Gateway Kicks Up NetBook Bar With 11.6-inch HD Display

Gateway has decided to push the limits of the netbook with the new LT32 focusing on entertainment and HD. On the heels of its LT20 line refresh via the LT23 a few weeks ago, it’s rolled out the LT23 with AMD Athlon II NEO K125 processors, ATI Radeon HD 4225 Graphics, and pushed the display envelope with a 11.6-inch 16:9 1366×768 HD Display. It also has an HDMI port with 1080p output meaning you can plug this baby in many places and get decent playback resolution.

Until now, I’ve found netbooks self-limiting with small keyboards, tiny screens, and too much time spent on external bling while closed, while looking like cheaply made Chinese goods when open. Even brands like HP have seemed to cheap out on material quality surrounding the keyboard and screen.

The LT32’s less than an inch thin, weighs only 2.76 pounds, and claims a battery life of up to 5.5 hours (instead of up to 8 hours on the LT23). Wonder if that’s with heavy video streaming? It also sports 2GB of DDR3 memory, a 250GB hard drive, and the larger display means a netbook finally has a full-size keyboard with out sacrificing too much size and weight.  Gateway’s offering 3G, WiFi b/g/n, an integrated HD webcam, and a dedicated social media function key, and the same accoutrement of ports and features found on the LT23. I just wish the function key was programmable to personalize to your social network affinity!

The LT32’s fit and finish features a fingerprint resistant matte chassis cover (nice choice) with a subtle wave pattern. It will sell for $449.99, about $120 more than the entry-level LT23. How it looks open and how it feels during usage will be the true test if customers will be drawn to the larger screen, full size keyboard, and HD features.

- Randy Giusto

@randygiusto

#newdigitalcafe

randygiusto@newdigitalcafe.com

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