Gateway Debuts First All-in-One Media Center PC

Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gateway unites the best of digital entertainment and computing in the new Gateway 610 Media Center, the industry's first all-in-one PC featuring Microsoft's new Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004.

The Gateway 610 Media Center combines a PC with a brilliant 17-inch widescreen flat display, Personal Video Recorder (PVR), FM/TV tuner, 2.1 stereo with built-in subwoofer, and DVD player in one stylish, easy-to-use system. Unlike other PCs using Media Center 2004, Gateway has designed the entertainment and computing functionality into the 17-inch widescreen flat panel -- so there is no need for a separate computer/receiver and display. By integrating multiple devices in one space-saving design, the Gateway 610 Media Center is perfect for the office, den, bedroom, kitchen, dorm room or studio apartment. The state-of-the-art Gateway 610 Media Center will begin shipping to customers in late October.

Today's announcement marks another milestone in Gateway's evolution to a branded integrator -- a marketer of digital gear that works together. The company is delivering on its plans to launch 50 new Gateway-branded products in 15 categories this year.

"Gateway is known for blazing trails with all-in-one desktops, and the new Gateway 610 Media Center is a digital entertainment powerhouse," said John Engel, Gateway, Inc.'s senior vice president and general manager of desktop products. "Gateway also has the unique ability with our retail stores to demonstrate Media Center PCs in a real-world environment connected to other devices, so customers can see firsthand how they can simplify and enjoy home entertainment, digital media and computing."

According to industry analyst Rob Enderle of the Enderle Group, "The new Gateway 610 Media Center, from my perspective, is well ahead of the other products in the class. With an elegant industrial design, easy set up, and a stunning wide screen, this product now sets the standard against which the others will be measured. Frankly, there is no better Media Center Edition PC period."

"The Gateway 600 Series takes full advantage of the simple, convenient and integrated entertainment experiences Windows XP Media Center 2004 has to offer," said Joe Belfiore, general manager of the Windows eHome Division at Microsoft Corp. "Gateway's innovative all-in-one PC design will offer consumers an easy-to-use, convenient and integrated digital entertainment experience."

Gateway joined efforts with Intel Corp. to design the innovative all-in- one PC and entertainment device, which features an Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper Threading (HT) Technology. When combined with Microsoft's new Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, HT Technology enables users to enjoy multiple entertainment and computing functions at the same time, such as recording a TV program while playing a 3D game, or editing digital video while listening to FM radio.

"Gateway's 610 Media Center delivers on our shared vision of providing exciting new products for the digital home," said Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel's Desktop Platforms Group. "With the power of the Intel Pentium 4 Processor with HT Technology and wireless connectivity, consumers can quickly and conveniently access and enjoy digital entertainment such as digital music and photography, movies and TV shows."

Savvy consumers, students or anyone looking for a stylish, space-saving computing and entertainment device need look no further than the Gateway 610 Media Center, which makes watching TV and movies, recording favorite shows, listening to music, surfing the Internet, and viewing digital photos and video easier than ever, all with a single remote control.

High fidelity audio and video features transform the Gateway 610 Media Center into a home entertainment system without compromises. The system's built-in stereo speakers and subwoofer deliver dynamic, cinematic sound that rivals dedicated audio systems. The crisp 17-inch widescreen flat panel provides high picture resolution and image quality for TV and DVD movies. Plus, the integrated DVD burner (available on select Gateway 610 Media Centers) allows consumers to easily burn digital video and photos onto DVD media to share with family and friends in home DVD players.

Consumers can use the Gateway 610 Media Center as their own PVR to have full control over live and recorded TV and radio programs. PVR programming lets consumers automatically search for their favorite shows by keyword or category and then record them for a later date. Live TV controls give TV enthusiasts the ability to record, pause, rewind and skip through portions of live entertainment. The popular "pause" feature lets TV viewers who are interrupted during a program freeze the action until they return.

The Gateway 610 Media Center is as feature-rich in computing as it is in entertainment. The system offers industry-leading performance and features, including a huge hard drive and media card reader. Select configurations come with integrated WiFi wireless connectivity, as well as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a wire-free aesthetically pleasing appearance. Also, conveniently located ports -- including five USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, RCA S-video, and digital audio out -- ensure that the Gateway 610 Media Center provides ample support for a wide array of analog and digital home entertainment devices.

All three configurations of the Gateway 610 Media Center models come in the same, space-saving design that weighs approximately 30 pounds and features the same brilliant 17-inch widescreen flat panel display and built-in 2.1 channel speaker system with subwoofer.

The new Gateway 610 Media Center, which will be available in three configurations priced at $1,499, $1,699 and $1,999, will begin shipping in late October.

Priced at only $1,499, the Gateway 610S Media Center is configured with an Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz processor with HT technology (800MHz FSB), 256MB DDR RAM, an 80GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, media card reader and integrated Intel Extreme Graphics.

The Gateway 610XL Media Center PC combines the most advanced technology in the same 17-inch widescreen flat panel form-factor for entertainment and PC enthusiasts. The system is configured with an Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz processor with HT technology (800MHz FSB), 512MB DDR RAM, 200GB hard drive, DVD-RW drive, media card reader, integrated 802.11g wireless, and a 128MB ATI 9200 graphics card. It is priced at only $1,999.

Gateway will also introduce a new Media Center offering in a form factor that's ideal for the living room prior to the holiday selling season.

Media Center PCs Are the Nucleus of the Connected Home
In addition to the Gateway 610 Media Center, Gateway extends its Media Center offerings to its upcoming Gateway 510 and Gateway 710 Series lines of PCs, which can be paired with Gateway's renowned plasma TVs to take full advantage of wide screen viewing or can come standard with a 17-inch or 15-inch LCD. The Gateway 510 and Gateway 710 Media Center PCs will be available to customers in late October.

Gateway 710 and Gateway 510 Media Center PCs are aimed at computer enthusiasts, SOHO workers, small businesses and repeat PC buyers who want to enjoy a range of digital media content from a single familiar tower PC platform. Gateway is offering five new PC configurations with Microsoft's new Windows XP Media Center 2004. They are priced ranging from $999 to $2,499.

Priced at only $1,299, the Gateway 510S Media Center PC comes with Intel Pentium 4 2.60GHz processor with Hyper Threading, 512MB DDR RAM, an 80GB hard drive, remote and receiver, CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, 128MB NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200G graphics. The PC is ready for entertainment and communications, complete with FM/TV Tuner, enhanced audio, 10/100 Ethernet, 56K modem, two-piece speakers, Microsoft Works Suite 2004, and a 15" LCD flat panel display. Without the 15-inch LCD, the price drops to $999. Other configurations can be seen online at http://www.gateway.com/home/products/hm_dtp_mediapc.shtml .

Availability and Limited Warranty
The new Gateway 610 Media Center as well as the Gateway 510 and Gateway 710 Media Center PCs are supported by Gateway's standard one-year limited warranty. As with other Gateway products, additional service and support options are available.

For more information, visit http://www.gateway.com.

SOURCE Gateway, Inc.