Gateway's CX210 / M285-E tablet with Core Duo

It's been a little while since Gateway's widescreen CX200 Tablet PC has been on the scene, but Gateway's given it a spec bump and a badge nudge, bringing the CX210 / M285-E series (model based on where you buy it: home, or professional) up to date with Intel Core Duo processors. It also appears they've added standard Bluetooth and 802.11a (in addition to the already standard b/g), and an option for ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 graphics, which should goose that $1399.99 base price a little.

[Amba @ Feb 18th 2008 8:57AM]

Am proposing to purchase a gateway tablet series cx210-ms85e. For a better understanding

[Kerri @ Aug 10th 2008 7:29PM]

I saw Kay Panabaker use it in the movie "Read It and Weep" on Disney Channel in the year of 2007. She flipped it during the whole movie. Don't be afraid to disagree with me! Please comment back if you do.

[tiuk @ Apr 20th 2006 10:42AM]

Hard to judge without something to judge scale by, but if the track pad is close to the size I'm used to, I'd say the unit is going to be pretty heavy.

[Marc Orchant @ Apr 20th 2006 11:10AM]

Ryan: the list prices still start at $1399.00 even with the bumps.

plantronics cs351n (nice handle): these Gateway models weigh about 7-8 lbs. depending on which battery you're using. The 6-cell unit (goes in the optical drive bay) is the lightest. The 12-cell monster (which I use) adds a big hump on the back which actually creates a nice angle and provides a great grip for holding and carrying.

If you travel a lot, I'm not sure this is the best choice although it's hard to beat the bang for the buck as Tablets go. This is not a road warrior's Tablet.

[Tirol @ Apr 20th 2006 11:55AM]

Marc,
How long have you had your Gateway tablet? Any major problems with it so far? I'm thinking about buying this if it is good.

[John Graham @ Nov 16th 2008 7:25PM]

Tirol, Don't buy it! I've had a cx210 for a couple of years and it worked well until about 6 months ago. I have now had the keyboard, screen, and motherboard all replaced under warranty and riight now I have a non-funtioning computer that is only good as a door stop. Gateway sold the warranty/service to MPC corporation and refuses to have anything to do with the computer and MPC corporation appears to be out of business. No one answere and the last time I was able to get through to them they ordered more parts that have not been delivered. The last service call left the wireless non-functional and the computer has now completely failed. Unisys is the company under contract for the on site warranty service and they refuse to come back out. I am trying to find a class action lawsuit or get some assistance under the lemon laws. if you have not purchased this computer DO NOT BUY IT!

[Alexander Wunderlich @ Apr 20th 2006 1:06PM]

Im a Toshiba Potege M205 user for 1.5 years, very satisfied I must say!

Ive been watching this tablet scince gateway first anounced it, and have been atracted to it because of its GPU. Now core Duo. Maybe its time to buy! These guys also have quite the queen marketing schemes where they give you free RAM, HDD and GPU Upgreades once in a while, so check em out.

Alexander Wunderlich.

[DieHard @ Apr 20th 2006 1:53PM]

I'm waiting for Tablet PC that have a Dual Core, a Dedicated GPU, and a Secondary Battery (replacing the optical the drive). I hope this is it!

I looked at the the Gateway's Product page, it's not there! Link?

[hroo772 @ Apr 20th 2006 10:16PM]

I just wanted to add that I am a current cx200 owner. I am quite pleased with the current one I have. Gateway made a nice tablet and I think I will have to get this new one once I head off to college in the fall.

[Marc Orchant @ Apr 21st 2006 8:22AM]

Tirol: I've had my since they were released last fall and I'm very happy with it - but I don't travel a lot. Again, if you're highly mobile, you do need to consider the size and weight, just as you would with Toshiba's Tecra M4 - they are both big.

Best features: big bright screen, heavy duty battery, very good keyboard, decent software included (not a lot of shovel-ware, at least on my configuration which is the small biz version), good WiFi.

Trouble spots: Does not use the Wacom digitizer so only Gateway pens work, no Bluetooth option, no auto-rotation when you swivel the screen, did I mention it's big and heavy?

You can add a second battery in place of the optical drive. It's a six-cell unit (~3.5-4 hours I think).

The new dual-core machine (M-285) is not yet listed. You have to call their toll-free order line to configure and order it right now. I'm sure it will be online in short order. The consumer version (with the low price point) won't be available until sometime in May.

[Tirol @ Apr 22nd 2006 5:16PM]

Thanks Marc. I'm looking for one for my girlfriend that has a decent graphics card with Tablet functionality. This sounds wonderful.

[Jesse B. @ May 12th 2006 9:37AM]

I'm loving the 285-E since I've been looking at tablets since I first found out about UMPCs. If they have a consumer one that isn't business oriented coming out in May, I just may have to wait ans see if it offers pretty much the same things for a little bit of a lower price point. So far, they have one of the best Core Duo tablets for a decent price. Just what I've been waiting for.

[Julie @ Aug 9th 2006 11:21PM]

I was just curious as to how much an extra pen would be if you lost one. One would think they would be easy to drop or lose somewhere.

[carl @ Aug 18th 2006 12:15PM]

I own an m2865 e and i've been having no problems with it until now. For some reason it seems to be having trouble dealing with the heat, a cooling pad is definitely recommended.