Gateway's Gateway TC7804u offers a good collection of components and features for a sub-$700 laptop, plus it has the looks of a more expensive machine.
Scott Stein
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Sold as an affordable media-friendly laptop with an eye toward design, Gateway's 14-inch TC7804u offers a decent collection of features and components at a low-end price.
Similar to the 15-inch MD7818u model we reviewed back in January, the TC7804u includes 4GB of RAM, a big hard drive, and a wide-screen 16:9 display, making it feel like a more expensive machine.
Still, we missed a few useful extras, such as Bluetooth and HDMI, and its touch-sensitive media controls looked better than they worked. As an aside, Gateway's convoluted naming system for laptops is still a mystery to us.
