Gateway G6-400.(Hardware Review)(Evaluation)
12/01/98
Computer Shopper
Page 199(1)
COPYRIGHT 1998 Ziff Davis Publishing Company Copyright 1998 Information Access Company. All rights reserved.
Like the Dell system, the $1,839-direct Gateway G6-400 is loaded with great multimedia features and a solid warranty at a reasonable price. The G6-400, however, has a 400MHz Pentium II and a more substantial software bundle.
With a Business Winstone 98 score of 27.5, a virtual tie with the Dell system's score, the G6-400 delivers average application performance. The Gateway's 6.5GB Quantum Fireball hard drive, among the smallest of the pack, also provides average performance.
Using the same STB Velocity 128 8MB graphics card as the Dell (albeit with an older driver installed), the G6-400 also produces average scores on 2-D and 3-D graphics tests. The G6-400 employs a Toshiba SD-M1102 DVD -ROM drive, but unlike the other DVD -ROM-based systems, lacks a DVD decoder card. Instead, it lets the 400MHz processor carry the DVD -decoding load using software from Quadrant. Nonetheless, the G6-400's DVD movie playback looks just as good as that of the systems equipped with decoder cards.
The G6-400 includes a Gateway EV700 monitor. The display is bright, but our review unit suffered from soft focus in the corners, as well as an inability to completely adjust for some minor geometric distortions along its left edge.
This system has a PCI-based Ensoniq ES1371 sound chip integrated onto the motherboard. Thanks to a Boston Acoustics BA635 subwoofer speaker system, audio quality is impressive, and MIDI playback via software is good.
The G6-400 features three internal 3.5-inch drive bays, one accessible 3.5-inch bay, two accessible 5.25-inch bays, and two dedicated bays holding the DVD -ROM and floppy drives. Although both 5.25-inch bays are empty, a mounting point protruding from the motherboard renders the bottom bay useless.
In addition to Microsoft Home Essentials 98, the G6-400 includes a few other software titles, such as MegaPhone, whose features can be accessed easily via the Message and Phone buttons on the system's keyboard. The keyboard also has buttons for accessing CD audio and volume controls, as well as a Sleep button. The system's warranty delivers parts-and-labor coverage for three years, one year of onsite service, and 24-hour phone support.
The G6-400's relatively low cost, excellent multimedia features, and good warranty combine to make it a great choice for home users.
Product Listing
Gateway G6-400
Gateway
800-846-2059; 605-232-2000
www.gateway.com
Direct Price: $1,839
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
