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AGREED! just wanting to make sure that visitors and forum users see more info coming out of the sections, with PERSONAL inputs

please also keep support and review posts in corresponding threads.

cheers ...

I just installed my T9300, using Arctic Silver 5 (AS5) as a thermal compound (T/C), and it is presently running 40C, for Core 0, and 35C, for Core 1, unloaded.

I do have to say, Gateway did a good job w/their installation of the original T5450, in that they used what appeared to be a Silver T/C on it, as well as it having a good complete coating. Some manufacturers tend to not put a sufficient coating of T/C on, much less even use silver, but rather the white silicon stuff. The standard white silicon T/C works, don't get me wrong, but silver has a much better heat transfer than silicon does.

The installation of the T9300 was very easy. I do recommend using a Philip's head jeweler's screw driver, for removing the heat sink screws, as well as for the case cover screws, which can be purchased at Radio Shack (RS), as well as a small straight edge screw driver, for unlocking the cpu from it's socket, which too can be purchased at RS. Of course you'll need the AS5, or if you can't find it, regular white silicon T/C from Radio Shake will do. Before disassembling, take a small magnet and run the Philip's head screwdriver that you will be using, across it a few times, enough to put a small magnet force on it. If you don't have a magnet, look around for some speakers. Reason, the screws on the heat sink are very small, as well as there being a couple of small springs on it too, that can all fall very easily off, and into the case. Rubbing Alcohol and a Q-Tip will be helpful for cleaning the T/C off of the heat sink, as well as a tooth pick for applying the T/C. Take the tooth pick and apply a "very" small coating of T/C on the CPU surface. Lay the heat sink down onto it and press it down w/your finger, then take it off to inspect the heat sink surface for a complete transfer of the T/C. If it wasn't complete, add just a little more to the areas that didn't get transfered, and then assemble. Tighten the screws according to the marked number sequence on the heat sink. Total install was maybe a half hour in my case, because of my dropping a couple of the screws into the case , requiring me to look around myself, for a magnet for my screw driver. Other than that, it was a piece of cake. The system booted up and saw the T9300.

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Nice Nice ..

I seen t9300 on ebay a few weeks ago for 315.00 + free shipping If i wasnt leaving for a month I would have got it then.

I hope there are some for the getting at the same price when i get back in late march

Oh and can we get some before and after benchmarks ?

perhaps list any changes in battery life?

I gotta say this review is great and includes just about everything i could ever want to know about this laptop which I believe is an amazing laptop for the price and i will be buying it within the next few weeks.

the one question i have for all of you is, what is the battery life like? this is the one thing i dont no about this laptop. thanks in advance

The battery life is 1 hour and 55 minutes according to DVD drain test. The same test scores 20 minutes less on Gateway P-171XL FX, which has a faster CPU and a higher resolution screen to power.
GOHACK, please, post some benchmarks with your new quad core ASAP. I am really into buying this BEST deal in cyberspace. Just need some more convincing .

Hope the battery info helps.
Regards,
LtR

The T9300 is still a dual core, not quad core.

Nearly two hour battery life is pretty impressive considering. I figure my P-171S FX will run 5-10 minutes or so less given the CPU difference. But I won't be running on battery all that often anyway, and the maximum length I need is about 70 minutes. So more than enough for my needs.

i'd like to see what the 45nm chips do for battery life,

could someone with a T9300 or T9500 run a dvd drain test?

Great review, I've been wondering how the 8800m GTS would perform IRL programs. Going to have to find one now

attached your benchmarks to the first page of your review!

check em out!

How goes it with the XP drivers? Any improvement?

BUMP! I chatted with one of their sales people today and this was their official answer on XP:

IMO, Microsoft seems to be trying to stop marketing XP. So, I'm not too surprised by this answer. It's the same thing for Alienware.

I just bought one of these from BB on Saturday. I have a T5550 (1.83) in mine. While I am not complaining, seems odd... I even double checked the box. Both the box and the display at BB says 1.66 on it.

While it isn't a huge bump... it was a nice surprise.

I love it!

I was pawing on the display model at Best Buy and really like it. Mine is supposed to ship on Friday, so I guess I need to make up my mind about the XP thing soon.