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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Gateway 15.6" laptop is better suited for tasks requiring more power due to its better processor and significantly more RAM and storage, making it a solid choice for engineering and more intensive 3D rendering or machine learning. However, it is heavier and less portable than the Gateway 11.6" model, which is much more budget-friendly, lighter, and highly portable. The smaller Gateway 11.6" has a lower resolution and less powerful hardware, suited for basic general use like web browsing or office applications. Neither laptop is suitable for intensive gaming, and they both have comparable battery life and build quality. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Gateway 11.6"
- Excellent portability
Advantages of the Gateway 15.6"
- Good for general use
- Good for content creation
Key differences
General Use
5.6
7.0
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
9.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Gateway 15.6" is good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" is less suitable for general use due to its basic Intel Celeron processor, 4 GB of RAM, and lower quality screen, which may hinder multitasking and overall performance. In contrast, the Gateway 15.6" provides better general use capabilities with a more powerful Intel i5 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a higher quality, larger screen that enhances productivity and multimedia experiences.
Gaming and AI
5.4
6.0
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Gateway 15.6" is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" has a basic GPU (Intel UHD Graphics 600) that is not designed for high-performance gaming or 3D applications, while the Gateway 15.6" features a more capable GPU (Intel Iris Xe) that can handle gaming and 3D tasks more effectively. Screen refresh rate is the same for both, so the GPU makes the larger difference in gaming and 3D capabilities between the two laptops.
Engineering and Design
5.4
6.2
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Gateway 15.6" is only fair for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
5.7
7.0
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Gateway 15.6" is good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
5.7
6.7
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Gateway 15.6" is only fair for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
5.7
6.1
11.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
The Gateway 15.6" has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Gateway 11.6" laptop's screen may disappoint due to its size and potentially lower resolution, which results in less screen real estate and clarity as compared to the Gateway 15.6". The larger screen of the Gateway 15.6" is better suited for design work, offering fair color reproduction and more space for software interfaces; however, both models may not cover the wider color gamuts that professional engineering requires. When it comes to gaming and 3D applications, both laptops may fall short, with the 11.6" lacking in resolution and both possibly sporting lower refresh rates that don't match the fluid visuals demanded by high-speed content.
Portability
Excellent
Good
11.6in
SIZE
15.6in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.8 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Gateway 11.6" has excellent portability, while the Gateway 15.6" has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$89
$100
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Gateway 11.6" has a price of $89 and the Gateway 15.6" costs $100.
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Key similarities
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Gateway 11.6" has 8 hours of battery life. The Gateway 15.6" has 8 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
5.1
5.1
The Gateway 11.6" and Gateway 15.6" both have poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gateway 11.6" and the Gateway 15.6" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Gateway 11.6" | Gateway 15.6" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $100 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11'' x 7.5'' x 0.7'' | 14.8'' x 9.5'' x 0.77'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.6 lbs | 4.8 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11" | 14.75" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.5" | 9.5" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4020 | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 64 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | Unknown | Unknown | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 11.6" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1366 x 768 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 200 nits | 250 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.2/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Gateway 15.6"
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Francisco Lahoz | July 2022
"Some concessions have to be made when shopping for a budget laptop. Walmart's Gateway Ultra Slim laptops succeeds on the affordability front and delivers serviceable specs and good battery life, though it's hard to claim it's the best (or even particularly good) at any particular aspect. Its build quality, especially the touchpad, is mediocre, and its performance is decent but doesn't lead the way. The Gateway does undercut the cost of some competitors and offers ample storage with good connectivity, so it's not to be ignored."
Get a great deal on the Gateway 11.6" or the Gateway 15.6"
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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