Gateway Unveils $300 Netbook

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Gateway Launches $300 Netbook

Gateway on Monday launched a netbook with a 10-inch display for $300.

The LT2001 mini-laptop includes features common in many netbooks available from competitors: an Intel Atom N270 processor, Microsoft Windows XP Home edition, 1 GB of memory and built-in Wi-Fi.

The Gateway system also comes with a built-in Webcam, microphone and speakers, three USB ports, a 160 GB hard drive and a multi-touch touchpad. The netbook weighs 2.62 pounds and comes with a three-cell battery, which means the system is likely to get less than three hours of battery life. Gateways is offering night-sky black and cherry red models.

Within the LT Series, Gateway is also offering an 11.6-inch model that comes with a full-sized keyboard and an Athlon processor from Advanced Micro Devices. The LT3103 includes 2 GB of memory, a 250 GB hard drive and sells for $400.

Computer makers have been expanding their offerings of netbooks, the fastest growing segment of the PC market during the economic recession. For example, Hewlett-Packard in June introduced a 10-inch netbook for businesses. The Mini 5101 about the same as the Gateway system, but offers some features to entice businesses. The starting price is $449.

The popularity of netbooks has also led to wireless carriers offering the devices. Sprint Nextel this month teamed up with Best Buy to offer consumers a 99-cent Compaq Mini netbook with a new two-year mobile data contract.

The HP mini-notebook comes with an embedded modem that uses Sprint's EV-DO 3G network. The mini-notebook also has a built-in webcam, Atom processor, 10-inch screen, 160 GBf hard drive, Windows XP, and built-in Wi-Fi.

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