- Average user rating:
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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1.0 stars
"Half of it works, half doesn't."
Pros: Good screen, good battery life, good pen.
Cons: Much of the preloaded hardware is not compatible with the Vista software.
Summary: It's almost like watching a bad comedy. The C120x has a lot going for it. A multi-touch screen, Wacom pen, Dual hinges, A good battery, and built in DVD RW.
Unfortunately when they put the machine together, they didn't make sure all the components were Vista compatible. What's worse then that is they knew. Worse yet, they say it's not their problem that the default hardware is imcompatible with the default software. They say it's Vista's fault.
Things that don't work as advertized.
1. They like to put on the Gateway website that you'll never lose a pen again with their intuitive Pen reminder feature. If you happen to turn off the computer without the pen garaged, a light will flash and an alarm will sound... Uhh, no it won't. This feature doesn't work on my system or anyone elses. You can actually go into the control panel to turn this on/off, but don't bother, it doesn't work.
2. Screen Rotation. This system doesn't have an automatic screen rotation that detects the orientation like the Thinkpad. It does however let you choose the order that the screen rotates. For instance you choose the primary setting as Landscape and then the secondary as Portrait. So when going between tablet and laptop modes it chages the screen orientation appropriately.
Doesn't work. You can choose whatever order you want and it will ALWAYS go from landscape in laptop mode to an upside down landscape in tablet mode. Leaving you to slowly hit the rotation button over and over to finally get the screen oriented the way you like it.
You can see on Mobiletechreview.com that no matter how hard they tried they had the same issue with the screen AND pen.
Neither work.
3. It's very nice when in tablet mode to use your fingerprint reader to scroll. Unfortunately even though they advertise that you can do this... You can't. Not compatible.
4. Worse of all there are two built in microphones on the bottom of the tablet screen. Unfortunately they are NOT VISTA COMPATIBLE. Hit record all you want, they won't pick up a sound.
I've spent Hours, days, weeks online with tech support. They may all be domestic, but they're as unhelpful as ever. Even having them take over your computer over the internet they can't fix any of the issues above and state it's because those features are not compatible with Vista (the default operating system).
For example. I left my computer on for over 3 hours while a tech guy tooled around in there. He finally gave up. The next week every time I booted up I'd get a host of system errors. The system restore to go back before he messed with it didn't help. It took me a week to fix everything he did.
Finally, they say that the hardware for the above features doesn't work, never did, even stock outta the box. They said, "Vista is a very new operating system and may not support all of the features on the computer. We recommend you talk with Microsoft to see if they can address your issues."
????? So they put together a system that they knew didn't work and are now telling the customers to go fix it themselves???? Take your 2 grand elsewhere. I'm stuck with this thing because they say my 15days to return it is up.
Overall it would be a good system if they didn't falsely advertise features that never worked. Saver the headache and buy a Lenovo Thinkpad.
- 1 reply to this review
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Forget Visa and install Windows XP mobile on it. It will work fine. Make Gateway install it for you, or have them send the software and pay for it. If they don't, you can always put your experience with that tablet and Gateway on U-tube. And you can always sue them in small claims court, especially if you live in the same state as Gateway is incorporated. It may not be possible if you live in another state. Good luck...
