Gateway NX860XL vs Toshiba P105-S9722

I'm planning on buying one of these two within the next week, but am having trouble deciding. Any objective advice would be appreciated. I've seen plenty of benchmarks on the P105 but nothing on the NX860XL with it's new specs. On paper, the gateway looks like a better deal...but will it really run any better.

P105-S9722:
C2D @ 2.0
2GB @ 667 RAM
200GB HD @ 4200
1440 x 900, 17"
Nvidia 7900 GS 256mb
DVI out
7.1 lbs
$1999

Gateway NX860XL
C2D @ 2.16
2GB @ 667 RAM
100GB HD @ 7200
1680 x 1050, 17"
Nvidia 7900 GS 256mb
No DVI out
7.8 lbs
$2039

Thanks!

 

just to let you know gateway actually has the worst reliability rating among laptop manufacturers while toshiba has the second best reliability rating.

 

I am pleased with my NX860XL. I have an older model with the 7800, core duo, and a 100GB 5400 RPM drive. You will hate yourself if you get a 4200 RPM drive. I think the 5400 is too slow sometimes. As for reliability, I've had this thing for 5 months with no problems. It does get hot sometimes when I am playing games so I prop up the back with 1/4" spacers to allow for better airflow. I also only have 1GB of memory and wish I would have got 2GB but they both have that so no prob there.

I would definately get the gateway.

 

In regard to reliability: The latest Consumer Report, November 2006, reports that Toshiba and Gateway notebooks have the same frequency of repair history (18%) and nearly identical tech support scores (57% vs. 56%). These data are based on CR subscriber surveys.

 

My bad, I was looking at a earlier 2006 issue of consumer reports. in that case the gateway will be the fastest

 

The Toshiba and the Gateway should have similar build quality. I'd give the edge to the Gateway. I remember using one in BestBuy (8510?) a long, long time ago and I was rather impressed with it. The new Toshiba is about average by today's standards, IMO.

 

Thanks for your comments.

As per gateway phone rep, they will provide FREE upgrade to Vista Premium with this notebook. Looks like I might go ahead and order the gateway - but I would still like to see some benchmarks with the current configuration! Can anyone out there help me?

Thanks!

 

You'll have to run and post them yourself. My system is 5 months old and outdated. lol

 

Ordered the Gateway last night. I will review and post benchmarks once I get it. So that it includes the Vista coupon it's not shipping until after the 25th

 

BTW - Gateway gave me 10% off the after tax and shipping total with very little resistance.

 

the gateway seems the best of the two..
a 4200 disk is really slow and that will be bad.. it's only good if your going to use your laptop on bumping roads..

the only bad thing about this computer is that it heats up to mouch on the left side next to the touchpad, but you can easily solve this with a nice cooler..

 

Can any one speak to the quality of the Gateway NX860XL 17" Ultrabright WSXGA+TFT Active Matrix lcd? I recently returned a Dell e1705 due to poor screen quality (and other issues). Thanks

 

I think it's great. Very bright glossy screen with great color. No dead pixels for me. No complaints.

 

I'm happy with the screen too and have not detected any dead pixels.

 

If you haven't bought yet, I just wanted to let you know about the deal I just negotiated about half hour ago:

NX860XL
T7200 C2D 2.00 GHz
2GB of 667Mhz by Crucial
17" WSXGA+ Ultrabright (1680x1050)
80 GB 7200 RPM Hitachi hard drive
8x Double layer DVD Writer
GeForce Go 7900 GS 256MB (Yes!)
Bluetooth Module
8 cell battery

Are you ready?

$1,544.00 plus tax. Free shipping.

Dell wants about $300 more for the same specs (yes they have the WUXGA), even if you use their $20% coupon which expires tomorrow. I doubt the WUXGA is worth more than $50 as an upgrade. HP doesn't offer the GeForce 7900 GS, only the 7600, and they are still about $100 higher than Gateway.

I am stoked. If you want the name and number of the salesperson just email me and I will provide for you.

I have to wait until 11/16 to get it but that's a small price to pay for that kind of value.

John

 

Congrats, but you really know how to make us feel bad!

 

Sorry! Not trying to make anyone feel bad, just trying to help someone else get the same deal if they wanted to.

John

 

I don't feel too bad. I've had 5 months to play with this baby. It definately is an impressive laptop.

 

Rakanishu... please PM me the contact info for that sales rep. I was about to buy the same exact machine for $1799 when I found your post.


WATYF

 

WATYF check your mail.

Does anyone have good pictures of this laptop? I can only find the small generic that don't show much.

Thanks!

 

Rakanishu, Gateway has various views at:

http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Q106/SonicC/1008647tc.shtml

You didn't make me feel bad..just joking. Hope you enjoy your NEW nx860lx as much as I have my old clunky version...just joking...

 

Rakanishu.. I would also appreciate it if you could PM me the gateway's rep name and number. I was close to ordering at $1799 as well. Thanks.

 

Free copy of Vista when it comes out, too! Unbelievable. My sales rep. made it happen for me even though I bought it the day prior to the announcement.

John

 

Rakanishu, Gateway has various views at:

Thanks a lot, those were great.

 

I see the NX860XL has the same chasis as 8510GZ, I can say the build quality is good as I have the 8510GZ since last September. Still running awesome, no issues at all. The NX860XL you guys spec out are impressive

 

If you want the name and number of the salesperson just email me and I will provide for you.

Hey John, could you PMme too?

Thanks!

 

I tried getting this same price, but he said the "costs" had gone up, and the best he could do was $1614 before tax. And for some reason, tax came out to a good bit more than I expected, which brought the price (out the door) to $1792. It's still a decent deal, but not quite what I was expecting (since I was figuring around $1650 after tax).

WATYF

 

well I finally took the jump and ordered a NX860XL today... couldn't get the deal Raki posted about and could only get em to give it to me at $1699 (but that is with XP Professional + the free Vista upgrade when I'm ready for it)... only seemed to save about $100 off the internet build price... but every little bit helps.


X860XL
T7200 C2D 2.00 GHz
2GB of 667Mhz by Crucial
17" WSXGA+ Ultrabright (1680x1050)
80 GB 7200 RPM Hitachi hard drive
8x Double layer DVD Writer
GeForce Go 7900 GS 256MB
Bluetooth Module
8 cell battery
Windows XP Professional (Vista upgrade no cost later)

 

5 days since my order was placed and it's still showing as "processing"... not a good sign for my chances of getting it next week

 

wow i was looking at this laptop this thread is old, but i would like to know how this thing runs the latest games because i am thinking of skipping directx 10 altogether

 

Just for the record, my NX860LX is still running strong after 16 months. Absolutely no problems. It runs hot, but my Bytecc cooler takes care of that.