Best Buy : Gateway M-6862 for $675

Hi Krazyphire,

Thanks for replying.

Can I ask you ... the BB Warranty you got ... is it the Standard 2 Year Plan for the $119?

That is like paying $60 a year for peace of mind! But is it even worhted to pay that when the laptop only cost us $525+ !?!?

THANKS,

G!

 

Yeah its the standard 2yr pkg.

Even though the laptop was so cheap in Price, its specs are nothing to joke about. This is an entry-level gaming capable laptop that definitely deserves to be treated with care.

 

The problem with that is that by the time the problems will arise, 1 year, much better laptops will be in this price range, and this laptop will be in the bargin bin.

I hate how fast technology gets replaced.

 

Well said.

 

im getting this laptop for my dad, awesome specs for a really cheap laptop, really cant beat it anywhere else

i really beg to differ, as the specs will depend on the purpose, im still using my 5 year old dell inspiron 8200 as a desktop download replacement and it still works like a charm, i can play max payne 2 here no prob hehe.

gaming on the other hand might not last half a year ^^

also with regards to the processor, really now are u really going to use up max 2.0ghz? dual core?? i dont think im fully utilizing my dual 1.9ghz processor on my laptop,, are u?

 

It's not that everybody needs such power, it's that by the time the laptop will need to utilize the extra warranty you can buy a brand new one for the cost of the warranty. I just got a c770us for $200 tax included for my parents. Granted its not the top of the line, but when it came out a year ago it was pretty good.

Also, I do indeed need such power. I run cad/cam software all the time, and the X300 was just not cutting it. Heck, even my quad core desktop is will stutter on large assemblies.
Extra warranty isn't always useless. I've got next day service on my desktop because I need it to be up all the time. The laptops are just for trips, real work needs the desktop.

I'm still using my WinBook from '93. Its got a Pentium 90, 250megs of HD space, and 8megs ram. I need it for really old dos program access.

btw, vinceboiii did you ever get that laptop?

 

then i suggest you get this

http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/16/...-mainstream-cx1-supercomputer-start/#comments

cad/cam software will melt like butter and can run crysis x10. your power probs will be solved

 

starting at $25k. ouch!!

 

For those of you looking for a cheap Gateway with the HD2600 GDDR3 card and you don't want to pay the online 749 price from bestbuy and can't find it at your local BB.

Gateway M-6850FX Refurbished Laptop Computer - Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 1.83GHz, 802.11a/g/n Wireless, 3GB DDR2, 320GB HDD, DL DVDRW, 15.4" WXGA, Integrated Webcam, Windows Vista Home Premium
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4105890&sku=S445-M6850

It's refurbished, and got a lower processor (T5550), less RAM, but still cheap!

 

That would be a total dream. Though I doubt it would run cad significantly better. The software developers are pretty bad, and write very inefficient code. The performance increase from a dual core to quad was barely noticeable. But the cores are still runing at full power. I guess they are using the extra cores to calculate the value of PI?

 

Wow glad I got to tip off so many people bout this deal (even though the thread title is grossly outdated by now as it was only at 675 a very short time and 525 is far more attractive)

Anyone had any crashes on theirs? I got some blue screen of death thing last night where it says "dumping physical memory" and then a countdown occurrs? What causes this?

 

Do you have any of the error description details copied down?

Most of the time, its a video card driver issue or memory issue. Try updating video card drivers, and test the ram. But if you replicate the bsod that would be the best.

 

Yea I wasn't even at my computer. It was on w/ the Zune software open. It was just running, not downloading or playing anything. I had it open n was randomly browsing music intermitedly between watchin tv. I walked away from it for 10-15 minutes and when i came back the screen was up. Seemed kinda fluke-like but the fan was running loudly. I restarted the comp n everything seemed to go back to normal. I just remember it did that "dumping physical memory" countdown thing

 

Hmm.. I remember people talking about the new itunes 8 giving bsod, but nothing about the Zune software.
Personally I wish it wasn't a fluke. Much better to be a video card driver issue than to be a physical hardware glitch.

btw, I hope the price keeps dropping. $675 to $525 maybe even to $475?

 

by that time, all inventory will be gone.

 

Hi lokster,

Q1: Tell me about your "Slot Loading" CD/DVD? How has it been working? Any problems?

BTW, your T1616 seems to be loaded with all the right options ... Bluetooth and Wireless.

Q2: How is your Wireless reception!?!?

Thanks,

G!

 

Hi TooTall,

I loved the look of it much sleeker than the 6862, especially with the Media Controls on top and the Bronzy Brown trimming ... but boy the minute I saw the darn BATTERY Sticking out fom the back ... I lost all my interest in it ... I am not too crazy about these 9 Cell Pertruding batteries ... just don't fit right in a laptops case.

THANKS though a GREAT Find!

G!

 

^^ hi gonwk would it be too much trouble for you just to take out the battery? and spend a second or two to put it back in when you need to use it?

 

Hey Slayer,

Can you post back again soon and tell us what is going on with your laptop.

I have NOT opened up my Box yet ... so I can return it under the 14 days ... and get my money back.

Fan running fast ... that sounds like your CPU was cooking up ... because I am not sure if the GPU high Temp would kick in the CPU Fan!!!

Anyway, I wish other folks would post their observations and problems also.

I will go and post on another Thread your finding may be we get a little more feedback ... see here http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=297306&page=5

If this laptop has COOLING problems then may be is better to save my $500 and buy a laptop with Better Cooling Design ... pay a little more but better lappy.

BTW Slayer ... were you using any COOLER with this laptop at all? Also, what was your Ambinet Room Temp at?

Thanks,

G!

 

Hi Ya there Vince,

So, OK ... I am a little lazy.

No, really ... I take my laptop every day to work ... turn it on at 7AM and leave it on till 6 or 7PM ... load it back in and take it home again.

Can you imagnine 365 days twice take out the battery and put it back in ... those cheap flimsy latches will eventually give out one me. Don't you think!?!?

G!

 

hmm BUY A BIGGER BAG hahaha problem solved

 

I'm not sure if this is it but every laptop BSOD I've seen has the fan running at max, until it reboots.

 

slot loading dvd is working fine. no problems so far, haha next month this thing is gona be 1 year old.

wireless reception is fine and awesome. really no probs at all with this laptop, and im proud i took great care of it, still looks brand new.

 

Any special "Care" techniques or procedures!?!?

G!

 

uh, always putting it away in a notebook sleeve when im not using it.

strictly no liquids on the table.

compressed air to blow away dust on fan and keyboard
lots of eyecare wipes for the LCD when smudges

I havent removed the outer plastic protecting the cover, (sticker like and transparent )

thats pretty much it.. and a laptop bag for it, ive got 2 when im carrying it around just in case, if its alot of stuff i use a backpack, if not then just a messenger bag.

good luck

 

also about the fan issue.

even mine runs kinda strong but its really quite..

the best thing about this laptop is that the cooling is awesome. i mean the laptop runs way cool and the only heat is coming out of the left side, most if not all the laptops of gateway now are based on the same chassis with the exhaust on the left side of the laptop.

just give it ample space on the left side for the laptop to breathe.

as for the memory dump thing with the BSOD, its really nothing that happened to me once or twice but ive updated my vista and its fine.

 

Would love to know about updating the video card drivers. Any recommendations on what to try? Thanks.

 

I'm not sure what fan issue you guys are discussing. To put things into perspective my Aspire 3680 runs at an idling temp of 45C and a light load temp of almost 55C.

Now this computer (M6862) that I've been watching lectures on, and taking to class bringing it in and out of sleep mode is running at 32C even at this moment. The fan hardly making a sound at all.

Even after playing DMC 4 with the GPU overclocked w/o a cooling pad the temps top at 80C, and come back down to 33C within 4 minutes of resetting the GPU clock. The fans run just high/hard enough to bring the computer's temps back under control.

So again I ask what fan issue are we talking about?

 

laptop hasnt had any issues before or after that, just was curious. it's not on a cooler, but on a flat wooden computer desk.

the only other issue i've noticed is if the laptops on, and i unplug the AC cable, then it's fine n just dims the screen n goes into my power saver profile. works perfect

but then if in the same session i then go and plug the ac adaptor back in, it freezes. Not sure if that's somethin w/ my power profile or not.

 

Hi folks,

Have you noticed that there is another Thread on M-6862 ... a "REVIEW" ... I was wondering if we could have merged these two ... so everyone can take advantage of our 10 cents.

@ Krazyphire & Lokster ... your comments definitely has restored my confidence in this Gateway M-6862 laptop ... would you believe it I still have NOT opened my box ... just in case I fi I want to return it.

@ Slayer ... I hope your A/C power plug-in is only a fluke ... can you check out the Scenario and Post Back Please!

Thanks,

G!

 

Some people think the fan turns on a little too often. I think even slow speed spinning is a little annoying. It certainly doesn't help with battery life. But then again I'm comparing it to thinkpads which hide their fans, and is a little harder to tell if its spinning or not. Also is 80C safe? That seems extremely high.

Laptop cooler? A guy called Onion on fatwallet thread craps every single laptop cooler deal. He has some theory that laptop coolers are useless, and nobody can prove him wrong. My three laptops think otherwise.

and, wow. You're taking this laptop to class? I've always used smaller 14, and 13.3 laptops. I can't stand walking around with a big 15.4. It barely fits on most of those swivel desks anyway.

 

Hi gecko,

80C Temp for Gaming is A-OK! Now if it was IDLE or Surfing ... then I would start sweating it.

As far as fan noise ... I rather have the Noise rather than my CPU & GPU getting warmer ...

I am with you 100% on a laptop coolers ... they definitely do reduce the Temps down. Some coolers are more efficient than others. Also, the ones that have quieter fans also do a pretty darn good job.

G!

 

Supposedly the price has been dropped to 449.99 at some bestbuys. Im gunna go see if i can get a price match.

 

sigh... no

 

llooks like u can't get it in store anymore or is it just around my area? because the m6862 is not a OUTLET item and this is the only price i can find and only online http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...A?skuId=8913241&type=product&id=1213399955100

 

yea its an outlet item now. but thats ok, i save 50$ and shipping xD and maybe more if i can get the 524 pricetag.

 

Ok ... how do you guys the "Price Adjustment"!?!?

Q1: Do you take your receipt with you and they pay the difference?

Or do they refun you first and then re-ring you with the new price?

Q2: Now I am in a funny Situation ... since I got the HSI $100 off ... they never showed my Origianl Price minus the $100 ... so how would I got baout getting the Difference between Price A and this new Price B?

Has anyone done this? Please post!!!

Thanks,

G!

 

That would be great if true. I would not mind getting a little $ back. Any source or link on this one?

 

Hi folks,

Q: Can you use the low price from onse store to do Price match at another one or does it have to be the same store that you bought it from!?!?

Thanks,

G!

 

Source is slickdeals.

 

Thank you - I will check it out.

 

is this deal available in best buy canada? we only have the same one at staples canada for $900

 

Just picked the last one up at my local Best Buy.

Was $449 - $100 HSI coupon = $349 + tax = $367.49.

Insane deal, I'm super happy. Good luck to people still looking for one.

 

wow! amazing price!

 

btw, if you cant get ahold of them from best buy, theres alot on ebay, people are flipping them it seems. not suprised though at the low price.

 

Yeah, but the flip auctions are pretty steep - most are in the $650 range.

If anyone needs the HSI coupon, PM me and I'll email it to you. It's a word document.

 

Plenty on Craigslist too. All at crazy prices. Good thing I've got 2 now at the $350 price.

Great part is that I don't plan on opening one until 14 days are up. That way once the price drops further I'll go back and PM or do return/rebuy.

Too bad these laptops are only sold at BB, otherwise a PM would be insane right now.

EDIT: Somebody posted the HSI coupon and receipts at both $450 and $525 prices on slickdeals.net. So if you want the PM your local BB grab the receipts and go nuts.

 

I don't know how you guys manage to pull this off. I am in the Los Angeles area and "0" best buys are honoring the MSI rebate.
Anyway, I got one for $525 and one for $599.
I will sell the one for $599 for anyone interested. It is still sealed and I have 7 more days to return it.

 

hey gecko so you bought another one ic lol, still gonna sell it?

 

Hi folks,

@ QueenofSpades ... THANKS!

Price Macth (PM) does work ... it reduced mine by $38 ... better than nothing ... paid for my gas and hassle.

I don't understand why buy 2 or 3 or 50 when you only need one. Unless you are buying couple for family use ... 1 for each kid or something like that.

G!