Gateway has gone social. Acer owned notebook giant Gateway has given its ID and NV models a spec and social makeover.Gateway ID47 line breaks new ground in the ultra compact department, says its makers, fitting its 14-inch HD widescreen back-lit LED display into a chassis used for 13.3″ models. The ID’s are easily carried in a briefcase or book bag.
The new Gateway ID and NV notebooks come with Windows Home 7 as well as a mass of extras: Nook for PC, Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Adobe Reader, WildTangent Demo Games, Skype, Norton Online Backup, and Microsoft Office 2010.
The NV series, on the other hand, boasts a larger 15.6-inch HD widescreen LED display for cinematic style viewing pleasure.
NV57 provides excellent mobile performance with second-generation Intel Core processors with Intel HD Graphics 3000 topped with 128MB of memory.
The series also boasts HD audio with Dolby Home Theater v4 Audio which delivers “crisp sound” through its full-length mesh speaker bar.
The upstyled PC’s also offer “in-demand” sizes and are keeping up with the social network posse with one touch hot keys unleashing instant access to much loved Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.
Pushing the social hot key also launches an integrated widget that lets users update their status, post photos and video. This is handy, considering one out of every six minutes spent online (15%) is now spent on social networks, according to ComScore.
Both notebooks also come with integrated 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi certified for a fast connection to hotspots and wireless, HD 1.3MP webcam, longer battery uptime thanks to PowerSmart and HDMI 1080p output.
This series is designed for the “style-conscious” user and features either a subtle geometric pattern or the digital wave pattern on the matte chassis lid.
The sculpted edges, elegant blend of finishes and sleek form factor of the ID Series “will inspire creativity” says Gateway and comes in “Infinity Blue Liquid” or “Brushed Platinum” design and have a industrial modern feel.
The designs come in an aluminum cover with a stainless steel laser-engraved logo. Both feature USB 3.0 for fast transfers and charging, which works up to 10 times faster than the standard 2.0 will even charge devices when asleep, in hibernation mode, or off completely.
To give an idea of speeds – a 25GB HD movie can be transferred in just over a minute. The Gateway’s also offer MyBackup functionality which allows users safe keep important files and migrate data.
The ID gives up to 8 hours of battery life, while the NV’s provides up to 4 hours, it is claimed.
“Notebook PCs are a constant companion in today’s mobile savvy culture, as we transition through recreation and productivity,” said Steve Smith, Gateway notebooks product marketing manager.
“The stylish new Gateway ID and Gateway NV Series deliver very useful extras for entertainment and social networking and a big boost in performance wrapped up in elegant designs.”
The notebooks start at US$699.99 although no word on local pricing yet.
