Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!psivax!torkil
From: torkil@psivax.UUCP (Torkil Hammer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Gateway 2000 ??
Message-ID: <2936@psivax.UUCP>
Date: 17 Nov 89 01:43:48 GMT
References: <0ZLWYd_00WBLQ0w3JO@andrew.cmu.edu> <2779@pur-phy>
Reply-To: torkil@psivax.UUCP (Torkil Hammer)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Pacesetter Systems Inc., Sylmar, CA
Lines: 32

So far my experience with Gateway 2000 has been:

* They are busy to the max.  There's gonna be a lot of 386SX's under
  those Xmas trees this year.

* Their advertised price for their standard 386SX is $2395 but the actual
  is $100 lower "due to instability in the computer chip market etc".  This
  beats whatever I have seen _advertised_.  Some say you can get it for
  less.  Are you perchance referring to a minimum configuration or stuff
  from the grey or black market?

* No built in surge protection.  I bought a basic surge protector for
  $15 at a hardware store.  This is highly recommended.  If you are
  going to use modem you should get one that protects the phone line, too.

* When I first called them I didn't know that they cook each to order.
  They will mail you brochures with options.  You specify disk, Ram,
  video ram, disk backup, and monitor configuration.  They put the system
  together and burn it in.  Shipment is 2 weeks after you order.

* The sales reps know their product.  Slots (6+2), free slots (4+1),
  standard (2x1 MB SIMM) and max (8 MB) ram configuration, VGA colors
  with and without the VGA card upgrade, max disk bays (3+2) etc.

* They don't sell printers.  Buy one locally.

* They return phone calls, but it can take days.  They were faster in
  October.  This is the season for buying discount computers anyway.

* My SX will be shipped on 11/21.  I'll keep you posted.

Torkil Hammer