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Review: Gateway Adds Value to a Convertible

http://weblog.infoworld.com/smbit/archives/2005/11/review_gateway.html

November 30, 2005

About four weeks ago, Gateway was kind enough to send me a notebook they qualified as a 'value' machine. Typically, that means something stripped down to bare functionality with an appropriate price tag.

Not so the M280E. Not only is it decently equipped for a notebook, it's also got an additional feature: It's a convertible. Grab the 14-inch screen, hold down the release key, turn the screen around and you're tableting.

On the notebook front, Gateway is classing the M280E as a value notebook with a price of $1,299 in its base configuration, which gets bumped up to $1408.99 when you add in a four-year service plan and a casual carrying case.

Our test unit, however, came slightly upgraded with a 1.73GHz Intel Pentium M (up from the base Celeron), 512MB of RAM, a 60GB hard disk trimmed out with both 10/100/1000 Ethernet and 802.11b/g wireless, USB 2.0, Firewire, one PC Card slot and even a handy 7-in-1 media reader built into the front. That bumps us up to $1,673.99.

If you really want a high-end unit, you can muscle the M280E up to a 2.1GHz Pentium M, 1GB of RAM, an 80GB hard disk, an ATI Mobility graphics subsystem, long-life battery and MS Office Small Business Edition, which would bring the price up to $2,6512.98 before rebates.

Our test unit didn't come with Microsoft Office pre-installed so I used this as the test system for the free software post. No additional bucks and this thing is still fully joyed as a mobile workhorse. I've been using it as my primary machine for the entire month, and so far it's been great.

Initially, I didn't think the tablet capability would be that exciting; but once you get accustomed to using a tablet it really is better for meetings. Gateway bundles Office OneNote by default, and the ability to write, draw and record sound really does make notetaking easier. The M280E's stylus was a comfortable fit in my hand as well, as it's significantly thicker than any I've previously seen. Contoured like an actual pen--a far cry from the little stick that comes in other convertibles, like the Panasonic Toughbook I reviewed earlier.

I also love the screen. It looks like it's configured for media PC use, with a widescreen TV look, and screen brightness and color quality to match. It's not HDTV-capable, but you really could use this to have a decent DVD fest on long plane rides. Speaker quality is also high-end for a notebook, furthering this tablet's fun factor.

Aside from usability, Gateway has several features specific to business users on the M280E. Chief among them is TPM (aka Trusted Platform Module) which is a standard feature and supports password and file encryption (though it wasn't installed in our slightly pre-production unit). You've also got special support and additional anti-theft options, including CompuTrace and theft insurance.

Downsides: That 14-inch screen is big, which means an appropriately big case, which means pretty decent weight. It's certainly not anti-portability, but 6+ lbs. means it's definitely not an ultra-lite. Also, I hate the touchpad, but then I hate all touchpads so that's not a ding against Gateway. Considering the high-end screen and sound, I'm a mite confused as to why there's no S-Video port, but that's a minor ding on a value notebook.

Overall, the M280E is a real solid performer even in our tested configuration. At about $1600 for a working notebook, this still classes as a value unit. Given its size, weight and performance, Gateway's done a surprisingly good job building a notebook that works both as a travel companion and desktop replacement--and still keeping to a nice price. Not to mention that it's also a tablet.

Small businesses especially should look this one over closely.

Gateway M280E
Gateway Computer
Gateway.com
Price: $1,673.99 (as tested)
Verdict: A serious contender for value-class workhorse. Check it out.

Posted by Oliver Rist on November 30, 2005 06:12 PM