Gateway catches up to the notebook design bandwagon

Welcome, Gateway!

So, you're doing the colored/crazy-designed notebook thing now, huh? Yeah, so is, well, everyone else.

It's pretty well-established now that the masses see their computer as an extension of their personalities. First, it was the brightly hued notebook trend that all the top-tier PC makers were latching on to, including Gateway. Now as a laptop vendor, it seems you have to offer some artsy-looking version of a standard notebook to even get noticed anymore. (With the exception of Apple, which garners plenty of attention with its commitment to minimalism.)

Cases in point: Sony, which already has a deserved reputation for making good-looking laptops, did these limited-edition artist-designed notebooks last fall. Hewlett-Packard had this eye-catching one on display at the Consumer Electronics Show last week--designed by a 21-year-old kid, no less. Even conservative, buttoned-up Dell has been experimenting in color and customized lids--OK, so World of Warcraft themes aren't exactly high art, but they count--for the last six months. Heck, start-ups like NVousPC are trying to make a business out of the unique-looking laptop trend.

Gateway's addition to the pack is taking its M- and T-series notebooks, slathering them in more colors--besides Garnet Red and Pacific Blue there will also be Merlot and Silver options--and adding a new design called Arctic Bloom. Gateway says there will be no price premium if you order one of the notebooks (which cost between $800 and $1,400) with that design. All new colors and designs will be available beginning Thursday.

For this year, I'd venture to guess that interesting textures are going to be the next must-have design detail. Lenovo threw down the gauntlet with its striking red, vine-patterned 11-inch IdeaPad earlier this month.

So...who's next?