Product Description

Onboard NIC and Sound ... Read more

Features

• Intel Pentium 4 Processor, 2 Ghz, 400 FSB
• 512 MB RAM, 20GB Hard Drive
• Internal CD, FD, 250 MB ZIP
• nVidia Gforce 2Mx AGP Video

Amazon.com Product Description

The BasicsTaking advantage of several recent technological innovations yet priced in the same ballpark as many desktops that do not, Gateway’s 550GR Desktop PC is a powerful yet comparatively affordable computing centerpiece ideal for virtually any office, personal or leisure environment. Businesspeople will appreciate the unit’s powerful Pentium 4 processor and huge hard drive, multimedia buffs will love the comprehensive connectivity and advanced DVD recording facilities, and gamers should get along quite well with the system’s solid 3D graphics performance. Though you can certainly spend more for a desktop computer, the Gateway 550GR delivers most everything a demanding user needs at a reasonable price point.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. The Gateway 550GR features one of today’s fastest CPUs, an Intel Pentium 4 540. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version (nicknamed "Prescott") of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a scorching 3.2 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this is a strong CPU that’s ready for any situation.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. For the Gateway 550GR, Gateway has installed 512 MB of 400 DDR memory, configured in a dual channel setup for even faster response. This is an average RAM allotment for a computer of this caliber, but its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is more than enough for most multitasking situations and complex applications. Moreover, the system’s mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a whopping 2 GB.

Video
CPU’s are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that "shares" the system’s main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures. The Gateway 550GR features an ATI Radeon X300 SE PCI-Express, a strong graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated video memory. This card is capable of accurately displaying virtually any 2D application and delivering smooth frame rates and immersive, lifelike visuals to the 3D animations found in most computer games and 3D animation packages. Hardcore gamers and 3D artisans who demand perfect frame rates at extremely high resolutions may want to upgrade to a far pricier 256 or 512 MB video card, but this card should be quite adequate for the majority of users.

Display:
Gateway has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today’s many alternatives.

Sound
The Gateway 550GR produces stereo and surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for six distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. Gateway has also enclosed a pair of amplified desktop speakers, though serious audiophiles may want to upgrade to a three-piece subwoofer-enhanced set or a surround sound configuration.

Hard Drive
At 200 GB, the unit’s internal hard drive is spacious enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is exceptionally quick – sporting a fast 7200 RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a futuristic Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today’s computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

This system features two optical drives -- a CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a DVD +/- RW drive through which you can do everything else listed above. Moreover, this drive supports "double layer" DVD recording, effectively delivering nearly twice the capacity of traditional DVDs.

Connectivity and Expansion
With a truly grand total of seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you’ll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. Gateway has also included a trio of IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 8-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated Gigabit networking interface (substantially faster data transfer rates than traditional 100BaseT Ethernet) for Internet and network communication, and a V.92 data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections.

Operating System and Software
The Gateway 550GR features a comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft’s beefy Windows XP Home Edition operating system. Gateway will also pre-install Microsoft’s Money 2004 financial center, Microsoft’s Works 7.0 productivity package, Microsoft’s Picture It Premium photo and graphic editing suite, and a variety of high-end multimedia utilities such as the superb Nero 6 Suite CD and DVD burning package.

Control
The system includes a Gateway Premium Multimedia Keyboard and a two-button mouse with scroll wheel. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The BasicsTaking advantage of several recent technological innovations yet priced in the same ballpark as many desktops that do not, Gateway’s 500GR Desktop PC is a powerful yet affordable computing centerpiece ideal for virtually any office, personal or leisure environment. Businesspeople will appreciate the unit’s powerful Pentium 4 processor and huge hard drive, while multimedia buffs will love the comprehensive connectivity and advanced DVD recording facilities. Gamers will probably want to upgrade the unit’s 3D graphics capabilities or explore other Gateway computers such as the more expensive yet more capable 550GR.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. The Gateway 500GR features an Intel Pentium 4 530 CPU. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version (nicknamed "Prescott") of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a scorching 3.0 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this is a strong CPU that’s ready for any situation.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. For the Gateway 500GR, Gateway has installed 512 MB of 400 DDR memory, configured in a dual channel setup for even faster response. This is an average RAM allotment for a computer of this caliber, but its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is more than enough for most multitasking situations and complex applications. Moreover, the system’s mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a whopping 2 GB.

Video
CPU’s are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that "shares" the system’s main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures. The Gateway 500GR features an Intel Graphixs Media Accelerator 900 with 64 MB of shared video memory. Though this is a "shared memory" card, it is part of Intel’s brand new lineup of integrated video controllers that purportedly offer 170% faster performance than prior shared memory controllers. Hence, the system will deliver good performance in 2D applications and satisfactory performance in most low-end and midlevel 3D applications. However, gamers and 3D artisans who utilize the latest software and demand solid frame rates and extremely high resolutions will nevertheless want to upgrade to a graphics card with at least 128 MB of dedicated video memory.

Display:
Gateway has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today’s many alternatives.

Sound
The Gateway 500GR produces stereo and surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for six distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. Gateway has also enclosed a pair of amplified desktop speakers, though serious audiophiles may want to upgrade to a three-piece subwoofer-enhanced set or a surround sound configuration.

Hard Drive
At 200 GB, the unit’s internal hard drive is spacious enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is exceptionally quick -- sporting a fast 7200 RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a futuristic Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today’s computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

This system features two optical drives -- a CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a DVD +/- RW drive through which you can do everything else listed above. Moreover, this drive supports "double layer" DVD recording, which effectively delivers nearly twice the capacity of the traditional DVD format.

Connectivity and Expansion
With a truly grand total of seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you’ll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. Gateway has also included a trio of IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 8-in-1 Digital Media Manager for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include a standard 100 Mbit Ethernet adaptor for high-speed Internet and network communication, and a V.92 data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections.

Operating System and Software
The Gateway 500GR features a comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft’s beefy Windows XP Home Edition operating system. Gateway will also pre-install Microsoft’s Money 2004 financial center, Microsoft’s Works 7.0 productivity package, Microsoft’s Picture It Premium photo and graphic editing suite, and a variety of high-end multimedia utilities such as the superb Nero 6 Suite CD and DVD burning package.

Control
The system includes a Gateway Premium Multimedia Keyboard and a two-button mouse with scroll wheel. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

There's a brave new world in home entertainment that doesn't include the traditional stand-alone audio-video separates. Slowly but surely, VCRs, compact disc players, DVD players and all the other gadgets and wires that have made their way into living and entertainment rooms across America are being replaced. In their stead is a single unit -- a specialized computer that handles all of the above in addition to Internet surfing, CD burning, and much more. Gateway's new FMC-901 Family Media Center PC is one such device.

Designed in a horizontal rather than vertical format much like many of the units it replaces, the FMC-901 is built to reside comfortably in a standard entertainment center, conveniently receiving its user input via a wireless keyboard or wireless, handheld remote control and cordless mouse. The latter two are of particular interest in that they respond to mid-air gestures -- you can program the remote to increase system volume whenever you raise you arm, for example.

Compared to mainstream business and high-end gaming PCs, the FMC-901 isn't a true powerhouse. Driven by a 2.6 GHz Intel Celeron processor running at 2.6 GHz and 256 MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM memory, the system's "nerve center" is somewhat less than state-of-the-art. However, its graphics card is an nVidia FX5200 with 128 MB memory for solid 3-D gaming performance. Furthermore, the unit features a variety of high-end outputs designed to maximize the quality of your sound and video. With S-Video, VGA and DVI outs, you're assured of having the best connection for whatever monitor or television you're watching. And with four high-speed USB 2.0 ports, three IEEE1394 FireWire connections, a digital SPDIF optical audio out and S-Video and composite A/V ins, you'll have the ideal interfaces for virtually anything.

The FMC-901 features a fast 7200 RPM 80 GB hard drive for smooth television broadcast recording, a DVD/CD-RW drive through which you can burn and listen to audio CDs and watch the latest DVD movies, and an integrated TV tuner. Communication options include a built-in 56K dial-up modem and 10/100 Ethernet for high-speed networking and Internet access. DVD writing is not supported.

Pre-installed software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center 2004 operating system, which offers such perks as integrated widescreen monitor support, an FM tuner, and one-month free access to the Napster music download site.

Gateway's new Media Center desktop computers are as unique as they are convenient and functional. Equipped with a big, wide LCD screen just perfect for multimedia buffs, each Media Center PC also features such welcome amenities as Intel Hyper-Threading processing, numerous high-end audio/video/data connections, and a visually distinctive, fully portable all-in-one tower-less design. This model, the Gateway 610X, is the midlevel member of the Media Center series, and as such offers a good balance between cost and power and far superior 3-D graphics capability than the base model Gateway 610S.

Outfitted with a reasonably fast 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system -- thereby boosting performance during key high-drain procedures such as multitasking), the Gateway 610X features enough raw power for most any standard home, home office or business environment. Gateway has added a solid allotment of memory -- 512 MB DDR SDRAM -- and a top-level graphics card in the ATI Radeon 9200 AGP with 128 MB dedicated (not shared) video memory. Even serious gamers and 3-D artists should feel at home with this system.

To help you manage your data, the Gateway 610X features a potent 7200 RPM 120 GB hard disk, a DVD/CD-RW optical drive through which you can burn and record audio CDs and play the latest Hollywood DVD blockbusters, and a handy 7-in-1 card media card reader for reading memory cards from high-tech gadgets such as digital cameras, PDAs and the like. In its stock form, the system does not support DVD burning.

To ensure fast interaction with peripherals such as digital camcorders, scanners and external drives, the system features a total of five high-speed USB 2.0 ports (including one mounted on the front) and an IEEE 1394 FireWire connector. Gateway has also enclosed a 5.1 line-out jack for five-speaker surround sound, a high-quality S/PDIF digital audio output, a composite A/V in, S-Video ins and outs, and an Intel 10/100 Ethernet adapter for fast network and Internet access.

The system's unique design offers several distinct advantages, not the least of which is a noticeable lack of external wiring. In fact, its large 17-inch widescreen display screen sports no wires at all, sitting instead atop a stylish integrated pedestal. Gateway has also included a wireless optical mouse, wireless keyboard, convenient wireless remote control, and built-in stereo speakers with subwoofer. Pre-installed software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center 2004 operating system, which offers such perks as integrated widescreen monitor support, an FM tuner, and one-month free access to the Napster music download site.

More About Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

What sets this PC apart is that it is powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, which offers the features, reliability, and power of Windows XP Professional, plus advanced digital entertainment capabilities. The Media Center interface offers you more types of entertainment to enjoy: TV, Personal Video Recording (PVR), Movies, Music, Photos, Videos, Radio, and DVD. Use the remote control to enjoy from anywhere in your room.

TV & Movies 
Watch TV when and how you want, and never miss a moment of your favorite programs.Pause and rewind live TV. Record a TV episode, series, or category. Automaticallyrecord a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Centerdownloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-savingstandby mode to record programs, so you can watch shows on your schedule.
 	 
	Photos & Video
	Easily edit your digital pictures and digital videos, and then launch a dynamic slideshow complete with animated transitions and your favorite soundtrack. While viewing a picture, zoom in to see more detail. You can rotate, correct red-eye, and print your pictures using the remote. Play slide-shows straight from digital storage devices.
 	 
Music & Radio 
All your music is stored in one digital jukebox and using the remote, shuffle your entire music collection according to artist or genre or listen to your tunes through playlists that learn what you like. Tune in FM stations and pause live radio. Full-screen visualizations pulse to the beat of the music. Cool on-screen effects show music information, such as track title, track time, and artist.

... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Best Thing Ever
This machine will change your life. No more rushing home to watch a show, picking up five remotes trying to figure out which ones which, shssing your spouse until the important part of the show passes, switching CDs in your player, hooking the video camera up to the VCR to watch it, having a stack of stereo components, pulling out photo albums, etc. I could go on and on. This new design is extraordinary. My wife is nuts for this for it's simplicity. Stop reading this and buy one immediately.

Everything most people need
The sleek look and ease of use of the Gateway FMC-901 make it a great choice if you want the features of a Media Center Edition PC but don't want a clunky PC in the family room.
I couldn't see paying the extra price tag on the 901X just to get the Radeon 9800 Pro graphics card and the DVD burner. So if playing games and recording to DVD media isn't important, the lower cost unit may be suitable for most needs. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The BasicsTaking advantage of several recent technological innovations yet priced in the same ballpark as many desktops that do not, Gateway's 505GR Desktop PC is a powerful yet comparatively affordable computing centerpiece ideal for virtually any office, personal or leisure environment. Businesspeople will appreciate the unit's powerful Pentium 4 processor and huge hard drive, multimedia buffs will love the comprehensive connectivity and advanced DVD recording facilities, and gamers should get along quite well with the system's adequate 3D graphics performance. Though you can certainly spend more for a desktop computer, the Gateway 505GR delivers most everything a demanding user needs at a reasonable price point.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. The Gateway 505GR features one of today's fastest CPUs, an Intel Pentium 4 530. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version (nicknamed "Prescott") of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a beefy 3.0 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this is a strong CPU that's ready for any situation.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. For the Gateway 505GR, Gateway has installed a whopping 1024 MB (1 GB) of 400 DDR memory, configured in a dual channel setup for even faster response. This is a ton of memory even for a high-end machine, and its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is more than enough for any multitasking situation or complex application. Moreover, the system's mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a whopping 2 GB.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that's integrated on the mainboard and "shares" the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures.

The Gateway 505GR features a new style of video controller -- a sort of hybrid between high-end standalone "dedicated memory" cards and less impressive integrated "shared memory" controllers. It's called the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900, a module that is indeed integrated on the motherboard but features more refined components than traditional integrated controllers. Indeed, though it shares the computer's main memory, it shares so much of it (up to 224 MB) that it's quite capable of strong 3D performance if the computer in question has enough main memory to go around. Fortunately, the Gateway 505GR has oodles of memory. Serious gamers and 3D graphic animators will prefer a standalone video card for its extra sophistication (superior shading and antialiasing), but most will find this controller adequately displays even high-end 3D motion.

Display:
Gateway has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The Gateway 505GR produces stereo and surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for six distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. Gateway has also enclosed a pair of amplified desktop speakers, though serious audiophiles may want to upgrade to a three-piece subwoofer-enhanced set or a surround sound configuration.

Hard Drive
At 200 GB, the unit's internal hard drive is spacious enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is exceptionally quick – sporting a fast 7200-RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a futuristic Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

This system features two optical drives -- a CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a DVD +/- RW Double Layer Multi-Format drive through which you can not only do everything above but also take advantage of new double layer DVDs (twice the capacity of traditional DVDs). Moreover, with two optical drives you can make extremely fast CD copies.

Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you'll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. Gateway has also included a trio of IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (often used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 8-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated 10/100Mbps Ethernet LAN interface for high-speed access to networks and the Internet, and a 56K data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections

Operating System and Software
The Gateway 505GR features a comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system. Gateway will also pre-install Microsoft's Money 2004 financial center, Microsoft's Works 8.0 productivity package, Microsoft's Picture It Premium photo and graphic editing suite, and a variety of high-end multimedia utilities such as the superb Nero 6 Suite CD and DVD burning package.

Control
The system includes a Gateway Premium Multimedia Keyboard and a two-button mouse with scroll wheel. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Gateway's new Media Center desktop computers are as unique as they are convenient and functional. Equipped with a big, wide LCD screen just perfect for multimedia buffs, each Media Center PC also features such welcome amenities as Intel Hyper-Threading processing, numerous high-end audio/video/data connections, and a visually distinctive, fully portable all-in-one tower-less design. This model, the Gateway 610S, is the most economical member of the Media Center series, and as such offers reduced power and capability than its two higher-priced compatriots.

Outfitted with a reasonably fast 2.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system -- thereby boosting performance during key high-drain procedures such as multitasking), the Gateway 610S features enough raw power for most any standard home, home office or business environment. Gateway has elected to keep the main memory to a minimum with this machine (just 256 MB DDR SDRAM), thus compelling those who push the unit with the latest and greatest software to upgrade to 512 or 1024 MB. Serious gamers and 3-D artists may also want to upgrade the system's 3-D video controller, an Intel Extreme Graphics chipset with 64 MB shared (not dedicated) memory, though most users should find it quite adequate.

To help you manage your data, the Gateway 610S features a fast 7200 RPM 80 GB hard disk, a DVD/CD-RW optical drive through which you can burn and record audio CDs and play the latest Hollywood DVD blockbusters, and a handy 7-in-1 card media card reader for reading memory cards from high-tech gadgets such as digital cameras, PDAs and the like. In its stock form, the system does not support DVD burning.

To ensure fast interaction with peripherals such as digital camcorders, scanners and external drives, the system features a total of five high-speed USB 2.0 ports (including one mounted on the front) and an IEEE 1394 FireWire connector. Gateway has also enclosed a 5.1 line-out jack for five-speaker surround sound, a high-quality S/PDIF digital audio output, a composite A/V in, S-Video ins and outs, and an Intel 10/100 Ethernet adapter for fast network and Internet access.

The system's unique design offers several distinct advantages, not the least of which is a noticeable lack of external wiring. In fact, its large 17-inch widescreen display screen sports no wires at all, sitting instead atop a stylish integrated pedestal. Gateway has also included a wireless optical mouse, wireless keyboard, convenient wireless remote control, and built-in stereo speakers with subwoofer. Pre-installed software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center 2004 operating system, which offers such perks as integrated widescreen monitor support, an FM tuner, and one month free access to the Napster music download site.

More About Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

What sets this PC apart is that it is powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, which offers the features, reliability, and power of Windows XP Professional, plus advanced digital entertainment capabilities. The Media Center interface offers you more types of entertainment to enjoy: TV, Personal Video Recording (PVR), Movies, Music, Photos, Videos, Radio, and DVD. Use the remote control to enjoy from anywhere in your room.

TV & Movies 
Watch TV when and how you want, and never miss a moment of your favorite programs.Pause and rewind live TV. Record a TV episode, series, or category. Automaticallyrecord a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Centerdownloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-savingstandby mode to record programs, so you can watch shows on your schedule.
 	 
	Photos & Video
	Easily edit your digital pictures and digital videos, and then launch a dynamic slideshow complete with animated transitions and your favorite soundtrack. While viewing a picture, zoom in to see more detail. You can rotate, correct red-eye, and print your pictures using the remote. Play slide-shows straight from digital storage devices.
 	 
Music & Radio 
All your music is stored in one digital jukebox and using the remote, shuffle your entire music collection according to artist or genre or listen to your tunes through playlists that learn what you like. Tune in FM stations and pause live radio. Full-screen visualizations pulse to the beat of the music. Cool on-screen effects show music information, such as track title, track time, and artist.

... Read more

Reviews (6)

Love/hate relationship.
I bought this system about four months ago and I agree with a lot of the reviews I've read, both with the positive and the negative. If you're looking for a compact system that does a lot this is it, but keep that in mind in practical terms as well. This is a small unit but also very powerfull, and it requires a lot of "juice." I would advise anyone who'll be using it often to buy a UPS (power supply) if they don't have one already. For $50-$100 they can be life-savers, especially if you're like me and have the AC going a lot. It's also rather fragile because of how compact it is, so if you have young kids be carefull, especially with the DVD drive. The last drawback is upgrading, people should know that the 610 is not user upgradeable, or at least not for the average home user. You'll have to send it into Gateway to add more memory.

As others have said though, the size and the picture can't be beat. There's one wire to worry about, and that's a major victory in itself. I wish Gateway would be more lenient as far as allowing customers to configure their own systems (see the upgrade issue) like Dell and HP are, but neither of them offer anything comparable to the 610 yet. I really wish this type of system was around when I was in College, it's a bit expensive, but it's the dream system for any dorm.

Awesome PC
All I can say is I love It!
I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

Pretty Good
I bought this a couple of months ago, and at first, got a lemon. It crashed continuously, and when I was on the phone with the tech guy "Larry" (who was obviously in India), it crashed when scanning the disk for errors. And the tech guy offered extremely simple advice that most people with any kind of computer experience would've tried before calling.

However, my replacement has been relatively pain-free. The only problem was that it crashed when I was trying to install the software for Verizon DSL service. You may run into problems there as Verizon said it was a problem with the system registry of the PC (I did manage a way to get around the problem and am happily using DSL today).

A primary reason for buying this computer was for its DVD-burning capability, and for the possibility of capturing VHS tapes onto the computer, and creating DVDs out of them. I was under the impression that I would be able to plug my VCR directly into the computer and capture the video into the computer and create DVDs. You can't do that however. You can plug the VCR into the 610XL, and watch the video in the media center under the gaming device section, but why anybody with a TV would do that is beyond me, as the video shows in a small 3X4" window. Converting VHS to DVD requires a capture device (I suggest the Canopus ADVC-100), and some editing software (ULead Video Studio 7.0 SE and DVD Movie Factory 2.0 have done the job for me). That means an extra $400.

The documentation/instruction booklet is not that great. It spends an inordinate amount of time discussing the TIVO-like qualities of this computer, which unfortunately at this time I'm not using. But I can't imagine a better, more compact PC for my purposes (Video capturing/editing, DVD burning) than this machine.

Great all-in-one media center!
I purchased this pc, even though some of the reviews have been less than stellar. Going with the Gateway name along with some very glowing reviews I decided to take the plunge and I can say that it has lived up to my expectations so far. And for the TV quality, I can say from experience, that in general TV quality over cable to LCD displays isn't that good unless an HDTV tuner is used. I have had three lcd TVs now, and I can say the 610xl is on par or better than all of them. No regrets so far!

Great PC, some disadvantages
This is a great PC. It sports 200 Gigs of hard drive space which once you start recording shows, is not excessive at all. It also has a TV tuner and PVR, which enables you to record shows, but the quality isn't as good as a standalone TV, even when you set it to best. Another thing is that even though is has a 7200 rpm hard drive, 1/2 GB of RAM, and a 3 gHz processer, the computer gets slowed down after on the computer for hours and if stuff is being downloaded or tv is being recorded, the computer easily slows down. The burning software is good for Audio and Data CDs but not for Video CDs and DVDs. You can't create interactive menus and often times, the disc can get messed up for whatever reason. All in all, this is one of the best PC for a cramped space with the convienience of laptops and the power, RAM, and hard drive of a desktop, this is a great PC if you have limited space or you're short on cash. For $2,000, it's not cheap, but considered its specs, it's pretty cheap compared to other PCs that have that power, hard drive, and features. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Gateway's new Media Center desktop computers are as unique as they are convenient and functional. Equipped with a big, wide LCD screen just perfect for multimedia buffs, each Media Center PC also features such welcome amenities as Intel Hyper-Threading processing, numerous high-end audio/video/data connections, and a visually distinctive, fully portable all-in-one tower-less design. This model, the Gateway 610X, is the midlevel member of the Media Center series, and as such offers a good balance between cost and power and far superior 3-D graphics capability than the base model Gateway 610S.

Outfitted with a reasonably fast 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system -- thereby boosting performance during key high-drain procedures such as multitasking), the Gateway 610X features enough raw power for most any standard home, home office or business environment. Gateway has added a solid allotment of memory -- 512 MB DDR SDRAM -- and a top-level graphics card in the ATI Radeon 9200 AGP with 128 MB dedicated (not shared) video memory. Even serious gamers and 3-D artists should feel at home with this system.

To help you manage your data, the Gateway 610X features a potent 7200 RPM 120 GB hard disk, a DVD/CD-RW optical drive through which you can burn and record audio CDs and play the latest Hollywood DVD blockbusters, and a handy 7-in-1 card media card reader for reading memory cards from high-tech gadgets such as digital cameras, PDAs and the like. In its stock form, the system does not support DVD burning.

To ensure fast interaction with peripherals such as digital camcorders, scanners and external drives, the system features a total of five high-speed USB 2.0 ports (including one mounted on the front) and an IEEE 1394 FireWire connector. Gateway has also enclosed a 5.1 line-out jack for five-speaker surround sound, a high-quality S/PDIF digital audio output, a composite A/V in, S-Video ins and outs, and an Intel 10/100 Ethernet adapter for fast network and Internet access.

The system's unique design offers several distinct advantages, not the least of which is a noticeable lack of external wiring. In fact, its large 17-inch widescreen display screen sports no wires at all, sitting instead atop a stylish integrated pedestal. Gateway has also included a wireless optical mouse, wireless keyboard, convenient wireless remote control, and built-in stereo speakers with subwoofer. Pre-installed software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center 2004 operating system, which offers such perks as integrated widescreen monitor support, an FM tuner, and one-month free access to the Napster music download site.

More About Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

What sets this PC apart is that it is powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, which offers the features, reliability, and power of Windows XP Professional, plus advanced digital entertainment capabilities. The Media Center interface offers you more types of entertainment to enjoy: TV, Personal Video Recording (PVR), Movies, Music, Photos, Videos, Radio, and DVD. Use the remote control to enjoy from anywhere in your room.

TV & Movies 
Watch TV when and how you want, and never miss a moment of your favorite programs.Pause and rewind live TV. Record a TV episode, series, or category. Automaticallyrecord a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Centerdownloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-savingstandby mode to record programs, so you can watch shows on your schedule.
 	 
	Photos & Video
	Easily edit your digital pictures and digital videos, and then launch a dynamic slideshow complete with animated transitions and your favorite soundtrack. While viewing a picture, zoom in to see more detail. You can rotate, correct red-eye, and print your pictures using the remote. Play slide-shows straight from digital storage devices.
 	 
Music & Radio 
All your music is stored in one digital jukebox and using the remote, shuffle your entire music collection according to artist or genre or listen to your tunes through playlists that learn what you like. Tune in FM stations and pause live radio. Full-screen visualizations pulse to the beat of the music. Cool on-screen effects show music information, such as track title, track time, and artist.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lots of stuff in a compact system!
Great computer with additional features (TV tuner, PVR, etc.), and it takes up very little space.

Wireless keyboard is a pain, however - its reception to the system is poor and it eats batteries like crazy.

TV reception is snowy - don't buy it for the TV, buy it for the compact computer and the convenience of having the other things attached. You'll still want a regular TV.

This would also be GREAT for a college student in a dorm room. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Sitting atop the range of Gateway's entry-level desktop PC series, the Gateway 310XL is a great choice for the budget minded, balancing affordablilty with powerful features and including a 15-inch flat panel monitor. It comes equipped with everything for basic computing plus a built-in CD burner for backing up data, saving digital photos, and burning your own mix CDs. Other features include a 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 256 MB of RAM, and a 40 GB hard drive.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 40 GB Ultra DMA hard drive offers enough storage for all your documents, applications, and digital photos. However, it's less than adequate if you plan on maintaining a large multimedia (digital audio or video) library.
• Processor: The 2.6 GHz Pentium 4 processor offers more than enough power for everyday computing tasks as well as database and multimedia applications (from gaming to digital audio and video).
• Memory: The 310XL comes with a 256 MB built-in memory (DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz), which is adequate for basic computing needs. However, you'll want to add more memory for gaming and multimedia usage (the 310XL comes with an additional memory slot for a total of two). It also has an L2 cache of 512 KB.
• CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with separate drives for DVD playback and CD writing. The DVD-ROM drive can read discs at 16x speed (the standard speed for DVD movie playback), while the CD-R/W drive offers a high-speed 48x (read)/24x (rewrite)/ 48x (write) capability.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The 310XL comes with 104-key keyboard and a scrolling mouse with PS/2 connection.

The included 17-inch flat panel monitor as a 15.9-inch viewable area.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
You get a wide range of connectivity options with the S5400NX, including three PCI expansion slots and the following external ports:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 serial port for older peripherals such as early PDAs

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The 310XL comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It also includes 6 months of AOL dial-up service and a 90-day trial with Norton Anti-Virus.

Dimensions and Weight
This micro-tower case measures 14.44 x 7 x 15.38 (W x D x H) and weighs 20.5 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package includes the Gateway 310XL desktop PC, 17-inch flat panel monitor, wired keyboard, PS/2 scroller mouse, power cord, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited warranty. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Sitting atop the range of Gateway's entry-level desktop PC series, the Gateway 310XL is a great choice for the budget minded, balancing affordablilty with powerful features and including a 15-inch flat panel monitor. It comes equipped with everything for basic computing plus a built-in CD burner for backing up data, saving digital photos, and burning your own mix CDs. Other features include a 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 256 MB of RAM, and a 40 GB hard drive.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 40 GB Ultra DMA hard drive offers enough storage for all your documents, applications, and digital photos. However, it's less than adequate if you plan on maintaining a large multimedia (digital audio or video) library.
• Processor: The 2.6 GHz Pentium 4 processor offers more than enough power for everyday computing tasks as well as database and multimedia applications (from gaming to digital audio and video).
• Memory: The 310XL comes with a 256 MB built-in memory (DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz), which is adequate for basic computing needs. However, you'll want to add more memory for gaming and multimedia usage (the 310XL comes with an additional memory slot for a total of two). It also has an L2 cache of 512 KB.
• CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with separate drives for DVD playback and CD writing. The DVD-ROM drive can read discs at 16x speed (the standard speed for DVD movie playback), while the CD-R/W drive offers a high-speed 48x (read)/24x (rewrite)/ 48x (write) capability.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The 310XL comes with 104-key keyboard and a scrolling mouse with PS/2 connection.

The included 17-inch flat panel monitor as a 15.9-inch viewable area.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
You get a wide range of connectivity options with the S5400NX, including three PCI expansion slots and the following external ports:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 serial port for older peripherals such as early PDAs

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The 310XL comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It also includes 6 months of AOL dial-up service and a 90-day trial with Norton Anti-Virus.

Dimensions and Weight
This micro-tower case measures 14.44 x 7 x 15.38 (W x D x H) and weighs 20.5 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package includes the Gateway 310XL desktop PC, 17-inch flat panel monitor, wired keyboard, PS/2 scroller mouse, power cord, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited warranty. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Little System for the $$
Gateway award winning desktops are always a good choice for customers. I wasn't disapointed a bit with the feature set of this machine. 256MB of memory and a 15 inch LCD were the primary feature sets that seperated this product from the other machines.

Okay system
Not a bad system though I reccomend getting a bigger HDD drive. I've had Gateway's in the past and had no trouble with the tech support, but then I haven't had any serious problems with any of my Gateway systems. ... Read more

Product Description

Onboard NIC and Sound ... Read more

Features

• Intel Pentium 4 Processor, 2 Ghz, 400 FSB
• 512 MB RAM, 20GB Hard Drive
• Internal CD, FD, 250 MB ZIP
• nVidia Gforce 2Mx AGP Video

Amazon.com Product Description

The BasicsTaking advantage of several recent technological innovations yet priced in the same ballpark as many desktops that do not, Gateway’s 550GR Desktop PC is a powerful yet comparatively affordable computing centerpiece ideal for virtually any office, personal or leisure environment. Businesspeople will appreciate the unit’s powerful Pentium 4 processor and huge hard drive, multimedia buffs will love the comprehensive connectivity and advanced DVD recording facilities, and gamers should get along quite well with the system’s solid 3D graphics performance. Though you can certainly spend more for a desktop computer, the Gateway 550GR delivers most everything a demanding user needs at a reasonable price point.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. The Gateway 550GR features one of today’s fastest CPUs, an Intel Pentium 4 540. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version (nicknamed "Prescott") of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a scorching 3.2 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this is a strong CPU that’s ready for any situation.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. For the Gateway 550GR, Gateway has installed 512 MB of 400 DDR memory, configured in a dual channel setup for even faster response. This is an average RAM allotment for a computer of this caliber, but its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is more than enough for most multitasking situations and complex applications. Moreover, the system’s mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a whopping 2 GB.

Video
CPU’s are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that "shares" the system’s main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures. The Gateway 550GR features an ATI Radeon X300 SE PCI-Express, a strong graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated video memory. This card is capable of accurately displaying virtually any 2D application and delivering smooth frame rates and immersive, lifelike visuals to the 3D animations found in most computer games and 3D animation packages. Hardcore gamers and 3D artisans who demand perfect frame rates at extremely high resolutions may want to upgrade to a far pricier 256 or 512 MB video card, but this card should be quite adequate for the majority of users.

Display:
Gateway has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today’s many alternatives.

Sound
The Gateway 550GR produces stereo and surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for six distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. Gateway has also enclosed a pair of amplified desktop speakers, though serious audiophiles may want to upgrade to a three-piece subwoofer-enhanced set or a surround sound configuration.

Hard Drive
At 200 GB, the unit’s internal hard drive is spacious enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is exceptionally quick – sporting a fast 7200 RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a futuristic Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today’s computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

This system features two optical drives -- a CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a DVD +/- RW drive through which you can do everything else listed above. Moreover, this drive supports "double layer" DVD recording, effectively delivering nearly twice the capacity of traditional DVDs.

Connectivity and Expansion
With a truly grand total of seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you’ll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. Gateway has also included a trio of IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 8-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated Gigabit networking interface (substantially faster data transfer rates than traditional 100BaseT Ethernet) for Internet and network communication, and a V.92 data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections.

Operating System and Software
The Gateway 550GR features a comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft’s beefy Windows XP Home Edition operating system. Gateway will also pre-install Microsoft’s Money 2004 financial center, Microsoft’s Works 7.0 productivity package, Microsoft’s Picture It Premium photo and graphic editing suite, and a variety of high-end multimedia utilities such as the superb Nero 6 Suite CD and DVD burning package.

Control
The system includes a Gateway Premium Multimedia Keyboard and a two-button mouse with scroll wheel. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The BasicsTaking advantage of several recent technological innovations yet priced in the same ballpark as many desktops that do not, Gateway’s 500GR Desktop PC is a powerful yet affordable computing centerpiece ideal for virtually any office, personal or leisure environment. Businesspeople will appreciate the unit’s powerful Pentium 4 processor and huge hard drive, while multimedia buffs will love the comprehensive connectivity and advanced DVD recording facilities. Gamers will probably want to upgrade the unit’s 3D graphics capabilities or explore other Gateway computers such as the more expensive yet more capable 550GR.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. The Gateway 500GR features an Intel Pentium 4 530 CPU. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version (nicknamed "Prescott") of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a scorching 3.0 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this is a strong CPU that’s ready for any situation.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. For the Gateway 500GR, Gateway has installed 512 MB of 400 DDR memory, configured in a dual channel setup for even faster response. This is an average RAM allotment for a computer of this caliber, but its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is more than enough for most multitasking situations and complex applications. Moreover, the system’s mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a whopping 2 GB.

Video
CPU’s are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that "shares" the system’s main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures. The Gateway 500GR features an Intel Graphixs Media Accelerator 900 with 64 MB of shared video memory. Though this is a "shared memory" card, it is part of Intel’s brand new lineup of integrated video controllers that purportedly offer 170% faster performance than prior shared memory controllers. Hence, the system will deliver good performance in 2D applications and satisfactory performance in most low-end and midlevel 3D applications. However, gamers and 3D artisans who utilize the latest software and demand solid frame rates and extremely high resolutions will nevertheless want to upgrade to a graphics card with at least 128 MB of dedicated video memory.

Display:
Gateway has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today’s many alternatives.

Sound
The Gateway 500GR produces stereo and surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for six distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. Gateway has also enclosed a pair of amplified desktop speakers, though serious audiophiles may want to upgrade to a three-piece subwoofer-enhanced set or a surround sound configuration.

Hard Drive
At 200 GB, the unit’s internal hard drive is spacious enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is exceptionally quick -- sporting a fast 7200 RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a futuristic Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today’s computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

This system features two optical drives -- a CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a DVD +/- RW drive through which you can do everything else listed above. Moreover, this drive supports "double layer" DVD recording, which effectively delivers nearly twice the capacity of the traditional DVD format.

Connectivity and Expansion
With a truly grand total of seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you’ll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. Gateway has also included a trio of IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 8-in-1 Digital Media Manager for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include a standard 100 Mbit Ethernet adaptor for high-speed Internet and network communication, and a V.92 data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections.

Operating System and Software
The Gateway 500GR features a comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft’s beefy Windows XP Home Edition operating system. Gateway will also pre-install Microsoft’s Money 2004 financial center, Microsoft’s Works 7.0 productivity package, Microsoft’s Picture It Premium photo and graphic editing suite, and a variety of high-end multimedia utilities such as the superb Nero 6 Suite CD and DVD burning package.

Control
The system includes a Gateway Premium Multimedia Keyboard and a two-button mouse with scroll wheel. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

There's a brave new world in home entertainment that doesn't include the traditional stand-alone audio-video separates. Slowly but surely, VCRs, compact disc players, DVD players and all the other gadgets and wires that have made their way into living and entertainment rooms across America are being replaced. In their stead is a single unit -- a specialized computer that handles all of the above in addition to Internet surfing, CD burning, and much more. Gateway's new FMC-901 Family Media Center PC is one such device.

Designed in a horizontal rather than vertical format much like many of the units it replaces, the FMC-901 is built to reside comfortably in a standard entertainment center, conveniently receiving its user input via a wireless keyboard or wireless, handheld remote control and cordless mouse. The latter two are of particular interest in that they respond to mid-air gestures -- you can program the remote to increase system volume whenever you raise you arm, for example.

Compared to mainstream business and high-end gaming PCs, the FMC-901 isn't a true powerhouse. Driven by a 2.6 GHz Intel Celeron processor running at 2.6 GHz and 256 MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM memory, the system's "nerve center" is somewhat less than state-of-the-art. However, its graphics card is an nVidia FX5200 with 128 MB memory for solid 3-D gaming performance. Furthermore, the unit features a variety of high-end outputs designed to maximize the quality of your sound and video. With S-Video, VGA and DVI outs, you're assured of having the best connection for whatever monitor or television you're watching. And with four high-speed USB 2.0 ports, three IEEE1394 FireWire connections, a digital SPDIF optical audio out and S-Video and composite A/V ins, you'll have the ideal interfaces for virtually anything.

The FMC-901 features a fast 7200 RPM 80 GB hard drive for smooth television broadcast recording, a DVD/CD-RW drive through which you can burn and listen to audio CDs and watch the latest DVD movies, and an integrated TV tuner. Communication options include a built-in 56K dial-up modem and 10/100 Ethernet for high-speed networking and Internet access. DVD writing is not supported.

Pre-installed software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center 2004 operating system, which offers such perks as integrated widescreen monitor support, an FM tuner, and one-month free access to the Napster music download site.

Gateway's new Media Center desktop computers are as unique as they are convenient and functional. Equipped with a big, wide LCD screen just perfect for multimedia buffs, each Media Center PC also features such welcome amenities as Intel Hyper-Threading processing, numerous high-end audio/video/data connections, and a visually distinctive, fully portable all-in-one tower-less design. This model, the Gateway 610X, is the midlevel member of the Media Center series, and as such offers a good balance between cost and power and far superior 3-D graphics capability than the base model Gateway 610S.

Outfitted with a reasonably fast 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system -- thereby boosting performance during key high-drain procedures such as multitasking), the Gateway 610X features enough raw power for most any standard home, home office or business environment. Gateway has added a solid allotment of memory -- 512 MB DDR SDRAM -- and a top-level graphics card in the ATI Radeon 9200 AGP with 128 MB dedicated (not shared) video memory. Even serious gamers and 3-D artists should feel at home with this system.

To help you manage your data, the Gateway 610X features a potent 7200 RPM 120 GB hard disk, a DVD/CD-RW optical drive through which you can burn and record audio CDs and play the latest Hollywood DVD blockbusters, and a handy 7-in-1 card media card reader for reading memory cards from high-tech gadgets such as digital cameras, PDAs and the like. In its stock form, the system does not support DVD burning.

To ensure fast interaction with peripherals such as digital camcorders, scanners and external drives, the system features a total of five high-speed USB 2.0 ports (including one mounted on the front) and an IEEE 1394 FireWire connector. Gateway has also enclosed a 5.1 line-out jack for five-speaker surround sound, a high-quality S/PDIF digital audio output, a composite A/V in, S-Video ins and outs, and an Intel 10/100 Ethernet adapter for fast network and Internet access.

The system's unique design offers several distinct advantages, not the least of which is a noticeable lack of external wiring. In fact, its large 17-inch widescreen display screen sports no wires at all, sitting instead atop a stylish integrated pedestal. Gateway has also included a wireless optical mouse, wireless keyboard, convenient wireless remote control, and built-in stereo speakers with subwoofer. Pre-installed software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center 2004 operating system, which offers such perks as integrated widescreen monitor support, an FM tuner, and one-month free access to the Napster music download site.

More About Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

What sets this PC apart is that it is powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, which offers the features, reliability, and power of Windows XP Professional, plus advanced digital entertainment capabilities. The Media Center interface offers you more types of entertainment to enjoy: TV, Personal Video Recording (PVR), Movies, Music, Photos, Videos, Radio, and DVD. Use the remote control to enjoy from anywhere in your room.

TV & Movies 
Watch TV when and how you want, and never miss a moment of your favorite programs.Pause and rewind live TV. Record a TV episode, series, or category. Automaticallyrecord a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Centerdownloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-savingstandby mode to record programs, so you can watch shows on your schedule.
 	 
	Photos & Video
	Easily edit your digital pictures and digital videos, and then launch a dynamic slideshow complete with animated transitions and your favorite soundtrack. While viewing a picture, zoom in to see more detail. You can rotate, correct red-eye, and print your pictures using the remote. Play slide-shows straight from digital storage devices.
 	 
Music & Radio 
All your music is stored in one digital jukebox and using the remote, shuffle your entire music collection according to artist or genre or listen to your tunes through playlists that learn what you like. Tune in FM stations and pause live radio. Full-screen visualizations pulse to the beat of the music. Cool on-screen effects show music information, such as track title, track time, and artist.

... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Best Thing Ever
This machine will change your life. No more rushing home to watch a show, picking up five remotes trying to figure out which ones which, shssing your spouse until the important part of the show passes, switching CDs in your player, hooking the video camera up to the VCR to watch it, having a stack of stereo components, pulling out photo albums, etc. I could go on and on. This new design is extraordinary. My wife is nuts for this for it's simplicity. Stop reading this and buy one immediately.

Everything most people need
The sleek look and ease of use of the Gateway FMC-901 make it a great choice if you want the features of a Media Center Edition PC but don't want a clunky PC in the family room.
I couldn't see paying the extra price tag on the 901X just to get the Radeon 9800 Pro graphics card and the DVD burner. So if playing games and recording to DVD media isn't important, the lower cost unit may be suitable for most needs. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The BasicsTaking advantage of several recent technological innovations yet priced in the same ballpark as many desktops that do not, Gateway's 505GR Desktop PC is a powerful yet comparatively affordable computing centerpiece ideal for virtually any office, personal or leisure environment. Businesspeople will appreciate the unit's powerful Pentium 4 processor and huge hard drive, multimedia buffs will love the comprehensive connectivity and advanced DVD recording facilities, and gamers should get along quite well with the system's adequate 3D graphics performance. Though you can certainly spend more for a desktop computer, the Gateway 505GR delivers most everything a demanding user needs at a reasonable price point.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. The Gateway 505GR features one of today's fastest CPUs, an Intel Pentium 4 530. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version (nicknamed "Prescott") of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a beefy 3.0 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this is a strong CPU that's ready for any situation.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. For the Gateway 505GR, Gateway has installed a whopping 1024 MB (1 GB) of 400 DDR memory, configured in a dual channel setup for even faster response. This is a ton of memory even for a high-end machine, and its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is more than enough for any multitasking situation or complex application. Moreover, the system's mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a whopping 2 GB.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that's integrated on the mainboard and "shares" the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures.

The Gateway 505GR features a new style of video controller -- a sort of hybrid between high-end standalone "dedicated memory" cards and less impressive integrated "shared memory" controllers. It's called the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900, a module that is indeed integrated on the motherboard but features more refined components than traditional integrated controllers. Indeed, though it shares the computer's main memory, it shares so much of it (up to 224 MB) that it's quite capable of strong 3D performance if the computer in question has enough main memory to go around. Fortunately, the Gateway 505GR has oodles of memory. Serious gamers and 3D graphic animators will prefer a standalone video card for its extra sophistication (superior shading and antialiasing), but most will find this controller adequately displays even high-end 3D motion.

Display:
Gateway has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The Gateway 505GR produces stereo and surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for six distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. Gateway has also enclosed a pair of amplified desktop speakers, though serious audiophiles may want to upgrade to a three-piece subwoofer-enhanced set or a surround sound configuration.

Hard Drive
At 200 GB, the unit's internal hard drive is spacious enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is exceptionally quick – sporting a fast 7200-RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a futuristic Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

This system features two optical drives -- a CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a DVD +/- RW Double Layer Multi-Format drive through which you can not only do everything above but also take advantage of new double layer DVDs (twice the capacity of traditional DVDs). Moreover, with two optical drives you can make extremely fast CD copies.

Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you'll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. Gateway has also included a trio of IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (often used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 8-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated 10/100Mbps Ethernet LAN interface for high-speed access to networks and the Internet, and a 56K data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections

Operating System and Software
The Gateway 505GR features a comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system. Gateway will also pre-install Microsoft's Money 2004 financial center, Microsoft's Works 8.0 productivity package, Microsoft's Picture It Premium photo and graphic editing suite, and a variety of high-end multimedia utilities such as the superb Nero 6 Suite CD and DVD burning package.

Control
The system includes a Gateway Premium Multimedia Keyboard and a two-button mouse with scroll wheel. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Gateway's new Media Center desktop computers are as unique as they are convenient and functional. Equipped with a big, wide LCD screen just perfect for multimedia buffs, each Media Center PC also features such welcome amenities as Intel Hyper-Threading processing, numerous high-end audio/video/data connections, and a visually distinctive, fully portable all-in-one tower-less design. This model, the Gateway 610S, is the most economical member of the Media Center series, and as such offers reduced power and capability than its two higher-priced compatriots.

Outfitted with a reasonably fast 2.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system -- thereby boosting performance during key high-drain procedures such as multitasking), the Gateway 610S features enough raw power for most any standard home, home office or business environment. Gateway has elected to keep the main memory to a minimum with this machine (just 256 MB DDR SDRAM), thus compelling those who push the unit with the latest and greatest software to upgrade to 512 or 1024 MB. Serious gamers and 3-D artists may also want to upgrade the system's 3-D video controller, an Intel Extreme Graphics chipset with 64 MB shared (not dedicated) memory, though most users should find it quite adequate.

To help you manage your data, the Gateway 610S features a fast 7200 RPM 80 GB hard disk, a DVD/CD-RW optical drive through which you can burn and record audio CDs and play the latest Hollywood DVD blockbusters, and a handy 7-in-1 card media card reader for reading memory cards from high-tech gadgets such as digital cameras, PDAs and the like. In its stock form, the system does not support DVD burning.

To ensure fast interaction with peripherals such as digital camcorders, scanners and external drives, the system features a total of five high-speed USB 2.0 ports (including one mounted on the front) and an IEEE 1394 FireWire connector. Gateway has also enclosed a 5.1 line-out jack for five-speaker surround sound, a high-quality S/PDIF digital audio output, a composite A/V in, S-Video ins and outs, and an Intel 10/100 Ethernet adapter for fast network and Internet access.

The system's unique design offers several distinct advantages, not the least of which is a noticeable lack of external wiring. In fact, its large 17-inch widescreen display screen sports no wires at all, sitting instead atop a stylish integrated pedestal. Gateway has also included a wireless optical mouse, wireless keyboard, convenient wireless remote control, and built-in stereo speakers with subwoofer. Pre-installed software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center 2004 operating system, which offers such perks as integrated widescreen monitor support, an FM tuner, and one month free access to the Napster music download site.

More About Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

What sets this PC apart is that it is powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, which offers the features, reliability, and power of Windows XP Professional, plus advanced digital entertainment capabilities. The Media Center interface offers you more types of entertainment to enjoy: TV, Personal Video Recording (PVR), Movies, Music, Photos, Videos, Radio, and DVD. Use the remote control to enjoy from anywhere in your room.

TV & Movies 
Watch TV when and how you want, and never miss a moment of your favorite programs.Pause and rewind live TV. Record a TV episode, series, or category. Automaticallyrecord a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Centerdownloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-savingstandby mode to record programs, so you can watch shows on your schedule.
 	 
	Photos & Video
	Easily edit your digital pictures and digital videos, and then launch a dynamic slideshow complete with animated transitions and your favorite soundtrack. While viewing a picture, zoom in to see more detail. You can rotate, correct red-eye, and print your pictures using the remote. Play slide-shows straight from digital storage devices.
 	 
Music & Radio 
All your music is stored in one digital jukebox and using the remote, shuffle your entire music collection according to artist or genre or listen to your tunes through playlists that learn what you like. Tune in FM stations and pause live radio. Full-screen visualizations pulse to the beat of the music. Cool on-screen effects show music information, such as track title, track time, and artist.

... Read more

Reviews (6)

Love/hate relationship.
I bought this system about four months ago and I agree with a lot of the reviews I've read, both with the positive and the negative. If you're looking for a compact system that does a lot this is it, but keep that in mind in practical terms as well. This is a small unit but also very powerfull, and it requires a lot of "juice." I would advise anyone who'll be using it often to buy a UPS (power supply) if they don't have one already. For $50-$100 they can be life-savers, especially if you're like me and have the AC going a lot. It's also rather fragile because of how compact it is, so if you have young kids be carefull, especially with the DVD drive. The last drawback is upgrading, people should know that the 610 is not user upgradeable, or at least not for the average home user. You'll have to send it into Gateway to add more memory.

As others have said though, the size and the picture can't be beat. There's one wire to worry about, and that's a major victory in itself. I wish Gateway would be more lenient as far as allowing customers to configure their own systems (see the upgrade issue) like Dell and HP are, but neither of them offer anything comparable to the 610 yet. I really wish this type of system was around when I was in College, it's a bit expensive, but it's the dream system for any dorm.

Awesome PC
All I can say is I love It!
I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

Pretty Good
I bought this a couple of months ago, and at first, got a lemon. It crashed continuously, and when I was on the phone with the tech guy "Larry" (who was obviously in India), it crashed when scanning the disk for errors. And the tech guy offered extremely simple advice that most people with any kind of computer experience would've tried before calling.

However, my replacement has been relatively pain-free. The only problem was that it crashed when I was trying to install the software for Verizon DSL service. You may run into problems there as Verizon said it was a problem with the system registry of the PC (I did manage a way to get around the problem and am happily using DSL today).

A primary reason for buying this computer was for its DVD-burning capability, and for the possibility of capturing VHS tapes onto the computer, and creating DVDs out of them. I was under the impression that I would be able to plug my VCR directly into the computer and capture the video into the computer and create DVDs. You can't do that however. You can plug the VCR into the 610XL, and watch the video in the media center under the gaming device section, but why anybody with a TV would do that is beyond me, as the video shows in a small 3X4" window. Converting VHS to DVD requires a capture device (I suggest the Canopus ADVC-100), and some editing software (ULead Video Studio 7.0 SE and DVD Movie Factory 2.0 have done the job for me). That means an extra $400.

The documentation/instruction booklet is not that great. It spends an inordinate amount of time discussing the TIVO-like qualities of this computer, which unfortunately at this time I'm not using. But I can't imagine a better, more compact PC for my purposes (Video capturing/editing, DVD burning) than this machine.

Great all-in-one media center!
I purchased this pc, even though some of the reviews have been less than stellar. Going with the Gateway name along with some very glowing reviews I decided to take the plunge and I can say that it has lived up to my expectations so far. And for the TV quality, I can say from experience, that in general TV quality over cable to LCD displays isn't that good unless an HDTV tuner is used. I have had three lcd TVs now, and I can say the 610xl is on par or better than all of them. No regrets so far!

Great PC, some disadvantages
This is a great PC. It sports 200 Gigs of hard drive space which once you start recording shows, is not excessive at all. It also has a TV tuner and PVR, which enables you to record shows, but the quality isn't as good as a standalone TV, even when you set it to best. Another thing is that even though is has a 7200 rpm hard drive, 1/2 GB of RAM, and a 3 gHz processer, the computer gets slowed down after on the computer for hours and if stuff is being downloaded or tv is being recorded, the computer easily slows down. The burning software is good for Audio and Data CDs but not for Video CDs and DVDs. You can't create interactive menus and often times, the disc can get messed up for whatever reason. All in all, this is one of the best PC for a cramped space with the convienience of laptops and the power, RAM, and hard drive of a desktop, this is a great PC if you have limited space or you're short on cash. For $2,000, it's not cheap, but considered its specs, it's pretty cheap compared to other PCs that have that power, hard drive, and features. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Sitting atop the range of Gateway's entry-level desktop PC series, the Gateway 310XL is a great choice for the budget minded, balancing affordablilty with powerful features and including a 15-inch flat panel monitor. It comes equipped with everything for basic computing plus a built-in CD burner for backing up data, saving digital photos, and burning your own mix CDs. Other features include a 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 256 MB of RAM, and a 40 GB hard drive.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 40 GB Ultra DMA hard drive offers enough storage for all your documents, applications, and digital photos. However, it's less than adequate if you plan on maintaining a large multimedia (digital audio or video) library.
• Processor: The 2.6 GHz Pentium 4 processor offers more than enough power for everyday computing tasks as well as database and multimedia applications (from gaming to digital audio and video).
• Memory: The 310XL comes with a 256 MB built-in memory (DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz), which is adequate for basic computing needs. However, you'll want to add more memory for gaming and multimedia usage (the 310XL comes with an additional memory slot for a total of two). It also has an L2 cache of 512 KB.
• CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with separate drives for DVD playback and CD writing. The DVD-ROM drive can read discs at 16x speed (the standard speed for DVD movie playback), while the CD-R/W drive offers a high-speed 48x (read)/24x (rewrite)/ 48x (write) capability.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The 310XL comes with 104-key keyboard and a scrolling mouse with PS/2 connection.

The included 17-inch flat panel monitor as a 15.9-inch viewable area.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
You get a wide range of connectivity options with the S5400NX, including three PCI expansion slots and the following external ports:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 serial port for older peripherals such as early PDAs

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The 310XL comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It also includes 6 months of AOL dial-up service and a 90-day trial with Norton Anti-Virus.

Dimensions and Weight
This micro-tower case measures 14.44 x 7 x 15.38 (W x D x H) and weighs 20.5 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package includes the Gateway 310XL desktop PC, 17-inch flat panel monitor, wired keyboard, PS/2 scroller mouse, power cord, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited warranty. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Gateway's new Media Center desktop computers are as unique as they are convenient and functional. Equipped with a big, wide LCD screen just perfect for multimedia buffs, each Media Center PC also features such welcome amenities as Intel Hyper-Threading processing, numerous high-end audio/video/data connections, and a visually distinctive, fully portable all-in-one tower-less design. This model, the Gateway 610X, is the midlevel member of the Media Center series, and as such offers a good balance between cost and power and far superior 3-D graphics capability than the base model Gateway 610S.

Outfitted with a reasonably fast 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system -- thereby boosting performance during key high-drain procedures such as multitasking), the Gateway 610X features enough raw power for most any standard home, home office or business environment. Gateway has added a solid allotment of memory -- 512 MB DDR SDRAM -- and a top-level graphics card in the ATI Radeon 9200 AGP with 128 MB dedicated (not shared) video memory. Even serious gamers and 3-D artists should feel at home with this system.

To help you manage your data, the Gateway 610X features a potent 7200 RPM 120 GB hard disk, a DVD/CD-RW optical drive through which you can burn and record audio CDs and play the latest Hollywood DVD blockbusters, and a handy 7-in-1 card media card reader for reading memory cards from high-tech gadgets such as digital cameras, PDAs and the like. In its stock form, the system does not support DVD burning.

To ensure fast interaction with peripherals such as digital camcorders, scanners and external drives, the system features a total of five high-speed USB 2.0 ports (including one mounted on the front) and an IEEE 1394 FireWire connector. Gateway has also enclosed a 5.1 line-out jack for five-speaker surround sound, a high-quality S/PDIF digital audio output, a composite A/V in, S-Video ins and outs, and an Intel 10/100 Ethernet adapter for fast network and Internet access.

The system's unique design offers several distinct advantages, not the least of which is a noticeable lack of external wiring. In fact, its large 17-inch widescreen display screen sports no wires at all, sitting instead atop a stylish integrated pedestal. Gateway has also included a wireless optical mouse, wireless keyboard, convenient wireless remote control, and built-in stereo speakers with subwoofer. Pre-installed software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center 2004 operating system, which offers such perks as integrated widescreen monitor support, an FM tuner, and one-month free access to the Napster music download site.

More About Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

What sets this PC apart is that it is powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, which offers the features, reliability, and power of Windows XP Professional, plus advanced digital entertainment capabilities. The Media Center interface offers you more types of entertainment to enjoy: TV, Personal Video Recording (PVR), Movies, Music, Photos, Videos, Radio, and DVD. Use the remote control to enjoy from anywhere in your room.

TV & Movies 
Watch TV when and how you want, and never miss a moment of your favorite programs.Pause and rewind live TV. Record a TV episode, series, or category. Automaticallyrecord a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Centerdownloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-savingstandby mode to record programs, so you can watch shows on your schedule.
 	 
	Photos & Video
	Easily edit your digital pictures and digital videos, and then launch a dynamic slideshow complete with animated transitions and your favorite soundtrack. While viewing a picture, zoom in to see more detail. You can rotate, correct red-eye, and print your pictures using the remote. Play slide-shows straight from digital storage devices.
 	 
Music & Radio 
All your music is stored in one digital jukebox and using the remote, shuffle your entire music collection according to artist or genre or listen to your tunes through playlists that learn what you like. Tune in FM stations and pause live radio. Full-screen visualizations pulse to the beat of the music. Cool on-screen effects show music information, such as track title, track time, and artist.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lots of stuff in a compact system!
Great computer with additional features (TV tuner, PVR, etc.), and it takes up very little space.

Wireless keyboard is a pain, however - its reception to the system is poor and it eats batteries like crazy.

TV reception is snowy - don't buy it for the TV, buy it for the compact computer and the convenience of having the other things attached. You'll still want a regular TV.

This would also be GREAT for a college student in a dorm room. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
Whether you play games, edit videos, create graphics and animation or run a business, the stunning new Gateway 820GM Media Center Desktop PC has you covered, with room to spare. It may cost somewhat more than the average PC, but for good reason. Gateway has equipped this potent new machine with top notch amenities from top to bottom, thus providing you with assurances against future upgrades for some time to come. Sporting such desirable amenities as a full GB of memory, double layer DVD recording, a monstrous 250 GB hard drive and all the connectivity you'll likely ever need, the 820GM Media Center Desktop PC is tomorrow's computer today.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. The 820GM Media Center Desktop PC features one of today's fastest CPUs, an Intel Pentium 4 530. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version (nicknamed "Prescott") of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and an 800 MHz front side bus for a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a beefy 3.0 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this is a strong CPU that's ready for any situation.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. For the 820GM Media Center Desktop PC, Gateway has installed a whopping 1024 MB (1 GB) of 400 DDR memory, configured in a dual channel setup for even faster response. This is a ton of memory even for a high-end machine, and its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is more than enough for any multitasking situation or complex application. Moreover, the system's mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to an amazing 4 GB, though most users will never have the need.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" built-in video memory is preferable to a controller that's integrated on the mainboard and "shares" the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures.

The 820GM Media Center Desktop PC features an ATI Radeon X300 SE PCI-Express, a strong standalone graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated video memory. This card is capable of accurately displaying virtually any 2D application and delivering smooth frame rates and immersive, lifelike visuals to the 3D animations found in most computer games and 3D animation packages. Ultra-hardcore gamers and serious 3D artisans who demand perfect frame rates at extremely high resolutions may want to upgrade to a far pricier 256 or 512 MB video model, but this card should be quite adequate for the majority of users.

Display:
Gateway has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The 820GM Media Center Desktop PC produces stereo and all-encompassing surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for seven distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. Gateway has also enclosed a pair of amplified desktop speakers, though serious audiophiles may want to upgrade to a three-piece subwoofer-enhanced set or a surround sound configuration.

Hard Drive
Even the busiest users will have a tough time ever filling this computer's hard drive. At 200 GB, it's spacious enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is exceptionally quick – sporting a fast 7200-RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a futuristic Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD burning, so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

This system features two optical drives -- a CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a DVD +/- RW Double Layer Multi-Format drive through which you can not only do everything above but also take advantage of new double layer DVDs (twice the capacity of traditional DVDs). Moreover, with two optical drives you can make extremely fast CD copies.

Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you'll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. Gateway has also included a trio of IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (often used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 8-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated Gigabit networking interface (substantially faster data transfer rates than traditional 100BaseT Ethernet) for Internet and network communication, and a standard 56K data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections

Operating System and Software
The 820GM Media Center Desktop PC features a comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system. Gateway will also pre-install Microsoft's Money 2004 financial center, Microsoft's Works 8.0 productivity package, Microsoft's Picture It Premium photo and graphic editing suite, and a variety of high-end multimedia utilities such as the superb Nero 6 Suite CD and DVD burning package.

Control
The system includes a Gateway Premium Multimedia Keyboard and a two-button mouse with scroll wheel. ... Read more