Problem with new MX8738...HELP!!!

I just brought home a new MX8738 from Best Buy. I have never used a Gateway laptop before, and this is my first time with a Vista machine. The problem I am having is just an overall sluggishness. The laptop just seems really slow. At least a dozen times I have experienced various programs locking up, from Internet Explorer, to Windows Explorer, to Task Manager.

In addition, the computer seems to be using between 50-60% of it's available RAM (1 GB total) when no programs are running. Again, my first time with Vista...is it that much more of a RAM hog than XP? My xp machines rarely using more than 256M with nothing running.

I am trying to decide whether to

1. Wipe the drive and reinstall the o/s,
2. Return it to Best Buy for another version of the same machine
3. Return to Best Buy and exchange for a higher model Gateway with more RAM.
4. Get a refund and buy a Dell.

Any thoughts?

 

Not sure what you're expecting, but this is a very low spec'd machine (only a Pentium Dual Core T2080, only 1GB of RAM). You're really stretching the limits of what Vista needs with a machine like that.

Have you uninstalled whatever preinstalled software/etc. was already on it? That can have some impact.

Getting a higher end model with more RAM is probably going to help too.

Buying a Dell might not be a bad idea either.

-Zadillo

 

Another option would be to buy 2GB of RAM online (~$110-120) and installing that to help increase the speed. Price out a similarly spec'd system from Dell and you're looking at $$$$ for a 17" laptop.......windows can always seem to find a way to freeze up no matter how much RAM or how fast your chip is

 

this might be due to:
1. the system is being loaded with unneeded processes and services at startup. recommending download cCleaner and go thru to disable what u do not need at start up (process and service)
2. u have an integrated gpu that takes away almost 1/4 of the available ram. add another gigo in there, and u will see it flies.
3. turn off the UAC dingy from vista would also add a bit of speed to it. it is not worth to have it on (security bla bla) imo.
4. vista is slow the first few days and will speed up as it "learns" itself what environment it is working with

this is what it makes vista a much better system manager than xp. idle ram = dead ram!

try the above suggestions for a week and see. u might not want to part with this laptop. it is good daytoday system for the price u paid

cheers ...

 

Follow qhn's advice. I believe as stated 1GB RAM w/IGP running Vista is just not enough. I think your CPU is fine.