Review: Gateway P-171XL FX Edition

This notebook has the following specifications:

• Intel Core 2 Duo X7900 (2.80GHz/ 800MHz Front Side Bus/ 4MB L2 cache)
• Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit
• 3GB DDR2-667 dual-channel RAM
• 17.0" WUXGA (1920x1200) matte finishe
• Nvidia GeForce 8800M-GTS graphics card with 512MB dedicated memory
• 400GB Total HD space in RAID 0 configuration (200GB Hitachi 7k200 x 2)
• HD DVD-ROM/DVD Super Multi (+/- double layer)
• Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965 AGN (802.11a/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam and microphone
• Fingerprint reader
• Ports: 3 USB, Kensington Lock Slot, Modem, LAN, Headphone/Mic, Firewire, HDMI, eSata, VGA, SD Card Reader, ExpressCard/54
• Size: 15.75 x 11.5/12.25 x 1.5"
• Weight: Notebook 9lbs 4.5oz, AC Adapter 1lb 10oz
• 120w AC Adapter
• Warranty: 1 Year standard

Conclusion

Pricing in at $2,999, our Gateway P-171XL FX Edition review model is priced towards the middle of the gaming notebook segment, with the Toshiba X205 coming in at $2,000 and the Dell M1730 starting at $3,538 for a system with similar capabilities. For consumers looking at purchasing one of these models, it really comes down to user preference, on what brand they trust the most, and what design you want to carry around to show off at class. The Gateway offers very good hardware and performance for the price, and is a worthy contender against gaming notebooks.

Pros

• Fast all around with a great GPU, CPU, and hard drive combo
• Great color design
• Great Keyboard and Touchpad

Cons

• Flexible plastic around screen and palmrest
• Some software issues relating to power profiles

Overview: Asus G50Vm

The Asus G50Vm gaming laptop is now available in the United States.

A model offered at Best Buy - the G50Vm-X1 - has a 15.6-inch widescreen display with a resolution of 1366-by-768 pixels. The notebook is based on Intel’s Centrino technology and comes with the Core 2 Duo T5750 CPU at 2GHz, the latest Nvidia GeForce 9700M GT 512MB dedicated video card, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a 200GB hard drive, and DVD burner.

The Asus G50Vm-X1 has a built-in 1.3MP web camera, Altec Lansing stereo speakers, HDMI output, 802.11b/g/n wireless connection, Gigabit Ethernet LAN port, and 56k modem, as well as four USB ports, an ExpressCard slot, 8-in-1 media card reader, and Firewire.

The G50Vm-X1 also features a small LED display that lets you receive notification of instant messages or e-mails during games.

This laptop weighs 6.2 pounds and runs Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit operating system.

Currently, it is priced at $1,099.99 after $150.00 instant off.

QUAKE GAMING LAPTOPS

GameRigs, the North American company focused on building and designing unique custom built gaming computers using their own design ideas and technologies, has announced the introduction of a new series of desktop and laptop PCs themed on the QUAKE Wars and QUAKE 4 popular video games.
Licensed by id Software video game developer and publisher, the new Enemy Territory QUAKE Wars and QUAKE 4 laptop systems feature Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 15.4-inch or 17-inch display options, the Nvidia GeForce graphics technology, high-quality sound, and soft keyboard and touch sensitive command bar for fast reaction time, in addition to several personalization options.

"The GameRigs team is proud to be delivering the Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars and QUAKE 4 lineup alongside our fleet of gaming desktops, laptops and accessories," said Darren Healy, Director of Business Development at GameRigs. "In partnership with NVIDIA, Intel, and Crucial, GameRigs is focused on function, design and aesthetics - and with the powerful excellence of our systems, gamers get hardware power to match the superior demand of next-gen gaming".

These custom built gaming computers are full-equipped with gaming accessories such as the video game, a gaming mouse pad, and others, while you can configure them with your desired components choosing from 2 levels, CORE and EPIC, at a starting price of $1,999.

CORE’s basic configuration brings a 15.4-inch display of 1280 x 800 pixels, an Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor clocked at 2.5GHz, the Intel GM45 + ICH9-M chipset, 160GB SATA 5400rpm hard drive upgradeable to 7200rpm, Crucial 1GB DDR2 memory, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics card, a super-multi drive for burning CDs and DVDs, Bluetooth, a 2MP web camera, and durable metal chassis themed on Enemy Territory QUAKE Wars or Quake 4.

At $2,699, the EPIC system has a larger display of 17 inches and 1680 x 1050 resolution, an Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 CPU at 2.6GHz speeds, Intel GM45 + ICH9-M chipset, Crucial 2GB DDR2-667 memory, 250GB SATA 5400rpm hard drive upgradeable to 7200rpm, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics card, a DVD burner, Bluetooth, a built-in 1.3MP web camera and the themed encasing.
The NVIDIA graphics card model enables 3D imaging, intense video, DirectX 10 enhancements, and comes with
PureVideo HD technology, Hybrid SLI technology with HybridPower technology and GeForce Boost, CUDA support and NVIDIA PhysX-ready.