Great Computer/Great Buying Experience
Written: Jan 03 '03
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Pros: Fast, stable, reliable. Very good buying experience.
Cons: None so far
The Bottom Line: Excellent computer, excellent buying experience. Great online support help facility.
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| stod's Full Review: Gateway 500 XL PC Desktop |
Purchased:
Gateway 500SE Micro Tower with a 2Ghz processor, 256 RAM, 40Gb hard drive, CD Read-Write/DVD player, 56K modem, Windows XP, Microsoft Works, EV700 17" Monitor. Price was $1199 with a $100 mail-in rebate = $1099.
I also added, for $129, Microsoft Office xp Small Business software, which included Publisher, Excel, Word 2002.
Much thinner than the Gateway Tower and Mid Tower, but still with an IEEE 1394 port (optional) and USB ports in the front; and, in the back - two USB ports (total of 4 - two slots each per port), two serial ports, and parallel port, and your basic (each) monitor/microphone/speakers/audio/modem hookups, and three extra slots for future expansion.
My buying experience was great at the Gateway Country store, 40 miles away. I carried the system out and hooked it up at home in about 20 minutes. I've been back twice with some computer questions (not problem questions) and the staff has been extremely helpful and friendly.
The Gateway computers come preloaded with the operating system and a Gateway help system (on the computer and online). For any questions I have had, I've hit the Gateway Support selection and have received extensive support. Either via email to a human or through the audio teaching facility. My system came with a one-year parts/labor/support service. If I get the chance to purchase another year or so, I will. The support has been that good!
I am using the system for small business applications (Microsoft Word and Excel) and for extensive email, games, and publishing.
We have had no problems with memory (running games, et. al.) or computer down time.
Windows XP has been extremely stable, so I have not yet had to use any "restore" facilities.
During the purchase cycle, I shopped between Gateway and Dell. It was a very confusing time...one day Dell beat Gateway, the next Gateway beat Dell. The "specials" they each run seem to go back and forth on a daily basis!! I even did research about internal components...basically they source the same parts! I also asked friends and business associates...some were die-hard Dells, some Gateway. Bottom line for me was Gateway had an actual store nearby so I could see the human I was talking to!
I have dealt with a "build-on-order" type of PC auction house before, with nothing but problems (defective RAM, motherboard, etc.) and I will not do it again. For the best peace of mind, dealing with Gateway (or probably Dell) and a preloaded operating system is the only way to go!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1099
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: over 1000
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 31-40
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Epinions.com ID:
stod
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Member: Michael
Location: Austin, TX
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 0 members
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