I got a Pentium III December 1999 and, based on my experience with that Gateway, I was inclined to get my new comp from them. I would have gone for a Pentium 4, but I've heard they're not very reliable over a gigahertz so I switched to AMD. It does very well for me. My old system had Windows 98 and I wish for it back fairly often. Windows Me had to be the worst OS I have ever seen My Old, old Windows 3.1 on a 486 runs much better than Me does. That won't be a problem for anyone who would buy now, since Gateway is now installing Windows XP on their new comps. I'm considering upgrading to XP for a hundred bucks through Gateway. Time will tell. Other than Windows, I really like this computer. What a change from 450 mhz to 1.2 ghz! The jump from 10 gig memory to 40 gig was good too, I already have 10 gig used just on music files on this comp. I put 256 megs RAM from Tiger Direct on top of the factory 128 megs that came with the comp and it was well worth it.

I mainly use this comp to surf the internet on a modem. I secondarily use it for video games and watching DVDs. For my purposes, it is more than enough. Games and DVDs run smooth, the burner does a nice, quick job of making cds, I have yet to "make a coaster". No problems have been big enough to warrant me to call Gateway for service, but whenever I did with my old comp, they usually were prompt, courteous, and helpful. Their warranty is awesome. I can even take this comp right to the country store in Madison for a full year if I have any problems and I can call them for free for three years.. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Gateway to anyone - especially now that they've got rid of that God awful Windows Me.

By the way, my old comp has a new life with my mom up in Rice Lake. I am confident it'll last her a long time.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 1200
Operating System: Windows
Processor: AMD Athlon (K7)
Processor speed: over 1000
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 31-40