Most vendors want to show off the fastest versions their computers, which means we typically end up with Core i7 or Core i5 configurations instead. We seldom get a low-end Intel Core i3 processor to test here at PCWorld.
I could also hear its overly aggressive attempts at noise cancellation. When I captured an audio sample, it made my voice sound somewhat nasally compared to what I’ve captured from other laptops. But they’re on the quiet side, so you may strain to hear your video or conference call in noisy environments. The upward-firing speakers are indeed well-balanced-you can listen to music or YouTube videos without feeling like you’re trapped in a tin can. In this case, the partner is THX, and as expected, this kind of aural window dressing can only do so much within a laptop’s confined space. Like a lot of other PC makers, Gateway follows the trend of partnering with a big audio brand to fine-tune its laptop speakers. To charge the Gateway laptop, you’ll have to use its bulky power adapter and barrel charger. The fingerprint reader is a nice security touch on a sub-$500 laptop, despite its odd position in the top-right corner of the trackpad. The chassis will creak and crunch under your hands from the moment you pick it up. It has thick bezels surrounding its matte display. If not for the appealing, ocean-blue finish on this particular review unit, Gateway’s 15.6-inch Ultra Slim Notebook would look much like any other low-cost, all-plastic laptop. That means you always have to use the included barrel charger, which charges slowly and comes with a space-hogging power adapter. Sadly, the laptop’s sole USB-C port doesn’t support charging. Jared Newman / IDGĬredit where due: This laptop’s internals are easily accessible with a Phillips-head screwdriver and a fingernail. All you need is a Phillips-head screwdriver to pull off the entire rear panel, where you can access the battery and the M.2 SSD. A small hatch on the underside lets you throw in more memory. There’s no 512GB storage option with the Core i3 processor, but the MicroSD card slot-an increasingly rare feature on any laptop-provides an easy way to add more storage.įor those who like to tinker, this laptop is delightfully upgradeable. A version with AMD’s Ryzen 5 3450U CPU sells for the same $399 Remove non-product link, while a version with an Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU, 512GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM sells for $579 Remove non-product link. Walmart, Acer’s exclusive partner in resurrecting the Gateway brand, offers several other configurations. MicroSD slots aren’t a given on laptops anymore, but Gateway’s notebook has one. Weight: 4.2 pounds (4.7 with power adapter).Right side: USB-A 3.0, headphone jack, MicroSD slot (up to 512 GB).Left side: HDMI, USB-C, USB-A 3.0, barrel charger.
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