Laptop help - Dell 8200 or New Gateway 600XL

[TrumpetPA]

Getting myself a laptop for a graduation present and have about $3000 to spend...

Was pretty much set on the Dell 8200 but then saw the new Gateway laptops and they look gorgeous!

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/model_inspn_1_inspn_8200.htm

http://www.gateway.com/home/prod/hm_600xl_ProdDetail.shtml


My questions are these...

1) Is there a real noticeable difference between the GeForce4Go in the Dell and the ATI 7500 in the Gateway?

2) I have heard GREAT things about Dell customer service and lousy things about Gateway (2 months to get a laptop fixed). Are these opinions still valid or has Gateway turned it around lately?

3) Anything anyone would like to add would be very helpful!

Thanks, Mark

 

[Ryan]

Welcome to Anandtech

1.There shouldn't be much of a difference in the video systems.
2. Recently, gateway's service has really changed in a positive way. My mother recently outfitted her whole squadron on our base with gateway desktops and laptops. it turned out that a part of the laptops had been recalled, so gateway offered to pay for the shipping back to the company, gave them newer and better laptops, and even copied the hard drives for them. So far, the gateway support has been top notch
3. If it were my decision, I would definitly choose the gateway. It has a larger screen, is cheaper, you get the combo drive, has XP Pro, Firewire, etc. It has much richer features for less money. Plus, it looks better

 

[TrumpetPA]

rbloedow, perfect response! Thanks so much....

Exactly what I needed to know, please everyone keep them coming.

 

[Supradude]

this won't be as helpful as the above, specially since i have no experiecnec with Gateway, but i work as a tech support type guy here at school and we have almost ALL Dell systems. I have yet to not be able to find drivers and support off their website and all in all they make a very good product as far as OEM's go... I have also had sexperience with a few Inspiron and Latitude Laptops and find them to be very well built and overall good systems... +1 for Dell support.

 

[JimboJones]

<< I have also had sexperience with a few Inspiron and Latitude Laptops and find them to be very well built and overall good systems... +1 for Dell support. >>



Oh My!!!

I've had experience with Dell, and I think their laptops are quite good. Vote for Dell here.

 

[xxsk8er101xx]

jsyk the gateway laptop is ~8.6 pounds compared to dells ~7.6 ... You may think you won't notice a pound but when you need to carry it for awhile that 1 pound extra will feel like 10 pounds extra + what it weighs already.

Something to consider ya know?

 

[LikeLinus]

I've got an 8100. Love it. Haven;t had a problem with it for the past 6 months. It's a 1.13 w/ a geforce 2 go (thought im upgrading to a geforce 4 440 64mb). It kicks butt.

One thing, Dell definately has the best TFT screens out that i've ever seen.

 

[bignick]

1 vote for gateway-

I have a gateway 9550, and it's awesome. It weighs the same as the 600. You'd be amazed how you get used to carrying it around.

haven't had to use their service yet. but with a gateway country store in almost every large city, getting the unit serviced shouldn't be difficult.

 

[CharlieN1FNR]

LikeLinus01, I also have the 8100 for about 3 months, I agree, it's super laptop for me, I vote Dell all the way! BTW, if I decide later to do an upgrade with the video card, do I have to send it in? or would the end user be able to do it? Please use my email on Profile, thanks.

 

[PlantATree]

I have to vote Dell also. I own the 8100, 1 gig, Geforce 2 go, and its a great laptop. Haven't had any problems with it at all. Also, their Forum section on their web site is way cool and the people there are very helpful. Have never owned a Gateway and not sure if they have an online help forum such as Dells.

 

[TrumpetPA]

This got buried on the 6th page, so heres a bump and a question...

Does anyone know of any laptop specifc websites for reviews and forums? I have already begged the Anandtech guys for one of the Gateway 600XL...

Thanks for the opinions and keep them coming!

 

[johnny1111]

Another vote for Dell, I have had an I8000 for over a year now without any problems. The SXGA+ TFT is awsome. -john

 

[Ryan]

Dude, based on pure specs, the gateway wins.

 

[TrumpetPA]

Well, went to the Gateway store.. they didnt have the 600xl, but they had just gotten in a 450 which is the same thing with a 15 inch screen, not the 16 inch.

Very thin, not very heavy at all... I was quite surprised...

BUT, the screen was very dark and hard to read!

My question is this for the Dell users.. This XGA TFT active matrix screen that the Gateway has, I assume it is comparable to the Dell version of XGA... Is the Ultrasharp UXGA of the Dell 8000 series a really noticeable difference? I have never seen one to compare with the Gateway..

Also, with regards to the warranty, is it worth it to get At Home service?