What’s up, Gateway? You think you’re too good for the Atom? All the other netbooks are using it. Doesn’t this really make your new LT3100 more of a tiny-screened, incredibly cheap ($US399 MSRP) laptop?
Acer is the number one maker of netbooks, so it’s not surprising they’ve got a brand new brigade. They’re all 10.1 and 11.6 inchers—the days of the 9-inch netbook are over.
Gateway’s ID series are the first computers designed by Pininfarina (of Ferrari fame). The signature aesthetic seems to be the swoop at the bottom of the monitor—not mind-blowing, but better than BMW’s HP effort.
Gateway will now no longer be selling its PCs through Gateway.com and has shut down all its direct PC sales to become a 100% retail channel PC company. The move is only somewhat surprising–its newish parent company Acer has always focused on offering its goods through resellers. But seeing how Gateway was one of the original success stories for the selling PCs directly to consumers model, the shuttering of its online store is a little like the death knell of an era. [Cnet]
It’s been a few months since CES, so Gateway is rightly updating its FX budget gaming desktops with some fresher chips. Most notably, the FX7026 (more budget-y) and FX541 (more performance-y) are picking up Intel’s mid-range Q9300 Core 2 Quad processor (which beat down AMD’s top of the line Phenom X4 9850 quad in benchmarks). They both start at a little over a grand, so not bad deals—check the release for more details.
The All-In-One is in full effect this year, with some very hot models: the Gateway One, the Dell XPS One and Apple’s new iMac. While it’s nice to pick favorites and all, the fact is, each of these are better than most computers out there, and each has particular design traits that stand out. I’ve given awards in different categories at the end of this piece, but in the meantime, this is really a walk through of different design choices. If it seems to lean heavily on the Dell XPS One, that’s because it’s newer, and we’ve already spent more time on the Apple and the Gateway. So take a leisurely stroll through all of this stuff, compare and contrast, and at the end, hell, call your own winner.
At Intel’s Pre-CES briefing today, execs discussed a new super-small solid state drive, WiMax-capable devices, and 45nm Penryn chips in everything from UMPCs to television sets to slender desktop all-in-ones from your favourite computer makers. Here’s the rundown:
• In January, Intel will introduce what they claim is the smallest SSD in the industry. Officially named the Z-P140 PATA SSD, the drive holds 2GB or 4GB and is 12x18x8mm (about the size of a penny if you couldn’t tell from the pic), and 0.6 grams. The Z-P140 can act as a controller for compatible NAND memory, which means these drives are expandable to 16GB. Intel says that this new style of SSD should be showing up soon in several UMPCs and other mobile internet devices from companies such as Asus, BenQ, Clarion, Lenovo and more.
Like a predestined domino, Gateway’s CEO falls out the door for Acer’s chief to take over, following Acer’s \scoop up of Gateway in August. Insert “cows come home” tag. [NYT]
After Gateway released their 30-inch, 1600pXHD3000 display, they’re hoping to springboard the positive press into their entire line of LCDs, including their new 24-inch ($499) and 22-inch ($350) models. Both have impressive monitor specs, double as HD TVs (1080p and 720p, respectively) and feature image enhancement through a Faroudja video processing chipset. Obviously neither display is rocking 1600p upscaling, but we’re guessing these models show some pretty pictures nonetheless. Besides, their slew of inputs including HDMI mean we might actually utilize their extended video functionality. Hit the jump for the full stat smattering.
AU: My folks got me a Gateway system way back when… it was a P3 500, to place it historically… wasn’t too worried when they left the local market, but these screens are making me wish they’d consider coming back. -SB
Last week Wilson Rothman took a look at the new Gateway XHD3000 monitor. You may know it better as the 30-inch, 1600p beast display that has scared the collective crap out of Dell, Apple, and every other competitor on the market. For the full consensus, hit the jump for the Frankenreview: every review that matters in one place (or at least those from Wired, ExtremeTech and PCWorld).
