A Head-To-Head Look At HP, Gateway Notebooks
Gateway M255-E
Gateway Computer's M255-E is a business model that has been redesigned with added benefits for networked environments and packed with a dual-core processor that makes it super powerful. The M255-E is ideal for large numbers of users with its stable software image and managed life cycle of more than a year, making it easy to deploy, maintain and service. IT staffs will enjoy fewer support hassles because the M255-E shares accessories such as a port replicator, modular optical drives and batteries with Gateway's entire E-Series of notebooks.
The M255-E is a widescreen notebook with a 14.1-inch display squeezed into a tidy package that weighs only 5.2 pounds. The display has a WXGA native resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels and is driven by integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950. The unit's widescreen display is suited for entertainment and presentation use.
The sample M255-E unit was powered by an Intel T2500 Core Duo Processor running at 2GHz, with a 667MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) and a 2-Mbyte Level 2 (L2) cache. Less expensive configurations powered by Celeron processors also are available. The unit arrived with 512 Mbytes of memory, a 60-Gbyte SATA hard drive, an Intel Gigabit Ethernet adapter and 802.11 a/b/g wireless NIC and a V.92 modem. Ports include four USB 2.0, one FireWire, VGA and S-Video out. A 7-in-1 media card reader is compatible with Memory Stick, MemoryStick Pro, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, xD-Picture Card, Mini Secure Digital and RS-Multimedia Card memory modules.
The notebook's integrated hot-swap modular bay came fitted with an 8x multiformat double-layer DVD writer. The modular bay will accept other optical drives as well as an additional 6-cell battery, floppy drive and second hard drive. A high-capacity 12-cell battery combined with the modular 6-cell battery will provide up to nine hours of runtime on a single charge. The M255-E also features one Type II PC card slot. Integrated Bluetooth is optional. Security features include an integrated Smart Card reader for identity verification and access authentication. An embedded Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip enhances user authentication and data protection.
The M255-E starts at $1,399, but the test configuration loaded with Windows XP Professional costs $1,794.
The M255-E is a nice size and weight for travel or for the desktop. The unit is attractive, finished in silver and black with a rugged metal screen lid. All three notebooks were tested for performance using PassMark's PerformanceTest software, which can be used for free by anyone for up to 30 days. The M255-E's dual-core processor helped the notebook earn a PassMark score of 427.6, which places it right among the fastest notebooks tested in recent months. In summary, the M255-E is a great balance between screen size and weight, with no compromises made on processing power.
Gateway offers a two-tier channel program: Member and Premier. Member partners are defined as those purchasing as much as $250,000 in products annually, while Premier partners exceed that amount.
Both levels have access to dedicated sales support, online training, customized marketing, MDF, deal registration and pre- and post-sales support. Along with the inside sales representative, there is the ability to use eSource, Gateway's online procurement tool. Product discounts average higher than 10 percent, and the company offers competitive credit terms for qualified members. Partners also have access to product training, Webinars, e-newsletters and e-blasts with product, promotional and program news. Support is 24x7, and successful partners are entitled to quarterly market alignment funds, which reward those that exceed sales goals.
Gateway's channel program proves to be easy to navigate and has no up-front costs for partners, making it the ideal vehicle for partners looking to maximize sales volume.
NEXT UP: HP NOTEBOOKS
HP Compaq nx6325
HP offers many choices, including notebooks powered by AMD processors. The HP Compaq nx6325 is a full-size, full-featured notebook made more affordable by using AMD's 64-bit dual-core processor technology. Powered by an AMD Turion 64 X2 dual-core processor, the nx6325 is ready to rip through today's 32-bit applications as well as tomorrow's 64-bit applications. The sample unit came with a model TL-50 Turion processor which runs at 1.6-GHz and features two 256 Kbyte L2 caches. It also came with 1 Gbyte of memory and an 80 Gbyte hard drive.
The nx6325 features a generous 15.0-inch displaynot widescreen but the largest of any notebook reviewed here. The display has a native XGA resolution of 1,024 x 768 pixels and is driven by an ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 graphics controller that shares up to 128 Mbytes of system memory. The sample unit came with a LightScribe SuperMulti DVD+/-RW Double Layer DVD burner. Double-layer burners are state of the art, and LightScribe technology allows a custom grayscale image label to be burned directly onto the top surface of special LightScribe media.
Other nx6325 hardware features include Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g wireless Ethernet, a V.92 modem, one Type I/II PC Card slot and a 7in-1 media reader compatible with Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Smart Media and xD memory cards. Ports include three USB 2.0, one FireWire, VGA and S-video out. Security features include an embedded TPM chip, a biometric fingerprint scanner and an optional Smart Card Reader. Bluetooth also is optional. This notebook features HP's fast charge technology and also arrives with Windows XP Professional preinstalled.
The nx6325 measures 12.9 inches wide by 10.5 inches deep by 1.2 inches high and weighs about 6 pounds. The plastic enclosure is sturdy and attractive, finished in black and gunmetal. AMD's Turion 64 X2 dual-core technology is designed to allow multiple processor-intensive applications to run simultaneously. The Turion processor offers more affordable alternatives to Intel's dual-core processors. However, while Turion processors as fast as 2GHz are available in the nx6325, the 1.6GHz model doesn't seem to be as fast as Intel's dual-core processors. The nx6325 earned a PassMark score of 322.8, which places it right in between Intel's single and dual-core processors. The nx6325 starts at $1,049, but the price as configured for review is $1,249, which still makes it a terrific value.
HP Compaq nc2400
For some users, even 5 pounds is too much to carry. For those users, the HP Compaq nc2400 is ideal. Weighing in at less than 3 pounds, this full-featured notebook houses a 12.1-inch widescreen display and measures 11.1 inches wide by 8.38 inches deep and about an inch high. Most notebooks that weigh less than 3 pounds don't have an integrated optical drive, but the nc2400 does. The sample unit came equipped with a 24X combo DVD ROM/CDRW drive. The notebook also houses a full-size keyboard yet has no touchpad; instead, it has a pointing stick in the center of the keyboard.
The nc2400 comes with a choice of processors, but the sample unit came with an Intel U1400 Core Solo Processor running at 1.2GHz with a 533MHz FSB and 2-Mbyte L2 cache. It also came with 512 Mbytes of memory and a 40-Gbyte hard drive. The notebook's 12.1-inch widescreen display has a native WXGA resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels, which is high for its relatively small size. The display is driven by an integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 that shares up to 128 Mbytes of system memory.
Other nc2400 hardware features include Gigabit Ethernet, Intel 802.11 a/b/g wireless, a V.92 modem and one Type II PC Card slot. Ports include two USB 2.0, one FireWire and VGA out. The nc2400 has a neat touch-sensitive slider control for volume. Security features include an embedded TPM chip, a biometric fingerprint scanner and an optional Smart Card Reader. HP's fast charge technology charges the main battery to 90 percent of its full charge in as little as 90 minutes. The notebook comes with Windows XP Professional preinstalled. The unit earned a PassMark score of 200.9, which is about average for systems with single-core processors. As configured for testing, the nc2400 costs $1,599.
HP's notebooks are available to partners under HP's Partner-One program. Broken down into three tiersBusiness Partner, Gold and PlatinumHP's program aims to give product access to solution providers of all sizes. The most basic, the Business level, is for those solely looking to resell HP's product line. Gold and Platinum partners have extended requirements and access to marketing funds. Gold-level partners are required to employ five certified staffers and have revenue of $10 million in HP products annually. Platinum-level partners must have 15 certified staffers and $75 million in annual sales. Training is available at no charge, and HP offers incentives for training and certification.
