Review of the Gateway MX3230 Laptop

Gateway's latest offering in the world of low-cost mobile computing is their MX3230, an incredibly inexpensive but capable lightweight laptop with many features others in the $400-$500 price range simply don't offer. Unfortunately, Gateway's offering is equally full of irritating shortcomings, though many may find these issues irrelevant considering the low cost of the computer. The MX3230 comes from the factory with a 14 inch widescreen display, a 1.50 Ghz. Intel Celeron M processor, built-in WiFi 802.11b, 256 MB of ram, a non-removable CD-RW/DVD drive, two USB ports, an SD Memory Card reader and a built-in 10/100 LAN port. It ships with Windows XP Home Edition, with no factory software upgrade options.

The 14 inch widescreen is well-suited to watching widescreen movies, with impressively sharp resolution and good colour at even the most extreme viewing angles. The low profile of the screen is also well-suited to usage in the cramped conditions on many airlines, where using a laptop on the short seat-back tray table may present screen angle problems. Gateway's laptop is easier to use in these situations than other laptops of similar screen size that I've tested on airlines, making it one of my top picks in its class for air travel. It's also fairly lightweight considering it's size, weighing in at only 5.2 lbs. A nearly full-sized laptop keyboard with quiet, firm key action completes the package. However, this is where the good aspects of this particular laptop end.