Gateway unveils 14-inch TC7306u and TC7307u laptops

We can't say for certain what's gotten into Gateway this year, but it's on a roll. The company's MD and UC families, which were introduced at CES, earned high praise from reviewers and came in at very respectable price points. Now, the outfit is expanding things further with the 14-inch TC line, which is currently comprised of the TC7306u and TC7307u. Designed to hit that sweet spot between a full blown 15-incher and an ultraportable, these media-centric lappies get going at $649.99 and tip the scales at 5.3 pounds. Each one sports a 1.3 megapixel webcam, WiFi, gigabit Ethernet, a 1,366 x 768 resolution panel, a built-in multicard reader and three USB 2.0 ports. You'll also find a variety of colors, Intel's Core 2 Duo CPUs, a dual-layer DVD writer and a 6-cell Li-ion battery. Nah, you haven't missed anything out of the ordinary, but these two don't seem half bad for handling basic tasks without spending a bundle. Full release is after the break.
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GATEWAY'S NEW TC SERIES NOTEBOOK LINE DELIVERS STYLISH MOBILITY, ECONOMY

New Line Serves Range of Mobile Customers Looking for Portability, Style and Latest Technology at Incredible Value

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 19, 2009 - Gateway today extends the
popular design and features of its MC Series(r) and MD Series(r)
notebook lines to its new compact and lightweight TC Series(r) notebook
line, which sports a 14-inch High Definition display, starting at a
value-minded $649.99.

The ultimate affordable pairing of mobility, style and
multimedia technology, the Gateway TC Series notebook line was designed
with the performance and cinematic mobile entertainment features that
make it ideal for use as a mainstream notebook. The 14-inch
Ultrabright(tm) HD widescreen display boasts an entertainment-ready 16:9
aspect ratio.

"We've taken the best of our incredibly popular MC and MD lines
and made it even more compact and lightweight in the TC Series," said
Ray Sawall, senior product marketing manager for Acer America. "The
result is the perfect marriage of useful features and compact design
punctuated with an eye-catching style. Plus, we've maintained the
budget-minded price tag, giving customers an incredible bang for their
buck."

With sculptured edges and a unique blend of materials, the TC
Series' distinctive look and feel is marked by the cover's unique
branding stripe flanked by silver accents. The TC Series is available in
two colors, burgundy and black, and features a textured palm rest and
polished keyboard surround.

Easy-to-transport, the 5.3-pound notebook fits neatly in a backpack or a
briefcase, so students, small business professionals and consumers will
be able to stay connected and productive while on the go. The integrated
1.3 megapixel webcam is incredibly simple to use, allowing consumers to
have fun with live video conferencing and stay in touch with video
emails, voice over IP and still photos. The many hot spots and wireless
networks available today give consumers access to the Internet using the
TC Series' 802.11b/g Draft-N wireless. Plus, the notebook line features
Gigabit Ethernet for a fast wired connection.

Even at its bargain price, the TC Series is ready for handling digital
media and entertainment applications. The Ultrabright 14-inch backlit HD
LED display vibrantly delivers a first-rate viewing experience with a
1366x768 resolution and 8ms response time, which make movies and digital
content appear crisp and clear. Plus, its 16:9 aspect ratio allows
customers to view multiple windows and applications.

In addition, audio sounds great with full HD audio support and a
built-in microphone. Transferring digital media to the notebook from
popular flash media card used in consumer electronics like digital
cameras and camcorders is easy; the notebook line has a 5-in-1 media
card reader (SD, MMC, MS, MS Pro and xD) as well as three USB 2.0 ports.
Customers have one-touch access to their digital media and
frequently-used entertainment programs with the notebook's Illuminated
Multimedia Touch Controls.

Configurations, Price and Availability
The Gateway TC Series is available now at select U.S. retailers,
starting at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $649.99.

The first models available are the TC7306u(r) in black and the
TC7307u(r) in burgundy. Both notebooks have the same value-focused
configuration; they are equipped with an Intel Pentium Dual-Core Mobile
T4200 processor (2.00 GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB), 4GB of Dual
Channel DDR2 667MHz Memory and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M.
Transferring and storing large files is easy with the 8X Multi-Format
Dual Layer DVDRW w/ DVD-RAM drive and high-capacity 320(1) hard drive.
They both come with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 64-bit
as well as Microsoft Works 9.0 and a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office
Home & Student 2007. They each have a 6-cell Lithium Ion battery and an
MSRP of $649.99.

The TC Series was designed to scale to fulfill many consumers'
daily entertainment and productivity requirements. Future configurations
can include Intel processor technology including Intel Core 2 Duo as
well as an HDMI port for connecting digitally to external displays and
HDTV's. In addition, the line can support up to 500GB(1) of storage
space and 4GB of DDR2 memory. Plus, the TC Series can support new
technologies as demand for them increases, such as Blu-ray optical
drives for enjoying the latest high definition movies as well as
dedicated NVIDIA GeForce(r) 9300M graphics supporting Microsoft(r)
DirectX(r) 10 for excellent graphics and video playback on the go.



Gateway Limited Warranty, Service and Support
The Gateway TC Series notebooks are backed by a one year limited
warranty.(2) Gateway's commitment to quality and reliability is evident
in its award-winning line of PCs as well as in its exceptional service
and support programs. In addition to the company's standard limited
warranty options, its extensive online support center helps customers
maximize their PC investment; it gives them easy access to customer
support representatives and information on important issues such as
warranties, technical issues and upgrading.(3)

About Gateway
Since its founding in 1985, Irvine, Calif.-based Gateway has been a
technology pioneer, offering award-winning products and world-class
service to customers worldwide. Gateway is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Acer Inc., the world's third-largest PC company. See www.gateway.com for
more information.