Gateway brings Centrino 2, 9800M GTS to FX notebooks

Gateway today gave its FX notebook line a performance increase with its first retail system using newer technology. The P-7811 FX is based on Intel's Centrino 2 platform and runs a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo from the newest generation, improving on the older 2GHz and 2.2GHz chips with a faster 1,066MHz bus. It also brings NVIDIA's GeForce 9800M GTS graphics for more desktop-like 3D performance, particularly at the 17-inch LCD's native 1920x1200.

The revamp is accompanied by other upgrades made possible by the combination of mainboard and video hardware, including a newer 802.11n Wi-Fi chipset as well as HDMI 1.3 output. A 200GB hard drive is stock, but an external SATA jack remains standard as an option for adding external drives that run as well or better than the internal storage.

Just one configuration is available that provides 4GB of RAM and Vista Home Premium 64-bit to address the full amount of memory. It should be available immediately for $1,400 at Best Buy shops.