Gateway's 11.6-inch EC1803h CULV ultraportable surfaces in Canada
By Paul Miller 
posted August 23rd 2009 12:02AM
posted August 23rd 2009 12:02AM
posted August 23rd 2009 12:02AM
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I like the keyboard
Me too.
But I wonder if my fingers would get stuck in it like they do when I use a regular desktop keyboard now.
Shallow laptop keyboards ftw.
CULV Core 2 Duo > Intel Atom right?
Hell yes, the Core 2 Solo is also superior.
Yes.Much better. I hope its got some thought of 3D hardware inside though.
Wait till the 10W Arrandale Core i3's start coming out, there will be no northbridge or separate GPU to suck down power on those machines. They will make Atom totally irrelevant. Atom was intended for *cheap vertical embedded* form factors like tv sets, dvd players, and cars, but not for diverse applications like laptops.
Core i3s are somewhat of a fluke, they're just re-badged Core 2 Duo's coupled with a new chipset.
http://www.tvlampsnbulbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/bbad823_page16.jpg
Thats a page from the Best Buy ad scan for next week. Looks like the same Netbook only a different model number. I was just looking through the ad after I read this and it looks like a good deal. These specs are great (also includes a REAL processor) and the price is even better at only $380. If I were looking for a netbook this would definitely be at the top of my list.
that computer is already there...it looks to be a similar design, but with Intel inside for this new one(vs AMD it has now). That said, the battery sticks out the back, plus it runs Vista basic so it can't be upgraded to Windows 7 on the cheap. Bummerrr....(also the lid is a bit weird IMO, but I could have lived with that)
After doing 10 seconds of research I realized this is a fairly older model with a not so "real" processor. Now i kinda feel like I suck...
So do we, Brandon Hansen.
I keed, I keed...
n.
Here is some unrelated news that might get rid of my suckishness! (I emailed this news to engadget but they probably wont read it till its too late considering its sunday morning)
In reference to the Omnia 2/Chocolate touch:
The Verizon wireless site is currently down the night before the alleged release of the Omnia 2 and Chocolate touch. If u look hard on the site you can find a link to a crude version of the phones they have for sale. The Omnia, touch pro 2, and diamond have all been lowered to $30 with 2 year agreement. All this points towards a release of some major phone(s) very very soon.
Sorry for the unrelated news : ( but I thought some people might be interested.
Update:
The Verizon site is back up and it seems that the prices on the phones listed above are back up to $100 (for now).
once again, gateway with the win in the value argument. however, will the build quality be up to snuff?
I saw the variant of this laptop with a crappier Athlon processor at Best Buy. The build quality is actually really good. The wrist rest feels really solid and more high-end than most of the HPs, Toshibas, and Compaqs there.
I actually just returned my gateway model today because i want to pick up the AS1410 when it comes out, but i have to agree. the build quality of the gateway felt very solid; the only issues were the battery and a very enthusiastic side fan that was always running.
Nice shift key...
Holy crud, that is a small shift key.
I know man what the hell. I can't buy this just because of that misplaced key. Now when I shift I'll be adding random \\\\\'s everywhere. Right shift is for newbs, I need more left shift.
That's a Canadian keyboard, that's one of the common layouts up there.
Why on earth would Canadians have their own keyboard layout? Is it those damn frogs?
It's a stupid bilingual keyboard similar to the ones you'll find in Europe. Most Canadians don't like it! It's a pain in the ass finding laptops with a regular US only layout. Thanks a lot, Quebec.
Shifting should be done with one's thumbs. I'm always on the lookout for japanese keyboards on laptops.
Looks a UK layout. It's much better than the US layout (at least on a full-size keyboard - US laptop keyboards also make stupid compromises). Biggest difference is the nice large enter key.
One thing that should change about both keyboards though: get rid of the caps-lock! Or change it to something useful (e.g. put the Fn key there).
Hey that's a Future Shop! I used to work there!
psh.. canadian
I really do hope it is faster than the LT3103u (posted by someone above). That 1.2GHz Athlon was horrible :(
It did come with dedicated graphics, but still couldn't pull Hulu in HD.
I'm posting this from one of those and I tell you that it skips frames on youtube HD. It clearly needs an SU9400 to do the job. It runs Vista just ok, and I'll be testing it tomorrow for WINDOWS 7 and if it doesn't suit my needs, I'll be returning it in no time.
Just for the record, the small shift key needs almost no adjusting to :P
GMA 4500. :(
When will someone stick some real graphics in a small CULV machine? I'd be all over it.
I just bought this laptop at FutureShop.
STAY AWAY!
After spending half an hour trying to find the system on their support site (to download drivers), I decided to contact support and ask for their help.
"We're sorry, your system isn't registered. I cannot give you tech support. Please register first by providing me with the following details."
So I provided them with my details - minus my phone number, because I'm in the process of a move, and don't have a phone number to provide them with at present.
Despite a half dozen attempts to explain this, they are refusing to even point me to the section of their website where I can find drivers for this system - because they "Cannot register a new system without the purchaser's phone number"
Their support is HORRID!
Here's a tip. Never call an OEM. Ever. Even more importantly never use ancient drivers posted on an OEM website. Go to the chipset manufacturer website instead and download the drivers there, it's much less painful. In this case intel makes the chipset.
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/
Rohan, you scared me. I was keen on exploring this one. But now no more.
So does it have the free Windows 7 upgrade? If so, I'd want one.
As for drivers... For XP? You'll be better off backing up the Vista drivers, and checking similar models.
Since Best Buy owns Future Shop, perhaps BB stores in the US will sell the EC1803h in the near future? If so, let's hope it has the more integrated battery that the Acer Aspire 1410 has, rather than the one that sticks out from the back, a la Gateway LT3100 series.
I assume the battery is flush with the body. They have increased the space above the keyboard just like Acer did with the 1810.
Don't get the complaints about the price - this used to be called a subnotebook and cost $3000. I love technology.
Also, I'd like a hackintoshability score for every laptop out there. Love Apple hardware and don't think it's overpriced, but they simply do not make a form factor like this, and I think OS X on such a 11.6" beauty would be fantastic.
I know people are saying that the SU3500 is faster than the Atom N270 (which I currently have) but the CPU benchmark site is giving higher marks to the N270: 306 vs. 267. See here: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php
How is this possible?
It was probably a mistake. It says 426 for the U3500 now vs. 306 for N270.
I wish the EU would hurry up and fine Microsoft at least 6 billion US$ over their XP limitation practises. I'm tired of waiting for something with these cahracteristics that DOESN'T come with Vista. I've worked hard for my cash and I don't see why Microsoft should be allowed to force consumers and manufacturers to buy something they themselves are admitting is totally cr*p!
Engadget has such a skewed view of things that seeing tripe like "real processor" has little to no meaning anymore.
I don't get it. My Packard Bell 12 inch laptop, with a Core 2 Duo P7350, 3 GB of RAM and a Intel GMA 4500MHD only costed me 500 euros and I get a solid 6 hours of it's battery. Why would this be better, if it can't even handle HD video?
Oh yeah? Where did you get this super laptop? What's the model number?
What's the battery life on this thing? The Acer 1410 is 6 hours, compared to its big brother in Europe the 1810 which gets 8. If this Gateway is just a rebrand of the 1410, does it come with the 4400mAH or the 5600mAH 6 cell battery?
I MUST KNOOOW.
It's the 4400mAH and the battery life it's between 4 and 6 hours, depending on how you use it.
I was expecting it to be more like the 13"Timeline, but I was wrong, so maybe I'll return it and buy the Acer.
One more question, the thing looks like it's matte finished, is it? Not the screen but the build.
"Gateway huh, so it's easy to use?" /MS Songbird video
I kinda suspeka the acer/dell version CULV will be 400ish
Acer;s is 449. Check Amazon.
running the lt3103 from BB here in the states with Win7 Lite. runs perfect so far .. just installed Revit Architecture and Architecdture 2008 (Modeling Software) and Office 2008 all run with no problems ... tried hulu when i still have windwos vista on it and it worked ... not sure if it was HUlu HD? i am not sure what people have concerns with this netbook. I'm impressed with it so far.
interesting