Benchmarks - Battery Life, Audio and Video Encoding

I will be testing the Gateway NV7901u using my Battery Eater Pro test for battery life, iTunes encoding and Windows Media Encoder. The first test up is the Windows Media Encoder Test.

Windows Media Encoder

Version and / or Patch Used: 9
Developer Homepage: http://www.microsoft.com
Product Homepage: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx

For the movie encoding test I take the HD Microsoft Magic of Flight video and encode it to DVD quality video with CD quality audio using Windows Media Encoder. The Gateway NV7901u is a brute and summoned enough power to put down the second fastest time we ever recorded in this benchmark. Check out the chart below to see how the machine stacks up.

iTunes Encoding

Version and / or Patch Used: 7.1.1.5
Developer Homepage: http://www.apple.com
Product Homepage: http://www.apple.com/itunes

For the iTunes encoding test I take the Stone Temple Pilots Core CD in MP3 format and encode it to AAC format using iTunes and time the results with a stopwatch. The Gateway NV7901u put down the best time I have ever recorded on this benchmark. If you are wondering, the Smooth Creations notebook that bested the Gateway rig in the movie encoding test isn't on this chart because iTunes simply would not run on the machine. Check out the chart below for the results.

Battery Eater Pro

Version and / or Patch Used: 2.70
Developer Homepage: http://batteryeater.com/development.html
Product Homepage: http://batteryeater.com

Starting with this review, the Battery Eater Pro charts are different. The charts for performance mode and power saving mode are now separate for easier reading.

As always, battery life tests are very subjective and your mileage may vary. The performance mode test was run with all power saving features off and the screen set on 100% brightness. The power saving mode test used the same settings with the screen turned to 50% brightness.

With all the power on tap, the Gateway NV7901u scored poorly on this benchmark compared to other systems I have tested. But considering its performance and size, the results are average for its class.