Description:
Accenting portability and affordability rather than crushing power, the three-deep Gateway M405 series of notebooks is worthy of investigation by budget-conscious folks who need to keep their computer nearby wherever they go. This model, the M405XL, is the most expensive and certainly most capable of the M405 series, offering such goodies as wireless communication, CD burning, DVD playing and a comparatively large 40 GB hard disk. Though not a true ultra-lightweight notebook such as those found in Gateway’s slightly pricier 200 series, the M405XL is nevertheless comfortably portable at just 13.15 by 10.63 by 1.33 inches and 6.10 lbs. As is typical for many of today’s small-scale notebooks, the unit features Intel’s new Centrino technology. Built upon a triad of interconnected elements -- an Intel Pentium M CPU (with 1 full GB of Level 2 cache), an Intel 855 chipset, and a cord-free network connection -- Centrino-equipped notebooks deliver more power and more perks than their size and rated processor speeds might otherwise indicate. In the case of the M405XL, that processor is a speedy 1.5 GHz Intel Pentium M. Gateway has also included 256 MB of DDR SDRAM memory and an Intel Extreme Graphics 2 video controller, thus giving users solid general computing capabilities but unspectacular multitasking, high-end business and 3D performance. The M405XL is crammed with impressive mobile features such as a 40 GB hard disk and an optical drive that permits CD playing and burning and DVD playing. The unit’s display delivers a surprisingly generous 15 inches of viewing area and a sufficient maximum resolution of 1024 by 768. Communication options include not only a standard 56K dial-up modem and a 10/100 Ethernet network adapter, but also an integrated 802.11b wireless connection for those times when you can’t or don’t want to plug in. DVD writing is not supported. Other important amenities include a pair of high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast interaction with external peripherals such as scanners or digital cameras, a VGA port for external monitors, a parallel "printer" port, and an S-Video TV-out, a full size keyboard and a convenient EZ Pad pointing device. An IEEE 1394 FireWire port (typically used for digital camcorder downloads) is not included. Bundled software includes Microsoft’s Windows XP Home Edition and a 90-day trial with Norton AntiVirus.
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