Gateway positions newest desktops and laptops as entertainment devices fit for gamers and video enthusiasts Gateway on Thursday launched quad-core desktop and notebook computers loaded with entertainment features designed to appeal to multimedia enthusiasts.The announcements come ahead of the U.S. holiday shopping season, which begins in November.The GT5628 desktop includes Intel’s quad-core processor and Viiv technology, a software and hardware combination aimed at users who want to view and manage multimedia entertainment on PCs. The system runs the Vista Home Premium OS and includes Intel’s Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor, the G33 Viiv chipset, Nvidia’s GeForce 8500 GT graphics processor, 3GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, a 15-in-1 digital media card reader, a DVD-RW drive, and DVI (Digital Visual Interface) and S-Video multimedia ports.The PC will cost $949.99 and does not include a monitor. Prices for other new GT-series desktops start at $529.99, Gateway said in a statement.Though desktops are generally dwindling in popularity as laptops remain the hot category, they are re-emerging as home entertainment and information centers, said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies. As more people adopt high-definition content and upcoming wireless video transfer technologies, the desktop could redefine itself, he said. Microsoft is emphasizing the role of the PC as entertainment and information center with its Windows Media Center OS, and has been encouraging partners such as Gateway to push the concept, Bajarin said.Windows Vista has Windows Media Center OS functionality built in, Bajarin said.Gateway also announced two desktop-replacements notebooks Thursday, targeted at multimedia enthusiasts and gamers. A $799 P-6301 Notebook PC, which runs the Windows Vista Home Premium OS, comes with Intel’s Pentium Dual Core Processor T2310, 1GB of RAM, a 17-inch-wide screen, a 5-in-1 memory card reader, and 802.11g wireless networking.A $949.99 P-6822 Notebook PC, which runs the Windows Vista Home Premium OS, comes with Intel’s Centrino Duo Mobile processor, a 17-inch-wide screen, a 250GB hard drive, 1GB of memory, a dual-layer DVD-RW drive, wireless a/b/g networking, and a 1.3-megapixel Webcam.Both laptops weigh 8.34 pounds and become available at U.S. retailers next week. In late August, Taiwanese company Acer announced a plan to acquire Gateway for $710 million. On Thursday, Acer bought more than 90 percent of Gateway’s outstanding shares, coming close to completing the deal. Technology Industry