Gateway M505XL Notebook (1.5-GHz Pentium M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW Drive)

by Gateway

Product Details

Data Sheet [80kb PDF]

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Product Manual [5.41mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 13.9 x 10 x 1.4 inches ; 6.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11.9 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00015MZRU
• Item model number: 1007817/2900171
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,834 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 1, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Compact and battery efficient yet more powerful and versatile than many larger, bulkier portable computers, the Gateway M505 series of notebooks are worthy candidates for those who put equal emphasis on performance and portability. Structurally similar to the less pricey Gateway M505X but featuring several faster or more capable components and the Windows XP Professional operating system rather than Windows XP Home, the Gateway M505XL is without question a high-end machine.

Not surprisingly, the unit features Intel's new Centrino technology. Built upon a triad of interconnected elements -- an Intel Pentium M CPU (with 1 full GB of Level 2 cache), an Intel 855 chipset, and a cord-free network connection -- Centrino-equipped notebooks deliver more power and more perks than their comparatively diminutive size and rated processor speeds would otherwise indicate. In the case of the Gateway M505XL, that processor is a speedy 1.5 GHz Intel Pentium M, which works hand-in-hand with the system's 512 MB of DDR SDRAM memory and impressively punchy ATI Radeon 9600 graphics controller (64 MB dedicated video memory) to efficiently handle all but the most complex 2-D and 3-D business and leisure notebook applications.

Measuring just 14 by 10 by 1.4 inches and weighing a mere 6.7 pounds with optical drive and battery installed, the Gateway M505XL is nevertheless crammed with impressive mobile features such as a comparatively spacious 60 GB hard disk and an optical drive that permits CD playing and burning and DVD playing and writing. The unit's display delivers a surprisingly generous 15.4 widescreen inches of viewing area at crystal clear 1280 by 800 resolutions, and its on-board stereo speaker system features a miniature subwoofer for added audio depth. Moreover, its communication options include not only a standard 56K dial-up modem and a 10/100 Ethernet network adapter, but also an integrated 802.11b wireless connection for those times when you can't or don't want to plug in.

Other important amenities include three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast interaction with external peripherals such as scanners or digital cameras, two IEEE 1394 FireWire ports (typically used for digital camcorder downloads), a VGA port for external monitors, a parallel "printer" port, and an S-Video TV-out.

Bundled software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Professional Edition, Microsoft Works Suite 7.0 and a 90-day trial with Norton AntiVirus.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Notebook, Great Price., January 3, 2004

By 

Paula Burgoon "Gadget Girl" (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gateway M505XL Notebook (1.5-GHz Pentium M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

After a long search for a replacement laptop my search ended with the m505. I needed a notebook with solid construction, long battery life (Centrino), portability (under seven pounds and sturdy), capable of some gaming and graphics. My seach was narrowed between the Dell 8600 and this Gateway m505XL.

The m505 is all that is advertised.

Pros:
+ Solid Construction: Strong case with well built feel. Not aftraid to take anywhere (within reason)
+ User Interface: Both keyboard and trackpad have a nice feel and easy to use. The mouse buttons are a little hard to press initially but after some use move easier. The keyboard has a cool look but more improtantly has a nice sound and solid feel. Standard layout. It has an AC control panel that I will never use but is nice. The quick launch buttons are handy and well located.
+ Screen: This 15.4" WXGA screen is very crisp and bright. Perfect for computing and gaming. Movies look very nice but not as nice as they would on a WUXGA offered by some other systems (IMO the only advantage of a super high resolution screen).
+ Battery Life and Heat: Very cool and very long battery life. Can be considered a true laptop by not buring your lap (just gets a little warm during gaming)and providing over four and a half hours of normal operation.
+ Gaming: With the Radeon 9600 and 64MB video card, coupled with the 1.5 Centrino, this plays even the newest Direct X 9b games with great performance and look. Unexpected ability from a mobile notebook. Have played Tron 2.0, Call of Duty, Deus Ex - Invisible War and all look great.
+ Slot loading DVD-R. Nice front loading design with solid perfomance from this drive.
+ Many ports to choose from. 2x USB 2.0, 2x Firewire, S-Video, etc.

Cons:
- Ability to customize the order (upgrade drive or processor)
- Headphone jack is in the back. Strange.

Overall great notebook with a very good price. Gatway support has been overall very good and they have been responsive to my concerns or needs. The m505 is also sold by Gigabyte under the name of the n601. I am very happy with my purchase and I have had the notebook for over two week with a lot of exposue. Keeping me happy.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing notebook, February 10, 2004

By 

Nicolas Fayad (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gateway M505XL Notebook (1.5-GHz Pentium M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

This laptop has everything one could need:
-Fast processor, good amount of memory, GREAT graphic card, DVD writer, and a wide-screen ideal for games, DVD viewing and any other multimedia applications. For music enthusiasts, a built-in music player on the left of the keyboard can be used to play audio cds or mp3s without even turning the laptop on. Also, the speakers are of very good quality and the laptop even has a built-in subwoofer.

I tried a lot of notebooks before buying the M505XL and I can safely say that this is one of the best. At this price, you can't get a better deal.

For gamers, as I mentioned the graphic card is amazing. You'll be able to play the latest games with the settings maxed out at an amazing frame rate. ONLY games such as Far Cry which actually compete with the graphic engine of Half Life 2 might show some slowdown, but removing advanced settings such as Anti-Aliasing will boost the frame rate while keeping excellent visual quality. Games that work perfectly with all the settings turned on: Need for speed underground, Halo, Call of duty, Final Fantasy XI, Unreal Tournament 2003...

Finally the notebooks's pretty light (6.7 pounds) and you can easily take it with you wherever you go.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Amazing, June 2, 2004

By 

Amanda Johnson (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gateway M505XL Notebook (1.5-GHz Pentium M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

As a web and graphic designer, I constantly put my computers to the test. This one keeps up. I can have several high-intensity programs running at the same time without bogging down all my system resources. Furthermore, the battery life is amazing (mine is over 4 hours), it is completely silent, doesn't get hot, light for its size, and stylish to boot. I am in love.

The only thing that marred my experience with this computer is receiving one with a dead pixel in the center of my display. Big bummer. Gateway won't fix it. Otherwise, this is one amazing laptop.