New Convertible Tablet Notbooks from Gateway

Gateway unveiled its new M285-E (pro model) and CX210 (consumer model) Convertible Notebooks. The new notebooks build upon the Gateway M280 and CX200 models with Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology and Intel Core Duo processors.

The company claims its convertible notebook is currently the best-selling Tablet PC in retail, making up 54 percent of all Tablet PCs sold via the retail channel.

The new Gateway Convertible Notebook with Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology will be offered at retail later this year.

Convertible notebooks are computers that have the traditional notebook form-factor and can be twisted or folded into a flat tablet.

Customers can choose optional dedicated ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 graphics or standard integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics, as well as multiple processor, memory and hard drive options. A modular bay lets customers choose from a number of optical drives or a second battery. The new models include 802.11a/b/g , Bluetooth, a 7-in-1 Media Card Reader, three USB 2.0 ports and one IEEE 1394 port.

Gateway will sell an optional 12-cell battery that keeps the notebook powered for up to eight hours.

The new Gateway Convertible Notebooks come with Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 operating system and meet or exceed Microsoftâ€â„¢s Windows Vista Current Planning Guidelines. They also come with Microsoft Office OneNote 2003, an easy-to-use, all-in-one program that lets customers capture, share and organize information, audio and files. The systems also include Microsoftâ€â„¢s Experience Pack for Tablet PC and Microsoftâ€â„¢s Education Pack for Tablet PC.

The M285-E is available immediately with a base price of $1,399. The CX210 will be available in May.