Affordable and Powerful: Gateway 14.1 Ultra Slim Notebook with 16GB RAM

Affordable and Powerful: Gateway 14.1 Ultra Slim Notebook with 16GB RAM

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Design and Build Quality
• Keyboard and Touchpad
• Ports and Connectivity
• Display Quality
• Performance
• Memory and Storage
• Gaming Performance
• Battery Life
• Price and Value for Money

Introduction

In the past six months, I have been using the 2021 version of the Gateway 14-inch ultra slim notebook. Priced at $500, this laptop offers an i5 1135 G7 processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 14-inch 1080p IPS screen. It is considered one of the best budget systems available in the market this year. In this article, I will provide a detailed review of the laptop, covering various aspects such as design, performance, display quality, and more.

Design and Build Quality

The Gateway 14-inch ultra slim notebook features a sleek-looking design with a metal top, giving it an elegant appearance. However, the rest of the chassis is made of plastic, which may feel a bit cheap. Despite this, after six months of daily use, there are no major signs of wear or tear on the chassis. The laptop is prone to scratching, so it requires careful handling to maintain its aesthetic appeal.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard layout on the Gateway notebook is very comfortable, providing an enjoyable typing experience. I didn't encounter any issues with the keyboard itself. However, the lack of a backlight is a drawback, especially when using the laptop in a dark room. A backlit keyboard would greatly enhance the usability of this laptop in low-light environments.

Ports and Connectivity

The Gateway notebook offers a decent assortment of ports. On one side, there is a charging port, a full-size USB-A 3.0 port, a full-size HDMI port, and a USB Type-C port. On the other side, you'll find a full-size USB-A 3.0 port, a headphone jack, and a micro SD card slot. The inclusion of a USB Type-C port is a welcome addition, as it allows for versatile connectivity options.

Display Quality

The 14-inch IPS display on the Gateway notebook is a bit underwhelming. While it offers a 1080p resolution, it lacks brightness, maxing out at 250 nits. In reality, it may not even reach the full 250 nits, making it difficult to see the screen in bright environments. However, in regular indoor lighting conditions, the display is usable. It is worth noting that opting for a cheaper display was likely a cost-cutting measure by Gateway.

Performance

One of the biggest strengths of the Gateway notebook is its performance per dollar ratio. Equipped with the i5 1135 G7 processor, this laptop provides access to high-performance cores. Although it only has four cores, the integrated graphics are also decent, allowing for enjoyable gaming experiences in lighter indie games and popular esports titles. It offers optimal performance for everyday use and multitasking.

Memory and Storage

With 16GB of RAM, the Gateway notebook stands out in a market segment where eight gigabytes of RAM is the norm. While eight gigabytes can suffice for basic tasks like web browsing and video streaming, it becomes a limiting factor when engaging in productivity-related tasks, such as using Excel extensively or working with photo and video editing software. The Gateway notebook handles such tasks admirably, providing a smooth experience.

Gaming Performance

Although the Gateway notebook is not designed for intense gaming, it can handle a wide variety of lighter indie games and popular esports titles. The integrated graphics, combined with the powerful processor and ample RAM, deliver decent gaming performance. However, for more demanding games or higher resolutions like 4K, the laptop may struggle. Overall, the gaming performance of the Gateway notebook is satisfactory for casual gamers.

Battery Life

The battery life of the Gateway notebook is average. With moderate usage, it can last around 6-8 hours, which is acceptable for everyday tasks. However, for intensive tasks like gaming or video editing, the battery drains relatively quickly. It is advisable to keep the charger handy when engaging in such activities to avoid interruptions.

Price and Value for Money

Priced at $500, the Gateway 14-inch ultra slim notebook offers excellent value for money. With its impressive performance, ample RAM, and decent display, it stands out as one of the top choices in its price range. If you can find refurbished listings on sale, you may even be able to purchase it for as low as $360. Overall, this laptop is highly recommended for those seeking a budget-friendly option for everyday use and light productivity tasks.

Pros

• Affordable price for the performance and features offered
• Comfortable keyboard layout
• Ample 16GB of RAM for multitasking
• Easy access to secondary SSD slot
• Decent gaming performance for lighter games
• Sleek design with a metal top

Cons

• Plastic chassis feels slightly cheap
• Lack of keyboard backlight
• Display could be brighter
• Mediocre battery life for intensive tasks

Highlights:

• The Gateway 14-inch ultra slim notebook offers an excellent performance-to-price ratio, making it one of the best budget laptops in 2021.
• Despite having a plastic chassis, the laptop maintains its durability and shows no major signs of wear after six months of daily use.
• The keyboard layout is comfortable, but the lack of backlighting hinders usability in low-light environments.
• With versatile connectivity options and a secondary SSD slot, the Gateway notebook offers convenience for users.
• While the display quality is subpar, it is still usable in regular indoor lighting conditions.
• The performance of the laptop, powered by the i5 1135 G7 processor and 16GB of RAM, exceeds expectations for everyday tasks and light gaming.
• The Gateway notebook stands out in terms of memory, providing double the standard RAM in its price range.
• It delivers satisfactory gaming performance in lighter games and popular esports titles.
• The battery life is average, suiting moderate daily usage but draining quickly during intensive tasks.
• With its affordable price and impressive features, the Gateway 14-inch ultra slim notebook offers excellent value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I upgrade the RAM on the Gateway 14-inch notebook? A: Unfortunately, the RAM on this model is not upgradeable as it is soldered onto the motherboard.

Q: Is the Gateway notebook suitable for video editing? A: The laptop can handle video editing tasks, especially with 1080p footage. However, for 4K editing or more complex projects, it may struggle due to its limited processing power and lack of a dedicated graphics card.

Q: Does the Gateway notebook come with a Windows operating system? A: Yes, the laptop comes pre-installed with the Windows operating system.

Q: Can I connect an external monitor to the Gateway 14-inch notebook? A: Yes, the laptop offers a full-size HDMI port and a USB Type-C port, allowing you to connect an external monitor for extended display or dual-monitor setup.

Q: Does the Gateway notebook have a fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication? A: No, the laptop does not have a built-in fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication.

Resources:

• Gateway official website: www.gateway.com