hi, I am currently evaluating if CX200 maybe a g

litmu · 01-18-2006, 07:47 AM

hi, I am currently evaluating if CX200 maybe a good purchase for me. Few questions:

- Dual Core: does anyone know when Dual-core processor is coming in these widescreen tablets

- Fan Noise: I am very apprehensive of notebooks out in the market, whose fans come on and off as you use the the device. (My last notebooks have been Sony, and I liked them as they have liquid cooling). Does these CX200s have significant fan noise ?

- Screen: I heard comments that gateway tabs have a glossy screen (just like normal notebook) therefore its not as convenient as thinkpad x41). Any comments

Thanks for your feedback

goirish_1 · 01-18-2006, 12:29 PM

I'll take the one concerning the fan noise. I have the CX200 and have ABSOLUTELY no issue with fan noise. I know that there are several threads about this and many that have had issues but as far as my experience; there is no concerns.

It does come on but no more or no less than my other three laptops. I have a Dell, Gateway (different from my tablet), and a Compaq, this one is prob the best or at least as good as my Dell.

Over all. I am very happy with my purchase. Maybe wish I had some more power, maybe wish I had the DVD burner, but the 1G upgrade and the overall functionality makes up for the rest.

smuxster · 01-18-2006, 02:13 PM

I have a CX200X and I love it. I use it daily in my work in both the tablet and laptop configurations. The fan has not been an issue with me. The last Dell I had did have an issue with the fan, and I ended up sending it back to the factory for repair because the fan would not turn off. With the Gateway, the fan comes on and it goes off. It has not caused any problems for me hearing the people I am talking to, and no one has made any comment about it. Let's face it: fans are put in computers for a reason. If they didn't come on once in a while, there would be a problem, just like if they stay on all the time. Whether it is annoying is a personal matter. There have been some on this site who have really become annoyed about the fan. But I think the majority of us who have this tablet do not find it to be any sort of inconvenience.

As far as the other issues you raised, I can't help you. Good luck in your research. I'm sure either one you choose will get the job done for you.

WNewquay · 01-18-2006, 05:14 PM

Hi litmu

M280 here. No issues with the fan. On/off seemingly as required. Not significantly different than other machines around here.

Screen is glossy, but the impact on convenience is going to be highly dependent on your environments. For me, the size and weight have a greater bearing on this.

TknoGeek · 01-19-2006, 12:11 AM

quote:Originally posted by litmu

- Dual Core: does anyone know when Dual-core processor is coming in these widescreen tablets

Dunno. Haven't heard anything here, but I'm not holding my breath. I'd imagine cooling would be a much larger issue for a Pentium-D than a mobile Pentium 4 (which my wife's HP zd8000 has a hard time cooling, it seems).

quote:
- Fan Noise: Does these CX200s have significant fan noise ?

What's "significant"? :-)

My CX200X fan comes on after about 20-25 mins from a cold start on AC power and rarely turns off. On battery, the fan behaves as I expect it should with only intermittent running. The fan noise is noticeable in a quiet setting, but not nearly to the level of needing to raise your voice to be heard and if you have an air intake in your office, the HVAC system probably makes more noise than this fan.

Gateway has released a BIOS update (62.04) specifically to address the fan issue and it's been rumored (but not confirmed) another release is currently being tested. I'm willing to wait another couple weeks to see, but I would like the fan to run less if for no other reason than to prolong the life of the fan.

quote:
- Screen: I heard comments that gateway tabs have a glossy screen (just like normal notebook) therefore its not as convenient as thinkpad x41). Any comments

I like the screen, actually. Its anti-glare treatment works really well for me and I have no trouble using the tablet in any typical office setting even with bright overhead flourescent lighting. I fly with it on my lap and don't have any trouble reading/using it in sunlit cockpits, either.

01-19-2006, 05:33 AM

Thanks all for this insight. I just returned home after seeing an actually cx200. Overall I was impressed, considering how cheap price it is (you could buy 2 gateway for one sony price).

Unfortunately as store noise was enough, so I couldn't feel the tablets fan ... i tried listening, but it appeared quiet.

I was not happy at the screen though, which even when turned to max, is not sharp and badly needs some contrast. A regular gateway notebook sitting besides it, had even better contrast then the tablet ... which is strange. The surface also isn't paper like (similar to thinkpad x41s).

Overall till now, I prefer gateway over x41, considering gateway has wide screen and plus is cheaper. Though my heart is leaning towards buying the upcoming regular notebook VAIO SZ series.

bfe_vern · 01-19-2006, 11:53 AM

quote:Though my heart is leaning towards buying the upcoming regular notebook VAIO SZ series.

To be fair you really can't compare a tablet (convertible or otherwise) to a regular notebook. You can everything on a tablet that you can on a notebook, but you can't do everything you can on a notebook that you can on a tablet.

Cheers,
Vern

I'

01-28-2006, 07:12 AM

alright, so here I go. After careful consideration, i placed an order for gateway cx200x

Pentuim M 740, 1024MB (2 sticks), ATI's x600 graphics, 80GB HDD

The reason I decided to go in Gateway's favor, was simply the price, it costs almost half as much, as notebooks i'v used. Now lets hope, I get some quality too. I'll post my observations, once I receive it.

Question: Is CX200x identical to the M280 (i'v been hearing in reviews/forum). Is there any feature lacking in cx200x.
I heard somewhere the M280 has ability to install incryption software that embeds itself at hardware level. Is that the only thing cx200x lacks ?

Eagle4031 · 01-28-2006, 05:17 PM

quote:Originally posted by litmu
Pentuim M 740, 1024MB (2 sticks), ATI's x600 graphics, 80GB HDD

[...]

Question: Is CX200x identical to the M280 (i'v been hearing in reviews/forum). Is there any feature lacking in cx200x.
I heard somewhere the M280 has ability to install incryption software that embeds itself at hardware level. Is that the only thing cx200x lacks ?

You're talking about the TPM - Trusted Platform Module - which the M280 comes with. Do a Google search on it to learn about it.

I have the M280 with the 2.13 GHz Pentium M, 2 GB RAM, ATI, 80 GB HD, etc. It's a great computer!

As for other differences, I can't recall. I think there was a difference in warranty options, like the 3-year where you have to mail it in was free and the 3-year where you can bring it to a nearby authorized person was an extra $30. Can't recall if there was anything else different or what it might be.

I'm glad you went with the Gateway. Hopefully you will find the screen to be to your liking, as I love my comp's screen.

Although it is a personal preference, I think you prob'ly won't care that there is no paper feel to writing on the screen. You'll get used to writing on it, either way.