Intel's energy efficient chip set could usher in a whole new wave in laptop computing. DVDs are great to watch on a laptop, but not so great if the battery fails in mid-flight. With battery charged, I loaded the DVD of Star Wars: Episode II (you know, the forgettable "Attack of the Clones"). Lots of quick cuts and heavy-duty visual effects worked the 450 to the bone. But when the final credits rolled after 2.5 hours, the 450 still had a half an hour of battery juice. What's cooler, literally, is that it didn't overheat like older machines; it's a laptop you can set on your lap without scorching your thighs.

Since Centrino technology was designed to maximize the efficiency of wireless networking, I tested it by streaming hundreds of MP3s from a desktop PC to the laptop. The original battery lasted four hours; an optional second battery ($80) gave it three more hours.

That seven hour stretch of nonstop Wi-Fi networking is good enough for any meeting-hopping executive who has little time for recharging or plugging in during the day. It's also great news for people who are just getting into Wi-Fi and are curious about the "hotspots" popping up in airports, Starbucks franchises and other random locations nationwide. Gateway's 450 is one of many Centrino products launching this week, and if it's representative of the lot, well, it may be time to get a new laptop.