Is the Gateway Convertible laptop a good one to buy? (cross-post)

[Whoa_Nelly]

(Have already posted this in the Computer group)
http://tinyurl.com/7ocpr





I really like the features of this laptop. Is the Gateway Convertible a good one to get? Are there others with the same features that are better?

I need to get a new laptop. Any input and/or info appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Maddy McCall]

1. Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT buy a gateway laptop.

I have one.

I bought it in August 2003, for $2600. Was supposed to come with a free backpack, and free shipping. First of all, Gateway charged me shipping ($80) and for the backpack ($100), and I had to fight like hell to get them to take the charges off of my credit card.

While under warranty, in September 2003 the computer crashed and went back into the shop--which means I had to mail it across the country to have it fixed ($50 out-of-pocket shipping expense). Two week turn around time on repairs. In October 2003 it went back into the shop (another $50). Three week turn around time on repairs. When it arrived back in November 2003, it looked like the Samsonite ape had gotten ahold of it. It was scratched, inside and out, missing a key (the up-arrow key), and had a new serial number.

I called Gateway and raised holy fuckin' hell. It took me three weeks for them to admit that they had mixed up my computer with someone elses. I had to mail it back AGAIN--this time Gateway paid for it--and I finally got my computer back. But the hard drive had been wiped, so I lost everything that was on it.

Then the fan quit working in January 2004. BACK in the shop, my expense, for another three weeks.

It took Gateway six months to fix my computer, all time totalled. It's an OK computer--it was top of the line then--but I could have done better with other computer retailers, or even with a local dealer.

I WILL NEVER SPEND ANOTHER CENT WITH GATEWAY. What you will find is that they are just dripping sweet when you talk to them on the phone. As long as you are a potential customer, they are lovely. Once you buy, you receive shit service and shit assistance.

I hope you heed my warning. Gateway customer reps are assholes. I should have had my whole sale nulified and I should have requested a refund for this piece of shit. I just lost my will to fight, though.

Stay away from Gateway. I'll gladly answer any questions you have.

[seaglass]

2. Wow, that really is poor. I have a Gateway desktop and

luckily I haven't had any problems with it.

My laptop is a Dell and I never realized how good their service was until I read your experiences with Gateway.

Every time I shipped my laptop for repair they paid shipping.

When my motherboard died a week after the warranty expired, they still replaced it for free.

Of course my laptop was a bit of a lemon and I thought I'd get a Gateway next, but not after reading your service problems.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Thanks, Maddy

Have heard not so good things about Gateway, but have also heard not good things about Dell, Compaq/HP, too. And re: HP, have a HP laptop right now that's almost six years old. Had in on the shop once about three years ago for a new hard drive replacement, and now this one is aboutt o go kaput, too.

::sigh:: Just want a laptop that has on-screen writing ability, and I like the turn-around monitor....