back on.
>
> If (a) he hasn't lost the key and (b) it's not physically broken.

I haven't lost the key, and I don't see any obvious breakage by visual
inspection. But when I line it up and push down firmly, it doesn't
snap back on.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Paul,

I find that if the plastic "frame" stays with the key when it pops off,
you need to pull it off gently, insert the "frame's" feet into the
base, and then the key should pop back on. (they're made to pop back on
when the frame stays attached to the keyboard assembly)

Joe

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Paul Rubin wrote:

> "J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> writes:
>> JHEM wrote:
>> > Line it up and push down firmly, it will snap back on.
>>
>> If (a) he hasn't lost the key and (b) it's not physically broken.
>
> I haven't lost the key, and I don't see any obvious breakage by visual
> inspection. But when I line it up and push down firmly, it doesn't
> snap back on.

If there's not any crud it in that keeps it from seating then it may be
broken so cleanly that the break doesn't show.

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> writes:
> > I haven't lost the key, and I don't see any obvious breakage by visual
> > inspection. But when I line it up and push down firmly, it doesn't
> > snap back on.
>
> If there's not any crud it in that keeps it from seating then it may be
> broken so cleanly that the break doesn't show.

No crud in it. This is an almost-new machine. I had another key pop
off, where two components of the key (the keytop and some kind of
plastic frame underneath) separated. That one snapped back together
ok. The one that won't snap back together came completely off the
keyboard, so all that's left on the keyboard is the rubber membrane
bump.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Thanks a lot guys for your input and discussions.

I havn't bought one yet...waiting on..one for financial reasons..and
other to actually read more on Gateway 7422gx's reviews..since its a
new product released just in Jan 05.

I see that Angry american and JW had bad experiences with
Gateway....but as clarke points out...if we are dealing with the a
retailer like best buy or compusa..then the stakes are a lil' less.
Besides..anything I buy will be with at least 1 year warranty.

I've consideered thinkpads too..but for a budget of 1700..I don't think
I will get a comparable performance laptop with IBM...it at least costs
2500 to get close to the specs I want. For numbercrunching and image
processing stuff..i need at least 2Gh proc and 1GB of RAM.

I appreciate your help guys.

Please let me know if you guys have any other suggestions.
Thanks
Jaladhar.