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

Gateway M320XL: In the Field (cont.)

Display

The 15.0" XGA display comes at a price of increased real estate use, which does mean that this notebook will most likely be larger, in length and width specs, over other notebooks of the 14.1" display variety. Though, we should mention that a 15.0" XGA seems a bit unnatural to us. The text and overall size of everything at 1024 x 768 seems a bit like taking a small picture and blowing it up. Considering the price that displays are running, we would have liked to see a 15.0" SVGA+ screen. For us, the native XGA resolution should be a max limited to a 14.1" display.

On brightness, Gateway hits the low mark overall. Though, we must say that it is a bit of a toss up between the D600 and the M320XL when it comes to the brightness on AC power. Without having a lightmeter, it seems like Dell's D600 may be a tad brighter. In terms of dimmest display, Gateway can get dimmer than the other two at its lowest setting.

LEDs

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The LEDs for the M320XL are probably one of the brightest on any notebook. Though, we should mention that they use larger diodes than usually seen in notebooks. The two LEDs on the display (power - blue when active, and battery - green when active) are just simple LEDs that don't light up symbols which would distinguish them when the room is dark. The only way that you know which LED represents what is by being familiar with the LED layout. Note that these two LEDs are also visible when the laptop is closed.

Click to enlarge.

There are five LEDs located below the buttons for the touchpad (left to right: power - blue when active, wireless - blue when active, caps lock - blue when active, number lock - blue when active, and hard drive - blue when active), which are illuminated symbols. As we noted earlier, the problem that we have with this is that if you are typing, the LEDs are obscured from view.

Charger

The charger pack for the M320XL is fairly small and slim, which makes it easier to carry around. Though, we are puzzled by two things:

1. the lack of a grounding prong - electrical grounding protection
2. angled power connector

We have never liked angled power connectors that much because they further obscure the orientation of the notebook when you plug it in. Though, our complaint was primarily reserved for those notebooks that had their power port in the back. Since the M320XL's power port was located on the side of the notebook, and an angled connector somewhat makes sense, we still have a problem with its orientation. You are forced to place the notebook to the left of the charger. This arrangement allows you to unplug faster, but it gets to be a pain if your outlet is to the left of the notebook, since you have to drag the cable to the other side of the notebook.

Click to enlarge.