Gateway's CX210 / M285-E tablet with Core Duo
By Ryan Block 
posted Apr 20th 2006 8:41AM
posted Apr 20th 2006 8:41AM
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Am proposing to purchase a gateway tablet series cx210-ms85e. For a better understanding
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
Thanks Marc. I'm looking for one for my girlfriend that has a decent graphics card with Tablet functionality. This sounds wonderful.
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.
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.
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.