WHAT'S HOT: Just $949, the Gateway 400SP Plus is temptingly priced for a new notebook, especially for one this generously equipped. In addition to a 15-inch screen and an 8X DVD-ROM and 24X/10X/24X CD-RW combination drive, you get a six-format card reader to easily share information from digital cameras, PDAs, and other small devices. The card reader, which takes the spot normally occupied by a floppy drive on the left side of the notebook, accepts Compact Flash, Hitachi Microdrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, Secure Digital, and MultiMedia memory cards. Gateway even throws in Microsoft Works 2003.

WHAT'S NOT: The stereo speakers on our review unit sounded a bit distorted at the highest volume.

WHAT ELSE: The 1.8-inch-thick case and the large mouse buttons make the 400SP Plus look chunky, but at only 6 pounds (without the power adapter), it's actually quite light, considering its 15-inch screen. A few conveniences are missing, however. For instance, the model has no FireWire port or TV-out port--two increasingly common features in notebooks (the first lets you download digital video quickly; the second lets you use a TV as a monitor). The optical drive is fixed, so you can't swap in another device, such as a second battery.

The keyboard is sturdy and sensibly laid out and offers quick-launch buttons for easy access to your favorite files. Our only complaint is that it's perfectly level--we've been spoiled by notebooks built with a slight tilt to the keyboard, which can make them easier to type on.

All the standard notebook connections are present, including modem and network jacks, two USB 2.0 ports, and basic audio ports. The hard drive, which is easier to reach than on many notebooks that cost more, slides right out of the front. The battery, which lasted a little below 3 hours in our tests, sports an external LED power gauge.

The 400SP Plus performed as expected in our speed tests. Its PC WorldBench 4 score of 96 is almost identical to the 98 earned by the only other notebook we've tested with Intel's 1.8-GHz Mobile Celeron processor and Windows XP Home operating system, Toshiba's Satellite 1415-S173.

According to Gateway, the 400SP Plus comes with a preloaded, software-based manual, though our review machine did not have one. The print manual we received was for the 400 series and did not match all of our notebook's features, but it was helpful overall. Beginners especially will appreciate the sections on how to use the Internet and the Windows OS.

UPSHOT: The gray-and-silver Gateway 400SP Plus saves its flash for features, not looks, and delivers them for $949. Gadget freaks will especially love the six-in-one memory card reader.

SUMMARY

Gateway 400SP Plus $