How would you rate the quality of Gateway?

Gateways seem to not be highly spoken of by computer gurus, but I tend to take their opinions with a grain of salt. What complaints do you have about your gateway? I realize I will get somewhat biased opinions posting in a gateway forum, but try to be honest.

Do you have any regrets?
Whats your biggest dislike/like?
What would you like to see improved?
What would you suggest I look for if considering a gateway?

 

I don't have one but my mind is made up... I'm getting the 7510gx, and I'm making some upgrades asap... More RAM(1.5 gig, maybe 2gig) and Hard Drive(faster) for one... I've been following their A64 line of products since emachines, forums and reviews and all... The only BIG issue was cracked hinges and folks having issues with the BIOS and getting all out of the processor... Haven't heard any of that since the emachines 68?? series...

Other known issue... Is on the retail products, the customer support is apparently nonexistent... Or just plain crappy... And I'm glad I'm in the forums now... Cause now i know to get them drivers before formatting...

I think all is better if you get one of the computers from the site though... Can that be back up...

 

So far no complaints at all. I have only had my 6518GZ from Best Buy since Monday but I love it. Best notebook I have ever owned. I actually returned an HP L2000 because I just didnt like it (and the screen was smaller, the 2 GHz Turion processor ran stuff slower then the PM 1.7 in this machine, and the battery life on the HP was pathetic). I think the screen on my Gateway is fantastic. I have owned other laptop brands before and I am very impressed with this machine, especially the value for the dollar and I don't feel that I had to compromise in any way. I am not bashing any other brands, just saying that I really like the build quality of this machine.

 

My 7422GX had what is still to date the best screen I've ever seen, as well as an excellent sound system for a standard 2-speaker notebook. The processor is nice, the hard drives are large, and there's always plenty of RAM. Gateways are an excellent value for the money.

Regrets? Well, the 7422GX was a bit large for what it offered, the casing along the screen hinge cracked, the battery life was mediocre, and most importantly, the 64MB Mobility RADEON 9600 was, although impressive for a 64MB budget card, far too weak for my needs. But the main problems have been rectified with the addition of a 128MB x600 GPU and the new 90nm processor core. I'd definately reccomend the new 7510GX; at $1250 at Best Buy this week, it's a steal.

 

Cracked casing is kinda worrisome isn't it?

 

Not really. It's purely cosmetic; the hinges themselves are made of metal and are completely fine.

The cracking was also exacerbated by my carrying the notebook in a packed backpack for 4 months, so it may not appear for you at all.

 

They have also fixed the problem with cracking hinges since the 74** to the 7510gx.

 

Ah ok, that's good to hear. Did they ever explain what the problem/fix was?

 

Emachines were a budget brand... :gateway:

 

WARNING......CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS......MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES TO PROVE THEIR LIABILITY IS RIDICULOUS......NATIONAL ARBITRATION FORUM WAS CONTACTED....COMPANY DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCTS THEY MAKE.....READ ON IF INTERESTED.....The problem started innocently with an error message that I had previously posted on this site and the responses I received were far from encouraging. The error message is PXE: Media Test Failure reboot or boot from a bootable device... Enter password. NO PASSWORD WAS EVER INSTALLED ON THE HDD. I don't know how to install a user password on a "hard drive". Furthermore, any beginner or professional would write it down or make it the same as the "user password", I digress. Notebook was sent back to GATEWAY(INCOMPETENT BOOBS). Because the hard drive had a password they could not help me, "USER ERROR". HOW INSULTING!!! I sent the hard drive to "Data Recovery Services"(GREAT COMPANY). I spent 100.00 for them to do what GATEWAY( INCOMPETENT BOOBS) should have done. Yes indeed: Hard Drive corrupt. Yes indeed: We can recover your files. Yes indeed it will cost me an arm and a leg to get it back. IVE HAD THE NOTEBOOK FOR 3 MONTHS. Enter the PARTNER IN CRIME "CIRCUIT CITY". "No sir we can not honor your 300.00 extended warranty until GATEWAY (INCOMPETENT BOOBS) 1 Year warranty ends." HOLY SH!T !!!!! BOYCOTT GATEWAY....HELP ME GET MY POINT ACROSS.....OTHER POSTS HAVE BEEN MADE CONCERNING THIS EXACT PROBLEM....REF. Dan on 4/30/05 12:10:09, and others on this site. Anyone with advise can contact me at [email protected] or through this site. Thanks, Dante

 

WARNING......CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS......MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES TO PROVE THEIR LIABILITY IS RIDICULOUS......NATIONAL ARBITRATION FORUM WAS CONTACTED....COMPANY DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCTS THEY MAKE.....READ ON IF INTERESTED.....The problem started innocently with an error message that I had previously posted on this site and the responses I received were far from encouraging. The error message is PXE: Media Test Failure reboot or boot from a bootable device... Enter password. NO PASSWORD WAS EVER INSTALLED ON THE HDD. I don't know how to install a user password on a "hard drive". Furthermore, any beginner or professional would write it down or make it the same as the "user password", I digress. Notebook was sent back to GATEWAY(INCOMPETENT BOOBS). Because the hard drive had a password they could not help me, "USER ERROR". HOW INSULTING!!! I sent the hard drive to "Data Recovery Services"(GREAT COMPANY). I spent 100.00 for them to do what GATEWAY( INCOMPETENT BOOBS) should have done. Yes indeed: Hard Drive corrupt. Yes indeed: We can recover your files. Yes indeed it will cost me an arm and a leg to get it back. IVE HAD THE NOTEBOOK FOR 3 MONTHS. Enter the PARTNER IN CRIME "CIRCUIT CITY". "No sir we can not honor your 300.00 extended warranty until GATEWAY (INCOMPETENT BOOBS) 1 Year warranty ends." HOLY SH!T !!!!! BOYCOTT GATEWAY....HELP ME GET MY POINT ACROSS.....OTHER POSTS HAVE BEEN MADE CONCERNING THIS EXACT PROBLEM....REF. Dan on 4/30/05 12:10:09, and others on this site. Anyone with advise can contact me at [email protected] or through this site. Thanks, Dante

 

Yes, because 1 bad experience is perfect justification for boycotting a company with generally good, cost-effective products.

Be reasonable, now. The hard drive was defective. In the case of a defective part, is the OEM's/warranty carrier's responsibility is only to replace, not to go to costly/time consuming lengths to recover your data; I'm sure that's stated in the warranty contract. If whatever you had on that drive was so important, you should have been backing it up.

Also, please don't double/cross post. One post in one thread would suffice, expecially since you're just copying and pasting the same post.