Gateway P-171S FX vs. P-171X FX

Is it worth the price jump? I already got a rep to quote me $1399 for the SFX and I'm thinking I might get that rep to get me the XFX for $1599. Is the processor upgrade and the screen resolution upgrade worth it? Going to the new 45nm 2.4 Ghz Processor is real nice, but then again I probably won't even need the higher resolution screen because I have an 23" external monitor running at 1920 x 1200 and I'm at home with it 90% of the time and just like to take my laptop to my friends house to game.

Third solution would be to just build my own desktop for about $2k and get the most performance possible (about 15-20% more), but lose mobility and spend more money. Tough decision, please advise.

 

I like 1440*900 but I am probably older than you. I would not want higher res. Besides, playing games at the higher native resolution would be pushing things a bit maybe. Using 1440*900 every game I have tried (except Crysis) runs at acceptable framerates.

 

Check out these out these new killer desktops from Gateway, SLI capable, HD/Blueray drives! Bestbuy even has their own $1099 with 3k ram and 8800 gt ontop of the $999 one in the chart. Saw one yesterday and they are very nice. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/...ng=en&beanID=267045684&viewID=news_view_popup

 

I was sort of in the same situation as you where. Should I get the best buy or wait for the X FX. All that I was concerned was with the screen size. I'm happy with the 1400 x 900 res. Maybe it's because I didn't see the other res but I'm happy with it. If you have moeny to burn then go for it. If you are looking for value then I would say get the S model. You can always hook the S model to an external monitor that has the WUXGA res....

Just a thought.

 

I would go with the cheapest config available. I have a funny feeling it's just a matter of time before BB brings the price back down on the p-6831 FX. If you can wait a week or two I would go with that model otherwise get the s model. Fingerprint reader... nice, better resolution, how important is that really. Shelf life of an average gaming laptop maybe two years if you're lucky. I've learned my lesson from the past and although I'd love the latest and greatest it's only a matter of time before something bigger and better comes out. Save your money and maybe buy a a better processor when they're dirt cheap. Just my 2 cents.

My goal is to get 3 yrs out of this baby (wishful thinking).

 

For reference, I was quoted; Sorry for sucky format..


Qty
System
Unit Price
Ext. Price

1
Gateway® P-171S FX Edition
$1,499.20 Requoted: $1,349.20 on 2/6/08
$1,499.20


Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (32-bit)




Operating System Backup Media: Windows Vista® Home Premium Backup Media (32-bit)




Application Software: Microsoft® Works® 9.0 & Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 (60-day complimentary trial)




Security Software: Norton Internet Security™ (60-day live updates)




Color: FX Design with Copper Core Accent




Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7250 (2.00GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache)




Memory: 3072MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (1-1024MB & 1-2048 MB module)




Hard Drive: 250GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive w/ 8MB cache




Optical Drive: 8x Multi-Format Dual Layer Slot Load DVD-RW w/ DVD-RAM




Backup Media: Cyberlink Power2Go (for Windows Vista® Home Premium and Ultimate)




Warranty: 1 Year Basic (Tech Support - Parts - Factory Labor)




Display: 17.0" WXGA+ Ultrabright TFT Active Matrix (1440 x 900 max. resolution)




Chassis: Intel® PM965 Chipset




Battery : Primary 9 Cell Lithium Ion battery (2600mAH) w/ 1 Yr. limited battery warranty




Adapter: 120 Watt AC Adapter




Wireless Network: Integrated Intel® 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N Wireless Networking (for Windows Vista®)




Bluetooth: Bluetooth Wireless Networking Module




Additional Software: Google Messaging Toolbar




Additional Software: Napster Music Service (30-day Trial)




Additional Software: NetZero Internet Access




Additional Software: Spare Backup for Windows®




Additional Software: Windows Live Messenger




Additional Software: America Online (90-day risk free offer)




Additional Software: Microsoft Windows Vista® Windows® Anytime Upgrade Download (32-bit)




Additional Software: Gateway® Connect




Additional Software: eBay Desktop Icon




Finished Goods: Brushed-metal precision-touch multimedia control panel, featuring smooth-cut keys and touch-sensitive volume adjustment.




Finished Goods: Norton Internet Security™ (60-day Free Trial) Documentation




Fingerprint Reader: Fingerprint Reader




Web Camera: Integrated 1.3 Megapixel Web Cam




This system includes some standard features.: System configuration details





Media Card Reader: 5-in-1 media card reader (Memory Stick®, MemoryStick Pro®, MultiMediaCard™, Secure Digital™, xD-Picture Card)





Expansion Slots: One ExpressCard™ Type 54





External Ports: (3) USB 2.0, VGA Connector, V1.2 HDMI Connector, IEEE 1394 Firewire Port, e-SATA and Kensington Lock Slot





Keyboard and Mouse: Full-Size Keyboard, Synaptics Touchpad with Vertical Scroll and Dedicated Multimedia Panel





Audio: High-Definition Audio- 2 Channel, Built-In speakers, embedded microphone, headphone/speaker jack, and microphone jacks





Modem: Integrated V.92 56K modem





Network: Integrated RealTek 10/100 Ethernet Adapter





Standard Software: Adobe® Acrobat Reader® 7.0





Video: NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 8800GTS with 512MB of GDDR3 discrete video memory

 

I spoke to the Gateway rep (Roman) that I order my P-171X FX edition notebook and he mention that the price he offer me applies to anyone that wants to order from him. He is accepting orders at 20% off the list price:

P-171S FX Edition (T7250 CPU, 1400x900 WXGA+) - $1279
P-171X FX Edition (T8300 CPU, 1920x1200 WUXGA) - $1599
P-171XL FX Edition (X7900 CPU, 1920x1200 WUXGA, HD-DVD) - $2499

He also mention that the listed ship date is the worst case date. My listed date was 3/17/08, but the notebook will be shipping around three weeks earlier @ 2/22/08.

 

For extra $320 for better mid-range CPU + higher res, this is definately hot!

For gaming purpose, high res isn't great unless this screen does good scaling.

 

Does this guy have a last name? I think I might get that P-171X then.

 

P-171X FX Edition (T8300 CPU, 1920x1200 WUXGA) - $1599 are you sure its the real price

 

The Gateway rep is:

Roman Galles
Direct Sales Advisor
1-800-846-2042 Ext: 30192
[email protected]

Happy gaming

 

I'm using the WUXGA res for software development where I have many opened windows and running multiple instances of the kvm virtual machines under linux.

 

Yup, I already order mine

 

who should i contact roman?

 

Yes, see the contact info above

 

Hm, I contacted him yesterday and I got less than 15% discount on the 171X-FX from him . Also looking at Xoticpc as well... still on the fence of what I should get, if any.

 

Hey guys!

My rep was AWESOME! He told me 2 days ago that anyone that wants the same deal as me just has to contact him. He gave me the P-171X FX for 1599.99! No joke. Send me a PM if you want my name so that you can quote him I'll post his info for all:

Rico Baeza

Hours: Sat-Sun 10am-7pm, Mon- Wed 11am-8pm CST

Phone: 800.846.2042 Ext 23600

Fax: 605.232.1925

He's on vaca until the 19th but he should contact you back after that if you leave him your info!

 

Hi all, I am on the fence as to whether to get the P-171X FX or the P-171SFX. I will be gaming and doing video. Is the 1920 x 1200 screen going to hurt my gaming? Please let me know which one of these to get!! Thanks in advance

 

The problem I see is 1440x900 is just at the point where I'd want more viewable pixels with a 17" size screen. 1680x1050 would be an ideal choice for a 17" monitor but for some reason that res is almost impossible to find on a 17" book. (think sagers the only one afaik).
When I had my dell with the 1920 screen it didn't hurt gaming when I set the res to 1680x1050...even though it wasn't native, it still looked fine). And dumming it down to 1440x900 is possible as well.

I went with the 171XFX for the sole reason of the 1920x1200 screen. The CPU is nice, but if all I wanted was a faster CPU the bestbuy 6831 would be better. For everday browsing and working as well the option of having higher than 1440x900 is definitely worth it!

 

I went with the P-171x FX also. The price just dropped on Gateways website Too. The P-171s FX is now $1,499.00, and the P-171x FX is now $1,799.00. I am sure you can get maybe another $100.00 off if you talk to a Rep. The two cool reps that I know of is Rico, and Roman. You can try to get them to give you the Accidental Warranty for free too. Bottom line, the P-171x FX has a noticeably faster cpu, and the Screen Res is better also, and for $300.00 more thats not bad. I also think with the P-171x FX the Gateway Reps can deal a little better, I think there is a better margin on that model.

 

Yea, the screen rez gets to be a very personal preference. For me the font size is just too small on a 17" - 1920x1200 screen. Setting the DPI to 120 worked with true-type and vector graphics but made a mess out of web pages, but most young eyes will stick with 96dpi.

Me, I'm looking for a 24"- 1920x1200, for the desk, at the right price. However neither this or, the "55 - 1920x1200 Sony, in the front room, fits worth a dang in an overhead bin.