WHAT'S HOT: The new Solo 1200 succeeds the consumer-targeted Solo 1150CL and costs $200 less. The all-in-one 1200 inherits the 1150CL's 12.1-inch active-matrix screen, two USB ports, and four useful shortcut buttons above the keyboard. Shapely slip-resistant handgrips on the lid make the notebook easier to pick up and give it Gateway's whimsical Holstein-cow look.

Other improvements include a faster Celeron processor (now pegged at 800 MHz), a 10GB hard drive (up from 6GB), an Ethernet connection, and a distinctive parallelogram-shaped case. Gateway also gives the 1200 a parallel port, missing from the near-legacy-free Solo 1150--a wise about-face, since most consumers still need this connection.

WHAT'S NOT: Like the 1150CL, the 1200 isn't a snappy performer. This Celeron-800 laptop with 192MB of RAM and Windows Millennium ran our test applications a smidgen slower than the average Celeron-700 notebook equipped with 128MB of RAM. The 1200's battery life is even worse than the 1150CL's: The nickel-metal hydride power pack died after a little more than 90 minutes, and it doesn't accept a longer-lasting lithium ion battery.

Typists fond of rock-solid keyboards may dislike this notebook's super-springy one. Though you can remove its hard drive, you can't upgrade it beyond 10GB. Finally, Gateway sounds a flat note with this new model's distortion-prone speakers, a far cry from the 1150CL's clear, rich sound.

WHAT ELSE: The 1200 measures 1.8 inches tall but weighs a relatively light 6.7 pounds, not including the AC adapter. The fine overall design features CD-ROM and floppy drives fixed on opposite sides of the sensible gray case. Gateway put a single PC Card slot on the left side, a modem jack on the right, and remaining connections on the back; meanwhile, it moved the headphone jack from the back to the right side, where it's easier to reach. A new latch design lets you pop open the wide-framed screen with one hand. The 1200 lacks a few standard connections, such as serial and PS/2 ports, but you probably won't miss them.

Because it's a laptop with a small screen, the 1200 doesn't need a docking connection intended to support duty as a desktop replacement. The print and electronic documentation caters to first-time PC users, with tips on how to use the Internet, create documents, and travel with a notebook. Gateway also sells a wireless-ready version of the 1200 with built-in 802.11b antennas ($125 extra).

UPSHOT: With its utilitarian design and modest 12.1-inch screen, the Solo 1200 looks a tad frumpy next to metallic-skinned portables with 15-inch displays. But to students, frugal consumers, and savvy laptop shoppers scouting for a more-than-basic machine at a killer price, it's a beautiful sight.

SUMMARY

Gateway Solo 1200 PC WorldBench score of 101, Celeron-800 CPU, 128MB of SDRAM, 192KB of L2 cache, Windows Me, 12.1-inch active-matrix screen, integrated graphics with SMA10GB hard drive, 10X-24X CD-ROM drive, built-in V.90 modem and network connections, touchpad pointing device, 7.5-pound weight (including AC adapter and phone cord), Microsoft Works Suite 2001. Three-year parts and labor warranty; free, unlimited, 24-hour toll-free tech support. $1199 800/846-2000 www.gateway.com