Traditional notebook configuration

In September 2005, Gateway renamed many of its laptops depending on the target audience–consumer, small/medium business, or enterprise. The M280-E has since been reconfigured and as of this writing is offered as the M285-E.

Although the M285-E offers a newer Core 2 Duo processor, upgraded video adapter, and larger hard drive, the unit’s exterior and general functionality are the same. A well-equiped M285-E retails for $1579.00.

Swivel screen

As a convertible, the M280-E can function a traditional laptop or tablet. I like convertibles better than pure tablets, as you get the best of both worlds.

Power button and power button lock

The power the button is located on the LCD panel’s bottom, left corner. Engaging the power button lock will prevent the M280-E from being accidently turned off when in tablet mode.

Status indicator lights, tablet control buttons, and microphone

The wireless network, hard drive activity, Num lock, Caps lock, battery charge, and power lights are located on the LCD panel’s bottom, left corner.

Here, you will also find the M280-E’s conveniently-located tablet control buttons and the integrated microphone.

EZ Pad touchpad

I don’t like touchpads. If I’m going to use a laptop for any length of time, I always connect a traditional mouse our trackball.

Despite my aversion, the M280-E’s EZ Pad touchpad worked well and provides an handy scroll zone on the right side.

LCD panel latch release

To open the M280-E, press the silver latch release on the front of the LCD panel.

LCD panel latch hole magnets

One either side of the LCD panel’s latch release are two holes, which contain magnets. The magents attrach the metal LCD panel latches on the M280-E’s case.

Magnetic LCD panel latches

When you press the LCD panel against the case, two metal latches are pulled upward into the LCD panel, where they fasten the panel to the case.

DVD/CD-RW drive and modem jack

The M280-E’s right side contains the modular bay, ventialation fan, cable lock slot, and modem jack. The modular bay is used for a CD drive, DVD/CD-RW drive, multi-format DVD -RW drive or multibay battery. My M280-E test unit had the 8X Multi-Format Double Layer DVD Writer.

Power connector and ports

The M280-E’s left side has the power connector and most of the unit’s many ports–a docking port, external VGA monitor port, ethernet jack, three USB ports, IEEE 1394 port, and single PC Card slot.

Front audio jacks, speakers, and memory card reader

At the front of the M280-E, you’ll find the unit’s cordless pen, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, 3.5 mm microphone jack, memory card reader, and two speakers.

Audio jacks and memory card reader

The memory card reader supports Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, MultiMediaCard, and Secure Digital.

Pen and pen latch

The M280-E conveniently stores the unit’s pen under the base. Sliding the pen latch forward will release the pen while an internal spring pushes the pen slightly outward for easy access. This pen storage and release system worked reasonably well, although I was able to get the pen stuck inside the unit. Luckily, the pen has holes for a lanyard, which I used to pry the pen out with a bent paperclip.

Tablet mode

In tablet mode, the M280-E is easy to use. The pen is responsive and tablet control buttons are effective.

Finger prints and smudges

Unfortunately, the unit’s black exterior and screen show every fingerprint and smudge.

Cleaning cloth

Gateways appears to have anticipated the smudging problem, and provides a handy cleaning cloth.

Optional 12-Cell battery

My test unit came with the optional 12-cell battery, provided between 4 and 5 hours of computing time.

Battery lock and release latch

You can quickly remove the main battery by sliding the battery lock to the unlocked position and then sliding the battery release latch.

Optional 12-Cell battery

The optional 12-cell Li-Ion battery is significantly larger and heavier than the standard 8-cell battery. You’ll definitely sacrifice portability for performance.

m-PCI bay

By removing the m-PCI bay cover, you can access the Intel wireless network adapter and the motherboard’s CMOS battery.

Hard drive bay

You can access the hard drive by loosening the hard drive cover screws.

14-inch Wide-screen LCD

The M280-E’s 14-inch wide-screen LCD supports a native resolution of 1,280×768–in line with many 12.1-inch laptops. Traditional laptops of this size often have 15.4-inch screens and increase the resolution up to 1,680×1,050.

Good LCD brightness

The display wasn’t extremely bright, but the lighting was even and worked well in a variety of environements.