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Gateway’s ID49C13u - some sort of thin and sedately attractive all-purpose laptop, can be a giant step forward in a company whose modern notebook PCs seemed stuck within the doldrums. Gateway has even included an excellent touch pad that pulses around hypnotic rhythms when you boot up.

Further than looking good within coffee shops, the $849 ID49C13u we tested supplies a configuration that provides an abundance of oomph for everyday chores and light gaming. Associated with the main components are generally an Intel Core i5 460M Processor running at 2. 53GHz, 4GB associated with DDR3 memory (1066MHz), and additionally a nVidia GeForce GT 330M. The one weak link is the capacious 500GB storage device, which spins just 5400 rpm.

A 7200-rpm hard drive might have improved the ID49C13u’s presently more-than-competent WorldBench 6 scores of 106, although the laptop’s gaming standing was quite reputable anyway: Frame rates in Unreal Tournament 3 checks exceeded 90 fps at medium information and 70 fps at high detail–more-than-adequate numbers.

Video–even high-bit-rate flicks that tax lower notebooks–played smoothly over the unit, and looked quite nice relating to the 14-inch, 1366-by-768-pixel, LED-backlit LCD exhibit. The laptop’s 1. 3-megapixel Webcam supports as many as 1280 by 1024 res; and though movie is jerky for that setting, it can be useful for fast one-off photos or surveillance. Audio through the speakers sounds a bit muffled, and bass is usually virtually nonexistent–par to your course for some sort of all-purpose laptop. Always, the Dolby Would you delivers reasonably excellent audio through headsets.

Connectivity on the ID49C13u is top-notch, with 802.11n wi-fi and gigabit ethernet. As part of the usual array involving ports are some USB 2. 0 and a particular each HDMI, VGA, together with audio in/out, and a MS/MMC/SD/xD memory credit card reader. An 8X DVD burner serves being the optical drive.

The ID49C13u’s input ergonomics is just shy of excellent. The Chiclet-style keyboard has a decent amount of travel, as well as the layout isn’t cramped, which often facilitates quicker touch-typing. The touchpad/rocker button provides a long-travel feel, but its glass-smooth surface is a tad too slippery until you’ve gotten used it a tad.

The touch pad’s scroll areas work as such only when the cursor is positioned on the scroll bar, though you may scroll as a result of double-dragging anywhere–a nice touch from the vendor, Alps. The touch pad is usually perfectly situated on the keyboard deck that has plenty of room for your palms. The front edge in the deck is a bit too angular for top comfort during longer typing sessions, but it’s not actually as bad as in the current Macs.

This thin (0. 85 inch thick) design for the ID49C13u makes it a little bit lighter than the average mainstream laptop. It weighs only slightly above 5 pounds in the hand, and its traveling weight while using the AC adapter is 5. 5 lbs. For a notebook with such formidable performance, battery life is kind of good: 4 a long time, 23 minutes.

The cluttered pc and uninspiring foundation image you encounter whenever you boot into that Windows 7 Home Premium OS are out of harmony along with the laptop’s clean physical lines. Some in the clutter, such like Netflix, a 60-day trial of Norton World-wide-web Security, and the user’s guide may just be useful, but they belong on the Start menu. Windows Live is the productivity software, and Nero is available to sharpen the capabilities in the DVD burner.

Along with the ID49C13u and its compatriots, Gateway has gotten over its infatuation with disgusting designs; and the 13u variant provides a nice combination with performance and battery life. You may get a cheaper ID49C configuration ($679 or higher as of October 25, 2010) without drastically diminishing the complete experience, but that could be your call.