Gateway LT3101u 11.6" netbook impressions/thoughts/reviews

Any idea if there will be a refresh of this notebook with an HDMI out port and other features?

 

Already is.

http://www.gateway.com/systems/series/529598112.php

It's the EC series

 

Sure, but I'd also like to see competition from AMD, especially since their integrated graphics are superior to Intel's. IMO, the EC series looks better than the Acer 1410/1810 the
EC is based off of since Acer owns Gateway.

 

Has anyone tried to upgrade the memory yet? I have the Canadian LT311h version, and the 1G of RAM just ain't that hot...

I'm planning on installing the 64 bit edition of Ubuntu 9.10 once I'm done upgrading the RAM. Will post back on how it goes.

 

You can use up to a 4 gig stick. If you are not overclocking you can use 266 MHz memoery if you use SetFSB plan on at least 333 MHZ or better yet 400 MHz to be safe.

 

So is anyone else unable to OC at all?

I can't get anything....1.4 or 1.6.

K10Stat > wrong cpu error
SetFSB > pll error with ICS932S421BGLF and nothing with ICS9248BF-96
Clockgen > resets clocks back to default speed

I'm crying a sad tune in my heart, I thought I would at least be able to get the 1.4. Am I doing something wrong?

***UPDATE***
Ok I am now able to achieve the 1.4 via ICS9248BF-96. My new question is am I stuck here? Has anyone found out what is the limiting factor and how to determine which LT's can/cannot make the 1.6 mark? I am assuming it is something with the clock generator in the CPU, so there would be no way to tell from the outside.

 

No way I know of. I have two. One 02 BIOS the other 03. Both will only OC to 1.4

 

I can't seem to get this thing to play any games. I've seen videos of it running HL2, Quake 4, WoW...albeiet either not well or or the worst settings, but the best I can get is HL1. I can't even get Vietcong, a 2003 title.

Am I missing something? I'd like to know how other people are running games on this when the GPU clock is underclocked to 40.

P.S. - 40....Really? Why didn't they just put a heatsink on the thing and run it at 300?!?! As long as I'm not playing games I'd leave it on power save setting and it wouldn't heat the notebook up much more, so why limit it?

 

how do you open this thing, i am getting frustrated with possible broken laptop and busted fingers

 

I wrote this couple days ago: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5561416

Well, to the questions. Can some1 provide photo where are 9 cell battery attached to netbook? Would be nice to see a picture before purchasing anything yet. Is there how much battery life more compared to 6 cell battery. And are people using unbranded batteries from ebay?

I also disassembled the system. Well mine is Packard Bell dot M/A which is the same and discovered same thing that many other has discovered also. There are room for bluetooth card but no connector at motherboard. I still have to think will I use BT so much that I would solder connector to it. And if I choose to do so, can I find connectot somewhere

Just to be sure: is the addition place for PCI-e slot near WLAN-card proper to use with WWAN card if I solder DYI eeepc PCIe-slot to it? Are there enough connectors at MB?

EDIT: Found this, some might find this handy: Courtesy of Packard Bell: http://ftp.packardbell.com/pub/itemnr/CS065A00/dot_ma_disassembly.pdf

 

Im using readyboost with a 4 gig stick and it made a hella difference.

 

Does anyone have a review on running XP on here?
Is it better than WIndows 7?

 

anyone know the best method for doing a fresh install on these machines since there's no cd drive. Im guessing usb. But is there a free version of vita I can get?

 

You can use a USB optical drive. I had a spare laptop DVD drive so I bought a slim USB case for around $15 and put it in. It's small and can easily fit in my small case. I used it when I upgraded my OS to Win7 Premium.

 

do I need to repurchase vista then? I went to the microsoft website and they took down the link for free windows 7. gah

 

sorry for my question.....

the TF-20 working fine with default voltage?i meaning when i install operation software,the cpu will overheat?

anyone test the QL-62 with LT31?all fine?

 

Yes, the TF-20 will work fine at it's default voltage. It'll only be running at 1.2GHz until you run RMClock or similar, at which point you may as well change the voltages while you're in there.

The QL-62 will not work at all since it needs a different socket (S1G2, our machines use S1[G1]). The pin configurations are different.

 

Thank you repaly my question.I test a new cpu named Athlon x2 dual-core L310,this cpu is dual-core version for L110.The cpu working all fine,the cpu default voltage is 0.875V,TDP 13W,all same as L110.So I thinking this CPU is the best choice for upgrade this netbook without any mod.

this is the screenshot in windows:


the BIOS information:


when running super pi ,then 50% CPU usage.

 

that L310 would be great, but where to get a hold of one???????

 

No problem, glad I could help!

I would also like to know where you managed to get a hold of an L310.

 

Google search AMML310HAX5DM.
Here it's being sold for 180 yuan ($26).
Looks like a perfect upgrade for stock L110.

 

If it were on EBAY with a prefered seller I would but I've already seen that listing and don't really trust the site or seller........

 

the website Taobao.com was in sale.Taobao is the best C2C website in china.

I thinking than the new cpu will appear to ebay in the near future.

to dr_oldschool:you are right,I buy the cpu form this store .

 

If I could undervolt a turion x2 tl-52 to 1.2 Ghz on 0.875V,would the TDP be 13W like the athlon x2 L310?

 

i don't know about being 13w, but i am running it. I am running crystalcpu undervolting to ~0.875v and it seems to be stable, but heat DOES build up, and if i have it sitting on a couch or some poorly ventilated area and run it intensively, it would seem to get too hot to be normal, the entire underside of the laptop and the air coming out of the vent is HOT. I think it sometimes does crash too, but if it is idling, it can sit all day. the only problem is that, as others have indicated, windows update and other things does cause it to run

it seems to me that the ventilation is poorly designed and other components might be over heating and crash. the sharing of NB heat sink probably needs to go if you are upping the TDP of the cpu.

taking a look at the other hs for tl-52, you will see they are pretty small as well.

 

Would it be faster on 800Mhz then the athlon L110? Maybe I could get it to 0.700V and heat wouldn't be a problem...

 

The problem is the TL-52 is the 90 micron where as the L110 and L310 are 65 micron............

 

the tl-52 had a score in the 700s where the L110 had a score in the 300s, if you put the tl-52 at 800mhz (which i don't even know if you can) it would be kind of pointless because it would probably be the same speed as the L110.

I am looking for significant improvement not neglible difference...

i am working on putting a custom hs on the northbridge and cpu, keep the existing heat pipe. i think the tl-52 will fly. will post pic in about a month when its all done

 

Passmark on the L310 is 669, so the L310 would be a great upgrade and shouldn't generate more heat than can be handled by our netbooks. We just need them to start hitting the main channels for purchase. Now the L510 should be about the same as the TK-42 and that rates 842 on passmark. While the L510 and TK-42 are both 1.6 GHz and 20w TPD this may be doable...........

 

Well maybe 2 slower cores are more efficiënt I'm getting my tl-52 tomorrow,has your battery life decreased with the undervolted x2? Good luck on your custom hs,keep us updated

 

I've just installed a L310 in my gateway net book, it reconized it and seems to run fine.

 

hi guys, i've just bought the packard bell, and i've ordered a tk-55 to swap, i don't know if it will work so as i get it i'll post;
@1959chevy : where did you find the l310??

 

I got it out of the Acer 5534 that Wal Mart had on sale, put a TL58 in it. I have a WD Scopio Black 7200rpm HD and 2 gig of corsaiir ddr 800 memory, Windows 7 64bit OS in my Gateway LT31 netbook. I bought the G-skill 4gig memory but it was bad, so put the cosair back in it till I get a different brand of memory for it.

 

I was thought this thread is dead since Gateway LT3101u 11.6" discontuined by Gateway product.. because Acer Ferrari 11.6 Netbook took over "Gateway LT3101u 11.6" place.

 

I looked at the EC1435U as a better replacement for my LT3101u. Although I think even that dual core celeron netbook is discontinued now. Not sure though.

 

Oh I forgot to mention that AMD is no longer made AMD 64 cpu for LT3010u. Because They certainly rejected "Netbook" and considered it is not real Laptop at all. from what I had read it somewhere on internet. but i never understand why AMD make Dual Core A64 cpu for ACER FERARRI 11.6, not LT301.. thats not make sense to me..

Really dual core celeron netbook? I havent heard of that. Yes I hate that they dont make dual core cpu on netbook anymore after 6 months or a year.. whats wrong with them? if they arent satisfy with netbook. then they should forget about netbook, and focus on 13'inch to 22inch laptop.

 

@1959chevy,

Do you know the CPU part number of the TL58 you put in the Acer 5534? Was it the 31W or 35W TDP CPU??

I'm considering doing the same thing as you (transfer the L310 CPU from the Acer, then upgrading the Acer) but I'm trying to figure out if I can go with a TL-64 in the Acer. CPU world list 3 TL-64s:

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/AMD-Turion 64 X2 Mobile technology TL-64 - TMDTL64HAX5CT.html

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/AMD-Turion 64 X2 Mobile technology TL-64 - TMDTL64HAX5DC.html

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/AMD-Turion 64 X2 Mobile technology TL-64 - TMDTL64HAX5DM.html

They all have a TDP of 35W. Based on your experience, do you think one of these will have a good chance of working in the Acer and if so, which one would be best?? Thanks in advance!!!

 

The TMDTL58HAX5DC 31W is what I usedin the Acer.

 

I think no 35w cpu work in our netbook, maybe because they are too hot

 

Ok, i'm reporting that i've succesfully swapped the l110 with a tk-55; downclocked/downvolted to 1.2ghz with excellent temperatures (max 60C watching a mkv) thanks also to the AS5; the only drawback is that i must unplug the power cord and run with the battery power during the startup because that freaking power brick is too small, i'm gonna buy a bigger one.
During the disassembly i've noticed that the stock hd is a seagate momentus and that the fan is an Adda, really not bad for a 300 euros netbook!

 

i need a new mobo, the nb chip cracked during modding any one selling their mb for parts let me know.

 

I just ordered the amd L310 from taobao for my gateway lt31 (canadian 1gb version), i used buyfromtaobao.com as an agent to buy the cpu, will post when it arrives at my door it will probably take a while though since its all the way in china, is it really hard to swap the cpu or open this netbook up and get access to the cpu area? All you need is a screwdriver and lots of time>?

 

I tried using a TK-55 in my LT3117 and I had zero luck. It'd hard lock before the OS would boot (Vista 64). Oh well...

Anyone have any leads on a TK-42?

 

It's not hard, but if you've never done anything like it before, I'd set aside a few hours. Here are disassembly instructions for the Packard Bell Dot MA, which is basically the same netbook:

http://ftp.packardbell.com/pub/itemnr/CS065A00/dot_ma_disassembly.pdf

I found some TK-42s listed on taobao.com. I ordered one through the agent mmikeman mentioned. It was actually cheaper than the L310. I'm expecting the grand total to be less than $65, with most of that being the cost of EMS shipping. We'll see how it goes. Here's a link to the listing:

http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-0db2-c335e6bdf7f7c0e563cf215195f4db62.jhtml?cm_cat=0

EDIT: I was wrong, found a different L310 listing that's a little cheaper...

http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-0db2-4266c41245d9cf010fecc1ad45ddb2c9.jhtml?cm_cat=0

 

thanks for help, I will follow that guide when my l310 arrives, I chose the cheaper air shipping but the site says they havent shipped it yet, it did however arrive at the agent so hopefully they ship it out soon!

 

Hmm, interesting. I only had one shipping option. However, it did ship from them several days ago, so I'm expecting it any day now.

Unfortunately, if yours hasn't shipped yet, it probably won't be anytime soon. The Chinese New Year is upon us. There is a notice concerning this on their site.

 

Im interested on how the TK42 works out. I don't know if you will by default see the 1.6 GHz but it would be nice if all stock it works at the 1.2 GHz and with RMClock we can see a stable 1.6. In this way we could use RMClock to profile to keep to 1.2 on battery and 1.6 plugged in with no boot up issues............

 

I received the TK-42 today.

I'm hoping to put it in tomorrow. I'm also planning to drill a bunch of air intake holes in the bottom casing to help aid in cooling.

 

turmlos, the stock air system appears to pull air through the system in a very specific way (at least that may be the intent, not sure about actual). i am not sure if randomly drilling holes will help. it may change flow volume, speed, and location of air flow. Just think twice on where to drill and take some measurements before and after and share with us your finding. thanks.