Gateway 4525GZ Laptop (1.50 GHz Pentium M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Drive)

by Gateway

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002OUCDY
• Item model number: 4525GZ
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,215 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 26, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Basics:
Developed primarily for those who prioritize futuristic conveniences and easy portability over mind-numbing power, the Gateway 4525GZ Notebook PC is ideal for businesspeople, personal users and students who are always on the go. Highlights include DVD recording, wireless connectivity, a surprisingly spacious 80 GB hard drive, and battery-efficient Intel Centrino technology. Diehard gamers and serious 3D artists and designers will want to look for a notebook with superior 3D graphics capabilities, but most everyone else should find the Gateway 4525GZ delivers enough power and all the amenities they’re likely to need.

Processor:
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (processor), a massive array of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today’s notebooks are equipped with state-of-the-art CPU’s on par with those found in the finest desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The Gateway 4525GZ is equipped with an Intel Pentium M 705 processor running at 1.5 GHz. This is one of three components (the others being a specialized Intel chipset and integrated wireless) that comprise Intel’s efficient Centrino system. Centrino-equipped notebooks are generally smaller and easier on the batteries than their non-Centrino counterparts, with a heaping helping of "Level 2" cache for faster retrieval of recently accessed information. It is important to note, however, that this particular processor is the most affordable of the newly revamped Pentium M roster, and as such offers just one MB of Level 2 cache. While this is an impressive total when compared to non-Pentium M CPUs, it is half the Level 2 cache of all other new 2004 Pentium M CPUs. Nevertheless, it should easily handle most common mobile tasks while at the same time improving battery life.

Memory:
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Gateway 4525GZ incorporates 512 MB of RAM of PC2700 DDR RAM, an average allotment and speed for midlevel notebooks. This total may later be expanded to an impressive 2 full GB, more than enough for even the most demanding multitasking purposes.

Video:
CPU’s are usually so busy performing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen, a duty that falls upon the graphics card (or graphics controller). This system’s graphics controller is an Intel Extreme Graphics 3D with 32 MB of "shared" video memory. This is an entry-level video controller, unequipped with "dedicated" memory and appropriating just 32 MB of the system’s main memory. As such, the system will accurately display 2D and some midlevel 3D tasks, but is not recommended for modern 3D games or other demanding applications such as 3D animation and 3D graphic design.

Display:
Some of today’s largest notebooks are equipped with massive 17-inch displays, while many super-compact "ultra-lights" sport substantially smaller 12-inch displays. The Gateway 4525GZ features a midsize TFT XGA 15-inch non-widescreen display.

Hard Disk:
A sub-compact notebook with a truly large hard drive is not commonplace, yet the Gateway 4525GZ houses a generous 80 GB of internal storage space. If you need to install and operate a broad range of applications and also keep a library of space-gobbling music and/or multimedia files, the unit is up to the job.

Optical Drive:
An optical drive is essential in today’s computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Most drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This system features a DVD+/- RW drive through which you can do all of the above.

Audio:
Gateway has equipped the system with an integrated audio chip, built-in stereo speakers, a microphone jack and headphone/audio out.

Keyboard and Controls:
You’ll control your notebook via a standard mobile keyboard and a touchpad with vertical scroll zone.

Connectivity and Expansion:
The Gateway 4525GZ offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, a 10/100Mbps Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and an integrated 802.11g wireless connection for cord-free e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via a local public hotspot. Other key amenities include four high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and a versatile 4-in-1 Digital Medai Manager for reading memory cards from devices such as cameras, PDAs and the like.

Operating System and Software:
Gateway has fitted the unit with today’s most popular operating system, Microsoft’s Windows XP Home Edition. Other applications include Microsoft’s Works 7.0 productivity suite, Microsoft’s Money 2004 financial center, and an array of multimedia and Internet utilities.

Dimensions and Weight:
Notebook computers are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Many of today’s most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and therefore too big and bulky for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that generally aren’t as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and fit comfortably inside a large purse. Tipping the scales at just 5.5 lbs and measuring a mere 12.9 by 10.5 by 1.08 inches, the Gateway 4525GZ is small enough to fit inside a briefcase or large purse and not so heavy that it’s prohibitively cumbersome on long journeys.

Power:
The unit is equipped with an 6-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for on the go, Happy So Far, September 18, 2004

By 

Michael Ephraim - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gateway 4525GZ Laptop (1.50 GHz Pentium M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I have had this Gateway for about a month now and love it. It is the perfect size for travel and great to have sitting around the living room. I am getting 5-6 hours per charge. The 80 GB hard drive lets me store enough multimedia and not have to worry about running out of space.

I bought this looking for a thin, light laptop with long battery life, and it has delivered. I planned on just using it for internet and light processing, but surprisingly is able to handle some of the more processor intensive tasks I thought I would have to do on my desktop. The price can't be beat, either, for a machine of this size.

The only small problem I had was initially getting the Intel Pro Wireless to work, it was conflicting with the windows wireless network manager. It also took me a while to figure out that there was a hotkey to enable/disable the wireless adapter (which on my laptop was initially set to off when I bought it). Overall, I am very happy. It is super thin with great battery life, and is the perfect portable machine I was looking for.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Satisified Thus Far, September 15, 2004

By 

Heather "TechBunny" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gateway 4525GZ Laptop (1.50 GHz Pentium M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I've have this notebook now for a month. I'm terribly impressed with the speed and multitasking abilities. The harddrive is huge for a laptop and who can argue with being able to burn on the go. The wireless is really powerful (not gonna admit some of the signals I've been able to pick up with this sucker).

I lug this around everywhere I go. I'm a fulltime student and this goes to every class. It also goes to work with me afterward. So far it has been sturdy enough to take the punishment of actually being portable.

Yes, the tech support sucks but they have been bought out by or merged with Best Buy... or some such thing. If u get this at Best Buy get the stupid service contract. It's worth protecting ur 1500 dollar investment.

Anyway, the only trouble I had with the thing is sometimes the little button that dims the screen when u close the lid gets stuck. Granted that sent me into a panic the first time it happened but now I know what it is and it doesn't bug me. If that's the worst to go wrong with it, I'm content.

It seems like the components are sound. Decent brand names. Similar to a ThinkPad actually.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST LAPTOP, October 8, 2004

By 

GATEWAY ROCKS "Ad" (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gateway 4525GZ Laptop (1.50 GHz Pentium M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I got this laptop and i have never had a problem in the 2 months that i have had it. Gateway is the best computer manufacturer and their support is the best in the industry. They don't outsource their call centers so you can actually understand what the people are saying. If you get someone who knows computer, he will be able to fix it in a half hour MAX. Dont listen to the other review because i have delt with many maufacturers and gateway ROCKS. The wait times are not 2 hours to talk to somebody, and when they put you on hold, they dont look up your answer in a book like dell does.