Once I first began writing about tech within the late 1990’s, Gateway 2000 was one of many laptop firms that attempted to do issues in a different way, with its bovine-themed design filling the pages of laptop magazines (aka useless tree with ink on it). “Regardless of how shut you look, the standard shines via” reads one of many slogans. 

Quick ahead to 2023, and Gateway 2000 is now an Acer model that’s unique to Walmart, the world’s largest grocery store chain.

Gateway might be some of the underrated laptop manufacturers round, and the GWCC71416-BK, a svelte 2-in-1 convertible laptop computer that sells for $499 (down from $699) (opens in new tab), is maybe the very best instance of the kind of astounding worth for cash merchandise Walmart can extract from its suppliers. 

Gateway 14.1 inch 2-in-1 Elite: A short look

Three issues make this laptop computer stand out for a freelancer: a Core i7 CPU, a stylus and a $499 price ticket (with an non-compulsory $79, 3-year product safety guarantee from Allstate). From afar, it seems like one among these expensive-looking Lenovo Yoga laptops however at a fraction of the worth.

The stylus is especially helpful when paired with thoughts mapping software program as a part of a brainstorming session with a consumer or as an digital sidekick with a observe taking app like Onenote.

Aside from the 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU (with an built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics card), there’s 8GB non-upgradable DDR4 RAM and a 256GB SSD (more likely to be a PCIe NVMe Gen 3). 

The show is a 14.1-inch touchscreen full HD IPS with a relatively giant bezel to assist with holding the system – a good selection on condition that the system is about 1.5kg/3.4lbs.

We’re undecided what Wi-Fi card is bundled with the Elite however given the presence of Bluetooth 5.1, we’d say that the GWCC71416-BK makes use of an Intel AX201 NGW which presents Wi-Fi 6, with Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 being the quicker wi-fi iterations. Audio is dealt with by THX know-how and there’s two stereo audio system that ought to ship ok sounds.

Walmart additionally didn’t disclose the battery capability of this laptop computer, however states that it might last as long as 10 hours which is plausible given the low energy consumption of the Core i7. In actual fact, it’s seemingly that the display would be the greatest energy hog of the system; which brings us to a different necessary level. We don’t know the way vibrant the display is, though we’d anticipate it to be at the least 300 nits.

Whereas the keyboard is backlit, there’s no fingerprint reader and the 2-megapixel entrance going through digicam doesn’t have a privateness shutter, two key options to make it a correct enterprise laptop computer. That mentioned, the GWCC71416-BK does have ample growth capabilities: two USB ports, a microSD card slot and a headphone jack. There’s no Ethernet or HDMI ports so you’ll have to get a docking station if you need further connectors.

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Lenovo Yoga 6
In order for you a bit extra oomph (and for an additional $160), contemplate the award successful Yoga 6 from Lenovo (opens in new tab) which comes with a extra highly effective 6-core processor, twin microphones, a fingerprint reader, a privateness shutter, a extra compact/light-weight chassis and an infrared digicam.