Intel and AMD Options

Both Intel and AMD chipsets and processors are available. The NV57S has a second gen Intel Core iX processor and Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 128MB of dedicated memory. The NV55S includes the AMD A-Series processor which provides a balance between performance and long battery life.

USB 3.0 Charges While Mobile Devices

The upgrade to USB 3.0 provides faster performance. Gateway tells us that a 25GB HD video will transfer in a little more than a minute.

In addition to speed, the USB 3.0 port will also provide enough power to charge a mobile device even if the computer is asleep, hibernating or turned off but plugged into AC power. In addition there are extra USB 2.0 ports.

Entertainment Features

The Gateway NV Series notebooks are made not only for every day productivity tasks, but entertainment and multimedia functions as well. For example, a user can connect the computer to an HDTV or projector to watch movies with an HDMI output.

There are media card readers to import photos and video from a camera. And the Intel or AMD processors and graphics will support video editing, photo editing, and online video viewing.

Social Networking

Gateway is trying to cash in on the popularity of social networking sites like Facebook, Flickr and YouTube with a special shortcut key. Press the social networking button and an app is launched which lets the user update their site. You can post feed updates, pictures, video and enjoy updates from others.

Gateway NV Series Refresh: Speedier, More Social Media Options is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Gateway ID47H with Edge to Edge Display

A 2.3GHz Intel Core i5 Sandy Bridge processor delivers enough processing power to tackle you schoolwork needs, and 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive ensure you have enough memory and storage to get you through a few year’s of college.

The Gateway ID47 has a 14″ edge to edge glass display with a 1366×768 resolution and includes a built in 1.3MP webcam  the top of the unit. The edge to edge glass allows for a smaller overall notebook and delivers a high-end look that is complemented by the exterior and large mousepad.

The mousepad on the ID47 is 20% larger than on the previous model so that you have more room for multi-touch gestures. We’ll have to wait until we go hands on with one of these notebooks to deliver a final judgement, but it is great to see a larger mousing surface on the ID47.

20% larger mousepad offers more mousing space.

The Gateway ID47 doesn’t stop here. You also get USB 3.0 connectivity for faster backup and file transfers to USB 3.0 hard drives. Gateway also includes Dolby Home Theater v4 in this notebook which is known for delivering amazing audio quality. Performance varies from notebook to notebook, but we have yet to be disappointed with Dolby Home Theater v4.

Gateway puts a lot of focus on looks in the ID line of notebooks, as shown in the “Infinity Blue Liquid” and Brushed Platinum” finishes. The notebooks don’t look like your typical Gateway notebook, which is a good thing at $700.

Rounding out the experience is a social media button that delivers quick access to social networks like Facebook and Flickr.

The 6 cell battery is rated for 8 hours, which will likely translate into 5-6 hours of real world use. The battery won’t last all day, but should allow you to get through class without a dead battery.

Gateway ID47H02u Gallery

Gateway ID47H02u Specs

• Intel Core i5-2410M processor 2.3GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.9GHz
• 14” HD Ultrabright LED-backlit Display
• Intel HM55 Express Chipset
• 4GB DDR3 Dual-Channel Memory
• Intel HD Graphics 3000
• 500GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
• Digital Media Card Reader
• 8X DVD-SuperMulti Double-Layer Drive
• 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED
• 1.3 Megapixel HD Webcam
• Dolby Home Theater v4 Audio Enhancement
• Two Stereo Speakers
• 1 – USB 3.0 Port & 2 – USB 2.0 Ports
• 1 – HDMI Port
• Multi-Gesture Touchpad
• Dedicated Audio Control Keys
• Social Networks Key
• 6-cell Li-ion Battery (6000 mAh) – Up to 8 hours of battery life
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Microsoft Office Starter 2010
• Dimensions: 12.97(w) x 8.95(D) x .85-1.14(h) inches
• 4.6 lbs.

Gateway ID47 Notebook Get’s Sexy Back to School Look is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Instead of the sub-par single core processors and lackluster specs, these new AMD Fusion E-350 powered notebooks are packing a dual core processor, capable graphics card, 3-4GB RAM, 320GB hard drive, built in webcam and Windows 7. These notebooks are available today from Best Buy and Staples for $350.

We recently reviewed the Gateway NV51B05u Fusion powered notebook which has the same specs and were impressed with the value it brought to the table under $500. The Samsung NP-RV515-A01 and Acer Aspire AS5253-BZ692 have the same specs and should provide the same performance for just $350. For just $30 more there is also a similarly spec’d HP 2000-219DX available at Best Buy.

If we were picking out a new notebook for the average home user today, these two notebooks would be at the top of the list thanks to the affordable price that doesn’t cut corners. In short, if we were picking out a new notebook for a PC using family member, we would be taking a close look at these two notebooks and at the collection of other AMD Fusion E-350 notebooks coming to the market soon.

Performance

What type of performance can you expect from a $300 notebook? If there’s an AMD Fusion E-350 APU in there with AMD Radeon HD 6130 GPU, then you can expect quite a bit of power for the price. When we went hands on with a similar AMD Fusion E-350 notebook from Gateway we had the following to say about the performance.

The first test, was to open up an array of apps that home users will find open at the same time. To do this we tried out Word Starter, Chrome with numerous tabs and a few other random apps open in the background. We played Pandora in one of the Chrome tabs. During this standard use scenario, we had no lag or issues with the performance of the Fusion processor.

We also tried doing some light movie editing with Windows Live Movie maker and edited some photos in Windows Live gallery and were pleased with the results. We wouldn’t want to use this machine to edit video professionally, or to edit video every day, but for a few random projects or for splicing and uploading a family reunion clip to YouTube, the NV51 will suffice.

We also tested HD video playback and if you can believe it gaming on a budget notebook,

Thanks to the AMD Radeon HD6130 graphics card, you can actually use this notebook to game and watch HD video content without giving up on too much quality. We tested out the NV51 with HD video and streaming Netflix and had no trouble at all. Normally, when you try to play HD content on a sub $500 system with integrated graphics the video will stutter or drop some frames, but we didn’t notice the issue on this system.

When we started gaming on this notebook we were also surprised. In loading up a demo of FIFA 2011 from late 2010, we were pleased to see that the system performed great with the medium setting which was still a great experience on the go. We could play on High, but there was a bit of lag that detracted from the fast pace of the game.

Value

When you compare these $350 notebooks to the Intel Celeron notebooks you typically find in $300 to $350 price range you’re looking at a noticeable jump in performance that is well worth the $50 price difference for home users.  Whether you’re looking for new notebook for your home office, to take to school this fall or just need a new affordable notebook that won’t leave you hanging, you should definitely check out these AMD Fusion notebooks.

For the average home user, these AMD Fusion E-350 powered notebooks offer much more value than many other sub $500 notebooks and will be a better fit than a netbook for the numerous buyers who look at netbooks for the lower cost, rather than portability. We’d also suggest that budget notebook buyers look at these notebooks over the new Google Chromebooks, which may look sexier, but are getting mixed reviews.

Black Friday Comes Early: $350 Dual Core Notebooks at Best Buy & Staples is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

At a starting price of $469 from retailers like Frys, the Gateway NV51 needs to deliver on performance and overall user experience to weigh in against budget systems that rely on last year’s Intel Core i3 processors. In this case, the AMD Fusion powered Gateway NV51 notebook does come through, offering a nice value to buyers.

Gateway NV51B05u With AMD Fusion

Gateway NV51B05u Quick Specs:

The Gateway NV51B05u is powered by the AMD Fusion E-350 1.6GHz processor, 3GB DDR3 RAM and a discrete AMD Radeon HD 6130 GPU which helps the system deliver in the graphics department. The Gateway NV51 comes with a 500GB hard drive, 1.3MP webcam and a DVD Super Multi Drive. There are a standard collection of ports and connectivity options including HDMI out. The 1.56″ LED backlit display has a 1366×768 resolution.

Gateway NV51B05u Specs

Who is the Gateway NV51B05u For?

The Gateway NV51B05u is a notebook designed for the average home user or a student with very simple computing needs. With a big bright screen and capable processor the notebook is great for surfing the web or working on office documents, but can also transition to entertaining with YouTube, Netflix or watching a DVD on the built in drive. While there is a discrete graphics solution, you won’t be playing games lie Call of Duty on the Gateway NV51, but you can handle some casual gaming.

Gateway NV51B05u Hands On Video:

Gateway NV51B05u Build and Design:

The Gateway NV51B05u stands out from many other notebooks in this price range with a very solid feel, a fingerprint resistant lid and a few other nice touches. The whole body of the NV51 feels quite sturdy in our standard notebook stress test and should be perfectly fine for home or school use.

The metal hinges are sturdy and do a good job of keeping the screen where you put it, even in a bouncy car. We also like that the display can be tilted back pretty far, making it easier to find a viewing angle that works for you.

The case is made of plastic, which is to be expected in this price range, but the ridges that run through the plastic on the lid and the palmrest give a nicer than average feel.

The NV51B05u isn’t an ultra light, but it is easy to take with you thanks to a compact design and an easy to carry weight.

Gateway NV51B05u Features:

The biggest feature on this relatively average notebook is the inclusion of the AMD Fusion E-350 processor which is more than capable of tackling the tasks and needs of home and student users. The AMD FUsion E-350 dual core processor is coupled with a discrete Radeon HD 6130 GPU which means you can also kick back and entertain yourself with some games and movies.

Gateway NV51B05u Display:

The Gateway NV51B05U has a 15.6″ LED backlit display with a 1366 x 768 resolution, which is on par with the notebooks in this price range. The viewing angles are pretty wide, meaning that you can share this screen with a friend or two for watching a movie if you need to. The display tilts back quite a bit for a notebook of this size and price which allows you to find a nice viewing angle in almost any situation.

Gateway NV51B05u Display

The screen is definitely bright enough, and we found that even with the display set at 40% brightness during our battery test the display was bright enough to use comfortably.

Gateway NV51B05u Keyboard and Touchpad:

The Gateway NV51 keyboard is an island style keyboard and shows a marked improvement over previous NV51 keyboards, which were nearly impossible for us to use. The keys are a bit close and flat, but they offer a decent amount of feedback and have a nice finish to them. We could type on this notebook for hours without issue, not something we normally find in this price range.

The Mouse on the Gateway NV51B05u is pretty nice. The size is about average for a budget notebook and responsiveness is good. We tried out the multitouch gestures and were pretty impressed with the performance of two finger scrolling. It wasn’t perfect, but better than we have seen on many Windows notebooks. The mouse button is one single button, but works out nicely as far as single button trackpads go.

The only real issue we had with the mouse was that our palm would often move the cursor while we were typing for extended periods. This can be adjusted and improved, but it would be nice to have a one touch button to turn off the touchpad during long typing sessions.

Gateway NV51B05u Processor and Performance:

Gateway NV51B05u Opened for Upgrading

The biggest reason we couldn’t wait to test out the Gateway NV51B05u was that it includes the AMD Fusion E-350 1.6Ghz Dual core processor and a built in, yet discrete, AMD Radeon graphics card and claimed to deliver above average performance for notebooks under $500 which normally rely on poor quality integrated graphics.

We tested out the AMD Fusion powered NV51B05u in many settings and overall were pretty impressed with the performance and range of tasks we could accomplish on this affordable notebook.

The first test, was to open up an array of apps that home users will find open at the same time. To do this we tried out Word Starter, Chrome with numerous tabs and a few other random apps open in the background. We played Pandora in one of the Chrome tabs. During this standard use scenario, we had no lag or issues with the performance of the Fusion processor.

We also tried doing some light movie editing with Windows Live Movie maker and edited some photos in Windows Live gallery and were pleased with the results. We wouldn’t want to use this machine to edit video professionally, or to edit video every day, but for a few random projects or for splicing and uploading a family reunion clip to YouTube, the NV51 will suffice.

Gateway NV51B05u Multimedia and Gaming:

Thanks to the AMD Radeon HD6130 graphics card, you can actually use this notebook to game and watch HD video content without giving up on too much quality. We tested out the NV51 with HD video and streaming Netflix and had no trouble at all. Normally, when you try to play HD content on a sub $500 system with integrated graphics the video will stutter or drop some frames, but we didn’t notice the issue on this system.

Gaming on the AMD Fusion Powered Gateway NV51B05u

When we started gaming on this notebook we were also surprised. In loading up a demo of FIFA 2011 from late 2010, we were pleased to see that the system performed great with the medium setting which was still a great experience on the go. We could play on High, but there was a bit of lag that detracted from the fast pace of the game.

You won’t be playing Call of Duty Black Ops, but AMD Fusion and the included Radeon HD 6130 graphics prove that gaming on a sub-$500 notebook is possible and actually enjoyable.

Gateway NV51B05u Audio and Speakers

Gateway NV51B05u Speakers

As far as audio goes, the NBV51B05u will meet the needs of most home users, but you will likely want to grab a good pair of headphones or an affordable set of speakers to keep at home so that you can turn up the volume when you want more sound.

Gateway NV51B05u Heat and Noise

The AMD Fusion processor is designed to be very heat efficient and to go in much smaller notebooks than this 15.6″ NV51, which means we have no issues with heat while using this notebook for normal tasks. Yes, it will heat up a bit when you game on it, but we never got uncomfortable.

Gateway NV51B05u Battery Life

Gateway NV51B05u Battery

The battery is another impressive area on the NV51B05u. Even though Gateway rates the battery at 4.7 hours, we were able to get 5 hours and 20 minutes of battery life while surfing the web with the screen at 40% brightness. A very impressive number for a laptop in this price range.

Gateway NV51B05u Connectivity:

The GateWay NV51B05u has a decent selection of ports including a HDMI port, which isn’t always found on notebooks under $500.

Left: Power, Vent, VGA, Ethernet, HDMI, USB 2.0, Mic, Headphone

Right: USB 2.0, USB 2.0, DVD RW Drive, Kensington Lock

Front: SD card reader near left edge

Back: Battery

Gateway NV51B05u Webcam:

Gateway NV51B05u Webcam

The Gateway NV51B05u webcam isn’t the greatest quality, but on the other hand, it isn’t a bad webcam. If you just want to do the occasional web chat with a friend or coworker you’ll be able to use the built in one without coming across as a fuzzy mess.

Gateway NV51B05u Webcam Sample Image

Gateway NV51B05u Software:

The Gateway NV51B05u comes with a collection of preinstalled applications like Microsoft Office Starter, Nook for PC and some games. There is also a Norton Internet Security suite. Overall, it’s an OK out of the box experience. The Norton Internet Security suite is only a trial, but it’s not as obnoxious about asking you to subscribe as other trial apps are.

Gateway NV51B05u Value:

The NV51B05u offers an incredible value for the price. It’s one of a few 15.6″ notebooks under $500 that can handle almost anything we ask it to, including playing games that you would want to play. We definitely think that the AMD Fusion E-350 dual core processors are living up to their claim of deliver an affordable, no compromise computer. You can find a similar models available at Best Buy and other retailers, which should offer a similar experience.

Gateway NV51B05u Conclusion:

Sometimes we get a notebook in that exceeds our expectations in almost every area. The Gateway NV51B05u is just such a notebook, and is a perfect choice for many home users who want a no compromise notebook for under $500. Everything from the build quality and battery life to the keyboard and performance really impressed us at the price of $469.

Pros:

• Great Performance (for the price)
• Nice Keyboard
• Good Build Quality
• Overall Value

Cons:

• Webcam is just OK

Gateway NV51B05u Gallery:

Gateway NV51B05u Detailed Specs:

Gateway NV51B05u Review: Sub $500 Notebook That Impresses w/ AMD Fusion is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

• reviews
• design
• tech support
• software
• innovation
• customer satisfaction

This is the second year straight that Apple has ranked first and Lenovo second in the listing. HP jumped up two slots to earn third.

The rankings are based on an average of the above list. When you look at the individual categories occasionally the rankings are shuffled. For example, Apple didn’t fare so well in the Value and Selection category, tied for dead last with Sony. Lenovo is said to have the best Keyboards/Touchpads. In every other category Apple was either first or tied for first. And in Laptop Magazine reviews the company was way out ahead of the competition by eight points over HP, which took second in that category.

Laptop Magazine Manufacturer Ranking Chart

The methodology used to rank the companies included the above list of categories being given point values and totalled with some of them weighted more than others. Reviews by the magazine staff were worth 25 points of the overall score. Design, Keyboard/Touchpad, and Technical Support each were worth 15 points. Ten possible points were assigned to Value/Selection and Software. Innovation and Customer Satisfaction/Reliability were only worth 5 points each.

While we would agree with most of the weighting, the last one should be much higher. If people are, either not satisfied with the product, or it keeps breaking, then a manufacturer doesn’t deserve as high a ranking. HP was the third highest ranking manufacturer but was tied with MSI for last in this one category.

You can look into how each scored at the magazine’s site. They go into further detail about each manufacturer and why they scored like they did. For example, Apple ranked so high in the Reviews category because, of the five computers they reviewed, three were Editor’s Choices. All of them would be recommended. At the same time they said of MSI:

The past year hasn’t been great for MSI, as lackluster scores across the board prove. With underdeveloped tech support, mediocre reviews, and lackluster keyboards, the brand’s last-place ranking isn’t a huge surprise.

Need more notebook reviews? Check out our Notebook Reviews section.

Laptop Mag Notebook Manufacturer Grades Show Apple on Top is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

These new AMD Fusion powered notebook use the newest AMD APU which combines the CPU and GPU on the same chip to deliver an affordable notebook with the ability to handle the needs of most home users and students. Even the $399 system is able to tackle HD video playback and similar tasks which normally would have stressed budget systems.

The Gateway NV51B05u has an AMD Fusion E-350 APU, AMD Radeon HD 6130 GPU and 3GB of RAM and can be purchased for around $470. We have been using the NV51B05u for a few weeks now and are pretty impressed with the power and performance of this affordable yet capable system. You can see our first impressions of the NV51  series notebook and look forward to a full review of the NV51B05u shortly.

Gateway NV51B05u Hands on Video:

The Gateway NV51B02u is a more budget friendly version of the new NV51 notebooks, which lacks a AMD Radeon GPU and only comes with 2GB of RAM, but should still be able to playback HD video from Netflix or your local hard drive. This lower end NV51 notebook comes in at $399.

Both of these new notebooks from Gateway have a 15.6″ LED backlit LED display with a 1366×768 resolution and come equipped with HDMI out, 3 USB 2.0 ports and a 1.3MP webcam.

The satin wave finish on the NV51 series notebooks offers a fingerprint free surface and looks nicer than you’d expect for a $400 notebook. When it comes to battery life, the NV51 notebooks are rated for 4.7 hours and should be able to deliver around 4 hours during real world use.

The Gateway NV51B05u and NV51B02u will soon be available at various local retailers and online resellers.

Gateway NV51B05u and NV51B02u Arrive With AMD Fusion, Start at $399 is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Gateway NV50A02u Quick Specs:

This budget notebook from Gateway has a 2.1 GHz AMD Phenom II Triple Core processor, 4GB DDR3 RAM and a 500GB hard drive. The 15.6″ display has a 1366×768 resolution and is powered by an ATI Radeon HD 4250 GPU with 256MB video RAM.

What can the Gateway NV50A02u Do?

The NV50A02u is suited for the needs of home, student and some small business users. The Triple core processor should provide enough power to handle web browsing, office documents and the photo and video editing needs of average users. With this combo, you will notice an impact in performance while doing intensive tasks like processing a video file to share on YouTube.

Gateway NV50A02u Features:

This notebook has a wave pattern on the lid, similar to the Gateway NV51B05u which we have in for review with the AMD Fusion processor, which looks nice and keeps fingerprints at bay. The laptop has a webcam and comes with Skype preinstalled. The HDMI port makes it easy to connect to your HDTV.

The NV50A02 has a Social Media button which is to the right of the number pad and provides one touch access to the social networking sites.

Gateway NV50A02 Battery Life:

The battery is rated for just under 4 hours, but it will likely come in closer to 3 hours with normal use.

Gateway NV50A02 Gallery:

Gateway NV50A02 Specs:

• 2.1GHz AMD Phenom™ II triple-core processor N830
• 4GB DDR3 SDRAM , expandable to 8GB.
• Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
• 15.6″ TFT-LCD high-definition widescreen display with Ultrabright technology and 1366 x 768 resolution
• 500GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
• ATI Radeon HD 4250 graphics with 256MB dedicated video memory for lush images and HDMI output for connection to an HDTV.
• Social Media key - Allows easy access to popular Web sites, such as Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.
• Built-in 1.3MP high-definition webcam with 1280 x 1024 resolution and built-in microphone
• 2-in-1 digital media reader
• 3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports
• Built-in wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n)
• Built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector
• Weighs 5.7 lbs. and measures just 1.3″ thin
• Dedicated numeric keypad for easy number entry.
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system

Gateway NV50A02u at Best Buy for $399: Details, Specs & Pics is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

The Gateway NV51B05u has a 1.6GHz AMD Fusion E-350 APU which can deliver a better user experience because the graphics are built on the same chip as the processor. The notebook also has an AMD HD 6130 with 256MB RAM, a 500GB hard drive and has 3GB DDR3 RAM. The 15.6″ display has a 1366×768 resolution and along the upper bezel is a 1.3MP webcam and microphone for video conferencing. The notebook has a DVD Drive and wireless b/g/n.

Gateway NV51B05u Hands On Video:

One of the first things we look at when it comes to budget notebooks is how sturdy and durable they feel. This is one area where we were pleasantly surprised. The NV51B05u has a nice outer shell which is plastic, but won’t attract fingerprints thanks to the matte finish and ridges which make up the design. The hinges on the notebook are quite strong, keeping the lid closed when we wanted it to and also keeping it at the angle we opened it to. While there is some flex on the display, the overall body of the notebook had relatively little flex in the base of the unit and an overall sturdy feel.

As far as power goes, we’ve been browsing in a few Chrome windows and with a few tabs open in each and haven’t run into any issues. We’ve also streamed a Netflix movie and used a few office programs without problems. We’ll be testing HD video and seeing how this Fusion powered notebook can handle light photo and video editing for our final review of the Gateway NV51B05u.

The keyboard and mouse are adequate, we do like the chiclet style keyboard which has decent feedback and spacing. There is a dedicated social media button on the notebook which provides one touch access to Facebook, Twitter and others. We’re not sure if this button is really needed, but it  doesn’t appear to have taken the place of anything important.

Gateway NV51B05u Gallery:

The Gateway NV51B05u is available from Fry’s for $469.99, you can find a similar looking Gateway NV51 model at Best Buy for under $400, but it has a slower processor.

Gateway NV51B05u Specifications:

• Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Processor: AMD E-Series Processor E-350 (1.60GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
• Graphics: ATI Radeon™ HD 6310 Graphics with 256MB of dedicated system memory, supporting Unified Video Decoder 3 (UVD3), OpenCL™ 1.1, OpenGL® 3.1, OpenEXR High Dynamic-Range (HDR) technology, Shader Model 5.0, Microsoft® DirectX® 11
• Memory: 3072MB DDR3 Dual-Channel Memory, expandable up to 8GB
• Storage Drive: 500GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
• Optical Drive: 8X DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
• Display: 15.6″ HD Widescreen Ultrabright™ LED LCD Display 1366×768 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio
• Sound: High-Definition Audio Support, Mono Speaker, MS-Sound Compatible, Built-in Microphone
• Webcam: 1.3 Megapixel HD Webcam (1280 x 1024)
• Communications: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)
• Expandability: 2-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader supporting Secure Digital™ (SD) Card & MultiMediaCard (MMC)
• Ports: 3 – USB 2.0 Ports, 1 – HDMI™ Port with HDCP support, 1 – VGA Port, 1 – Headphone/Speaker/Line-Out Jack, 1 – Microphone-in Jack, 1 – Ethernet (RJ-45) Port
• Battery: 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery (4400 mAh), up to 4.7 hour battery life

Gateway NV51B05u First impressions and Hands On with AMD Fusion (Video) is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

The eMachines eME442-V133 is a budget notebook that is powered by an AMD V Series 2.3GHz processor, 2GB DDR3 RAM a 250GB hard drive and a Dual Layer DVD Writer. The 15.6″ display has a 1366 x 768 resolution and is powered by an ATI Radeon HD 4250 GPU with 256MB dedicated video memory.

The eMachines eME442-V133 is definitely a budget notebook thanks to the single core AMD V series processor and 2GB of RAM, but if you want a cheap laptop that is good for surfing the web, working on documents and watching videos this should do the job. Even though it has a dedicated graphics card you won’t be playing modern games on this notebook. You can do light photo editing, think removing redeye with this notebook, but don’t expect to edit a lot of video or run multiple programs at once.

The Gateway eMachines Black Friday notebook from Best Buy is pretty similarly spec’d to the Walmart $288 Compaq CQ6-109WM notebook, but it lacks a webcam which many users will want.

Before you rush in to buy the $279 Best Buy Black Friday Laptop on November 5th we recommend you read our 10 Things to Know Before you Buy a Black Friday Laptop or Netbook so that you can make sure this is the right notebook for you. In most cases you will be better off waiting for a dual core notebook with 4GB of RAM which should arrive in the $399 range on Black Friday.

The eMachines eME442-V133 Detiled Specifications

• AMD V-Series processor V140 – Features a 1066MHz frontside bus.
• 2GB DDR3 SDRAM – For multitasking power, expandable to 4GB.
• Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
• 15.6″ WXGA LCD high-definition widescreen display – With 1366 x 768 resolution showcases movies and games in stunning clarity.
• 250GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
• ATI Radeon HD 4250 graphics – Feature up to 256MB dedicated video memory for lush images. HDMI output with HDCP support for flexible connectivity options.
• 2-in-1 digital media reader – Supports Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard formats.
• 3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports
• Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n)
• Built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector
• Weighs 6.4 lbs. and measures just 1.2″ thin
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system preinstalled
• Software package included

  With Adobe Reader 9.1, Microsoft Silverlight and more. 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office included. Microsoft Office Starter 2010 (product key card required for activation; sold separately) also included.

• ENERGY STAR qualified

Black Friday Laptop: eMachines eME442-V133 15.6″ Laptop for $279 @ Best Buy is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

In order to make sure you get a good Black Friday laptop there are some things you should consider, and look for, to make sure that you are getting a good deal and not a close out model from 2 years ago. Sadly even though they are brand new in box, many of the Black Friday laptops, netbooks and tablets that will be listed as Black Friday doorbusters in the leaked Black Friday ads are powered by old technology that may not meet the needs of all users.

1. What type of Processor is it running?

OK, the first thing you should do when you see a Black Friday Laptop deal is look at what’s powering the laptop. Yes, understanding which processors can are good be confusing, especially if they are made by AMD, but we are going to simplify it for you. If you want to do more than surf the web and edit a word document — or if you want to do those and listen to music at the same time we recommend at least finding a laptop with a dual core processor.

If you want more power, or the ability to multi-task many tabs and programs you should look for an Intel Core i series processor which will look be either Core i3, Core i5 or Core i7 with a higher number equaling more power and a higher cost. If you see a notebook with AMD processor it’s a bit trickier to know if it’s a good deal but key in on Fusion processors and make sure it is dual-core or above.

2. How much RAM does it have?

After throwing you a fastball with the processor here’s a slow pitch item to consider. How much RAM does the notebook have? If it’s a notebook you don’t want anything less than 2GB, with 4GB or more being the preference. IF you’re looking at a netbook 1GB is the least you should look for and is sufficient in many cases.

3. What Operating System is it using?

There are many different operating systems out there. You’re probably familiar with Windows which powers most consumer computers, but there are also versions of Linux and OSX which power some computers. OSX runs on Macs which don’t get discounted as much on Black Friday and Linux runs on many low priced computers sold during Black Friday because it is cheaper or free to install, but novice users may have trouble with it.

If you want a Windows computer make sure to find a notebook with Windows 7 which is Microsoft’s latest version. For netbooks Windows 7 is also a good choice, but you may run into some with Windows XP, which may still be a good deal if the price is right.

4. Is it a name brand?

Retailers like to roll out off-brand Black Friday laptops and Black Friday netbooks that can be priced incredibly low to lure in unsuspecting shoppers. Unfortunately many of these no-name devices use incredibly old technology that will severely limit and restrict what the average user can do with them. Stick with brand names like Dell, Gateway, Compaq, HP, Toshiba, Samsung ASUS, Acer, Lenovo and others. A name brand like one of these doesn’t guarantee a great deal, but you shouldn’t run into an incredibly bad deal if you stick to these manufacturers.

5. What do reviews of the Black Friday notebook say?

Before you get all excited over a Black Friday Laptop deal, check out the reviews for the notebook. This may be hard since many retailers have a special notebook model that only exists at their store on Black Friday, but you can do it. If you see no reviews for a Compaq CQ6-109WM notebook then search for reviews of the Compaq CQ6, stripping off the unique identifiers of the notebook or netbook. This may return a different model with slightly different specs but you’ll get a good idea of what the notebook or netbook can do.

6. What kind of warranty does it have?

When it comes to the warranty in most cases you will be OK, but we have seen some Black Friday laptops come with just a 90 day warranty instead of a full 1 year. Take a second and read the ad or check online at the retailer’s website to make sure you are getting a proper length warranty. If you buy one, use a credit card that doubles your warranty so that you don’t have to pay for an extended warranty.

7. Will this Black Friday Laptop do everything I want to do?

This one is simple. Sit down and write out the things you want to do with your Black Friday computer and keep this list handy. Any tie we cover a Black Friday laptop deal on Notebooks.com we will tell you what it can and can’t do. If you don’t know ask us in the comments.

8. Is Black Friday the best time to buy this type of Notebook?

Black Friday is a pretty good time to buy a mid-range notebook or a super cheap low performance notebook, but if you want a high end machine like an HP Envy 15 or a MacBook Pro you can usually score better deals throughout the year. Apple for example usually offers a free iPod with purchase as part of the back to school deals. You can keep the iPod Touch or sell it and end up with a better deal than you’ll find on most MacBooks on Black Friday — even at third party resellers like MacMall.

9. Can I combine coupons for better savings?

Most of the time you won’t be able to double dip a coupon and a Black Friday sale price on a laptop or netbook, but every now and then you’ll find ales and coupons direct from the manufacturers like HP, Dell and Sony who offer extra savings. Stay tuned for specific offers on Notebooks.com and Check out RetailMeNot’s Black Friday coupon portal for site specific Black Friday coupons.

10. Is this Black Friday Laptop or Netbook too old?

Finally, before you buy that Black Friday Laptop make sure you check to see that it’s not too old.  Retrevo offers a product timeline that will help you figure out if it is near the end of its life in a second. If a notebook is too old you may end up needing to upgrade sooner than if you had purchased a slightly more expensive machine. It’s similar to buying a $500 car and then when it breaks down in 6 months buying another $500 car — over and over until you spent enough to get a decent used car had you done it right from the start.

Bonus: Is the Laptop available for less from the manufacturer on sale or as a refurb?

Our bonus tip is to point you to one of the best places to get notebook deals, as a refurb direct from the manufacturer. While Black Friday deals are on a specific day in very limited quantities manufacturers like HP, Apple, Dell and others are constantly selling refurbished notebooks, even high end ones, at hundreds off in their refurb departments.

Keep all of this in mind, and stay tuned to Notebooks.com’s Black Friday Laptop coverage and you’ll be ready to score a great deal on your next notebook no matter when you buy.

10 Things to Look for When Buying your Black Friday Laptop or NetBook is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.