Gateway E-155-C: A Lightweight Convertible
by Jarred Walton on July 4, 2007 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Test Setup
Before we get to the benchmark results, we want to emphasize that several of the laptops are running Windows XP while only the Gateway E-155-C and HP dv6500t are running Windows Vista. We intend to benchmark most future laptops using Windows Vista, and over time we will remove the outdated scores. The configurations of the other laptops can be found in our previous laptop articles.
Obviously, in terms of raw performance we don't expect the Gateway E-155-C to come anywhere near most of the other laptops. While it uses a Core 2 Duo processor, the CPU is only running at 1.067 GHz. Core 2 Duo is based off of much of the work that went into Core Duo, which in turn came from Banias/Dothan... and those processors were more or less a power optimized version of the venerable P6 architecture (i.e. Pentium III). All of the architectural improvements certainly help, but we're basically talking about a chip that is similar in performance to what you might get by combining two hypothetical Pentium III 1.6-2.0 GHz into a single package.
If that sounds like a terribly slow computer, consider that there are plenty of businesses that are still running Pentium III laptops. Yes, that's right: people actually survive without dual cores! Also remember that we're talking about a thin and light notebook that is still easily capable of handling most office tasks. Gaming, video editing, or other computational intensive applications aren't the intended tasks for this sort of laptop.
Before we get to the benchmark results, we want to emphasize that several of the laptops are running Windows XP while only the Gateway E-155-C and HP dv6500t are running Windows Vista. We intend to benchmark most future laptops using Windows Vista, and over time we will remove the outdated scores. The configurations of the other laptops can be found in our previous laptop articles.
| Gateway E-155-C Tested Configuration | |
| Processor | Core 2 Duo U7500 (1.067 GHz 533FSB 2MB) |
| Chipset | Intel 945GM + ICH7-M DH |
| Memory | 2x1024MB DDR2 SO-DIMMs (Samsung M4 70T2953EZ3-CE6) DDR2-667 5-5-5-15 Tested at DDR2-533 4-4-4-12 |
| Graphics | Intel GMA 950 |
| Display | 12.1" WXGA (1280x800) Touch Sensitive BOE Technology Co., Ltd. BOE 089A (Jan 2006) |
| Hard Drive | 80GB 5400RPM SATA (Hitachi HTS541680J9SA00) |
| Optical Drive | 8X DVD+/-RW (HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-U10N) |
| Networking/Communications | Intel 3945ABG (802.11A/B/G) Mini PCI Wireless |
| Audio | SigmaTel HDA |
| Battery | 4-Cell 38.5WHr 6-Cell 57.7WHr |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit |
Obviously, in terms of raw performance we don't expect the Gateway E-155-C to come anywhere near most of the other laptops. While it uses a Core 2 Duo processor, the CPU is only running at 1.067 GHz. Core 2 Duo is based off of much of the work that went into Core Duo, which in turn came from Banias/Dothan... and those processors were more or less a power optimized version of the venerable P6 architecture (i.e. Pentium III). All of the architectural improvements certainly help, but we're basically talking about a chip that is similar in performance to what you might get by combining two hypothetical Pentium III 1.6-2.0 GHz into a single package.
If that sounds like a terribly slow computer, consider that there are plenty of businesses that are still running Pentium III laptops. Yes, that's right: people actually survive without dual cores! Also remember that we're talking about a thin and light notebook that is still easily capable of handling most office tasks. Gaming, video editing, or other computational intensive applications aren't the intended tasks for this sort of laptop.
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elom - Wednesday, April 2, 2008 - link
This deal has been horrible for the companies that had existing warrenties with Gateway. MPC has still yet to get there act together and it is now April. My company has had 28 of these machines down since the begining of the year and only half have been fixed. I have NBD on-site service and I am not seeing anywhere close to that. I am moving to another PC manufacturer ASAP.tacoburrito - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
With the 6 cell battery, this thing will weight over 5 lbs. Not really an ultra-portable in the classical sense, is it? But it seems this is what we have to put up with if one wants the Tablet features. Lenovo, Toshiba, and HP already have sub-3lbs notebooks in their catalouge running similar specs to the Gateway. Can you review those instead, if you want to do an ultra-portable review?JarredWalton - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
As always, we review what we get sent. Needless to say, I'm not about to go out and spend $2000 on a notebook just to provide free press for a company. I've tried to get in touch with Lenovo, without much success. I'm working to get some stuff from Toshiba and HP that falls in the ultraportable range, so we'll see.Honestly, I'm not quite sure why the notebook is so heavy relative to others. The case does feel pretty durable, however, so that's probably a large part of the weight question. The display doesn't really feel much heavier than a normal laptop LCD - certainly not more than a few ounces. Anyway, lightweight and flimsy may not be the right way to go either - I'd probably take the extra pound if it means the display hinges and other parts don't break after a year or two.
bldckstark - Friday, July 6, 2007 - link
I'm disappointed to see that Lenovo hasn't responded to your requests. I would really like to see their V and X series ultraportables up against the competition.I bought my wife the Lenovo V series laptop that is almost an exact twin of the Gateway reviewed here, with the exception of the convertible screen. It is quicker than my desktop 3800+, weighs 4.4lbs with the 6 cell battery, and gets 255 mins runtime on, all for $1,250. It really puts the Gateway to shame. At least this time I didn't buy an expensive piece of electronics just to go online a month later to see a review of a cheaper, faster, better device that makes me want to throw up.
What I can't compare at home though is the LCD screen quality versus the Gateway. I would like to see if the Lenovo screens are better, worse, same. Especially on the V series versus the X/T series.
This makes me really want to see the Lenovo T60 reviewed to see how much dust the Gateway would be eating.
jonp - Friday, July 20, 2007 - link
I'd vote to add a Lenovo T61, p/n 7662 with the T7500 CPU, 2GB RAM, 7200rpm hard drive, XP Pro to a future review.Athlex - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
Any chance of getting a photo of the keyboard and touchpad/trackpoint?Baffling that laptop manufacturers are putting "docking" ports on the sides of notebooks instead of the bottom. HPQ seems to be doing the same thing on their consumer stuff.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
Sorry about that - I actually had the image on our server but forgot to update the first page before the article went live.I'm also a bit baffled about the docking port on the side... but then I don't see much reason for docking stations these days. All I really need is mouse, keyboard, and display - if I want more than that from a laptop, I'd probably get a nicer laptop rather than worrying about spending the money for a docking station.
strikeback03 - Thursday, July 5, 2007 - link
If you connect keyboard/mouse/monitor every day (or multiple times a day) it is probably convenient to only have to make one connection instead of 3. also, some docking stations offer ports the laptop does not - for example, most (if not all) thinkpad docking stations have DVI ports even though the laptop itself does not.One reason this might be heavier than other tablets is the included optical drive - lots of the ~3lb ones ditch that, and the whole case can shrink as a result.
JarredWalton - Thursday, July 5, 2007 - link
Gateway does list the laptop as weighing .3 lbs less with a "weight saver" - I'm guessing a plastic piece that fills the ODD slot. I do have to say that ditching the DVD - except you would have an external unit - isn't a good move IMO. That's just marketing trying to cut weight at all costs. I suppose I could live without a DVD in a pinch, but I really wouldn't want to.People that will spend $200+ to save themselves two connections are a bit out there, I'd say. The DVI port could be useful, but plenty of laptops have those anyway. Heck, ditch the docking port connector and give us DVI and we'd be set. Heh.
Verdant - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
a lot of people seem to refer to the screens as "touch screens" i thought they used some sort of circuit that involved the stylus. Do tablets have a "touch" or "digitizer stylus" screen? Or do both exist?Personally i would prefer non-touch screen as writing on those can be difficult with my left-handedness.