Gateway ID49 And ID59 Pack Core i3/i5, Optional NVIDIA Optimus

Gateway has outed their latest notebook, the Gateway ID Series, packing Intel Core i3 and i5 processors and NVIDIA Optimus switchable graphics on select models.  The Gateway ID49 has a 14-inch HD 1366 x 768 display while the Gateway ID59 has a 15.6-inch HD display; both get an aluminum alloy lid and an aqua-blue multitouch touchpad that resembles matte glass when not lit and then glows when touched.

Connectivity includes WiFi b/g/n and HDMI, and there's up to 500GB of storage and up to 8GB of DDR4 memory.  Meanwhile Gateway thrown an NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M GPU into select ID49 models, automatically switching between that and the regular Intel HD graphics.

There are also programmable keys – which can be used to call up social networking sites – and a 1.3-megapixel webcam with twin digital microphones, plus a multi-format memory card reader.  The Gateway ID49 kicks off from $679.99 while the Gateway ID59 starts from $799.99.

Press Release:

Gateway Launches Uber-Chic New Gateway ID Series Notebook

Modern, streamlined design features glowing aqua-blue touchpad; Select models have NVIDIA Optimus technology for ideal balance of graphics performance and battery life

IRVINE, Calif., June 23, 2010 – Gateway today brings unique style elements to a new notebook PC line – the Gateway ID Series – which is designed to deliver the latest in mobile technology in a thin and lightweight design that is modern, chic and eye-catching.

The Gateway ID Series comes in a sleek silver casing that is punctuated by a unique aqua-blue touchpad that glows when touched, acting as a beacon for accessing entertainment and information. The Gateway ID Series will be available in two sizes: the Gateway ID49 has a 14-inch HD Ultrabright LED-backlit display and weighs 5.07 pounds, while the Gateway ID59 has a 15.6-inch HD Ultrabright LED-backlit display and weighs 5.5 pounds. The Gateway ID Series is protected by an aluminium alloy lid and measures only a slim 1-inch thin, so the notebooks are comfortable to carry and easily slide into a briefcase or book bag.

In addition, select models of the new Gateway ID49 Series feature NVIDIA Optimus graphics technology, which intelligently regulates the notebook's use of dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics or integrated Intel HD graphics, depending on the task its performing. The notebook will use NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M dedicated graphics while running video, games and multimedia applications to ensure the visuals are incredibly crisp and clear. Alternately, the notebook will switch to integrated Intel HD graphics when less demanding programs are being used, such as browsing websites, or working on documents and spreadsheets. As a result, the NVIDIA Optimus technology ensures that battery life is extended for longer enjoyment(1)

"Notebooks are more than ever an expression of who we are and what's important to us," said Ray Sawall, senior product marketing manager for Gateway notebooks. "The look and feel of the Gateway ID Series notebooks is so unique that anyone will be drawn to them – especially to the touchpad that resembles a swimming pool inviting customers to 'dive in' and enjoy the notebooks' advanced capabilities and entertainment features. And with NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics with Optimus technology, consumers can experience improved graphics performance when it matters, backed by battery life preservation for longer use."

Touchpad and Keyboard Comfortable, Enjoyable to Use

The most striking element of the new Gateway ID Series notebooks is the aqua-blue touchpad that resembles matte glass when not lit, and then glows when touched. The effect is enhanced as customers use the notebook's multi-gesture capabilities to more intuitively scroll through documents, rotate photos, and pinch to zoom in on websites.

The Gateway ID Series was designed to be comfortable and easy to use. The keyboard is smooth with well-defined keys that provide the right response for smooth typing and blend seamlessly with the rest of the unit to further promote a streamlined feel. Additional features, such as the touchpad lock and programmable key, promote productivity. Plus, the larger screen size of the Gateway ID59 makes room for a dedicated numeric keypad for fast and easy number input.

Stylish Mobile Performance and Entertainment On-the-Go

Ready for on-the-go mobile performance with the latest in technology and features, the Gateway ID Series includes Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processing technology boosted by up to 8GB of DDR3 memory. Both the Gateway ID59 and ID49 feature widescreen LED-backlit displays with a 1366x768 resolution, so visuals are crisp and clear. Images are enhanced on select models with the aforementioned NVIDIA Optimus graphics (as found on the Gateway ID49), which switches between graphics solutions for an optimized balance of performance and battery life.

Entertainment can be easily enjoyed with the many features in the ID Series. The capacitive touch multimedia keys provide easy control of features such as play, forward, pause and volume control. Customers can feel like part of the entertainment when enjoying video on the Super-DVD player and listening to high-fidelity Dolby Home Theater v3 audio. The new notebooks can be taken anywhere for use as a mobile home theater thanks to their HDMI port, which lets customers use a single, convenient cable connection to deliver crisp high-quality visuals and high-fidelity audio to a home theater or external LCD.

The Gateway ID Series is ready for entertainment and productivity with all the ports customers need to connect to their devices such as camcorders and digital cameras, printers and a network connection. Also, the notebooks feature media card readers that accept popular media cards (Secure Digital, MultimediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD Picture Card) as well as hard drives up to 500GB in capacity(2), so customers will be able to easily and quickly access, download, store and share their digital media content.

Staying in Touch with Social Networking Key, Lots of Connectivity

Gateway has featured a new integrated "social networking" button on its newest notebook and netbook lines, and that includes the new Gateway ID Series. The dedicated key gives customers quick access to their social networks on Facebook, YouTube and Flickr. Pushing the button launches an integrated widget that lets customers easily make updates to their own sites by posting information, images and video, while also enjoying updated status feeds of friends, family and colleagues.

Gateway customers can use the ID Series to stay in touch via email and websites. The devices come with integrated 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Certified for a reliable connection to hotspots and wireless networks. Plus, the integrated 1.3MP webcam enables a crisp and clear high-resolution image for real-time video streaming, online chatting and video conferences. The Gateway ID Series features two integrated digital microphones for improved sound recording via the webcam.

Back-up with a Single Touch

Since today's mobile-savvy customers want to take their video, photos and other files with them, the Gateway ID Series notebooks feature MyBackup functionality that gives them a way to quickly and easily back-up all their important files.

Price and Availability

The Gateway ID Series will be available in a variety of configurations to meet a range of budgets. The Gateway ID59 with a 15.6-inch display starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $799.99 while the Gateway ID49 with a 14-inch display starts at an MSRP of $679.99.