When I first started writing about tech in the late 1990s, Gateway 2000 was one of the computer companies trying to do things differently, with cow-themed designs filling the pages of computer magazines (aka ink on them dead tree). One of the signs reads: “Quality shines no matter how closely you look.”
Fast forward to 2023, and Gateway 2000 is now the exclusive Acer brand of Walmart, the world’s largest supermarket chain.
Gateway is probably one of the most underrated computer brands around, and the GWCC71416-BK, a tiny 2-in-1 convertible laptop for $499 (down from $699) (opens in a new tab)perhaps the best example of the type of amazing value-for-money products Walmart can get from its suppliers.
Gateway 14.1-inch 2-in-1 Elite: A brief introduction
Three things stand out about this laptop in the eyes of freelancers: a Core i7 CPU, a stylus, and a $499 list price (optional $79 with a 3-year product protection warranty from Allstate). From a distance, it looks like one of these expensive-looking Lenovo Yoga laptops for a fraction of the price.
stylus with mind mapping software as part of Brainstorming Conversation with customers or as an electronic assistant with note application like notebook.
Along with an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU (with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics), there’s 8GB of non-upgradeable DDR4 RAM and a 256GB SSD (likely PCIe NVMe Gen 3).
The display is a 14.1-inch touchscreen Full HD IPS with sizable bezels to aid in gripping the device – a nice touch given that the device weighs around 1.5kg/3.4lbs.
We’re not sure what Wi-Fi card is bundled with the Elite, but given the presence of Bluetooth 5.1, we can say that the GWCC71416-BK uses the Intel AX201 NGW, which offers Wi-Fi 6, with WiFi 6E and wireless network 7 is a faster wireless iteration. Audio is handled by THX technology, and there are two stereo speakers that provide good enough sound.
Walmart also doesn’t reveal the laptop’s battery capacity, but says it can last up to 10 hours, which is believable given the Core i7’s low power consumption. In fact, the screen is quite possibly the largest power hog in the system; this brings us to another important point. We don’t know how bright the screen is, but we expect it to be at least 300 nits.
While the keyboard is backlit, there’s no fingerprint reader, and the 2-megapixel front-facing camera doesn’t have a privacy shutter, two key features that make it a suitable option business laptopThat said, the GWCC71416-BK does have plenty of expandability: two USB ports, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack.No Ethernet or HDMI ports, so you’ll have to get one docking station If you want extra connectors.
