Specs and discussion
Specification
| Gateway MT6825B | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T5200 - 1.60GHz, 2MiB L2 cache, 133MHz FSB |
| Motherboard | Intel 945GM chipset |
| Memory | 1GiB (2 x 512MiB) Samsung DDR2 533 SODIMMs @ 4-4-4-11-2T |
| Hard Disks | Western Digital WDC1000BEVS - 100GB, 5400RPM, SATA, 2.5in |
| Graphics Hardware | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (integrated) |
| Display | 15.4in widescreen Ultrabright - 1280x800 native resolution |
| Optical Drive | Optiarc (Sony/NEC) AD-7530A multiformat, dual-layer DVD ReWriter |
| Audio | SigmaTel 2-channel High-Definition Audio |
| Media card support | 4-in-1 (SD, MMC, Memorystick, Memorystick Pro) |
| Modem | Motorola 56K |
| Networking Hardware | 1 x 10/100 Marvell 88E8038 LAN
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Texas Instruments 1394a |
| Ports (usable) | 4 x USB2.0, 1 x mini-FireWire400, 1 x RJ45, S-Video-Out, audio |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium OEM |
| Additional Software | Microsoft Works 8.5 Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 (60-day trial) CyberLink Power2Go Microsoft Digital Image Starter Edition (60-day trial) McAfee Internet Security Suite (90-day trial) |
| Included Warranty | Gateway 1-year parts and labour |
| Price | £499.97, including VAT |
| Shipping | £4.85, including VAT, or free pickup in-store |
Discussion
We're impressed that Gateway has packed in an Intel Merom mobile processor, which is the mobile equivalent of the desktop Core 2 Duo CPU. It packs in the same 4-issue processing and 64-bit addressing. The dual-core T5200, present in the Gateway, runs at 1.60GHz and has a 2MiB L2 cache that can be intelligently shared between cores.The processor is backed up by an Intel 945GM chipset and PRO/Wireless 3945ABG WiFi adapter, and the trio makes up the Centrino Duo (Napa) platform.
Building to a £500 retail price limit means that Gateway has needed to indulge in performance sacrifices. Graphics grunt is provided by the integrated GMA 950 graphics on the 945-series chipset. Whilst it's fine for most 2D usage and can run Vista's Aero interface in all its graphical pomp, Intel's '950 is, frankly, poor at gaming that's any more taxing than Tetris. Performance, too, will be down a touch when compared to a 945PM (non-IGP) model, thanks to the bandwidth-stealing nature of integrated graphics.
There's a healthy 1GiB of dual-channel memory supplied and the screen - a 15.4in WXGA (1280 x 800px) widescreen version - features a reflective coating for portraying vivid colours.
The 100GB hard drive is spacious for this price point but, in pure performance terms, it'll be compromised by its 5400RPM rotational speed.
Multi-format, dual-layer writers are the norm for all but the most basic of laptops. Gateway's Sony/NEC Optiarc drive writes to most formats and was very quiet when spinning discs up and accessing data.
Ports connectivity is good, with a mini-FireWire400 socket and ample USB 2.0 ports. The LAN is 'only' 10/100, but that should be enough for most intended users.
Microsoft's all-new Windows Vista Premium is the OS of choice, and we're glad to see Gateway not skimping by providing the all-too-Basic version. The OS is augmented by full versions of Works 8.5 and CyberLink's multi-purpose Power2Go burning software. Gateway also bundles in a number of time-limited trials that help subsidise the package.
The warranty is basic, covering just parts and labour, and we'll talk more about it on the following pages.
Summary
The Gateway MT6825B is available, exclusively, from Tesco Direct, the grocer's online electrical store. The specification, then, is impressive for the sub-£500 e-tail price, and only the lack of a discrete graphics card and ExpressCard slot - seen on many new laptops - counts against it.Let's see if it all holds up under physical and benchmarking scrutiny.
