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- Small size
- Nice styling
- Good components
- Good price for size
- Poor battery life
- Poor gaming performance
- Heavy
- Circular touchpad
Although it's not as thin or light as a true ultraportable, experts say that the 13.3-inch Gateway UC7807u is easy to travel with and very capable, given its price. Performance lags behind the very best laptops -- especially for gaming -- but those laptops cost much more. However, the UC7807u can handle most common computing tasks for business people and students with aplomb. Styling is a plus, though some touches -- such as a circular touchpad -- draw a few catcalls. If traveling with your budget laptop isn't a top priority, the HP G60-440us (*Est. $580) is larger and heavier, and has a slightly less capable processor, but is still a strong performer.
The Gateway UC7807u is extensively reviewed. Laptop Magazine leads the list with the longest and most comprehensive report. PCMag.com also weighs in with an extensive and testing-backed review. Though not quite as detailed, the reports at PC World, ComputerShopper.com, and CNET provide testing and useful observations. The report at Wired is briefer still but seems to accurately assess pluses and minuses.
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Our Sources
1. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Laptop Magazine awards the Gateway UC7807U a four-star rating and a spot on its list of 10 recommended budget laptops. Battery life is criticized, and Dana Wollman says the laptop is on the hefty side for its size, but performance and styling are praised as being more like those of a pricier notebook.
Review: Gateway UC Series (UC7807u), Dana Wollman, Jan. 23, 2009
PCMag.com isn't quite as taken with the Gateway UC7807u as some other reviewers. Price and design are seen as pluses, but performance and relative weight take a hit.
Review: Gateway UC7807u, Cisco Cheng, Feb. 5, 2009
ComputerShopper.com names the Gateway UC7807u as one of the top five budget laptops. Although the laptop isn't as light as some of its 13-inch competition, Sarah E. Anderson writes that "it more than makes up for that in style and price." Performance is "on par with other notebooks in both its size class and price class."
Review: Gateway UC7807u, Sarah E. Anderson, Jan. 2009
The Gateway UC7807u scores solidly here. Styling and performance are both complimented, as is the price, which is called "surprisingly decent." What's not a surprise is poor gaming performance, though the laptop will do a great job with any basic business chore, reviewer Darren Gladstone says.
Review: Gateway UC7807U, Darren Gladstone, March 5, 2009
5. CNET
Joshua Goldman calls the Gateway UC7807u "not quite thin, not quite light, but still plenty portable." Battery life and overall performance are described as "humdrum," but mainstream users are satisfied. The circular touchpad is described as both eye-catching and potentially irritating.
Review: Gateway UC7807u, Joshua Goldman, May 5, 2009
6. Wired.com
Bryan Gardiner finds some nits to pick. Battery, gaming performance and weight are the biggest negatives, though a shot is also taken at the circular touchpad. However, the Gateway UC7807u is also praised for cramming "all sorts of functionality into a small, attractive package" and for its "bargain basement price."
Review: Gateway UC7807u, Bryan Gardiner, Feb. 3, 2009
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