New Feature-Rich Media Center PCs Give Students and Consumers Power, Speed and the Ideal Software for Making the Most of Productivity and Entertainment Applications
IRVINE, Calif., June 30 — Gateway today announced its new back-to- school line of retail desktop PCs, all featuring the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 operating system.
This is the first time PCs with a combination of 64-bit dual core processors, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and BTX chassis’ will be available at leading technology and electronics retailers.
“Gateway was the first company to bring BTX advantages to retail and now we’re enhancing that platform with high-performance dual-core technology,” said Marc Demars, Gateway’s senior director of desktop product marketing.
“The combination of BTX and dual-core means top performance and maximum reliability in a PC. Beyond the leading-edge design, we created this new line specifically for the needs of students by incorporating all the hardware and software features needed to maximize PC productivity and entertainment.”
Equipped with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, all of the new PCs have the ideal operating system for enjoying digital hobbies, whether it’s listening to their favorite MP3 music, retouching and archiving photos or watching their favorite DVDs. For consumers that purchase a system with a TV tuner, this operating system also makes it easy to record favorite TV programs for viewing at their leisure.
Gateway 840GM: Blockbuster Entertainment Including TV Viewing and Recording
The Gateway 840GM combines Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition 2005 and an Intel Pentium D 830 dual core (3.0GHz) processor with the long-term reliability and quiet operation of Gateway’s unique BTX implementation.
By circulating air more efficiently, internal components like processors, hard drives and graphics cards are better cooled, making its components up to 82 percent more reliable than those within a traditional PC.(1) The PC is also exceptionally quiet and allows for greater expandability with the unique orientation of the graphics card provided by the BTX design that allows for five full expansion slots (PCI and PCI Express™).
This powerful desktop PC is outfitted with cutting-edge technology to take on graphically intensive applications. At the heart of the machine is an Intel Pentium D 830 dual core processor with 1GB DDR2 SDRAM (533MHz) for swiftly managing both 32-bit applications and future 64-bit software. The dual core technology makes it possible to run two intensive applications at once without degrading performance. Offered for the first time, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950 integrated graphics with full DirectX™ 9 support provides vibrant graphics playback to bring gaming, digital video and other multimedia to life. Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950 offers up to a 2x increase in 3D performance over Intel’s previous generation GMA 900.(2)
Outfitted with a TV tuner and a remote control, the Gateway 840GM lets users enjoy their favorite TV programming, record it and control the PC from anywhere in the room. In addition to television capabilities, this multimedia powerhouse enhances the creation of photo slide shows, editing of digital video and playing computer games. A 16x double-layer multi-format DVD+/-RW optical drive, DVD-ROM and 250GB SATA hard drive(3) (7200RPM with 8MB cache) provide plenty of room for storing digital content. In addition, 7.1 audio capabilities are available through the integrated Intel High-Definition Audio. The system also has three IEEE 1394 ports and seven USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide array of digital devices and computer peripherals as well as 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet for connecting to the Internet. In addition, it comes with a PCI Express x16 slot for future graphic card upgrades. The Gateway 840GM will be available at leading retailers on July 10 for $1049.99.
Gateway 835GM Media Center: Mainstream Multimedia, Robust Reliability
Consumers looking for a PC that makes it easy to enjoy MP3 music, digital photography and video will appreciate the Gateway 835GM. Like the 840GM, it is housed in a reliable, quiet BTX chassis with five full expansion slots, so users can be assured years of productivity. With a foundation of an Intel Pentium D 820 (2.8GHz) dual core processor, an Intel 945G chipset and 1 GB DDR2 (533MHz), this PC is powerful enough to handle power hungry games and other applications simultaneously. It boasts a 250GB SATA hard drive(3) (7200RPM with 8MB cache) for storing data and a double layer 16X DVD+/-RW multi-format drive and DVD-ROM for housing and retrieving data, photos and videos. Intel GMA 950 graphics with DirectX™ 9 support enhances the visual images with vivid color and clarity.
The Gateway 835GM comes with Microsoft Windows Media Center 2005. It also houses three IEEE 1394 and seven USB 2.0 ports for attaching the latest digital devices and computer peripherals as well as 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet for connecting to the Internet. A PCI Express x16 slot is provided for future graphic card upgrades. The Gateway 835GM will be available at leading retailers on July 10 for $849.99.
Gateway 831GM: Multimedia Benefits, Maximum Value
The Gateway 831GM was built to provide superior performance at an exceptional price. Leveraging the power of an Intel Pentium 4 processor 630 (3.0GHz) with Hyper-Threading technology(4), the Gateway 831GM can take on digital media hobbies and productivity applications with ease and speed. With the powerful processor and 512MB DDR2 (400MHz), users are equipped to run demanding applications and games.
Providing ample room for storage and easy file back-up, this PC boasts a 250GB SATA hard drive(3), double layer 16X DVD+/-RW multi-format optical drive and a DVD-ROM. Intel GMA 900 Graphics with DirectX™ 9 support and Intel High Definition Audio supporting up to a 5.1 speaker configuration will please multimedia enthusiasts. The Gateway 831GM desktop PC comes with Microsoft Windows Media Center 2005, three IEEE 1394 ports, seven USB 2.0 ports and 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN. A PCI Express x16 slot is available for any future graphic card upgrade. The Gateway 831GM will be available at leading retailers on July 3 at a suggested retail price of $699.99.
All three new Gateway desktop PCs come with an 8-in-1 digital media manager for reading the latest digital devices, a premium multimedia keyboard and a USB optical two-button wheel mouse.
Comprehensive Software Bundle Boosts Productivity and Security
The Gateway desktop PCs, designed for digital media applications, are outfitted with Cyberlink PowerDVD for enhancing DVDs with bright, vibrant visuals. They also come with the Nero 6 Suite that includes five different software packages: Nero Express for the quick and easy creation of personalized CDs and DVDs; Nero BackItUP for developing back-ups of existing CDs and DVDs; InCD 4 Writing, which makes it possible to burn content to the latest CD and DVD media formats, including CD-RW, CD-R, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-/+RW and DVD/+RW; InCD 4 Reader for cross-platform compatibility with various Windows operating systems such as Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows 98; and Nero BurnRights for enabling multiple users to burn CDs from one system without accessing the system administrator’s files.
The new systems are bundled with a wide array of productivity software, including Microsoft Works 8.0, 60-day trial of Microsoft Office 2003 Student/Teacher Edition, Microsoft Money 2005, Microsoft Picture IT! 10, Microsoft Encarta Online, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Media Player 10, RealNetworks RealPlayer and AOL 9.0 with a three-month
membership.(5)
Responsive Service and Support
Gateway’s commitment to quality and reliability is evident in its award-winning line of PCs as well as in its exceptional service and support programs. The company’s extensive online support center helps customers maximize their PC investment; it gives them easy access to customer support representatives and information on important issues such as warranties,(6) technical issues and upgrading.
Gateway offers a pro-active service tool called BigFix at no charge on all its PCs.(7) With the customer’s permission, BigFix identifies and sends messages offering updates and general PC maintenance. Additionally, the Gateway System Recovery solution offers all customers the ability to easily recover drivers, applications or the full factory image. The Gateway System Recovery solution provides advanced recovery capabilities that are always available, so consumers experience less down time in the event of a system issue. Unlike other recovery systems, Gateway’s solution lets customers restore the factory software image while maintaining all data files stored on the PC. Back-up options and restore procedures are simple, thanks to Gateway’s easy-to-understand recovery guide and system recovery interface.
Gateway PCs also come with the Gateway Internet Security Shield. It protects the computer from viruses and other unwanted issues with Norton Internet Security 2005 (Anti-Virus, Anti-Spam, Firewall and Parental Control) and McAfee Anti-Spyware. Always-There Recovery software restores the system to its original configuration.
About Gateway
Since its founding in 1985, Irvine, Calif.-based Gateway (NYSE: GTW) has been a technology pioneer, offering award-winning PCs and related products to consumers, businesses, government agencies and schools. After acquiring eMachines in early 2004, Gateway is now the third largest PC company in the U.S. and among the top ten worldwide. The company’s value-based eMachines brand is sold exclusively by leading retailers worldwide, while the premium Gateway line is available at major retailers, over the web and phone, and through its sales force. See http://www.gateway.com for more information.
Applicable taxes extra. Intel, Pentium and Centrino are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
(1) Accolade Engineering Solutions, January 2005. The Arrhenius Acceleration Reaction Rate Model is used to estimate the improvement in mean time to failure (MTTF) based on temperature of the component.
(2) Based on 3D Mark 05 benchmark tests.
(3) Accessible capacity varies; MB = 1 million bytes; GB = 1 billion bytes.
(4) Performance may vary. See http://www.intel.com for additional information.
(5) Internet connection required. Additional phone charges may apply. Call 1-800-846-2000 for details and access numbers. Check the number you select with your local phone company. New US members 18+ only. Major credit card or checking account required.
(6) Limited warranties and service agreements apply; visit gateway.com or call 1-800-846-2000 for a free copy. May not be available in all locations. Phone charges may apply for tech support.
(7) Internet connection required.
