Gateway E-155-C: A Lightweight Convertible
by Jarred Walton on July 4, 2007 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Test Setup
Before we get to the benchmark results, we want to emphasize that several of the laptops are running Windows XP while only the Gateway E-155-C and HP dv6500t are running Windows Vista. We intend to benchmark most future laptops using Windows Vista, and over time we will remove the outdated scores. The configurations of the other laptops can be found in our previous laptop articles.
Obviously, in terms of raw performance we don't expect the Gateway E-155-C to come anywhere near most of the other laptops. While it uses a Core 2 Duo processor, the CPU is only running at 1.067 GHz. Core 2 Duo is based off of much of the work that went into Core Duo, which in turn came from Banias/Dothan... and those processors were more or less a power optimized version of the venerable P6 architecture (i.e. Pentium III). All of the architectural improvements certainly help, but we're basically talking about a chip that is similar in performance to what you might get by combining two hypothetical Pentium III 1.6-2.0 GHz into a single package.
If that sounds like a terribly slow computer, consider that there are plenty of businesses that are still running Pentium III laptops. Yes, that's right: people actually survive without dual cores! Also remember that we're talking about a thin and light notebook that is still easily capable of handling most office tasks. Gaming, video editing, or other computational intensive applications aren't the intended tasks for this sort of laptop.
Before we get to the benchmark results, we want to emphasize that several of the laptops are running Windows XP while only the Gateway E-155-C and HP dv6500t are running Windows Vista. We intend to benchmark most future laptops using Windows Vista, and over time we will remove the outdated scores. The configurations of the other laptops can be found in our previous laptop articles.
| Gateway E-155-C Tested Configuration | |
| Processor | Core 2 Duo U7500 (1.067 GHz 533FSB 2MB) |
| Chipset | Intel 945GM + ICH7-M DH |
| Memory | 2x1024MB DDR2 SO-DIMMs (Samsung M4 70T2953EZ3-CE6) DDR2-667 5-5-5-15 Tested at DDR2-533 4-4-4-12 |
| Graphics | Intel GMA 950 |
| Display | 12.1" WXGA (1280x800) Touch Sensitive BOE Technology Co., Ltd. BOE 089A (Jan 2006) |
| Hard Drive | 80GB 5400RPM SATA (Hitachi HTS541680J9SA00) |
| Optical Drive | 8X DVD+/-RW (HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-U10N) |
| Networking/Communications | Intel 3945ABG (802.11A/B/G) Mini PCI Wireless |
| Audio | SigmaTel HDA |
| Battery | 4-Cell 38.5WHr 6-Cell 57.7WHr |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit |
Obviously, in terms of raw performance we don't expect the Gateway E-155-C to come anywhere near most of the other laptops. While it uses a Core 2 Duo processor, the CPU is only running at 1.067 GHz. Core 2 Duo is based off of much of the work that went into Core Duo, which in turn came from Banias/Dothan... and those processors were more or less a power optimized version of the venerable P6 architecture (i.e. Pentium III). All of the architectural improvements certainly help, but we're basically talking about a chip that is similar in performance to what you might get by combining two hypothetical Pentium III 1.6-2.0 GHz into a single package.
If that sounds like a terribly slow computer, consider that there are plenty of businesses that are still running Pentium III laptops. Yes, that's right: people actually survive without dual cores! Also remember that we're talking about a thin and light notebook that is still easily capable of handling most office tasks. Gaming, video editing, or other computational intensive applications aren't the intended tasks for this sort of laptop.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
25 Comments
View All Comments
DEMO24 - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
stylus is the only way to make commands work on the screen.also if you configure the stylus right, then having the issue mentioned in the article is not a problem.
I carry a tablet around where I work. While I don't use the tablet function, its been pretty damn reliable. They seem to be a bit more durable than a normal laptop. This thing has seen its fair share of abuse, and it's never missed a beat.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
You can interface with the display using a finger, but for a variety of reasons I would definitely recommend the stylus. You get better accuracy, you can easily click or right-click, and you don't leave fingerprints everywhere.Vidmar - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
Page 10: The chart says "Batter Life". I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too! ;)Vidmar - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
I wonder if you could get better battery life under XP tablet instead of Vista? Our E-155Cs are getting ~240-260 mins of battery life with the six cell battery under XP tablet while doing routine tasks and the display fully bright. (Which I agree is necessary)Also you had mentioned in the article that the display would dim sometimes all on its own. There is a BIOS option, ALS control (Ambient Light Sensor) that allows the machine to control display brightness using a sensor on the laptop. This reason for this option is when you would want/need to use it in daylight. The sensor senses the extreme brightness of daylight and lowers the brightness of the display so that it can be read in full sunshine. Unfortunately I think it’s a bit more sensitive and can also lower the display brightness when it really should not. This can be simply disabled in the BIOS.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
It wouldn't surprise me if XP lasts a bit longer in terms of battery life. Vista seems like it tends to keep the CPU in a higher performance state, at least on other laptops. The HP dv6500t, for example, rarely ran at lower than 1.6 GHz, even though it could go as low as 800 MHz (or perhaps 1 GHz?). One of these days I'll have to do a better XP vs. Vista laptop comparison, just to see how things stand.MercenaryForHire - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
Or at least beaten with a hose. I haven't used a telephone cable for anything other than the household phone for about ten years.And while the forward location of the (only) two USB ports makes it easy to pop in a memory stick or other peripheral, it makes using a mouse more than a slight nuisance as the cord will have to snake backwards across the optical drive.
Vidmar - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
One aspect of this table pc that was missing from this article was that it also can be configured with Bluetooth. A Bluetooth mouse is the perfect companion for this machine. No wires, USB wireless adapters necessary.bldckstark - Friday, July 6, 2007 - link
USB wireless mouse = $12Bluetooth mouse = $80
Extra 3lbs of batteries you have to carry for the Bluetooth mouse = Priceless
At least that's what my Chiropracter said.
If you have to plug in a USB device to run your mouse, why not just use a wired one? Why bother with the batteries.
Visual - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
that laptop is utter crap, it seems.only people that really want something ultra-light and don't care for performance at all would be interested... and they would be better off with a pda or smartphone, with an additional portable keyboard if they need a lot of typing.
i dont understand why laptop makers don't make a decent convertible - at least 13-15", with reasonable graphic card and all... and even bigger laptops, even if they're not too comfortable for holding in one hand can still benefit from a touchscreen and a tablet-like folding.
Vidmar - Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - link
This laptop/tablet is for those who need to run a queries against an database, while programming that new interface for the next rev of the accounting app, while reading their email, while taking notes tablet style, all while connected to the corporate VPN and never having to touch an electrical outlet for ~4.5 hours in those day long meetings.Do that on your PDA.