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forum thread Posted by Dr.Wajahat • Feb 2, 2024
forum thread Posted by Dr.Wajahat • Feb 2, 2024

Microcenter In-store: Gateway Laptop: 15.6" FHD IPS, Ryzen 7 3700U, 16GB DDR4, 1TB SSD $299.99

$300

$450

33% off
Micro Center
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Deal Details
Available In-store Only

SPECS:


  • 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9, 200-250 nits, 45% NTSC, Anti-glare, LCD IPS Display
  • AMD Ryzen 7 3700U Processor (2.3GHz base, Up to 4.0GHz) quad-core processor
  • AMD Radeon RX Vega 10 Integrated Graphics
  • 16GB DDR4 RAM (Soldered)
  • 1TB SSD
  • Full-size with 10 Keypad Non-backlit Keyboard
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • Windows 11 Home
  • Fingerprint Scanner
  • 2.0 MP Front-Facing Camera
  • 3.75 lbs. (1.70 kg)
  • Ports:
    • 1x HDMI Output
    • 1x USB Type-C (Data transfer)
    • 2x USB 3.0
    • 1x Micro SD Slot (Up to 512 GB)




https://www.microcenter.com/produ...toreid=131
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Available In-store Only

SPECS:


  • 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9, 200-250 nits, 45% NTSC, Anti-glare, LCD IPS Display
  • AMD Ryzen 7 3700U Processor (2.3GHz base, Up to 4.0GHz) quad-core processor
  • AMD Radeon RX Vega 10 Integrated Graphics
  • 16GB DDR4 RAM (Soldered)
  • 1TB SSD
  • Full-size with 10 Keypad Non-backlit Keyboard
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • Windows 11 Home
  • Fingerprint Scanner
  • 2.0 MP Front-Facing Camera
  • 3.75 lbs. (1.70 kg)
  • Ports:
    • 1x HDMI Output
    • 1x USB Type-C (Data transfer)
    • 2x USB 3.0
    • 1x Micro SD Slot (Up to 512 GB)




https://www.microcenter.com/produ...toreid=131

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16 Comments

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Feb 2, 2024
4,425 Posts
Joined Aug 2009
Feb 2, 2024
ghostfreckle
Feb 2, 2024
4,425 Posts
Old and basic… with a capitol B.

Literally a 5 year old quad-core processor. Prob gonna need to change out some old dried up thermal paste on these as well.
1
6
Original Poster
Pro
Feb 2, 2024
9,483 Posts
Joined Nov 2020
Feb 2, 2024
Dr.Wajahat
Feb 2, 2024
Original Poster
Pro
9,483 Posts
Quote from ghostfreckle :
Old and basic… with a capitol B.

Literally a 5 year old quad-core processor. Prob gonna need to change out some old dried up thermal paste on these as well.
Basic laptop for Basic computing. That is the sole purpose of this laptop.
For that, the specs are suitable despite being outdated. Yes, you can get a better processor at this price easily but not with this RAM and storage, and not everyone can or wants to go through the hassle of opening up a laptop.
2
Pro
Feb 2, 2024
963 Posts
Joined Sep 2020
Feb 2, 2024
PC9394
Pro
Feb 2, 2024
963 Posts
Quote from Dr.Wajahat :
Basic laptop for Basic computing. That is the sole purpose of this laptop.
For that, the specs are suitable despite being outdated. Yes, you can get a better processor at this price easily but not with this RAM and storage, and not everyone can or wants to go through the hassle of opening up a laptop.
You are right Dr. But this is a "Gateway", which I usually stay away...
If I really need a Basic laptop for Basic computing, I would choose that Dell i5-1155G7/8GB/512GB and slot in a 8GB stick for ~$20. And that 512GB SSD should be sufficient for basic use.

Of coz, as you said, not everyone can or wants to go through the hassle of opening up a laptop. But even for a layman, this has been relatively much easy nowadays with the help of videos from youtube.

Thanks for providing alternatives.

Note: According to Q&A, this has Wifi 5
Last edited by PC9394 February 2, 2024 at 12:58 AM.
Feb 2, 2024
2,467 Posts
Joined Mar 2012
Feb 2, 2024
stanclave
Feb 2, 2024
2,467 Posts
I understand this is $300 laptop but why would they not put usb c charging ? Is that that old ?
Feb 2, 2024
709 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
Feb 2, 2024
MuddyBottoms
Feb 2, 2024
709 Posts
Quote from stanclave :
I understand this is $300 laptop but why would they not put usb c charging ? Is that that old ?
Kind of. USB charging gas been around long enough but was uncommon when this thing was current. If you think about it, USB charging for laptops is still probably in the minority.
Feb 2, 2024
4,061 Posts
Joined Sep 2010
Feb 2, 2024
stegall
Feb 2, 2024
4,061 Posts
Let me say again, many folks here on SD have complaints about Gateway laptops. After 13 months, my screen is coming loose from the lid (it never left my den and was handled w/ kid gloves, if you will), and I ain't the only one w/ this problem. Gateway says it occurred after my 12-month warranty, so tough titty. Caveat emptor.
Feb 2, 2024
1,679 Posts
Joined Sep 2005
Feb 2, 2024
noobcake
Feb 2, 2024
1,679 Posts
Quote from stegall :
Let me say again, many folks here on SD have complaints about Gateway laptops. After 13 months, my screen is coming loose from the lid (it never left my den and was handled w/ kid gloves, if you will), and I ain't the only one w/ this problem. Gateway says it occurred after my 12-month warranty, so tough titty. Caveat emptor.
This isn't a 'Gateway'. It is made by a 2nd tier Chinese white label OEM, not even one of the prominent ones.

Gateways are made by Bmorn Technology. A higher quality big name would be like Quanta, Wistron, Compal, etc. Big names even subcontract some of their lower end SKU to the above companies.

Whoever owns Gateway, Acer/Walmart is really slumming it with this Bmorn situation.
Last edited by noobcake February 2, 2024 at 08:04 AM.

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Feb 2, 2024
106 Posts
Joined May 2022
Feb 2, 2024
Maroon8
Feb 2, 2024
106 Posts
Quote from PC9394 :
You are right Dr. But this is a "Gateway", which I usually stay away...
If I really need a Basic laptop for Basic computing, I would choose that Dell i5-1155G7/8GB/512GB and slot in a 8GB stick for ~$20. And that 512GB SSD should be sufficient for basic use.

Of coz, as you said, not everyone can or wants to go through the hassle of opening up a laptop. But even for a layman, this has been relatively much easy nowadays with the help of videos from youtube.

Thanks for providing alternatives.

Note: According to Q&A, this has Wifi 5
Simply not worth to try your luck at this price
the 10-15% price premium for bigger brands is worthwhile for saving time and effort from hassles
1
Feb 2, 2024
4,061 Posts
Joined Sep 2010
Feb 2, 2024
stegall
Feb 2, 2024
4,061 Posts
Quote from noobcake :
This isn't a 'Gateway'. It is made by a 2nd tier Chinese white label OEM, not even one of the prominent ones.

Gateways are made by Bmorn Technology. A higher quality big name would be like Quanta, Wistron, Compal, etc. Big names even subcontract some of their lower end SKU to the above companies.

Whoever owns Gateway, Acer/Walmart is really slumming it with this Bmorn situation.
All that I don't know and will not contest what you say. I do know it looks just like my Gateway purchased via SD @ Walmart in 12/22, and the serial number begins with the same letters. My advice, unwanted though it may be, is to stay away from Gateway.
1
Feb 2, 2024
4,871 Posts
Joined Jun 2019
Feb 2, 2024
The_Love_Spud
Feb 2, 2024
4,871 Posts
Quote from PC9394 :
You are right Dr. But this is a "Gateway", which I usually stay away...
Couldn't agree more. In fact, I'd dispute the usage of the term laptop as being too generous for products bearing the Gateway logo today given their notorious build quality and the nature of the complaints against them.

These Gateway devices aren't broken. Adding to that, they are a remarkably cheap price point for the bill of materials included. Gateway laptop models such as these have even managed to incorporate respectable specifications for general productivity needs.

However, the build quality is so low that unless the intended application is non-portable (i.e. sitting on the same desk its entire life) you're likely to experience issues that would require warranty support. Unfortunately support isn't even close to the worst of what is expected among the major domestic brands.

There are plenty of cheaply built, plastic laptops which would come with similar warnings from the likes of major brands (some members of the HP Stream series or the bottomof the Acer barrel comes first to mind). However, when you combine poor build quality with limited to nonexistent support it really should limit the attractiveness of this solution to only some extreme edge cases (e.g. - I just need something to show my PowerPoint presentation on today because my real laptop died).

Good luck!
Jon
1
1
Pro
Feb 2, 2024
963 Posts
Joined Sep 2020
Feb 2, 2024
PC9394
Pro
Feb 2, 2024
963 Posts
Quote from stegall :
All that I don't know and will not contest what you say. I do know it looks just like my Gateway purchased via SD @ Walmart in 12/22, and the serial number begins with the same letters. My advice, unwanted though it may be, is to stay away from Gateway.
FYI.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2...-bad-news/
1
Feb 3, 2024
300 Posts
Joined Apr 2012
Feb 3, 2024
AdmiralGeneral
Feb 3, 2024
300 Posts
For $300 this wouldn't be a terrible moba / roblox / minecraft computer for a kid. Good as a daily driver for casual use adult / student.
Feb 5, 2024
5,145 Posts
Joined Jun 2010
Feb 5, 2024
FAL
Feb 5, 2024
5,145 Posts
Quote from The_Love_Spud :
Couldn't agree more. In fact, I'd dispute the usage of the term laptop as being too generous for products bearing the Gateway logo today given their notorious build quality and the nature of the complaints against them.

These Gateway devices aren't broken. Adding to that, they are a remarkably cheap price point for the bill of materials included. Gateway laptop models such as these have even managed to incorporate respectable specifications for general productivity needs.

However, the build quality is so low that unless the intended application is non-portable (i.e. sitting on the same desk its entire life) you're likely to experience issues that would require warranty support. Unfortunately support isn't even close to the worst of what is expected among the major domestic brands.

There are plenty of cheaply built, plastic laptops which would come with similar warnings from the likes of major brands (some members of the HP Stream series or the bottomof the Acer barrel comes first to mind). However, when you combine poor build quality with limited to nonexistent support it really should limit the attractiveness of this solution to only some extreme edge cases (e.g. - I just need something to show my PowerPoint presentation on today because my real laptop died).

Good luck!
Jon
This is a $200 laptop selling for $300.

I haves these gateway laptops , there more of desktop shaped like laptop. No issues close to 24 months if you leave the lid open. Definitely not for travel like most cheap laptops as the lid fall out and hinges snap off. It like $100 Walmart mt. bike, ok for flat road , but off-road will snap in half in no time
1
Feb 5, 2024
131 Posts
Joined Apr 2013
Feb 5, 2024
Stressfire
Feb 5, 2024
131 Posts
As I caveman, I always appreciate the comments to help know the truth.

For us noobs its overwhelming just searching for a new laptop lol!

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Feb 6, 2024
137 Posts
Joined Aug 2013
Feb 6, 2024
StevenF7677
Feb 6, 2024
137 Posts
This model has better specs, but I got two (I cheated) of the Microcenter Gateway specials last fall to introduce my kids to pc's and play their Minecraft easier than on a tablet. One of them would not charge or turn on after the 2nd startup, but after shooting a documentary proving the defect warranty support did fix the problem (I had to pay shipping an it was out a month, but it is a functioning system). They said they had to update the bios. Model was no longer sold at Microcenter once they sold out, and the return window on laptops does not lend itself to buying and saving for a later birthday/holiday... what I'm saying is, there is a limited use case for these but there is risk involved. Make sure it works right away so you don't miss the return window.

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