Mid-sized Dothan Notebook Roundup: Dell, Gateway, and HP/Compaq

Gateway M320XL: Construction - Build, Appearance, Size

Unlike the other two notebooks in this roundup, Gateway's M320XL comes with a 15.0" XGA display (read our note in our introduction). The only problem with a 15." XGA display is that you are limited to a native resolution of 1024 x 768, which is inadequate for a 15.0" display. For the majority, you may want something with a high resolution. Opening the notebook is straightforward (a single sliding clip that retracts two hooks from the notebook's base).

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The front of the system is angled down sharper than a lot of other notebooks, so the audio kind of reverberates after it bounces off the surface. The quality of the audio is similar to that of the D600, neither poor nor great, but just average. This isn't designed to function as a multimedia notebook, so we weren't expecting stupendous audio anyway.

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Left side (left to right):

• Exhaust vent
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• 4-pin 1394 Firewire port
• PCMCIA slot
• 4 in 1 card reader (SD, MMC, MS, MS Pro)

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Back side:

• Ethernet jack
• Modem jack
• VGA-out port
• Kensington lock port

The center of the back side is actually where the battery is locked in place.

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Right side:

• Volume toggle
• Headphone port
• Microphone port
• 1 x USB 2.0 port
• Optical drive
• Power port

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The notebook measures in at 12.9" x 10.5" x 1.0" and weighs in at about 5.5 pounds (with combo optical drive and 6-cell battery). The casing of the M320XL is sturdy, but due to the slim profile, we would say that this notebook wouldn't hold up as well as the NC6000 or D600. Regarding scratch resistance, this casing is the most prone of the three, but it isn't so bad that your finger nails could scratch it.

The casing for the wrist area and around the keyboard is coated thinly with rubber, which helps give a good texture and grip for typing. However, we have found this coating to peel when you consider everyday use and wear-and-tear, and any sharp object the notebook may encounter.

Note that there is no docking bay option, which is obviously marked by the absence of a docking bay connector.

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