Gateway M210 series notebook computers may be your gateway to the wonderful world of mobile computing, freeing yourself from your office or basement. Suppliers of Gateway M210 laptops offer a nice alternative to a desktop computer. Before you research suppliers of Gateway M210 laptops, get the information you need to determine whether a Gateway M210 notebook is your best choice.

Gateway M210 series notebook computers are sleek, thin laptops, weighing in at less than 5-1/2 pounds. Don't let the tiny profile fool you; a Gateway M210 laptop computer comes loaded with features like a 14-inch ultra-bright screen, 3 USB 2.0 ports, built-in stereo speakers and hard drives of 40 GB or 60 GB. Consider the Gateway M210 notebooks and accessories you might need:

1. Purchase either an extended life Gateway M210 battery or an external battery;

2. Select the Gateway M210 features specific to your computing needs; or

3. Add RAM to your Gateway M210 to give it an inexpensive speed boost.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Expand your Gateway M210 laptop through external accessories

If you purchased the M210S, you might want to add an external DVD burner to burn your home movies or make backups of your personal DVDs. Connecting an external mouse and keyboard often makes it easier to use when you aren't mobile.

I recommend: TigerDirect sells many DVD burners, including those with Lightscribe capabilities. Super Warehouse offers a wireless keyboard and mouse combo. These devices communicate to the laptop via an RF receiver connected to the laptop's USB port.

Buy upgrade accessories to Gateway M210 notebooks

Gateway M210 series laptops are customizable. You can put in larger hard drives and expand available RAM. You can also purchase an extra battery to double your unplugged time.

I recommend: Memory-Up.com supplies RAM for Gateway M210 laptop computers and guarantees their work. You can upgrade the hard drive with a standard 2.5-inch diameter, 9.5 mm thick hard drive through Newegg Inc. To get a battery to fit the M210 laptop, shop At Battery Company.

Connect an LCD flat panel monitor to your Gateway M275 notebook

Monitors are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. Only a few years ago, the idea of having a 20' monitor on ones desk would've been ridiculous, if for no other reason than the weight of such a CRT monitor. Now, adding a 20' monitor to your laptop system is reasonable and affordable.

I recommend: If you want to see and touch your monitor before you purchase it, Best Buy sells flat panel monitors up to 19" diagonal. Buy.com offers monitors up to 20" diagonal.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you shop for Gateway M210 series notebooks online, read all the consumer reviews you can find. Learning about everyday users' experiences will help you determine the specifics you'll need in your own Gateway model M210.