Gateway LT2120u 10.1-Inch Netbook - White
Reviews for Gateway LT2120u 10.1-Inch Netbook - White
Gateway Netbook LT2120uWe now have three of these in our family so needless to say we are very happy with this little "gem" of a computer. For any on-the-go family, these are perfect in size and function. My 15 inch laptop now seems so heavy and burdensome to carry around. I even bought one for my seven year old as she is home schooled and she absolutely loves it. — Gunman
Unable to Upgrade Memory - Gateway Tech Support doesn't care
First a bit of background - I am a unix system administrator with more than 25 years in IT. I've worked with servers from IBM, HP, Compaq, Dell, Sun, and even the old DEC. I've been working with PCs since the 80s. I know PCs. That said then:
I purchased the Gateway LT2119u (the black version) as an easy-to-carry PC solution for an upcoming trip to China. My intention was to upgrade it to 2GB upon receipt so I also purchased the Crucial DDR2 PC2-5300 667Mhz module recommended here (and on the Gateway site). Short story, the netbook would not recognize the 2GB module. Upon power up, it would do nothing - not even get to POST. So I reinstalled the original 1GB module, opened up the BIOS settings and disabled the "Quick Start" option therein and tried the 2GB module again. Same story, nothing, not even POST. I contacted Crucial and they said to update the BIOS and try again. Checking the gateway site (don't even try calling - there is no direct phone support for gateway) I found I have the most current BIOS available.
So thinking that perhaps, on the rare chance that it was a problem with the memory module, I ordered another 2GB module, this time a PNY with the same specs - DDR2, PC2-5300 667MHz. Same story - the netbook failed to recognize the new module and froze before POST.
So I contacted Gateway tech support via email. Over the course of three days and six or eight email exchanges they (Gateway Tech Support) determined that the computer was working as designed with the factory installed options and therefore this was an "out of scope" issue [i.e. not a defect or warranty problem]. They said they would be happy to turn the issue over to their "dedicated team called "Pay for support" who will be able to provide [me] with the best options available and help [me] further." Uh, no thanks.
So cutting my losses, I'm returning the LT2119u and going with someone else. Over the years I've had numerous dealing with tech support organizations including Compaq/HP, Dell, Sun, IBM, Symantec, and Oracle. I've even had good support from TigerDirect on a pieces-and-parts home built gaming PC. I've *never* dealt with a more disinterested support organization than Gateway. And I'll be darned if I ever deal with them again.
So while this may have been a decent little netbook, I'm giving it a 1 star rating ("I hate it") because of the lousy support I received from Gateway's Tech Support organization. They spent way more time determining whether the machine was registered, and if it was still in warranty than actually attempting to resolve what I consider a fairly basic problem. And for me this was a showstopper. So adios Gateway. — really?
Great netbook
Bought this because I was tired of lugging my laptop around on trips. This is very compact, light, and fits in an average sized purse. The screen is very clear, the keys are very comfortable, and it can go pretty much all day without needing to be charged. I did order the extra memory with it, I should have also ordered a soft case (I got one later). Great product!
Love this netbook
I have had this for over a week now and just love it. I have large fingers and the keys are easy to use for me. I ordered the ram that amazon recomends for this netbook and after installing it the netbook would not boot. I tried reseating several times but it still would not work. I then took my netbook to a local pc repair shop and they tried 2 other ram sticks based on manufactures recomendations but no luck will try more ram later
Love, love, love this computer
I do a lot of shopping on Amazon. I look at reviews and what is bestselling. I knew I wanted a netbook. I chose this Gateway because of the reviews it had received, both through Amazon and other sites. I absolutely love it! The screen is so crystal clear. The keyboard feels nice and big for a netbook. My husband has an Acer and we both agree, this is a better netbook. The styling is great. I only need it to surf the net, so I cannot comment on use of programs and such. I would be surprised if anyone was actually disappointed with this product.
Good machine, poor interface, Amozon great
I bought this Gateway note book from Amazon (great) three days before going to France for a month. The trip was great but the note book had and continues to have issues, but I am working through them. Should it have taken so long to use effectively and what could be done to make my experience less stressful? Basically, the machine is remarkable and, I think, a good value, but the interface (documentation, software, and the ability to interact with the machine) made it extremely and unnecessarily cumbersome to use. My expectations were part of the problem. I admit I bought into the hype, but I did due diligence before purchasing and had discussions and encouragement from friends who had been using similar note books (although different manufactures). I am also an average competent user. Now retired, I own a substantial desk top and lap top computer and use them daily for photography, e-mail and my post retirement work. My expectation was that I was buying something smaller, easier to travel with and use for the same purposes as my home equipment. In other works I was looking for a sophisticated point and shoot that I could use intuitively right out of the box. Here are some of the reasons that did not happen.
The first thing I had to do was import a Word document, make changes and send a copy to a law office. Forget it. Not going to happen. It will take you hours to go through the various word processing (Microsoft Word) demos, repetitive sign on processes and continuous flow of pop ups that confuse and frustrate. Then there is the separate Gateway word processor which can't produce a document that can be read in by any Microsoft product. Worse, the so called Quick Start and Troubleshooting Guide is generic and not specific to the Gateway note book and has nothing in relating to the software interfaces that come preloaded. This is a huge weakness and an enormous waist of time.
I am a Google e-mail person. I like this because I use Google search a lot and the e-mail is simple to use. Try setting this up on this note book however and you are in for another block of hours and frustration. For some reason, Google and Gateway have decided to start you off with (instead of the simple and easy to use interface the program had in its early years) a very sophisticated and robust do everything front page. The reason Google got a good start was that its search engine was extremely useful and the simplicity of its use and the use of its e-mail.
I could go on. My worst frustration, however were the never ending pop ups offering confusing notes about security and video. Bottom line: Don't take this note book to France until you have played with it for a month or two.
Fantastic
I love my computer. I got it very quickly through the mail and it works great!!! Thank you!!!
Awesome Little Computer!
This is a great little computer. I throw it in my bag and off we go. It is fast, and surprising usable considering its tiny size. I did automatically order the 2g memory, and it took a little bit of setting up to get up and running. I also had to get used to moving around to see everything on the page, but it is so handy otherwise, that it is worth it to me. My husband, on the other hand, doesn't like the teeny screen even if it is light and convenient. I started looking at electronic books of various sorts and realized that I could get a lot more from this little net book and have the books on it too for the same price and not all that much difference in size.
