P6P6860FX + 1 free game for 1249.99 at Best Buy

Just thought I would mention this in the bargains forum.

The refreshed version of the 6831FX, the 6860FX is currently on sale at 1249.99. It also comes with one free game of your choosing.

8800M GTS
4GB RAM
320 GB HDD
1.83 Ghz C2D
Vista 64.

17 inch.

Link here.

 

damn. that's a pretty good deal.

 

why do they do this? give you an otherwise great system with one major flaw to ruin it all? In this case what looks like a good machine spec wise (I have no idea of gateways quality/feel) is ruined by the slower than molasas cpu... 1.83ghz paired with a 8800? common give me a break.

Somebody needs to shoot the guy who designed the system, preferably in the head.

This is why I really like the new Asus M50 its the first laptop mid range that has EVERYTHING where it should be to match, no one thing too low for the rest of the system to force you to upgrade to the next higher level wich is probably way overpriced to compensate for that one small change.

 

Good deal, indeed!

 

The processor usually overkills the GPU when it comes to gaming, so downgrading the CPU to bring prices down is actually really considerate of them.

Even if you do need more processing power, the CPU is easily upgradable by user. Many users here have upgraded to T9300 and X9000 with ease, giving them a killer machine at a sub-2k price mark.

At 1249.99, I really see no reason to complain, unless it is out of frustration that you recently spent the money on an inferior laptop.

---

Also, following the trend of P-6831FX, I will not be surprised to see P-6860FX going on sale at $1199.99 in a few weeks.

 

No I spent like 1300$ for my c90 and it beats this machine in just about every way except the gpu. How much for the upgraded cpu tho? You have to add that into the cost.

The M50 that I was referring too is about the same price but with more cpu power, bigger hdd, probably a nicer screen, again just the graphics are abit lower.

I totally agree that gpu>cpu in most games but in general I use my cpu ALOT video editing is a big one, and there are several games out there that peg down a cpu hard and its becoming more common too because they know that cpu technology is going faster than the gpu and that laptops have better cpu ability than they do graphics so they are starting to encode games to use more cpu power to help relive the gpu.

Games like flight simulator X and almost any stratagy with multiple units is a very high cpu use. This means Starcraft 2

 

whats up with the weak processor... Does it have something to do with "enhanced centrino duo?

 

The recent spendings statement was not targetted at you personally; just expressing my point that this laptop is more cost-efficient than any laptop that someone may have recently bought.

However, now that you bring it up, let's bring up your C90's specs and see how it beats the P-6860FX in just about everything?

Many of you seem to complain about the CPU and claim that the GPU does not justify the cost -- the T9300 can be installed in this laptop for $319, lower if you buy it on ebay or have connections.

Now, please link me to a laptop that offers T9300, 4Gb RAM, 320Gb HDD, 8800GTS for $1570 - $50 (game) ~ $1520.

Also, did I mention that the P-series can potentially be upgraded to quad-core processors? Is that enough processing power for you bunch?

Honestly, if CPU is the deal-maker/-breaker for you and you can't see beyond stock specs, then simply don't get this laptop; supplies have been way lower than demand for P-6831FX and probably will be the case for P-6860FX. I don't think gamers/tech-savvys would mind the ignorant general population backing out on the purchase at all.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220306

The other big difference that would be a deal killer for me is the resolution the M50 has 1680x1050 while the Gateway is only WXGA+ Screen upgrades are expensive and sometimes unreliable.

 

You seem to underestimate the price of a top-end graphics card: priceless, since it cannot be upgraded in most cases.

Also, the 3650 is roughly a 8600GT.

I said a 8800GT S.

A 8800GTS wipes the floor with the 3650 7 days a week (even when the floor's shining clean, just for the heck of it).

Users on this forum have successfully upgraded the LCD on their P-series with LG 1680x1050 screens for around $150 last I checked.

The fact remains that any upgrades besides the GPU, the P-series will most likely be able to upgrade itself to that and still beat the contender's price.

 

Your arguing a mute point, since I already said "everything except the gpu"

But to each his own, I would ahve the 3650 and a 500gb hdd and more cpu power any day of the week. I use alot of space on music/movies and games eat up hdd space fast.

I encode videos and do video editing wich uses a ton of HDD space and a ton of cpu power. While my merry little 8600gt has let me play any game I have thrown at it just fine.

Thats also kind of why I use a c90 its upgradable so there will probably be a nice gpu upgrade for it sometime soon. Im also curious how a 15" handles a 8800gts so well with heat. I will want to see reviews of this model when it has been put thru some user stress.

 

well, this laptop is labeled as a midrange gaming machine. and i believe we all know that gaming doesn't require a high-end CPU right? so you can either sacrifice the screen or spend maybe another 800-1000$ for an alienware, sager, or custmized DELL with similiar specs if you have that much dough.

this is a good deal because of its unbeatable price, most of the machines in the same price range only have 8600GT for the best.

 

Seriously, what do you want for $1250? Gateway is targeting the "I want to play games but don't have any money" market, otherwise known as highschool/college kids. If you don't find the specs appealing enough then feel free to shell out $2k+ for a better machine.

 

I think I just answered my own question.

http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668070.php

If this is the same then its a 17" and not a 15" and thats a whole different family of laptops and a 8800m in a 17" is nothing special.

 

It's a 17 inch. And if you don't care about GPU, then of course this laptop is not for you. This one's for serious gamers and those who are competent in user-end upgrading.

 

Yeah I thought it was 15" and a 8800 in a 15" is a feat, but 17" like I said is different they can handle the heat/size much easier so its not speical IMO. Dont act like I am bashing the notebook just offering a constructive counter view. I was countering with a 15" tho lol and having specs like it has with a 2" smaller size makes it like apples to oranges.

There is a 17" version of the M50 called the M70 and it has 1TB of HDD space, blue ray, 1920x1080 res, and I bet a 8800m or a equivilant 9000 series. It will cost more but you get what you pay for.

 

its a great deal!

 

Sorry to disappoint you, but the M70 also comes with the Ati 3650. A good card in its own right, but not comparable to the 8800M GTS. Somewhat less than half the performance, not slightly worse. You get more of everything else, but you pay more for everything else too.
The M70's more of a overall entertainment notebook, while the Gateway's targeted at "gaming on a budget" users.

It's not so much as the fact that Gateway managed to fit a 8800M in a 17 inch, as it is the fact that you can actually get a 8800M for less than 2 grand. Like Lithus said, it's the main selling point of this laptop.

That said, the 1.83 Ghz processor is sufficient for most users. For your uses, you are better off with a larger HDD and faster processor, and that works for you. To each his or her own.

 

I glanced over the debate and have to say Hahutzy is right .

For 1249$ as of now , its the best value gaming notebook performence wise thanks to the 8800GTS .

The 1.8 CPU is more then enough and if needed I'm sure its can be upgraded in the near future to a faster Penryn GPU for a total =< 1500$ .

 

I agree with Hahutzy. I have been using and traveling to LAN parties with my 6831 for about 2 months now. Stock, it plays every game on the market.

For this gamer it is the best gaming laptop value I have ever seen and had the pleasure to use.

 

I just picked up my P-6860 FX laptop yesterday from Best Buy. I was watching it for a price drop. So far everything is superb and I feel like I am ready for Age of Conan. I will likely get the T9300 when I find it for the right price.

 

you are certainly right, and Gateway does offer a similar 15" laptop with ATI HD2600 on it. i think it's only in Canada, not sure though.

but again, wouldn't it be nice for them to sell a machine like the 6860FX but with better resolution screen for like 1500$? but then i guess nobody would go buy the P-172FX anymore

 

For gaming a better GPU does more than a CPU.

 

wow i wish this was available in canada is there any websites/stores that carrys this laptop and ships to canada. i so want this

 

How's the WXGA+ on a 17 inch though? Seems kind of small.

 

I agree with you.

 

the $1,249 + free game is only available when you order it online and delivered by BB. but if you go straight to BB and buy one, you won't get the free game.


BB promotions:

(1)
ordered online, but for pick-up:
buying straight at BB:

P-6860 FX + $49 free game + Geek Squad driver update = $1,299


(2)
ordered online, and for delivery:

P-6860 FX + $49 free game = $1,249


**all after a $100 rebate until saturday.




hope that helps.

getting mine tomorrow

 

Well I got to play with this in store the other day. I was passing BB on the way home from a doctors appointment and saw this sitting out (hard to miss with the orange)

My quick evaluation of the unit. It feels pretty light for what it is, but also abit plasticy and hollow, the front end I think has almost nothing inside, also the 2 holes there where the lid closes are big and I do not like them there when I type, if you stick your finger in them its sharp on the edges too and could cut you lol.

It was just idle in windows and the left side was pushing out a good amount of heat, I really wanted to run 3dmark or a game but BB has nothing but there standard BS installed on the machine with no internet... shame because I remember last time I was at BB they had the highest model HP with internet on it and I was able to run 3dmark on it (well actually it had the internet and I downloaded it lol, started the internet d/l when I came in. Ran thru the store and looked at stuff and came back before I left installed it and ran it). It would really help sell the machine I think if they put a demo of a game or 3dmark06 on there.

Keyboard has a good size, the feedback from it was not something I would be happy with. The C90S I use now has a much better keypress and feedback but thats one of those things you will adjust too over time and as long as the keyboard doesn't wear out fast or break it should be ok.

The resolution is fine, infact I think its low. I use 1680x1050 on my 15" with no problems and this mode is a 17" with a lower resolution. I think it should be atleast 1680x1050 but I guess you take what you can get.

So yeah for 1300$ its not bad if your only goal is gaming and you need the stronger video card, but its a one trick pony IMO and overall as a total system it cant compete with say the M50SA, or even the C90S when total quality/value/performance is taken into play.

 

Just ignore him guys, he would rather have to cut up his c90s case just to get it working properly. Your c90 shouldn't even be called a laptop considering all the mods you've done. Not to mention the battery life on a 6 cell desktop cpu powered machine sucks compared to the gateway model. The gateway model gets 3hours + the c90 just might get you half that.
Its a gaming laptop marketed as a gaming laptop nothing more.

 

This laptop is still the best in performance per dollar for midrange gaming laptop. The fact that Gateway made this laptop extremely easy to upgrade just goes to show that you can choose what parts to upgrade and what your fine with.

 

Ignore? I just gave a hands on review of it with my honest opinion there is nothing to ignore. Your just trying to start an argument for no reason.

 

The only opinion you keep giving is how your c90 is better.

 

no. no. the jfl92 is better. c90 plugs aside, the 6860 is an awesome value for what u get. and for 200-300 more dollars on a cpu minus what you get in return for the old cpu on ebay or where ever, this is hard to beat.