Newbie questions about 7510GX

Hi all,

Well I went for a 7510GX last week, and I'm pretty happy with it so far. I'd be glad to answer any questions, but I have a few myself. Sorry if these are really lame, I'm quite knowledgable about desktop machines and Intels (built my own last system), but this is my first laptop in about 8 years, and my first AMD...

Has anyone managed to get a spare battery or power adapter for this thing yet? I got the machine at Best Buy, they don't sell them. Gateway has no information about this machine on their sales website. I called and they tried to be helpful but had no specific accessories for this machine. They were going to sell me a power adapter for an M520, but I mentioned my surprise that it was a 120watt adapter when it came with a 90watt adapter, and she checked some more and suggested that I try again after I had gotten my 10-digit serial number after registering. Well, my box and notebook have a 13-digit serial number. I tried to register on their website, and it doesn't even have an option to register a 7510GX. I can't find any registration application on the machine. So we seem to be in a Twilight Zone.

Another question I have is about power management. I have an ancient (and I mean ANCIENT) Sony Vaio laptop, and it had all kinds of power level settings configurable, including custom settings. Am I missing something, because the Gateway seems to have almost nothing. Just what appears to be the default Windows XP power settings which really don't let you set anything. Are there any 3rd party tweak programs for AMD supporting motherboads I want to know about? Hmm, I need to try motherboard monitor on this thing...

As a follow-on to that, when I look at my machine with CPU-Z or Everest while on AC power (thanks to those who posted links to these in other threads), they report the CPU as running at about 800Mhz. Umm, shouldn't this be like 2.4Ghz when it is plugged in? Or does it have such fine power control that since it is pretty much idling it slows itself down even on AC? If so that's actually pretty neat. Hmm, OK, I launched Guild Wars in a window, it seems to be jumping around from 800Mhz x4 to 2.4Ghz x12 some something like that seems to be going on.

Anyway, things I like about it:
- beautiful screen, no dead or stuck pixels, couldn't ask for a better screen.
- powerful, I can play World of Warcraft, Guild Wars and BattleField 2, and I get about 30fps in at medium settings. This is better than I expected from a $1250 notebook. I still have to install Doom3 and ugh, Steam.
- dirt cheap. I mean, really a top of the line 64 bit processor, 1G Ram 100G HD (yes, its only 4200 RPM but somehow, and I don't know how, it seems as fast as my desktop at 7200, which makes me question my desktop drives), beautiful 15.4 widescreen, dual-layer DVD burner for $1250? I couldn't resist.
- construction. The constructions seems very solid, no flex at all in the base, some in the screen but much less than some other notebooks at BB. The keyboard is absolutely firm.
- quiet, cool. The fan never gets above a whisper even gaming. I feel no hotspots. The fan exhausts to rear so no hot air blowing on me.

Things I don't like:
- Battery life. A little over 2 hours before the 10% warning while web surfing wirelessly (and the battery meter was surprisingly accurate, telling me I had 2:20 at the outset). Well, I was appalled at first, now I realize it isn't actually terribly much worse than some other Centrino notebooks out there. I wish it were more, I wish I could get a double-sized battery for when I need it. I wish I could buy another battery (see above).
- weight. It is a big desktop replacement laptop. It is what it is. It would be nice if it were lighter, but I'm not actually complaining.
- keyboard. I wish the Insert key were up where it belongs instead of next to the shorted spacebar, the keyboard could use a bit more of the available chassis space if they wanted to. I'm surprised to find I have no problem with the short space bar. I do often hit the blue special function key when I want the control key.

Anyway, thanks for all the good stuff I picked up out of previous threads, and thanks for any new info you can give this n00b!

PhysicalEd

 

Good review/questions... I hope someone can shed light getting another battery...

 

Go to: http://www.bestbuy.com/partsearch, and they should have a battery and AC Adapter to function with your laptop. It may not say your model #, but if it shows up, it will usually work. We hardly have any complaints when we order items in-store via that link or the following phone number. Also, if you have even more questions about the products on the PartSearch site, you can call 1-888-BESTBUY, and press option 1, then option 3.

 

Yep, I dunno when the release of this notebook was, but Gateway seems to have no information on it whats so ever.


Howard

 

It's Retail: http://www.gateway.com/home/products/ret/ret_ptb_catalog.shtml

Full Retail Selection: http://www.gateway.com/home/products/ret/ret_catalog.shtml?

 

Thanks for the tip Aiwapro. I checked the site and they list a Gateway 7515GX, which as far as I can tell doesn't exist. But I'm not comfortable ordering a power adapter that doesn't say it is for this machine. I'll give the number a call and see what they tell me. I can't be the only person who bought one from BB who wants an extra charger for this thing.

Has anyone heard of Mundo Corp? http://www.mundocorp.com
They say they have batteries and adapters for the "7000 Series", but does anyone know if the batteries and chargers are identical for all of the 7000 series including the 7510GX? If so, they are waaay cheaper.

I may just have to order one-by-one from places that have good return policies till I find one that actually fits. To bad none of the universal chargers claim to have tips that will work.

Anyway, if I do find one that works I'll post here to let people know...

PhysicalEd

 

I think i've seen the batteries online somewhere for about 109. I think it was on ebay...you might do a search on there.

 

PhysEd... Let me know what you find out on that extra battery...