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On Thursday Gateway introduced two lightweight notebooks, including its first ultraportable computer since 2002.

The latest products are the M255-E lightweight performance notebook and the E-100M ultraportable.

Gateway engineers redesigned the existing M250 notebook to create the M255-E concentrating on the business user.

They ended up with a 5.2-pound notebook with 14-inch wide screen, Intel (Profile, Products, Articles) Centrino Mobile architecture with Core Duo processor and modular bays that allow users to swap their choice of a DVD drive, extra hard disk drive, extra battery or a lightweight placeholder. Gateway also offers battery options, so users can pick a six-, eight- or 12-cell battery, getting up to nine hours of use.

In comparison, the E100-M is a 3.2-pound notebook with a 12-inch wide screen display, a Centrino with Core Solo processor, integrated 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi and the choice of a three-, six- or nine-cell battery powering up to eight hours of use. The downside to its sub-1-inch thickness is that users must connect an external drive to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) port to view DVDs.

Both models sell for $1,399 and are available in versions for home or small-to-medium (SMB) business use.

The E-100M is Gateway's first "ultraportable" since the Model 200 in 2002.

Source: InfoWorld