Gateway Makes the Latest Technology Standard Features Across Its Direct PC Line

June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gateway Inc., the nation's third largest PC company, today heightens the value of its Direct PC line by delivering impressive technology and upgrades as standard features in all of its notebook and desktop PCs.

Starting today, Gateway notebook and desktop PCs sold directly through the phone and web come complete and ready to use with the premium features that savvy customers and PC enthusiasts want and need. The entire line of PCs now features:

• Intel dual-core technology in all desktops and nearly all notebooks, delivering extremely fast performance.
  
• Microsoft Office Basic (a $139 retail value) as a standard feature, giving customers a significant savings on a software package that nearly everyone requires.
  
• Assurance that the entire line is Microsoft Windows Vista Capable. This ensures customers are making a sound investment that they can enjoy with the next-generation operating system.
  

In addition, all Gateway Direct notebooks come standard with Bluetooth wireless technology and port replicator capabilities. Gateway's desktop lines all come standard with digital flat panel LCD displays.

Gateway is also moving forward on its previously announced plans to open a Gateway-staffed technical support center in the United States that will provide world-class service to consumer and professional customers who buy direct from the company. In the coming weeks, Gateway will disclose details regarding the location, staffing and best practices approach to providing industry-leading customer service.

"Our direct-to-the-customer model has allowed us to bring leading technologies to our customers for more than 20 years," said Bart Brown, Gateway's senior vice president, Direct. "Today, our innovation is helping bring greater value to customers who want a premium PC fully-equipped with all they need and want, right out of the box. We think this straight-forward approach will resonate with PC enthusiasts and other savvy consumers, historically strong customer segments for Gateway."

The Direct line of Gateway desktops now starts at $799 for a richly configured PC including a digital flat panel LCD display and Microsoft Office Basic. The Gateway DX310S offers leading performance features including an Intel Pentium D processor 930 with two processing cores, a fast 160GB hard drive (7200RPM) and 512MB of DDR2 memory. It also offers impressive digital media capabilities with a 16x multi-format DVD writer, ATI Radeon X300 based integrated graphics, 9-in-1 media reader and brilliant 15-inch digital LCD display. Featuring the software that most customers need, it also includes Windows XP Media Center Edition and the Microsoft Office Basic Edition 2003 including Word, Excel and Outlook.

With prices now starting at $999, the Direct line of Gateway notebooks includes the feature-rich NX260X. This 5.25-pound notebook offers an Intel Core Duo Processor T2050, 14.1-inch WXGA TFT display and 512MB of DDR2 667MHz memory. With ample storage and digital media capabilities, it comes equipped with a large 80GB hard drive, combo CDRW/DVD drive and 7-in-1 media reader. It also features the latest wireless technology including Intel Centrino Duo Mobile 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth. Like the desktop line, Gateway notebooks come standard with Microsoft Office Basic Edition 2003.

Customers can order Gateway notebook and desktop PCs by visiting www.gateway.com or calling 1-800-GATEWAY. Ordering direct from Gateway lets customers personalize their PCs to meet their needs; they can configure the processor, memory, hard drive, optical drive, software, services, security solutions and many other features.

Unlike many PC providers, Gateway supports its desktop and notebook PC offerings with a one-year limited warranty for parts and labor. The company offers a wide range of extended service and support plans such as Accidental Damage Service Plan, which covers parts that fail due to normal use or handling caused by unintentional impacts, drops, falls, accidentally spilled beverages, immersion in liquids and power surges.

SOURCE Gateway, Inc.