Gateway NX100X

Occupying about the same desk space as a sheet of paper and less than an inch thick, the 3.2-pound Gateway NX100 is one sleek machine. It's also inexpensive, at $1,624, though that includes only a three-cell battery and an external optical drive. Still, this more consumer-oriented model can get you started with an ultraportable now, and then you can add to it as your budget permits.

 

The chassis accommodates a glossy 12.1-inch widescreen display. The 1,280 x 800-pixel native resolution packs a lot of information on the screen, but it also means some pretty tiny text at default settings. Worse, the viewing-angle performance is poor. A white background turns grayish when viewed even slightly off-axis. If you want to watch a movie on the screen, you'll need to add the external DVD/CD-RW combo drive for $199.
 
The 16:9 screen does allow for a full-sized keyboard, though we found the key plunge a bit shallow when compared with, say, the Lenovo X60s. The NX100 offers no dedicated volume or Wi-Fi buttons; you'll need to use Function key combos to control those elements. Embedded wireless broadband won't be offered in this class of machine until the third quarter.

 

The NX100 does not have the TPM circuitry, but the casework is magnesium alloy, which adds some welcome strength. The 1.2-GHz Intel Core Solo U1400 processor is adequate for productivity chores, but the NX100's MobileMark 2005 score was poor, at 168. Few people will be happy with the included three-cell battery, which delivered less than three hours of runtime. Figure on adding the six-cell unit (a reasonable $69.99) if you want to double that endurance, or even the nine-cell pack ($79.99), which adds some heft and bulk but should also run for nearly nine hours per charge.

 

The NX100 is the lightest 12.1-inch widescreen ultraportable on the market and also the most affordable. We have some changes on our wish list, but if you want a good-looking, lightweight machine on a budget, it's a solid choice.