If you want booming audio, you'll need to integrate the Gateway 832GM into your home-theater setup because its bundled stereo speakers are unremarkable in every way. Inside the box, you'll also find an Internet keyboard (with a slightly funky layout to accommodate all those extra Web and audio buttons) and a two-button scroll mouse. Neither input device is wireless, but fortunately Gateway didn't forget to throw in a standard Windows Media Center remote control and an IR blaster, the latter handy for using the Media Center remote to change channels if you have to integrate a cable box. On top of the Media Center OS, the bundled software includes Microsoft Money 2004 and the Microsoft Works 8.0 budget productivity suite, among other software titles.
The Gateway 832GM's refreshingly robust printed and electronic documentation provides the means to understand setup and the system's more advanced functions. While the 832GM comes with a single year of warranty coverage and Gateway's toll-call phone support 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. ET, you must purchase any extended service and support through your retailer, which generally means fewer options and less robust telephone support. Fortunately, Gateway's Web site provides plenty of system-specific info as well.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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SysMark 2004 Internet-content-creation rating |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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Unreal Tournament 2003 Flyby-Antalus 1,024x768 | |
Unreal Tournament 2003 Flyby-Antalus 1,600x1,200 4xAA 8xAF |
Find out more about how we test desktop systems.
System configurationsAlienware DHS-2 Media Center
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005; 3.0GHz Intel P4 530; Intel 915P chipset; 512MB DDR SDRAM 400MHz; 128MB ATI Radeon X300 (PCIe); Seagate ST3160023AS 160GB 7,200rpm Serial ATA
Gateway 832GM
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005; 3.0GHz Intel P4 630; Intel 915G chipset; 1,024MB DDR SDRAM 400MHz; 128MB integrated Intel 915G (shared memory); WDC WD2500JD-22HBB0 250GB 7,200rpm Serial ATA
Polywell MiniBox 939AX
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005; 2.0GHz AMD Athlon 64 3200+; ATI Radeon Xpress 200 chipset; 512MB DDR SDRAM 400MHz; 64MB (shared) integrated ATI Radeon X200; Seagate ST3200822AS 200GB 7,200rpm Serial ATA
Sony VAIO VGC-RB38G
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005; 3.4GHz Intel P4 550; Intel 915G chipset; 1,024MB DDR SDRAM 400MHz; 128MB ATI Radeon X300 (PCIe); Maxtor 7Y250M0 250GB 7,200rpm Serial ATA
WinBook PowerSpec MCE 410
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005; 3.0GHz Intel P4 530; Intel 915G chipset; 512MB DDR SDRAM 400MHz; 64MB ATI Radeon X300 (PCIe); Samsung SP1614C 160GB 7,200rpm Serial ATA
