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Gateway FPD2485W 24-inch HD Widescreen LCD announced
Looks like Gateway's jumping into the 24-inch monitor arena as well, getting its hands dirty with a few other contenders (namely Dell and Apple). Their new 24-inch HD Widescreen FPD2485W -- mentioned with their FX530 desktop lineup and appearing on their support site -- gives you another three inches on top of that FPD2185W 21-incher of theirs, and features a 1920 x 1200 resolution panel with 450cd/m² brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 6ms pixel response, 178° viewing angle, DVI with HDCP, two component, composite, S-Video, and VGA inputs, a four port USB 2.0 hub, touch sensitive controls, picture-in-picture, and Faroudja DCDi. Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be an integrated media reader like the Dell 2407WFP has, but it's still a way better than Apple's stripped down 23-incher, and at $679 the FPD2485W's MSRP is lowest as well. (Tack on another $70 for their add-on speaker accessory.) We'll be sure to let you know when this guy becomes available. [Warning: PDF link]P.S. -Gateway says it should be officially announced and available within a couple weeks, so for those fearful you might not have it in time for this holiday season, worry not.
Gateway's FX530 series performance desktops
Not to be left out of the latest in nu-industry megahertz wars, Gateway's got a new line of tweakable performance PCs just announced, the FX530 series. These new Viiv BTX boxes are available with options including a Core 2 Duo E6700 (FX530XG) or Core 2 Extreme X6800 (FX530XT and FX530XL), up to 4GB DDR2 SDRAM, Creative X-Fi audio, 9-in-1 media reader, 8x dual layer DVD-RW burner, dual ATI Radeon x1950 and x1900 graphics, and even an Intel quad-core processor upgrade path on the two higher end models. Prices range from $2500 for the FX530XG up to $5000 for the FX530XL. A decent chunk of change for what we might be used to paying for a Gateway box, but we all know raw power don't come cheap.
Sony recalls 340,000 batteries in second wave
Sorry to kick y'all laptop owners when you're down, but Sony announced that it's initiating another recall of 340,000 batteries, this time adding Gateway to the list of the affected, in addition to already-affected Fujitsu, Toshiba, and its own batteries. (It's not immediately apparent if this also includes the 300,000 batteries of their own that they recalled earlier this month.) There are a ton of models being recalled for each company, so we'd ask you visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission for full details; also, if you haven't already checked your battery, please note the following companies are now initiating recalls: Apple Dell Fujitsu Gateway Hitachi IBM / Lenovo Panasonic Sharp Sony Toshiba Kind of scary, but at this rate it's probably just safest to assume that no matter what your notebook, your battery is or will be recalled -- so be wary, and keep an eye out for battery recall pages.
Gateway gets their game on for cheap with new DX420 desktops
These new DX420 boxes from Gateway aren't going to be breathing down Alienware's neck anytime soon, but the prices sure aren't bad for what you get, and the units shouldn't do too bad of a job as a media hub or for a bit of casual fragging. Starting at $599, the desktops all feature Core 2 Duo processors, WMCE '05, Viiv 1.6 chipsets, 9-in-1 media readers, DVD burners and plenty of expansion slots. For the base unit you get a 1.86GHz E6300 chip, 512MB of RAM, a 160GB 7200 RPM HDD and a 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7300LE graphics card. Luckily, Gateway lets you outfit one of these with most of the relevant trimmings, including 4GB of RAM, a 256MB GeForce 7600GS graphics card, dual 750GB drives and a TV tuner, with a bit of room left for expansions of your own. Gateway should be shipping these now, though you'll have to wait until October 19th to get one of those 750 giggers.
Gateway adds Core 2 Duo to its laptop lineup
Gateway got on the Core 2 Duo train yesterday just like everyone else yesterday, announcing that by the end of the month no fewer than eight of its laptops (the M255-E, M285-E, M465-E, M685-E, NX260X, NX560, NX860X and CX210X) will offer Intel's new T5500 (1.66GHz, 2MB L2 cache), T5600 (1.83GHz, 2MB L2 cache), T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 cache), and T7400 (2.16GHz, 4MB L2 cache), T5500 (1.66GHz, 2MB L2 cache) processors.
eMachines founder jonesing for Gateway's retail biz
Just a couple of months after making an offer for Packard Bell's BV PC subsidiary, eMachines founder Lap Shun Hui has now set his sights on Gateway, the very same company he sold eMachines to for some $290 million all the way back in 2004. He doesn't want the whole company though, just its retail business (which includes eMachines), which he says would be more successful if it were separated from Gateway's other operations. So far, Hui has offered $450 million to take the business off Gateway's hands, but it doesn't look like he's gonna be quick to take no for an answer, even saying he'd consider acquiring all Gateway shares and splitting up the businesses himself if necessary. There doesn't appear to be any indication of Gateway's intent just yet, but its shareholders seem to have spoken, with Gateway's stock shooting up over 13 percent yesterday on the news.[Via Ars Technica]
Laptop mag puts tech support through the torture test
Usually when shopping for a computer, the only two factors that really matter to most people are cost and features; if you can get the specs you want at a price you can afford, well, you're probably a happy camper. What many folks don't consider -- until it's too late, that is -- is the quality of the tech support provided by your PC's manufacturer when a problem arises. Well luckily Laptop magazine is very interested in customer support: so interested, in fact, that they actually concoct fake problems and call up the various manufacturers to see how they fare with what would normally be considered very simple issues. This time around, they switched off the WiFi on their notebooks and installed a number of startup-slowing applications, and then graded the nine major laptop makers on both their online and phone support. Coming out on top were Apple and Lenovo -- followed closely by Fujitsu -- whose websites were so well stocked with info that they precluded the need to call for help in the first place; they still called, just for kicks, and found all three support teams to be prompt in both picking up the calls (no long hold times) and solving the problems. Gateway, Sony, Dell, and HP all ended up in the middle of the pack, performing well in some areas but floundering in others. The worst of the bunch were Acer and Toshiba, with the former earning a "D" for its lousy online documentation (though hold times were non-existent), while the latter apparently experienced some damaged phone lines to its Manila call center during the testing, and was unable to solve any of Laptop's problems (or even answer the phone in under an hour, for that matter). While these results should not be considered gospel on the quality of the support you're going to get from each manufacturer, they're probably a decent representation on what you can expect following your purchase of a particular machine -- or maybe not. Readers, do you have any first-hand experiences which either support or disprove these rankings?
NEC reportedly mulling offer for Packard Bell BV
Some of our older readers may remember using Packard Bell gear all the way back when the consumer electronics industry consisted of just radios and TV sets, and even the younger crowd probably played on a PB or two after the name was sold to a budget computer manufacturer in the mid-80's. Well even though the company withdrew from the US market back in 2000 after being plagued with quality and compatibility issues, it has actually been quite successful overseas under the guidance of NEC as Packard Bell Europe, where it's consistently been one of the top-selling PC manufacturers and even begun branching out to other product lines. Still, NEC seems to think that the tide has turned on old Packard Bell once again, as sources in Asia indicate that the Japanese corporation is looking to sell the Dutch Packard Bell BV PC subsidiary, and that eMachines founder Lap Shun Hui is looking to buy. Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun is claiming that Hui offered around $87 million for the division, probably hoping that he can use his skills to transform the 'Bell into the same type of property that convinced Gateway to shell out over $200 million worth of cash and stock for eMachines a few years back.
SFGate reviews Mac impostors
I know Macs, sir, and you are no Mac. That's what I would say to the Gateway Profile 6SB, which looks just plain awful, if I were ever to find myself debating one (which is unlikely at best).However, that hasn't stopped the SFGate.com from reviewing two Macs (the Mac mini and the iMac) along side two PC's that look Mac-esque (the Gateway and a AOpen MiniPC).Not to ruin the end of the article for you, but the Macs win out.[via MacDevCenter]
Mplat's Skype jumper box
You won't get it for free like Vonage subscribers do, but Skype users are probably getting enough of a free ride already that they won't mind plunking down the $50 needed for Mplat's new Jumper S100 personal gateway, which'll let you use any old landline phone as a Skype phone. The unassuming little blue box (available in grey as well, it seems) also packs in a fair amount of additional features, including call forwarding to your cellphone, three-way conferencing between Skype and PSTN calls, voice recording, and voice mail support. Unfortunately, the software required for most of those features is Windows only -- hey guys, Mac users like free phone calls too, you know.[Via Red Ferret Journal]
Gateway releases 19-inch FPD1975W widescreen LCD
If you're looking to the ditch the CRT for a more space-friendly LCD, but don't want to throw down $600 for Gateway's FPD2185W, the company has a new option for you that knocks only 2-inches but a full $300 off of its well-received 21-inch model. HDBeat points out, though, that you lose more than just desktop real estate with the 19-inch widescreen FPD1975W (pictured, not actual size), as Gateway has dropped both the Faroudja DCDi image processor as well as the 2185's composite inputs. You still get a decent set of specs here, with the 1,440 x 900 resolution and HDCP-capable DVI inputs ensuring that HD fans are well covered, while the 8-millisecond response time and 700:1 contrast ratio should probably serve to attract more than a few gamers. This model is available immediately from Gateway online, although if you don't mind spending a few more bucks, you should probably take a look at Dell's 2007WFP before making your purchase.[Via HDBeat]
Gateway's FPD1975W 19-inch widescreen LCD with HDCP
We loved Gateway's 21-inch LCD, the FPD2185W, so much we made it one of our most wanted Christmas gifts last year. It is an excellent monitor, with processing and to get plenty of HD on your desk with ease, plus HDCP so it's future proof for your Blu-ray or HD DVD equipped PC of the future. The only downside is the $599 price tag. Luckily now Gateway is rolling out a 19-inch version, however while it drops $300 in price, it also loses more than just two inches off of its big brother.The FPD1975W loses the Faroudja DCDi image processing and composite inputs, but it does have DVI-D with HDCP, 8ms refresh rate, 700:1 contrast ratio and 1440x900 screen resolution. It still has the autosensing rotation display switcher so you can view things in "longscreen". If you plan on doing quite a bit of your high-def viewing on the desktop and/or plan on getting a tuner card for your PC, this could be the monitor for you. It's available now on Gateway's website for $299.
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.
Gateway's E-100M / NX100X with ULV Core Solo chip ships
Remember Gateway's new hotness late last month, the E-100M / NX100X? Well, now they're shipping those things, if you're interested. Intel's also finally admitting to the new 1.2GHz U1400 Core Solo chip the Gateways are running (which they announced alongside their new 1.06GHz U1300 Core Solo in Beijing today). Both their new chips are Core Solo equivalents of the Pentium M ULV series, sipping a paltry 5.5w -- still more than the 5 or so watts consumed by 1.1GHz Pentium M ULV chips now, though.[Via MobileWhack and CNET]
Gateway launches four new sub $530 eMachines: T6532, T6528, T3418, T3120
Today Gateway announces four new low-end, eMachine PCs. All four models feature the NVIDIA GeForce 6100 graphics card while three of the four sport a 16X multi-format dual-layer DVD burner. At the top-end of this bottom-feeder line-up is the T6532 (pictured) Media Center PC which features an AMD Athlon 3500, 1GB DDR RAM (expandable to 4GB), a 200GB 7200RPM disk, 9-in-1 media card reader, 5 x USB 2.0, 5.1-channel audio, and of course, Microsoft XP Media Center Edition 2005. Next come the XP Home loaded T6528 and T3418 eMachines with most of the features of the T6532 but with 512MB DDR RAM, and 160GB 7200RPM HDDs with the T3418 taking a dip in performance with an AMD Sempron 3400 CPU. The value-focused T3120 then, rounds out the lot with an AMD Sempron 3100, 512MB DDR RAM, a 100GB 7200RPM spinner, and CD-RW/DVD Combo drive. Prices range from $530 to $350 beans (after rebates, no monitor)... just don't expect that T3120 to run Vista mkay big spender?
