Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!maverick.ksu.ksu.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!kwgst
From: kwgst@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Filip Gieszczykiewicz)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: part-by-part vs. system
Summary: Gateway 2000 vs collection
Keywords: which?
Message-ID: <84782@unix.cis.pitt.edu>
Date: 29 Jan 91 09:26:48 GMT
Reply-To: kwgst@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Filip Gieszczykiewicz)
Followup-To: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Distribution: usa
Organization: pre-med
Lines: 60


	Greetings.

	I got a copy of COMPUTER SHOPPER because I'm seriously
	thinking of a 386. I did my "homework" and looked through
	almost all the ads and found the best prices on a system
	that has a configuration I want:

	386/33
	387/33 (Cyrilix sp?)
	4MB
	200MB IDE
	14" VGA (non-interlaced) + SVGA (1K X 768 X 265) card /1MB
	101 keyboard + tower case + 250W ps
	1.2MB + 1.44MB drives
	2S/1P/1G port card
	trackball (hate mice)
	60MB tape backup	
	
	Here's the point of this post:

	Even though I found the best prices on the above system, when I
	compared my price with that offered by GateWay 2000, mine
	was more expensive. (I did not cound tape drive, 387, and trackball
	in comparison - just the "basic" system). 

	Now, I have some questions:

	1) Gateway 2000 offers the above system (less tape, 387, trackball)
	for $3195. Now, if I decide to buy from them, can I tell them to
	put a 387 and/or tape and trackball for me - instead buying them
	from other sources? Do they carry that stuff? Do you think the
	prices will be comparable to other sources?

	2) Can I specify what brand hard drive, for example, I want? They
	just say "200MB IDE" in their ad. Can I ask them for a Maxtor xxxx
	(paying the difference, of cource)? 

	3) They don't say, in their ad, if they do or do not "burn in"
	their systems. Do they?

	
	Also, a comparable system, for the same price, was from a
	company called "Insight". Anyone heard of them? How good are
	they?

	How does the "free technical" help work? Does one have to give
	them a special number that tells them that you are THEIR customer?
	
	Should I just give them a call? :-)

	Take care. (Please use e-mail when replying)

	P.S. All replies will be archived. Need a copy? Send me mail.
	Please give me a few days before sending the "me too!" :-)
-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If reply bounces, try "kwgst@pittvms"... no? try "fmgst@unix.cis.pitt.edu"
Did you hear? Some Poles burned the Russian flag near the Soviet embassy,
in Poland. :-) :-) "Nothing is impossible if you don't have to do it yourself."