Leigh Anne Jones
Gateway 700C
The eye-catching, space-saving 15-inch Gateway FPD1510 LCD monitor will pamper your vision when you're putting in long hours at the computer. And gadget hounds will appreciate the system's three IEEE 1394 ports (including one on the front panel) and four USB ports (two on the front panel) that can accommodate multifarious data devices. The USB ports are fine for a mouse, keyboard, or printer; the faster 1394 ports are better for devices that benefit from high-speed data transfers, such as digital cameras, camcorders, and external hard drives. The GeForce3 graphics adapter with 64MB of DDR SDRAM pumped smooth, good-looking images to the LCD in our game tests. The system manual is detailed and user friendly.We have only minor complaints. The clunky-sounding DVD-ROM drive shudders to a ragged halt when opened, and the CD-RW drive, while slightly less shaky, behaves similarly.
At $2558, the 700C is on the pricey side. With XP Home edition, a 2-GHz Pentium 4, and 256MB of PC800 RDRAM, it posted a mid-pack PC WorldBench 4 score of 102. Music makers will appreciate the 50 blank CD-R discs and CD Stomper Pro labeling software aimed at letting you plunge in with the 12X/8X/32X CD-RW drive. Our test unit came with the attractive Boston Acoustics Digital BA7500 audio system, consisting of four willowy, white speakers and a subwoofer. It will suit most listeners, though audiophiles may want something more powerful. Gateway's standard warranty is one year for parts, labor, and support. You can upgrade to a two-year warranty for $89 more or, for $119, to a three-year parts and labor warranty plus lifetime technical support. Game performance was respectable but not stunning. Equipped with a 64MB, GeForce3-based VisionTek NV20 graphics board, this Gateway could handle game play only up to 1024 by 768 resolution (in both 16- and 32-bit color) on its 19-inch monitor. Our judges assigned middling scores for most aspects of game play, but awarded high points for the colors in both Quake III and Unreal Tournament. The software bundle includes Microsoft Works Suite 2001, Norton AntiVirus 2002, and a package of digital photography, video editing, and digital music programs.
If you have big plans for your next PC, from supporting a small business to indulging your artistic impulses, the 700C would make a good choice.
| Buying Information |
| Gateway 700C PC WorldBench 4 score of 102, Pentium 4-2000 CPU, 256MB of PC800 RDRAM, Windows XP Home, 80GB hard drive, 16X DVD-ROM drive, 12X/8X/32X CD-RW drive, VisionTek NV20 graphics board with 64MB of DDR SDRAM, 15-inch Gateway FPD1510 LCD monitor, Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live sound card, Boston Acoustics BA7500 speakers, network adapter, V.90 modem, midsize tower case; Microsoft Works Suite 2001, Norton AntiVirus 2002. One-year parts and labor warranty; free, unlimited 24-hour daily toll-free tech support. $ 2558 PC WorldBench 4 score of 102, Pentium 4-2000 CPU, 256MB of PC800 RDRAM, Windows XP Home, 80GB hard drive, 16X DVD-ROM drive, 12X/8X/32X CD-RW drive, VisionTek NV20 graphics board with 64MB of DDR SDRAM, 15-inch Gateway FPD1510 LCD monitor, Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live sound card, Boston Acoustics BA7500 speakers, network adapter, V.90 modem, midsize tower case; Microsoft Works Suite 2001, Norton AntiVirus 2002. One-year parts and labor warranty; free, unlimited 24-hour daily toll-free tech support. http://www.gateway.com 800/846-2000 |