In early September 2005, Gateway changed the names of many of its laptops (and desktop PCs). Where there was once a tidy set of M-based names (M680, M520, M460, and so on), there are now four sets of names, each targeting a different market segment: a professional line, for companies with 100 or more

employees; a small-business line, for workforces with fewer than 100 employees; a consumer line, for individuals; and a retail line, which you'll see in stores.

Aside from the included software packages and warranty terms, the laptops are essentially the same from line to line; in other words, Gateway is selling the same laptops under different names depending on who's buying. The Gateway M460, for example, is now sold to consumers as the NX550, to small-business customers as the S-7500N, to professionals as the M460, and in retail stores as the MX6000 series.

Still confused? Here's a quick list to help you figure out what's what: