Gateway M520X Plus user reviews

1.5 stars

"Extremely disappointed repeat customer" on February 14, 2005

Pros: For the features offered, it's reasonably priced...but only if you're on a flexible budget. Otherwise, forget it, because it's a purchase that will keep on costing (see below).

Cons: CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HORRIBLE. Gateway severely LACKS in its communication abilities, both with the customer and within their corporation. Their departments are so disconnected. Tracking numbers are useless (e.g. I was given a DHL tracking # and, without w

2.5 stars

"Works well but has major problems." on January 17, 2009 by chec83

Pros: Quality product in that it does what its supposed to do. A basic desktop replacement. Good starter computer to help you learn about computers because you will have to eventually fix it without the the help of Gateway.

Cons: The worst thing about this product is that its made by Gateway. There service is so bad that I wonder why they even have a custormer service department. Its as if they exist to tell you how much a mistake you made by purchasing a Gateway computer.

Summary: Every computer has its problems, the most important thing is being able to solve the problem when it arrises. And for the Gateway M520 there is no support from Gateway so you have to go it alone. But what I have learned about this computer that I have now had for 4+ years is to treat it exactly as it was made to be.

This is a desktop replacement so you have to pretty much treat it as such. Keep it in a cool place, do not open and close lid to often (hinges crack over time due to bad basic design). Always keep it plugged in to a Surge Protector Powerstrip if you can. If your in a warm climate, try your best to put it on a solid cool surface such as metal desk. I live in the Northeastern section of US so I try to keep it close enough to the window to keep it cool but not so close that it gets wet when it rains. In other words this is pretty much a desktop that has a laptop cooling fan. So its key to keep it cool. DO NOT use in bed, it gets very hot very fast.

But by far the worst thing about this product is Gateways horrible customer service guidelines. They don't care whether or not your computer works. At one point when I was in school it failed to boot and they were like "sucks to be you," you cannot depend on Gateway for assistance. What I found out was that the computer has automatic compression that is activated when memory is low. What this means is that if your hard drive memory (ROM) was to get low, the hard drive compresses itself including important system booting files to save space and I know this was not a virus because I remembered a system message coming up saying that it was going to do that. So, if you were to restore your computer to factory settings in attempt to clean up your computer, you would find yourself in a bad situation, as I did. Only way to fix it at that point was to re-image the hard drive. I was at school when it happened to me so I was able to take it to the computer store and get it done.

What also is disappointing about the system is its RAM configuration. It has the capacity to do up to 2GB of RAM, but due to the fact that the RAM on the mother board is non-removable I can only get it to perform up to about 756MB as oppose to the 2GB. I have researched this online and have found that some say it can go up to 1.25 GB and others that say 756MB. The worst thing is that Gateway, when I asked before their professional devision was bought, had techs telling me different things. In the end I am very against buying another Gateway computer but I would reconsider if they had a good deal. Gateway sells quality computers but doesn't have the support to back it up. Its sad because if they did they would be tops in the industry. I think I will go either Sony Vaio, Dell, or HP for my next laptop.

0.5 stars

"DO NOT BUY GATEWAY!!! MPC bought Gateways customer base and they are the WORST company!!!!" on April 21, 2008 by pro-mark_

Pros: Nothing but issues that never get fixed no matter how many time you send in you pc...

Cons: DO NOT BUY GATEWAY!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT BUY GATEWAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Summary: I called Gateway then they say they can't help me so they brush me off to (THE WORST BUSINESS ETHICS YOU WILL EVER ENCOUNTER) MPC 1-877-485=1464 I call them and they lose connection almost ever time I've call that is till I asked to speak to a manager and then I get help. I've sent my Laptop to then 4 TIMES!!! I still have the same issues with the screen blacking out, along with other issues that they never fixed. Being with out your day to day computer is hard sometimes and if you buy a GATEWAY GET USED TO BEING WITHOUT A COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3.5 stars

"The M520 in its day was a good laptop." on October 13, 2007 by LuckEstrike

Pros: Excellent touchpad, 15.4" widescreen, dvd burner, quiet.

Cons: Sometimes overheats, 64 mb graphics card. Battery life.

Summary: I've owned my M520 for about 2 years, and in that time it's served me very well. It did almost everything I asked it to do, even playing some of the newer high end games like Battle Field 2, Elder Scrolls 4, and C&C 3. In its day it was an excellent lap top. But as for todays market, its useful for all internet related applications, like checking email or viewing myspace or youtube. It's also good for listening to and burning music and watching and burning DvDs. If you just want a good laptop to set on a desk and have it be your media center this is a good choice, but its not useful for much els vs todays laptops.