Gateway's NV5933u updates the company's budget laptop lineup with the latest Intel Core 2010 processor. The system uses the new Core i3-330M dual core processor that provides a significant upgrade over the previous Core 2 processors. The system can easily handle multiple applications and multimedia tasks without much of a problem. The 4GB of DDR3 memory also helps with multitasking.

The feature that really makes the Gateway NV5933u really stand out in the budget market is the Blu-ray drive. Most laptops in this price range feature a standard dual-layer DVD burner. This laptop has the ability to playback and record DVDs and CDs but can also play Blu-ray movies. Those wanting a low cost portable HD video player would be hard pressed to find a better bargain. The hard drive is typical of a budget system with 320GB of storage space and spinning at the typical 5400rpm rate.

It would be nice to see an LCD display that features true 1080p HD video support but that isn't something one will see in a $650 laptop. The NV5933u has a typical 1366x768 resolution that handles 720p HD video streams just fine. If you want to watch a Blu-ray or streaming video at higher resolution, it is possible to hook up an HDTV or digital monitor via the HDMI connector. One drawback to the laptop screen is very limited viewing angles. One person can easily see the display quite well but sharing the screen for watching a movie will caused washed out and darkened colors.

The Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics are typical of budget systems and are more than capable of handling 1080p video from Blu-ray or video streams. Those hoping the system can be used for light PC gaming will be disappointed that it is not really capable of even the most basic of 3D games.

One of the downsides of the low price point is a very small battery pack. Gateway uses a 4400mA pack that provides limited power. In my Blu-ray playback test, the system was only able to run for roughly two and a quarter hours. This translates roughly to three to three and a half hours of more typical usage that is well below typical 15-inch laptop running times.

It is nice to see that Gateway has decided to use a full keyboard layout on the NV5933u. It even has a nicely done LED backlighting that isn't overdone. The design uses a flat style that is well spaced but has a very soft feel to it. This made typing over extended periods of time a bit uncomfortable but it still provided a very accurate layout.

Overall, the Gateway NV5933u is a clear choice for anyone looking for a high-definition mobile platform at a very low price. The system on the whole does a very good job and has all the other features one would expect in a $650 laptop.