Gateway 7426GX reliability?

I've been doing a lot of shopping around lately trying to find a laptop with exactly the specs I need and unfortunately (or fortunately?) the system that screams out to me is the Gateway 7426GX. I need a jack-of-all-trades not-too-huge desktop replacement and this looks like my machine.

But is the thing reliable?

 

I haven't had mine for long, but it has never failed me. The hinge cracking has concerned me at first, but now I feel like it is only affecting many, mine not being one of them... even if it does, I have 3 years with Best Buy. I think the 7426 is a great buy. I would highly suggest it, but I also suggest an extended warrenty incase a hinge problem developes.

--Hellmanns
Gateway 7426GX

 

My 7422GX is a terrific computer, although it's a bit hefty (at about 8 lbs) and the GPU is less than awe-inspiring. But unless you're a really hardocre gamer, the 7426GX is a fantastic machine, with a really powerful processor, plenty of hard drive space, dedicated graphics, and plenty of RAM (albiet PC2700 RAM). Not to mention the LCD (on mine at least) is terrific - although I personally love glossy or "glare type" finishes - with no dead or stuck pixels, good, well-distibuted (albiet a bit low in really dark areas) brightness with no leaking, and WXGA is fine for a 15.4" screen.

As for the case/hinge craking, yes, I've gotten that (and I had bought no extended warranty - woe is me), but it appears to be purely cosmetic, since the hinges themselves are metal.

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Dell Inspiron 9300(?): Intel Pentium-M 1.86GHz Sonoma, 1.25GB DDR533 RAM, GeForce Go6800

Gateway 7422GX: AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 1024MB DDR RAM, 64MB Mobility RADEON 9600 (May be going to my parents.)

AVERATEC AV3270-EH1: AMD Mobile Sempron 2800+, 512MB DRR RAM, 64MB (shared) S3G Unichrome

 

Is it safe to assume that it'd be a good idea to pick up Best Buy's extended service plan on this computer if I get it, then?

 

With lowly saying that it is more cosmetic, and if you are not critical about appearance, I see no absolute need for it.

Whatever you choose, I hope you are happy about your decision..

--Hellmanns
Gateway 7426GX

 

I've had my 7422GX for almost 4 months. I take it with me back and forth from home to work. It is an incredible machine with NO problems. Well,not since I got adjusted to the "retail" customer service (which is different and pay per call -- unlike if you purchase directly from Gateway online.) However,the Best Buy Geek Squad customer service combined with the three year warranty is best of all. I am glad I purchased the warranty and I'm even happier to have the 7422GX.

 

I have had my 7426GX for about a month now, and I absolutely am flabergasted by it's performance. I have had NO reliabilty problems as this machine is actually manufactured by Arima.

 

You are usually better off purchasing an extended warranty from the manufacturer rather than the retailer.

 

Usually, yes; however, Gateway doesn't offer any sort of warranty or free support (the tech support line is a 900 number!) on their retail store-only items, such as the 7000 series. Your only choice, then, is to get the Best Buy warranty.

 

Can i upgrade it video card or at least increase video memory?

 

No. It is not possible to change the memory size & replacing the GPU is next to impossible.

 

Gateway just released a bigger brother to the 7426GX, the 7510GX, it is exactly like the 7426 except it now sports a 128mb Radeon Mobility and you can get it for the same price i paid for my 7426GX ($1,399 at jr.com). Cheers.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4042928

 

I have had this laptop for a little over a year now. Great computer but one small problem. If I use this computer on battery life the visual performance sucks. Like for example I play yahoo pool and the balls lag across the table. But if I have it plugged in, it runs fine. My CPU usage is just fine not running high at all. So if anyone knows how to fix this please let me know, message me back.

 

Check your graphics adapter settings (control panel --> display), you probably have ATI's Powerplay enabled. That driver feature underclocks and undervolts your GPU for better battery life. It's normal that your GPU works a lot slower under battery so visual effects and games won't look very good.
If you don't care about power saving, you can disable Powerplay and get more GPU juice out.
Good luck.

 

how do i check if I have powerplay enabled? Can you give step by step on how I can check? That would be great. I did system restore on my laptop to about a month back and that fixed it. But I would also like to know how to check if I have ATI's Powerplay enabled.

 

I just found powerplay status on my laptop. I dont have it enabled but not sure if it enables itself when it gets low. Well it works fine now. So thank you

 

Also remember that your CPU gets slower clocks while on battery too...performance will not be as good as AC plugged.
You can configure Powerplay to make your GPU run at full speed until a certain battery limit, I believe default down-limit is like 25%...but you can customize that.