By Tolkoff, Sarah Few were surprised when Taiwanese computer maker Acer Inc. said last month it plans to buy Gateway Inc. But now some are wondering whether the struggling Irvine-based company's brand name-along with its famed spotted cow motif-will have staying power under Acer.

COMPUTERS: The $710 million deal creates the world's third-largest PC vendor. By Gary Gentile THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Taiwan-based Acer Inc. will buy Gateway Inc. for $710 million in a deal designed to give the long-struggling U.S.

By Tolkoff, Sarah TECHNOLOGY: Sale could be only way for company, analysts say The rumor mill is churning again for Irvine-based Gateway Inc. Shares of the struggling computer maker got a boost recently alter buyout talk heated up over news that China's Lenovo Group Ltd.

By Gary Gentile LOS ANGELES - Taiwan-based Acer Inc. will acquire Gateway Inc. for $710 million in a deal designed to give the long-struggling U.S. computer maker the size it needs to compete against larger players, the companies announced Monday.

By Gary Gentile LOS ANGELES - Taiwan-based Acer Inc. will acquire Gateway Inc. for $710 million in a deal designed to give the long-struggling U.S. computer maker the size it needs to compete against larger players, the companies announced Monday.