Gateway P-7811FX

The new P-7811FX manages to fix most of the issues we had with those earlier Gateway budget gaming laptops. It bumps the processor all the way up to a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo P8400 and the Centrino 2 platform, adds Nvidia's new GeForce 9800M GTS graphics card, and ups the screen resolution to an HD friendly 1,920x1,200. Amazingly, it does all of this for $1,449. Sure, the P-7811FX costs about $100 more than those previous models, but for the PC gamer on a budget, we don't know of a better deal on a laptop right now.

Specification

• Price as reviewed $1,449
• Processor 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400
• Memory 4GB, 667MHz DDR3
• Hard drive 200GB 7.200rpm
• Chipset Intel P45
• Graphics Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTS
• Operating System Windows Vista Premium (64-bit)
• Dimensions (WDH) 15.7 x 12.2 x 1.6 inches
• Screen size (diagonal) 17.1 inches
• System weight, Weight with AC adapter 9.0/10.5 pounds
• Category Desktop Replacement
  

Gateway's FX line of laptops, including the P-7811FX, skips the glowing alien heads and flashing lights of 17 inch gaming rigs from Alienware or Dell. Instead, it features a glossy black plastic chassis, with brushed aluminum detailing and copper accents around the keyboard. It makes for a subdued, yet sporty, look (although, it attracts fingerprints like crazy). The full size keyboard and separate number pad have roomy, comfortable keys.

Above the keyboard is a row of media controls, with buttons cut right into the brushed metal border. These backlit buttons look cool, but are not as easy to use as the touch sensitive controls found on most new laptops. There is one touch sensitive control a volume slider which is responsive, but adjusts the volume too slowly for our tastes.

One of our chief complaints about the Gateway 6860FX and 6831FX models was concerning the 1,440x900 pixel display resolution, which is fine for an upscale 15 inch laptop, but not great for a 17 inch desktop replacement. Gateway apparently heard our gripes and upgraded the screen to the same 1,920x1,200 resolution one found on high end gaming and multimedia laptops. It's also great for downloading and viewing HD video content, and almost makes us wish we could pay a little more for a Blu-ray drive.

Sadly, Gateway doesn't offer a Blu-ray equipped model anywhere in its 17 inch P series. If your idea of entertainment drifts toward HD movies and away from 3D games, the HP Pavilion dv7-1025nr will hold some appeal. HP's $1,499 desktop replacement doesn't offer quite the graphics horsepower of the Gateway P-7811FX, but some models in the line feature a Blu-ray drive, and the laptop boasts a unique "frameless" bezel.