Proud To Show My Gateway
Apr 01 '00
Gateway systems are to the computer world, as Lexus is to the auto industry! Simply put, they are the high-end systems of what is offered out there.
As my very first experience with computers many years back, Gateway had made it just that much simpler in selecting a system just right for me. And, upon arrival, the set-up instructions were so well put together that I felt confident dipping into this first-time venture.
I was first introduced to Gateway by my brother-in-law, who purchased his system through them (a 486DX). I’ve used it many times, and loved it. The setup seemed top-of-the-line, and the price seemed like a bargain. So, when my time finally came, I decided to give Gateway a call.
Placing The Order
My experience with Gateway has been excellent from day one, beginning from placing my order with a sales rep. I called up, was on hold for approximately 1 minute, and was then greeted by a sales rep. He cheerfully stated his name and ID, and asked me for my name. From there on, he referred to me by my first name.
Being my first real experience with computers, I asked him what every spec meant, and how it would affect me. I did some prior research on what everything meant, but really wasn’t sure what was right for me. Did I need 3 gigs, or was that too small? Would 32MB of RAM be sufficient, or should I up it to 64? He patiently went through every detail with me, explaining what it meant, and what would probably be good for me, as well as how easy it would be to upgrade in the future.
By the end of the call, I was itching for the day that I would receive my brand-spanking-new system.
Receiving The System
About 10 days later, I received the system via UPS. The whole system was packaged in 3 boxes… the tower, the monitor, and the speaker system. This was my first true system, so I really didn’t know much about actually hooking it up. It came with a large instruction poster that explained, in detail, what gets plugged into where. Further, the speaker system had it’s own smaller poster for instructions on that device.
Hook-up was a snap. Never been easier. In clear English form. All the connections were color-coded (as most systems now are today anyway), and you basically connected color-to-color.
Power Up
After everything was connected, I powered up the system for the very first time. She started up smoothly, with the plug-n-play immediately doing its search for attached devices. Within 10 minutes, the computer was pretty much done, and ready for me. Well… almost!
The speakers weren’t working. Apparently, the plug-n-play never found the driver for the speakers. No problem. I reinstalled the included drivers and solved the problem in less than five minutes. The system was now operational.
Further Use
About a month with the system, I ran into a problem which was causing all sort of errors on my system. I figured it was probably something I did wrong. But, I couldn’t pinpoint the problem. It was a Sunday early morning, about 2:00am. I called Gateway tech support with their toll-free 800 number. I was on hold maybe about 5 minutes until a tech got to me. I explained to him what was happening and he went through some basic diagnostics with me.
It turned out I had a defective card. Without hesitation, he said he would send me a replacement. The replacement arrived within 5 days. Can’t remember the exact day, but this problem occurred on a Sunday and I had received the replacement via UPS before Friday. I installed the new card, and everything was back to normal.
Further Notes
Several years and several computers later, Gateway has still always been reliable for me. I have recommended Gateway to everyone I work with and many friends and relatives.
Gateway’s strongest point is their 24/7 tech support. For someone new to computers, or lacking any computer skills, Gateway is the way to go. If you have no knowledge of computers, and your system crashes, who are you going to call? You can call a knowledgeable friend, if you have one, but even that won’t help you on a Sunday midnight. Gateway can be called anyday, anytime, with any problem. On one occasion, I was on the phone with Gateway tech support for approximately 6 hours, the tech being as patient as ever.
Pros
Besides the 24/7 tech support, here are some more advantages to a Gateway system. You get a 30-day price protection guarantee. This means that after you buy your system, if the price of your system drops within 30 days, Gateway will refund the difference to you. So, if you buy a system priced at $2,000, and 20 days later the price drops to $1,500, Gateway will refund you $500. Hard to believe? My brother bought a system, which dropped $100 two days after he purchased it. A refund was promptly granted.
Gateway also has program called YourWare. This program is geared towards upgrading to a newer system in the future. After owning the system for 2 years, but less than 4 years, you can trade it in for a newer system and you’ll save whatever the market value is of the computer you are trading in. If you plan on staying current, this is a great feature.
Also, their systems are completely customizable. When you place your order, you can change any option. You can add or remove RAM, get a larger or smaller HD, select your monitor size, and/or add/remove other components or devices.
And, all Gateway systems come with a 3-year parts/labor warranty, 1-year on-site service, and free tech support 24/7 for as long as you own the system.
Cons
Gateway systems are generally priced a little more than most other brands, and, in my opinion, justifiably so. Also, you cannot walk into a shop and purchase one of their systems and take it home that day. Gateway has a toll-free 800 number for which to place your order. A sales rep will go through your options, explain everything, and take your order over the telephone. Most of the time, delivery will take about 2 weeks. Rush delivery is available for a fee.
Summary
As great as they are, Gateway is not for everyone. Preferably for those lacking computer know-how, they are still great systems for the experts. You pay a little more, but you get more. Most experienced computer users prefer to build their own systems, or go for other brands which will cost you less. But, these users can usually solve the average computer problem themselves. If running into a problem is going to drive you nuts, that 24/7 tech support is a big plus.
And, of course, you’re going to have the few customers that had a bad experience with Gateway, vowing to never again give their hard-earned money to them. Like anything else in the world, there will always be a few bad apples… no one is perfect, including Gateway. Don’t take the advice of one disgruntled customer, or one satisfied customer. Rather, read several reviews before deciding whether or not Gateway is for you!
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Epinions.com ID:
charlesmtf
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Member: Charles Ippolito
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 1 member
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