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A journey unfolds: M680 vs. XPS vs. ... - Page 2

post #21 of 30
7/2/05 at 8:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SV007
That's an excellent price for that config. Hope yours lasts longer than mine. My M680XL worked flawlessy for 2 days, then just died. Won't power up, nothing - sent back for Service yesterday. Will post the results when I hear back. Still better than the Dell 9300 as long as it works!
I had the same problem. My m680 suddenly died on me one day...and even if I press the power button, it would not turn on.
I sent it in for repair and they replace the motherboard. I am sure that is what they will do for your system.
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post #22 of 30
7/2/05 at 10:29pm
Gateway is Dell's bitch.

Don't even try to play on the same field... you might get hurt.
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post #23 of 30
7/3/05 at 5:05pm
Thread Starter 
I'll ignore DJB503's troll comment accept to say this: All computer companies in the US (Gateway, Dell, HP, etc) simply rebrand products produced by other companies. To compare these companies in that way is worthless as they are all essentially resellers and marketing vehicles. IMO, you find a system you like and a customer service/tech support function that is responsive and you give them your business. So far, I'm very pleased w/ these M680's that we have and the service Otto has given us. I haven't yet tested Gateway's tech support to any great depth, accept for a simple phone call (Microsoft activation question) and the Tech was very quick and professional (and based in the US, which was a nice surprise) and answered my question. But we will cross that bridge more down the road when we come to it.

Oh, and if I haven't mentioned... we got all of the systems in about a week ago. Our IT guys were the first to get there hands on them (as it is required) and their response was the same as everyone else who has interacted with these systems as they all want one now. Seriously. In the words of Peter Griffin, these M680's are are "freaking sweet".

I've yet to see a "desktop replacement" notebook that can hold a candle to the look and feel of this thing (XPS and 9300 included). Very thin (surprisingly thin). Very light. The screen is simply stunning and the power is definitely there in spades. Oh, and have I mentioned the screen??

Ok, I know I promised a review, don't count this as one as that will come in due time. Right now, I'm still breaking her in and I think the review will be a bit more helpful if it is posted after I've used the system extensively instead of some review of a system that still has that new smell.

So, ultra-short system review/Gateway experience: Very happy. The systems are perfect and exactly what we were looking for. More to come.
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post #24 of 30
7/3/05 at 6:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CyberFriend
I had the same problem. My m680 suddenly died on me one day...and even if I press the power button, it would not turn on.
I sent it in for repair and they replace the motherboard. I am sure that is what they will do for your system.
Bad motherboard is what I fear. I am still under 15 day warranty and may just return the unit if that is the case. It gets better ... Gateway tech support had my unit sent to the wrong destination - Irving Texas instead of the Tennessee facility. So it is delayed again. They have offered to extend the warranty another 15 days, but I have asked for a brand new replacement unit. I have been asked to call back on Tuesday to talk to a manager for a replacement. Has your unit been OK since the new motherboard? Could I possibly get two lemons in a row?
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post #25 of 30
7/4/05 at 1:52am
After I received the replacement of the motherboard, everything works great now. No problem whatsoever. Also, I played rpg for hours until the computer gets hot but it never shut down. I have not stress that computer that much until now.
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post #26 of 30
7/4/05 at 2:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CyberFriend
After I received the replacement of the motherboard, everything works great now. No problem whatsoever. Also, I played rpg for hours until the computer gets hot but it never shut down. I have not stress that computer that much until now.
Was your hard drive wiped clean after the new motherboard install? I am not looking forward to a half day of reloading software, networking, etc. If the drive is wiped clean, I might as well request a new unit. But if all is OK, that's cool! Let me know.
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post #27 of 30
7/5/05 at 3:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SV007
Was your hard drive wiped clean after the new motherboard install? I am not looking forward to a half day of reloading software, networking, etc. If the drive is wiped clean, I might as well request a new unit. But if all is OK, that's cool! Let me know.
No, the HD was intact and all my programs were still there. When I send it back for repair, there was a form where I have to fill out asking me whether it was o.k. if they could format the hard drive if necessary. I agreed to it because otherwise it may delay the repair process. But they never need to format the drive so I got the computer back in great condition with everything intact so I never had to install my programs over again.

The repair was quick also. I sent it in on Monday via DHL (with prepaid sticker slip...they paid for everything) and got it back on Thursday of the same week. I think I got free pickup because I have the 3 year warranty with 3 year accidental coverage.
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post #28 of 30
7/5/05 at 7:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CyberFriend
No, the HD was intact and all my programs were still there. When I send it back for repair, there was a form where I have to fill out asking me whether it was o.k. if they could format the hard drive if necessary. I agreed to it because otherwise it may delay the repair process. But they never need to format the drive so I got the computer back in great condition with everything intact so I never had to install my programs over again.

The repair was quick also. I sent it in on Monday via DHL (with prepaid sticker slip...they paid for everything) and got it back on Thursday of the same week. I think I got free pickup because I have the 3 year warranty with 3 year accidental coverage.
That's good to hear.

They have given me an extension of the return warranty period from 15 to 30 days, which takes it to the end of July. So, you can be sure when it comes back, I will be doing a non-stop burn in. Any problems again and I will return it for good and order a replacement.
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post #29 of 30
7/12/05 at 2:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CyberFriend
I had the same problem. My m680 suddenly died on me one day...and even if I press the power button, it would not turn on.
I sent it in for repair and they replace the motherboard. I am sure that is what they will do for your system.
You were right on! Bad motherboard, replaced, all seems to work well now. No loss of data either. I have another 15 days under return warranty, just in case.
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post #30 of 30
8/20/05 at 8:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by plasticquart
Decisions... decisions...

I've been monitoring many of the threads here for a few weeks now as I've been tasked with buying 4 systems for my company (I'm the lead designer in our group and I get to pick our new systems Woo Hoo! ) -- and it looks like I'm in the XPS vs. M680 dilemma that many people are in.

My main issues:

1. Weight: We travel a lot. (winner: 680)
2. Battery life: See #1. (winner: 680)
3. Gaming/Graphics. I'm getting older and other things take precedent over gaming now, but blast it... I still need to blow things up once in a while (winner: XPS, by a ton)
4. I want something that is quiet. Very quite. The P4 Sager's we have now are way too loud (and hot and the battery might last an hour if I don't do anything with the system and it weighs a ton). (winner: 680)
5. The screen needs to be big (17") and bright and easy on the eyes: I can spend upwards of 15 hours a day working (yes, I have no life), so the screen obviously needs to rock. (winner: 680)
6. Price: I have to keep this reasonable. Yes, it would be nice to have a blank check, but unfortunately that isn't the case. (winner: 680, based upon comparing apples to apples as much as possible (yes, I know they can't be identical configs))

And, of course, you've got your standard requirements: Speed, wifi, tons of ram, DVDRW/CDRW, etc.

Ok, so those of you who have had both systems (or have a strong opinion on one of the above points) -- please let me know if I'm off base in my winners in those categories as I've got to make this decision soon. (And if you are all good children, I'll update this thread throughout my buying experience (whichever way I decide to go) so you can experience this journey with me -- and so I can point at all of you if I make a bad decision!)

Obviously, I think I'm leaning towards the 680 (despite the XPS having the better video card). But I'm stuck with this decision as my primary system for upwards of 15 hours a day... so obviously I'm fretting over it a bit (not to mention that my team members will kill me if I mess this up!)

Thanks

Oh, and czm2000 and Vancomycin, thanks for the detailed reviews. They were very helpful. Many others have also posted some great input as well and any suggestions that any of you want to throw my way would be very helpful. (And if there is another system from another manufacturer that I'm missing, please throw those suggestions out as well.)
How is the m680 quiter than the xps 2??? I heard the Xps 2 and its almost silent compared to the m680
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