Gateway P-7811FX gaming laptop unboxing and hands-on

Right on schedule, Gateway has set free its P-7811 FX gaming laptop, and we got our hands on one right before you can get your own. Our test unit shipped with the aforementioned Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.26GHz with a 3MB L2 cache, Windows Vista Home 64-bit, Intel PM45 Express Chipset, NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS with 512MB of GDDR3 discrete video memory, a 17-inch WXGA screen, 200GB 7200 SATA HDD, 4GB DDR3 800MHz RAM, HDMI, 9-cell battery, and 1.3MP webcam. We're pretty pleased with the performance of the machine, although dialing up Crysis to its max settings made it choke a bit. We're still not sold on the computer's stylings, but in a dark room of gaming goodness, who's paying attention to gaudy lights and overly-shiny carbon anyway, right? Peep the hands-on pics and a brief video of Crysis in action after the break. And yes, we know we suck at the game.

Gallery: Gateway P-7811FX

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[Michael Witt @ Aug 13th 2008 5:23PM]

I like the glossy screen; but I hate Gateway. Customer support sucks, and I don't really associate them with quality.

[raging_hamsterx @ Aug 13th 2008 6:43PM]

Quality WAS a concern with gateway... but they really changed something with their FX line of laptops and desktops. I own an FX laptop myself (for 5 months now) and can say it is very well built

[Paul Jobs @ Aug 13th 2008 7:59PM]

Want bad customer service/spare parts/tech support? Try Dell...Don't even get me started.

[icepop4who @ Aug 13th 2008 8:46PM]

well, it's unfair to compare anyone's service to dell. Dell is a whole new class of "support"

[rv @ Aug 13th 2008 9:17PM]

Give me a 15 inch w/lesser specs for cheaper and I'm in.

[Ben @ Aug 14th 2008 2:13AM]

RV - Congratulations. Gateway delivers a sweet 15.4" FX, for practically half the price. The M-6864FX.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8907043&st=gateway+fx&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1213046783376

[rv @ Aug 14th 2008 9:54AM]

Thanks man, its even on sale now. I will greatly consider purchasing this.

[NoLimitRaven @ Aug 13th 2008 5:29PM]

It doesn't look thatttttt bad.

[King Mook Mook @ Aug 13th 2008 5:49PM]

It looks like your momma!

[NoLimitRaven @ Aug 13th 2008 5:30PM]

It doesn't look thattttt bad.

[icepop4who @ Aug 13th 2008 8:47PM]

your double post looks thattt bad, though

[thatrotierkid @ Aug 13th 2008 9:36PM]

youre missing a "t"

[Bleck @ Aug 13th 2008 5:42PM]

A 17" Screen with only WXGA? wut?

[Jonny @ Aug 13th 2008 5:47PM]

I'm guessing they meant WUXGA, since the screenshot shows them setting Crysis at 1920x1080.

Engadget tho, the full version of Crysis runs a lot smoother, as it has patches to help the performance and optimizations on the engine code.

[icepop4who @ Aug 13th 2008 8:53PM]

yeah, it's 1920x1200. read the link on the words "on schedule"

[King Mook Mook @ Aug 13th 2008 5:50PM]

Only a Core 2 Duo?!?! I expect Core 2 Extreme if not Core i7!

[Sam Zebian @ Aug 13th 2008 5:55PM]

I don't think I would ever really consider getting a Gateway, I never have thought of them to be that great of machines. For gaming, maybe, but as an everyday machine, I don't think so.

[Phoenix @ Aug 13th 2008 6:09PM]

...this /is/ a gaming laptop

[Sam Zebian @ Aug 13th 2008 6:12PM]

Well no duh it's a gaming laptop, but I still would think twice about getting it if I were looking for a laptop in that market, just because it's made by gateway.

[Phoenix @ Aug 13th 2008 6:45PM]

You gave the impression that you were saying you'd never buy a normal machine from then, therefore giving the impression that you considered this normal

[Crooked Style @ Aug 13th 2008 5:58PM]

Beatiful pics but you messed it up when you put the macbook next to it.
what the hell man? you burned my pixels.

[josh @ Aug 13th 2008 7:12PM]

Heh - that was mainly to give people a reference point for size. Sorry for the random inclusion!

[MICHAELSD @ Aug 13th 2008 6:02PM]

What settings and resolution are you running Crysis on...? I would consider one of these if the screen on the new P-FX looks better than the horrible one on the first.

[mysticmaven @ Aug 13th 2008 6:29PM]

Id expect Core Exreme or maybe even a quad core but core !7 those processors aren't even out yet are they?

[icepop4who @ Aug 13th 2008 8:48PM]

for a sub $1500 laptop? you're too greedy.

[Aaronage @ Aug 13th 2008 6:40PM]

Engadget, the pictures are so grainy! Im guessing you have left the camera on auto and its chose a high ISO because of the low light conditions, or you purposely ranked the ISO up for said reason but damn!

Anyways, not a bad machine :) I hate the whole chavputer thing going on when it comes to gaming, im sure most gamers don't care THAT much about crazy lights and gaudy plastic :)

[Steve @ Aug 13th 2008 7:46PM]

Looks fine to me, I'd buy it.


chavputer?

wut?

[THL @ Aug 13th 2008 8:17PM]

chavputer = magic

[The Dude @ Aug 13th 2008 10:57PM]

Chavputer = Tacky computer

Like a chav (USA = "wig**rs") with a grill in their mouth, fake gold jewelry and the quintessential track suit w/burberry baseball cap. When you spend time around Brits, you unfortunately get to know these things.

[Rory @ Aug 13th 2008 7:59PM]

The only problem I can see is that yes, it is DDR3 RAM, but it's at 800MHz? At that frequency, DDR2 would be faster and cheaper because it has better latency. So what gives?

[icepop4who @ Aug 13th 2008 8:50PM]

DDR my friend, means Double Data Rate. a DDR3 at 800MHz is DDR3-1600. DDR2-800 runs at 400MHz.

[Rory @ Aug 13th 2008 9:51PM]

No, I meant DDR2 PC-6400, that runs at 800MHz. And it would be better than DDR3 running at 800MHz.

[hiko36 @ Aug 13th 2008 8:04PM]

I like your table... a lot...

[josh @ Aug 13th 2008 8:49PM]

Thanks, but you can't have it. :) Those chairs are made by Burke if you're looking for them. From the 60s.

[hiko36 @ Aug 14th 2008 12:55AM]

I guess that means all I need is a DeLorean and a Mod outfit and I can have me a swingin table like yours!

[TareX @ Aug 13th 2008 8:13PM]

Too bad it won't play Crysis smoothly at max.... I guess the same could apply to Far Cry 2, and maybe Red Alert 3... definitely FSX.

But still great value for the buck.

[Mr Epic Hero @ Aug 13th 2008 8:20PM]

What the.

There is no way you are running that game at 1920x1080 with 8x anti-aliasing. NO WAY.

[josh @ Aug 13th 2008 8:50PM]

Never said we did - said the system choked on those setting. RTFA?

[icepop4who @ Aug 13th 2008 8:55PM]

this is beyond awesome. sure, it's not as sexy as a Alienware M15x, but for this price, it's more than i ask for. lots of gangbang for the buck

[Joshua Auger @ Aug 13th 2008 9:34PM]

this isn't the 7811 is it? the 7811 doesn't have fingerprint reader?

[josh @ Aug 13th 2008 10:09PM]

This one does. It's an available option.

[ericcostanzo @ Aug 13th 2008 10:15PM]

I just got my laptop today and drooling over it :D yay for bestbuy!

[xValentine @ Aug 13th 2008 10:38PM]

Would have been better if you test some benchmarks (3D Mark, PC Mark, etc). Or open Fraps while playing Crysis.

Great post though, I'm buying that laptop soon.

:D

[Mike @ Aug 13th 2008 10:42PM]

Just wish that Gateway would make a 15.4 inch. FX laptop with the exact same specs. *sigh

[DudeManDude @ Aug 13th 2008 10:43PM]

wow thanks for posting this article!! This is the laptop that I've actually been following the past couple weeks with great interest to buy.

I know that this may not be typical, but is there anyway to provide a review of this machine? I'd really like to know your 2nd impressions and any other details about your experience.

This is the laptop I'm ready to buy if it's worth the price. How is build quality? Bloatware preinstalled? Any bugs you've noticed? These types of issues would greatly help me decide if I should commit to purchasing this pc or taking the plunge this fall into a Macbook Pro. My iPhone 3G has sparked my interest in trying out Apples computers.

Thanks Josh and Engadget!

[Jon Chang @ Aug 13th 2008 10:46PM]

What about the ASUS G50V-A1/A2?
I just picked one up...it's a 15" gaming/media class notebook.
T9400 2.53
4GB DDR2 800
2x250GB (5400), RAID 0/1 or none
NVidia 9700M GT...
1680x1050 LCD.
1 year accident protection
Need I go on?
Price: $1639

IMHO I think it wipes the floor with this huge monster...not to mention I probably get better battery life (2 hrs)

[f3likx @ Aug 13th 2008 11:46PM]

Jon Chang, you overpaid for an underperforming laptop - the 9700M GT isn't even half as fast as the 98 GTS.

[Knives_Out @ Aug 14th 2008 12:46AM]

damn ... nice digs.

thousands of dollars worth of furniture there.

[josh @ Aug 14th 2008 9:42AM]

Good deals at second-hand stores, actually, with a little eye for what's what and some Formula 409 once I get it home. And the table is a knock-off.

[Adrien Sawyer @ Aug 14th 2008 1:44AM]

wait a sec....isnt it 8800M GTS???