Organization: University of Central Florida--Computer Services
Date: Sunday, 5 Apr 1992 16:48:26 EST
From: Eric C. Anderson <ANDERSON@UCF1VM.BITNET>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: To all Gateway 486-33 and 486DX2-50 owners


In article <1992Apr5.125018.14301@usenet.ins.cwru.edu>,
au483@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Adrian Drollinger) says:
>
>Hi everyone!
>
>I'm in the process of buying an i486 - based computer and consi-
>dering buying from Gateway 2000. I'm not quite sure if I should
>get the 486-33 or the 486DX2-50 system and have a couple of ques-
>tions regarding both systems that I rather ask current owners of
>these machines than Gateway employees (plus phone charges from
>Switzerland to the US are extremely high...)
>
>1) How is your overall satisfaction with the system (please in-
>   dicate which one you own).

I ordered a 486/33 with the tower case option ($100.00 extra). The system
came with 8 meg ram, 5 1/4 and 3 1/2 high density drives, 200 meg hard
drive, ATI SVGA card, 14" color monitor, DOS 5.0 and windows 3.0, mouse,
plus my choice of software packages (I chose Word for Windows).

I also ordered the Telepath FaxModem option ($195.00). It came with
QMODEM, Crosstalk for Windows, and WinFax.

Other than a modem problem (see below) I am very satisfied with my
system.

>2) Did you have any problems so far with the system?

The modem does not work properly. It likes to hang up for no apparent
reason. I called Gateway about it and they admitted that there have been
problems with the Telepath modems. They are sending me a new one.

>3) How is your overall satisfaction with Gateway 2000? Have they
>   been helpful with problems you had?

I got right through to Tech Support to report my modem problem. They
were very friendly and helpful. They recently lowered the price on the
system I bought, and since I ordered within a certain period of time of
the price decrease, they are going to refund me $145.00 :-)

>4) What made you choose Gateway (e.g. over ZEOS)?

Price and Package deal. Plus a friend of mine ordered the same system, so
I was able to look at his before I ordered mine.

>5) Do you know if Gateway offers student rebates? Do they let
>   you discuss the price?

I don't know about any student discounts. From what I have heard, they
are pretty firm on their prices.

>6) Does your system include an upgrade socket (e.g. for P24 -
>   clock-doubler-chips)?

It includes a socket for a Weitek coprocessor.

>7) Is the external processor cache expandable?

Yes it is, up to 258K. The system comes standard with 64K.

>8) Does your system include a 32-bit Slot (how many)?

Only 1 for an optional memory card. Since my system is ISA architecture
it has only 16 bit slots (8 of them). The EISA machine has 8 32 bit
slots.

>9) 486DX2-50: - Is there extra processor-cooling installed?
>              - Which applications run faster than on a 486-33?
>10) How do you like the monitor than came with the system (Which
>    one did you choose, how is picture distortion etc.)?

I have the monitor that comes standard with the system, a CrystalScan
1024NI 14" Color VGA monitor. It is very sharp, with clear picture and
color rendering. It comes with a swivel-tilt base.

>11) Does anybody know what monitor options are offered by Gate-
>    way / for which price?

According to their add, there is a 15" CrystalScan 1572FS monitor
available for an additional $195.00. There may be others; a phone
call will confirm this.

>12) Would you buy this system again or would you prefer another
>    one?

Yes I would!

>
>Thanks in advance for your help. I'm hoping to get as many ans-
>wers as possible, so don't hesitate to only answer a few ques-
>tions if you don't have the time. Thanks again,

No problem!


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   |  Eric C. Anderson              |                                  |
   |  Systems Support, x3-5474      | "All that we see or seem is      |
   |  University of Central Florida |  but a dream within a dream..."  |
   |  Orlando, Florida  USA         |             -- Edgar Allan Poe   |
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Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware