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Gateway is introducing three new PC models, the 10.1-inch, style-conscious LT23 Series of netbooks and the 14-inch ID49C and 15.6-inch ID59C notebooks. The new systems were unveiled June 23.
The LT23 netbook measures approximately 1 inch thick, weighs 2.76 pounds and features a matte, shade-on-shade woven pattern in a choice of colors such as champagne, pearl and black.
For images of the new Gateway machines, click here.
Its 10.1-inch LCD LED-backlit display has a resolution of 1,024 by 600 pixels and is paired with a multigesture touchpad.
There’s 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, along with Ethernet, and a high-definition Webcam for placing video calls. VOIP (voice-over-IP) calling is also supported, along with e-mail and a full browser. Taking networking a step further, the LT23-as do the ID Series notebooks-includes a social networking feature, launched through a function key, that offers quick access to the user’s networks on Facebook, YouTube and Flickr, for example.
The LT23 runs on Intel’s Atom N450 processor and includes 1GB of memory and a hard drive of up to 250GB. There are three USB 2.0 ports, a multi-in-one digital card reader and a six-cell battery for up to 8 hours of juice.
Although the netbook is being touted as the stylish choice (“The Gateway LT23 delivers the on-the-go mobile performance customers want while also taking fashion seriously,” as Gateway put it), the ID Series notebooks offer a rather unique and definitely noticeable feature-an aqua-blue touchpad that looks like matte glass and glows when touched.
“The look and feel of the Gateway ID Series notebooks is so unique that anyone will be drawn to them-especially to the touchpad that resembles a swimming pool inviting customers to ‘dive in’ and enjoy the notebooks’ advanced capabilities and entertainment features,” Ray Sawall, a Gateway senior product marketing manager, said in a statement.
Such capabilities include Nvidia Optimus graphics technology, which regulates the notebooks’ use of dedicated Nvidia GeForce GT 330M graphics and integrated Intel HD graphics, depending on the task being performed. By switching to the Intel graphics for simper tasks, such as Web surfing, the notebooks extend battery life.
The 5.07-pound ID49C and the 5.5-pound ID59C feature HD ultrabright LED-backlit displays with a resolution of 1366 by 868 pixels, aluminum alloy lids and a thickness of 1 inch. Users have a choice of Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors and up to 8GB of DDR3 (double data rate 3) memory, along with 500GB hard drives.
Given the generous size of the ID Series’ screens, Gateway has paired them with with Super-DVD players and Dolby Home Theater v3 audio. The notebooks are also compatible with various media card readers and include an HDMI port for connecting to an external LCD or HDTV. A 1.3-megapixel Webcam is built in, along with the quick access to social networking sites and MyBackup functionality for making sure photos, documents and all other important data is kept safe.
The Gateway LT23 netbook is available in several configurations and color schemes for a starting price of $330. The ID49C, with its 14-inch display, will start at $680 and the ID59C, with its 15.6-inch display, starts at $800.