Wondering why it’s been so quiet the last couple of days? Too much drinking to help me cope with all the news out of CES?

No! I’ve been wringing my hands waiting for Futureshop to finally deliver my Gateway LT2101H – the one I discovered on their site more than a week ago. Do to a backorder and inattentive CSR, I ended up having to wait four extra days – but it’s here now!

Take the jump, and have a look at the pics!

So far, so good. I currently own a 15.4″ Gateway notebook coated in the same candy apple red (though the netbook adds a stylish tone-on-tone stripe), and I’ve been very happy with it. The LT2102H – at least at first blush – is every bit the same quality I’ve come to expect from Acer / Gateway machines over the years (this is #4).


The LT2102H measures about 24MM (just under 1″) and weighs in at 1.1KG. (about 2.4 pounds). Its power button/LED and wifi LED are located at opposite sides outside the hinges. Added cool: the translucent plastic covering the power LED has an embossed ripple pattern on it which looks slick when illuminated.

Its chicklet keyboard is a good size, and comfortable to switch to after using my full-size 15.4″. As with other Acer keyboards like this they do wiggle a bit – but no more so than a traditional laptop keyboard, really. The touch pad is also nice and large and tracks very well. Its button isn’t split (not a downside in my eyes) and has a good, solid feel – the action on it is just about perfect (for what I like in mouse/trackpad button).

Software-wise, I’m pleased to see that Gateway  hasn’t gone overboard with the bloat. Here’s what I’m uninstalling: Norton Internet Security and Online Backup, and the Google Toolbar. That’s it. I’m leaving Microsoft Works installed. Hey, I don’t need a full-blown office suite on this machine, and Works will fill in nicely when I need to whip up a quick document.

Windows 7 Starter is on board, and I’m fine with that, at least for now. I have a nasty habit of formatting and reformatting non-stop after about a week, so we’ll see how long it stays. Here’s how the Experience Index shakes out:

  • Processor: 2.4
  • RAM: 4.4
  • Graphics: 3.1
  • Gaming Graphics: 3.0
  • Primary Hard Disk: 5.3

Pretty well exactly what I expected. I’ll be upgrading from the stock 1GB ram to 2GB tomorrow. Access through the underside is super easy – a single screw guards the ram door, while the HDD and wifi adapter require undoing a trio of screws (still very painless).

On the battery front, Windows 7 reported about 4:55 minutes on a full charge. If that turns out to be true, great – it’s only a 3 cell, 2200mAh powerpack, so I’ll be thrilled if I can push it to nearly 5 hours. Thoughtful design feature: the plug on the AC adapter can be rotated – making it easy to squeeze into a slim gap on your overcrowded power bar or to allow it to hang securely from a wall outlet.

And now, a word about audio. Coming from an older MSI Wind and Acer Aspire One, the speakers on the LT2102H absolutely rock. Maxxed out they’re plenty loud for listening at my desk or kitchen table, and there’s little to no distortion. There’s also no bass, but I wasn’t expecting that. Regardless, Mr. Scruff’s Ninja Tuna (in your sample music folder) sounds funky as all get-out, and I love it.

At full brightness, the 10.1″ display outshines my 15.4″. It’s actually too bright, which is great. I’ll probably be running at about 80% most of the time. Images are crystal clear and colors are rich and accurate.

I’m also digging the Atom N450′s improved muscle. I’m browsing, listening to music, and installing apps right now and the system isn’t bogging down.  In Google Chrome, GMail and Google Reader are smooth as silk. That’s a must for times when I can’t get away with being “productive” by reviewing games for you guys.

Games to be tested soon…so stay tuned! In the meantime, there are a few more photos over at my Picasa Web storage you can check out.