Power qualifies Gateway's notebook offering for desktop-replacement status

With its Solo 9500, Gateway joins the elite club of computer vendors - including Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Compaq - to produce notebooks sporting the new Intel 1GHz Mobile Pentium III processor.

The Solo 9500 performs solidly. Although it could be slightly unwieldy, it is suitably nippy for a notebook that weighs 3.9 kilograms and, at just more than 3.8 centimetres thick, fits into a briefcase.

A a battery test on the machine yielded a mere two hours 17 minutes.

That should not be too surprising, as the notebook's power-sapping features include built-in DVD drive, 39.8cm TFT display and 1GHz processor.

There is plenty of room for a wrist rest surrounding the touch pad, as well as four function keys and audio controls above the keyboard.

The keyboard is comfortable and has an efficient layout. Touchpad fans are likely to be happy with the Solo 9500. However, its sensitivity could result in cursor jumps if the user's a hand drops while typing.

While the machine's features qualify it for desktop-replacement status, it is also clearly built as a multimedia machine. It was only when I played the Oscar-winning movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon that I truly appreciated this. The display is clear at its native 1,280 by 1,024 pixel resolution.