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June 30, 2005 8:35 AM PDT

Gateway touts 64-bit PCs

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Gateway has announced new desktop PCs featuring 64-bit dual-core processors and the Windows XP Media Center operating system.

One model, the 840GM, is powered by Intel's 3GHz Pentium D 830 dual-core processor. The 835GM, meanwhile, is based on the 2.8GHz Pentium D 820 dual-core processor.

The computer maker also released the 831GM, which runs on a 3GHz Pentium 4 processor 630.

All three computers will be available through retail outlets.

Each of the three systems has a DVD-ROM, a 250GB hard drive, and a 16x double-layer, a multiformat DVD+/-RW optical drive.

All the new desktops come with a media manager for reading different digital devices, software for burning CDs and DVDs, a multimedia keyboard, and a USB optical mouse. The 840GM also features a BTX chassis, the company said.

Gateway said the machines were designed with students in mind.

"We created this new line specifically for the needs of students by incorporating all the hardware and software features needed to maximize PC productivity and entertainment," Marc Demars, Gateway's senior director of desktop product marketing, said in a statement.

The 840GM and 835GM will retail for $1,049.99 and $849.99, respectively, starting July 10.

The 831GM will be available for $699.99 starting Sunday, Gateway said.

See more CNET content tagged:
Gateway Inc., 64-bit, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center, dual-core processor, student

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Buying a laptop.
by System Tyrant June 30, 2005 9:01 AM PDT
I see three problems here.

First it's made by Gateway. :)

Second, it's using a Pentium 4 or Pentium D processor instead of a Pentium M (and yes I know the Pentium M's aren't 64-bit or dual core).

Third, it's going to be extreamly hot and power hungry. I guessing that it's not going to be an ideal notebook unless your are looking more for a desktop replacement.
Reply to this comment
Laptops? Who's talking about laptops?
by 202578300049013666264380294439 June 30, 2005 10:34 AM PDT
The story starts right off by saying these new systems are Desktop systems. Strange how you missed that.
View reply
Buying a laptop.
by System Tyrant June 30, 2005 9:01 AM PDT
I see three problems here.

First it's made by Gateway. :)

Second, it's using a Pentium 4 or Pentium D processor instead of a Pentium M (and yes I know the Pentium M's aren't 64-bit or dual core).

Third, it's going to be extreamly hot and power hungry. I guessing that it's not going to be an ideal notebook unless your are looking more for a desktop replacement.
Reply to this comment
Laptops? Who's talking about laptops?
by 202578300049013666264380294439 June 30, 2005 10:34 AM PDT
The story starts right off by saying these new systems are Desktop systems. Strange how you missed that.
View reply
Why Media Center?!?
by David Arbogast June 30, 2005 1:17 PM PDT
Why advertise a 64-bit PC when it comes with a 32-bit operating system preinstalled? Anybody know the 64-bit MediaCenter release plan yet?

Advertising these technologies side-by-side is a bit like saying... "We'll charge you for it, but you can't use it!"
Reply to this comment
But on the other hand...
by Juster444 July 2, 2005 7:45 PM PDT
If buying a computer now, why not invest in 64-bit processor and upgrade to 64-bit OS when it becomes available in 2006? The dual core alone should help in running multiple applications on the Media Center, as I suspect a student often would.

Typical students are masters of multi-tasking. Such as researching on the internet and typing those term papers while waiting for the dvd burner to finish burning, all the while listening to iTunes and keeping IM and email running, not to mention the possibility of Media Center recording their favorite TV shows while all this is going on. Dual core will be a big hit with these students who constantly put a mighty strain on their processors.
Why Media Center?!?
by David Arbogast June 30, 2005 1:17 PM PDT
Why advertise a 64-bit PC when it comes with a 32-bit operating system preinstalled? Anybody know the 64-bit MediaCenter release plan yet?

Advertising these technologies side-by-side is a bit like saying... "We'll charge you for it, but you can't use it!"
Reply to this comment
But on the other hand...
by Juster444 July 2, 2005 7:45 PM PDT
If buying a computer now, why not invest in 64-bit processor and upgrade to 64-bit OS when it becomes available in 2006? The dual core alone should help in running multiple applications on the Media Center, as I suspect a student often would.

Typical students are masters of multi-tasking. Such as researching on the internet and typing those term papers while waiting for the dvd burner to finish burning, all the while listening to iTunes and keeping IM and email running, not to mention the possibility of Media Center recording their favorite TV shows while all this is going on. Dual core will be a big hit with these students who constantly put a mighty strain on their processors.
All in one media center for students
by June 30, 2005 6:41 PM PDT
---
Gateway said the machines were designed with students in mind.
--

But your right, why advertise a 64 bit system that only comes with a 32 bit OS?

Marketing departments are going to have a hey day with the 64 bit buzzword even though the average user won't benefit from it.

Hmmm... 64 bits must be twice as fast as 32, right? LOL!
Reply to this comment
All in one media center for students
by June 30, 2005 6:41 PM PDT
---
Gateway said the machines were designed with students in mind.
--

But your right, why advertise a 64 bit system that only comes with a 32 bit OS?

Marketing departments are going to have a hey day with the 64 bit buzzword even though the average user won't benefit from it.

Hmmm... 64 bits must be twice as fast as 32, right? LOL!
Reply to this comment
840GM vs. 835GM
by mmeytin July 1, 2005 1:16 PM PDT
Actually, according to Gateway's news release, 835GM will also use BTX case. I have been a Gateway 700GR user since last fall, and I have to say that BTX case is very nice - this is the quietest PC I have ever used (and no water cooling involved).

So, it appears that the only difference between 840GM and 835GM is inclusion of a remote and TV tuner with 840GM, and faster processor (3.0GHz vs. 2.8GHz plus Enhanced SpeedStep). I wonder if the difference is worth extra $200.

-M-
Reply to this comment
Why use a intel
by July 2, 2005 8:06 PM PDT
Intels dual core processor isnt as fast at anything compared to its single core proccessor according to benchmarks. While AMD X2 is blowing them off the board both dual core and single core. I could care less intel or AMD but i want the best bang for the buck wich right now stands with AMD by far.
Anyways just my two cents who cares right lol
840GM vs. 835GM
by mmeytin July 1, 2005 1:16 PM PDT
Actually, according to Gateway's news release, 835GM will also use BTX case. I have been a Gateway 700GR user since last fall, and I have to say that BTX case is very nice - this is the quietest PC I have ever used (and no water cooling involved).

So, it appears that the only difference between 840GM and 835GM is inclusion of a remote and TV tuner with 840GM, and faster processor (3.0GHz vs. 2.8GHz plus Enhanced SpeedStep). I wonder if the difference is worth extra $200.

-M-
Reply to this comment
Why use a intel
by July 2, 2005 8:06 PM PDT
Intels dual core processor isnt as fast at anything compared to its single core proccessor according to benchmarks. While AMD X2 is blowing them off the board both dual core and single core. I could care less intel or AMD but i want the best bang for the buck wich right now stands with AMD by far.
Anyways just my two cents who cares right lol
Poor journalism!
by Tank252ca July 4, 2005 7:41 AM PDT
Quoted from Digital Dispatch, July 1, 2005:
"The three systems all feature 250GB hard drives and multiformat DVD burners, and Gateway says they're meant to be extremely media-friendly for today's students. So, is this a "speaking of digital piracy" story or not? Hard to tell... "

This is an incredibly cheap shot at Gateway. I don't recall ever reading a product announcement before where a journalist implied that a hardware vendor was promoting piracy. I've been a subscriber to C|net for many years but this sort of yellow journalism boils my blood. You should be ashamed of using such cheap headline grabbing tactics. Dinesh Sharma didn't make such comments in the review, so please keep it out of the Digital Dispatch.
Reply to this comment
Poor journalism!
by Tank252ca July 4, 2005 7:41 AM PDT
Quoted from Digital Dispatch, July 1, 2005:
"The three systems all feature 250GB hard drives and multiformat DVD burners, and Gateway says they're meant to be extremely media-friendly for today's students. So, is this a "speaking of digital piracy" story or not? Hard to tell... "

This is an incredibly cheap shot at Gateway. I don't recall ever reading a product announcement before where a journalist implied that a hardware vendor was promoting piracy. I've been a subscriber to C|net for many years but this sort of yellow journalism boils my blood. You should be ashamed of using such cheap headline grabbing tactics. Dinesh Sharma didn't make such comments in the review, so please keep it out of the Digital Dispatch.
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