Gateway, long known for its (once) very active direct sales model, is continuing to morph as it attempts to revitalize itself. The most recent strategic change is pretty remarkable -- the outfit is completely and thoroughly ditching the aforesaid direct sales model. From here on out, prospective customers will only be able to snag a Gateway PC from retailers, e-tailers and other channel partners. According to the official verbiage, the change will deliver "significant cost savings, ultimately resulting in an improved value proposition for consumers." This all seems to have quite a bit to do with the recent Acer acquisition, with Mark Hill, Acer Group US General Manager, stating that Gateway is "shifting its distribution method to better align with Acer's successful global strategy, which was built upon an indirect model." At this point, we suppose it can't hurt to give it a whirl.

[Via Electronista, image courtesy of The New York Times]

Given that Gateway just pushed out a round of updates including the relatively ginormous P Series, we reckon it was only logical to expect a review shortly. To be frank, the P-6831FX critiqued over at HotHardware is far from being the most potent machine with a 17-inch panel, but unlike many of its luxurious competitors, this one is actually affordable. So, how much gaming joy can $1,349.99 bring you? Quite a bit when the 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS and 3GB of RAM are included. Reviewers found gaming performance to be downright remarkable, though the 1.67GHz CPU did hamper it a bit in other areas. It should be noted that the unit now arrives with a slightly faster CPU among other minor extras, so if it was good then, we're guessing it's a runaway winner now.

Merely months after Gateway thrilled your soul with the introduction of all sorts of new desktops, the outfit has apparently received the upgrade bug. Starting right now, the 17-inch P-Series, 15.4-inch M-Series and 14.1-inch T-series laptops can be ordered with Intel's latest Core 2 Duo chips, more spacious hard drives and dual-layer DVD writers. For those eying a tower, the FX Series, DX Series and GT Series now provide (up to) a Core 2 Quad Q9300 CPU, 6GB of RAM, an overclocked NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT and price tags starting as low as $549.99. For more on these absolutely riveting upgrades, hit the read link and try not to fall out of your seat.

Do you absolutely love Gateway desktops? If you said yes, prepare to be seriously stoked. The company is releasing a slew of new systems this week, ranging from cheapo starters to pretty heavily equipped gaming / multimedia models. We've got all the info that's fit to print (and frankly, some that isn't), and we've rounded up the basic specs and features after the break. Enjoy!

Hey, remember that Gateway P-172X FX we got our hands on yesterday? Well, now the gaming powerhouse has gone official, and is joined by a smaller, slightly less sporty edition -- the $999.99 M-6850FX. The 15.4-inch laptop features a Core 2 Duo T5550 CPU, an ATI Radeon HD 2600 graphics chipset, 3GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, and a DVD-R / RW / DVD-RAM optical drive. Two other mid-level models are being introduced as well; the $849.99 M-1626, and $749.99 T-1628. The former comes equipped with a 15.4-inch display, an AMD Turion TL-60 CPU, ATI Radeon HD x1270 graphics, 4GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, 802.11g, and HDMI. The latter downsizes to a 14.1-inch display, keeps the AMD CPU and ATI graphics chipset, plus 3GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and the aforementioned wireless and HDMI support. The company is also introducing a new pen-based configuration, the C-142XL ($1,299.99), which sports a Core 2 Duo T8300 CPU, ATI Radeon X2300 HD GPU, 3GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and utilizes a Wacom pen for input. That enough data for you? We thought so.

If you're a gamer on the move (and we think that you are), you're probably eyeing some monster laptops. If you're looking to bro-down with one in the near future, take a moment to familiarize yourself with Gateway's latest 17-incher, the P-172X FX. The updated rig (a new riff on the similarly-themed P-171) features a Core 2 Duo CPU (the 2.4GHz T8300), 1920 x 1200 resolution, 4GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, NVIDIA's GeForce 8800M GTS GPU (with 512MB of GDDR3 RAM), a DVD-R/RW/RAM optical drive, and a nasty mess of ports and card slots. We got to take the dude out for a spin, and performance was definitely up to par (translation: it plays Crysis), though the design left a little something to be desired, like... style. A cheaper, 2.0GHz version with half the drive space, lower screen resolution, and a gig less RAM is available, though it maintains the GPU and graphics memory. The P-172X FX is available right now for $1,999, and kid brother P-172S FX will run you $1,399. Check the gallery below for a full and proper look.

It hasn't even been a year since Gateway dropped the M-series laptop on us, but with all the other kids getting fancy new Penryn shoes, it's time for an upgrade -- say 'allo to the M-151X and M-151XL. Only the XL gets the fancy new 2.4GHz T8300 Core 2 Duo, actually -- poor X here is still wearing last year's 65nm 1.66GHz T5450 fashions. Both feature a 15-inch glossy screen, though, as well as 256MB ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT graphics with HDMI out, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, fingerprint reader, 5-in-1 memory card reader, slot-loading dual-layer burner, 250GB drive, and Vista Home Premium. Not a bad little package, especially for the price: the X will set you back a cool grand, while the XL runs $1,299.

[Via Laptoping]

Just like expected, Acer has formally bought into Packard Bell, snapping up 75% of PB Holdings, Packard Bell's parent company. Things got a bit hairy for a bit there when Packard Bell started speaking with Lenovo as well, since Acer fears losing its strength in Europe to the Chinese giant. Luckily for Acer, Gateway was the real clincher here, since Gateway started talks with Packard Bell before getting bought by Acer itself, and had nabbed the right to counter any offers Packard Bell might get from other companies. The deal officially went through on Wednesday for $45.8 million.

Gateway is releasing two new desktops today, both sporting some features we've grown accustomed to, but also introducing some new hotness into the typically stale market. The new models -- the GM5664 and GT5662 -- share a slew of the same features, like the ATI Radeon HD 2400XT graphics card, 3GB of RAM, and 8-channel 7.1 audio, but they also have some notable differences. The GM5664 comes equipped with a Hybrid-SuperMulti optical drive, which gives you the ability to play Blu-ray or HD DVDs to your heart's content, while also handling typical DVD-RW functions. The system is also packed with a 2.3GHz AMD Phenom 9600 CPU, 1TB hard drive array, and an analog / digital TV tuner. The GT5662 includes a 2.2GHz AMD Phenom 9500 CPU, does away with the dual format drive, halves the storage space, and axes the TV tuner. Both are available now for $1,149.99 and $749.99, respectively.

Gateway knows that it takes more than a bunch of meaningless digits related to "CPU speed" and "hard drive capacity" to get today's fast-paced teenagers buying its laptops -- which is why they've just announced new "skin" updates to the M-Series and T-Series models. Beginning today, users will be able to purchase the computers in their original "Garnet Red" and "Pacific Blue," as well as the new shades "Merlot," "Siver," and "Arctic Bloom." Finally, there can be more to your Gateway than mere technical features.

The new P-170 FX laptop lineup from Gateway might look a bit bulky, but there's quite a bit of tech under the hood. At the "low-end," the P-170 FX1 runs a Core 2 Duo T7250 processor, 17-inch 1440 x 900 screen, 3GB of RAM, 250GB HDD, multi-format DVD burner, 5-in-1 media reader, GeForce 8800M GTS graphics with 512MB of RAM, 802.11n WiFi and a 9 cell battery. For $1,600 it's not a bad package, but if you've got a few grand in pocket, you might want to look into the $3,000 P-170FX MAX, which bumps everything up a notch. There's a X7900 Core 2 Extreme processor, 1920 x 1200 screen, 400GB 7200RPM SATA HDD and a HD DVD disc drive. The P-170 FX2 pretty much splits the difference at $2000. The laptops should be available soon on Gateway's online store.

Not quite finding everything you need in the FX7020? Fret not, as Gateway is offering up the FX540 series to cater to light gamers, multimedia freaks and folks who just love black / red motifs. As for specs, you can equip your rig with one of Intel's dual- / quad-core processors, dual NVIDIA GeForce 8800 cards and an optional NTSC / ATSC TV tuner. Additionally, you'll find a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer, a 9-in-1 media card reader, room for 1.5TB of hard drive space and an optional Blu-ray / HD DVD combo drive to boot. Unfortunately, Gateway's not doling out any pricing deets at the moment, but we'd imagine that these will be available to those interested real soon.

We already saw HP crank out a Phenom-powered desktop of its own, and it seems Gateway is also choosing CES to launch a new member of the FX Series with the aforementioned CPU. The FX7020 gets packed with an AMD Phenom 9600 Processor, 3GB of RAM, a 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT, 7.1-channel audio output, a 15-in-1 multicard reader, 500GB 7,200RPM SATA drive, an 18x DVD±R/RW SuperMulti drive and a plethora or software sure to slow things down right from the get go. Nevertheless, those somehow attracted to the curiously designed case (and impressed with the aforementioned specs) can snag one of their own starting at $1,099.

All semi-good, but not-really-good-enough things must come to an end, and Acer has just announced that Gateway's CEO Ed Coleman is leaving at the end of January, and Acer's Pan America Organization president Rudi Schmidleithner will be filling the spot. Rudi will oversee both companies and be responsible for completing the integration process of the two companies, so perhaps we'll start to see these two act like more of a unit going forward.

Microsoft's Windows Home Server is saying balls to its dicey launch year and rallying the troops for a holiday hardware blitz. Its original hardware launch partner HP's on-sale-again-off-sale-again MediaSmart Home Server is officially back and on sale (huzzah!), and multiple hardware partners are (re)announcing their own boxes.

Up to bat with new and "new" WHS hardware: Fujitsu-Siemens, Gateway, Iomega, LaCie, Leo Computers, LifeWare, Maxdata, Medion, and Tranquil. Sure, some have already announced, but those named today will either be introducing new WHS gear in short order, or at least intend to in the next quarter. Also getting official and on sale today: Velocity Micro's NetMagix (previously VMHS). Expect it with a Core 2 Duo, 1GB of RAM, eSATA, gigabit Ethernet, front / rear USB, and up to 4TB of storage (starting at $1000 for 1TB).

P.S. -We're sure Microsoft would like us to remind you of the burgeoning WHS software add-on scene, with the dozens of apps now written for the platform. That's all well and good, but we'll worry about getting that hardware first, then take a look at that software.