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Gateway 838GM Media Center - P4 630 3 GHz (discontinued)

Gateway 838GM Media Center - P4 630 3 GHz

Entered CNET Catalog: 10/31/2005

SKU: 838GM

Manufacturer: Gateway Inc.

Content [Hide]
  1. Manufacturer's description
  2. Users' opinions
  3. Tips
  4. Keywords

Manufacturer description

A great multimedia experience at a great price, the Gateway 838GM Media Center lets you enjoy music, photos, movies and games all from your PC!

User opinions

Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5

User Rating: 8/10

Great computer for someone that needs the basics.by JEnochs - December 5, 2008

Pros: This is a simple and reliable computer. We use the computer for both our college homework and for doing reports and spreadsheets for work. This computer gives you decent speed for surfing the internet and enough power to handle MS Office tasks.

Cons: The computer's 512MB of RAM is not much so eventually you may want to upgrade this. The computer does not support gaming graphics. The lack of RAM and graphics means that you should NOT try to run Vista. This is for XP only.

Review: This is a great computer if you are not a computer geek. We have never had a problem with either the hardware or software. If you are a gamer, this computer is not for you. We used the computer for 1.5 years with no problems before we upgraded the RAM. When I read some of the less than favorable reviews, I can't help but think that the problem must have been the user and not the computer. As long as you do simple preventive maintenance (Antivirus, defrag, scan for spyware, clean registry, do backups, delete junk ......) on your computer then you should never have a problem with this system. I think I paid around $600 for this computer (It was a long time ago so I'm not sure) and it was worth every penny. I decided to purchase this Gateway computer because we use over 200 Gateway computers in the classrooms at the Army's satellite communications school where I am the Chief Instructor. Students abuse the computers daily and I have been impressed with how well they have held up. My last desktop computer was a Compaq and it crashed on a regular basis due to a faulty power supply and a bad RAM board that were both factory installed....you will never have to worry about poor quality components with a Gateway.

User Rating: 10/10

Easy, great speed, I added 512 Mb ram, not a problem in 9 months, purchased as re-furbished @ $429.0by cnetreviewsrb - September 4, 2006

Pros: Expandable to 4 Gig Ram, works well with Windows Media Center

Cons: None that I have found in 9 months

Review: Purchased as "Special Re-furbished Unit" from Tiger Direct over 9 months ago for $429.00, I added 512 MB Ram for $24.95 to give me 1 gig total. Was easy to add memory, and all programs work perfectly. I use an old Office Pro for Excel & Word. Free CA virus and spam software were added. This system has been perfect for me as a novis user. I could not be happier

User Rating: 8/10

The 838GM is a computer in my view is the smoothest running computer I've ever used in my lifeby terry574 - March 22, 2006

Pros: 512 RAM, 48x CD-ROM drive, smooth, nice speakers, dependable, laser mouse

Cons: Loud start up, sometimes freezes on games, keys occasionally stick on screen

Review: When I first saw the two reviews for the 838GM, my first thought was "Ouch!" It can support Graphic demanding games like Black and White 2, and has a fast starup despite the noise from the startup. So far I've had this computer for 4 months and it never froze on me, although I tend to handle computers carefully. I'm giving the 838GM an 8 because it never lets me down or gets me frustrated as I always do on other computers. If you want the same results as I had with this computer, I recomend using the FPD1760 TFT LCD Color Monitor. The total purchase foor me cost about $840.

User Rating: 2/10

Nothing but problemsby rkn06 - February 24, 2006

Pros: Nice package, if it worked

Cons: Hard drive defective, lousy customer service

Review: This computer hasn't worked right from the beginning. When it worked, it was great, and for that reason, I give it a 2. I've restored the system three times and now gateway tells me I need a new hard drive, and that I should have it in two business days. I ordered it over a week ago, and it's still not here. I called gateway to complain, and nothing but a run-around. After more than two hours of phone time, they finally confirmed that it was in stock, but couldn't commit to send it to me overnight. So it "should" show up next week.

Tech support has been very polite and friendly, but couldn't provide me with the information I needed, gave me conflicting reports and finally couldn't meet a reasonable request that they send the item via overnight delivery.

I understand that defects make it out of the factory. But Gateway failed to step up and make an unsatisfied customer happy. I won't buy gateway again.
Updated
Update, as of 4/17/06 - I sent the computer back to Gateway on 3/3, they received it on 3/7...and they still have it. I filed a complaint with the local consumer affairs office late last month, and Gateway still drags their feet....the have been unable to resolve the problem, and they don't seem to care.
Updated
I sent the computer back to Gateway on 3/3/06 and they received it on 3/7/06. They still have it. I actually had to file a complaint with the local consumer affairs agency late last month, and Gateway continues to drag its feet. They don't seem to care at all - they've been completely unapologetic. They claim that I "should" have it back by this Friday, but I don't believe them as they can't seem to get their facts straight.

If you buy a Gateway, I hope you never have to go through this process.

User Rating: 5/10

The first one I brought home was defective.by betsy451 - November 7, 2005

Pros: Seems to be working ok no; but it's only a week old.

Cons: Definate bummer having to throw it all back in a box and drag ti back to the store!

Review: After the ainital bad start of it not working at all, the tech support walked me through all the things to try via phone. When none of these worked, she said to take it back to the sotre and exchange it. Seeing as how it wasn't what I wanted in the first place, I asked if I could just get a refund instead. "Yes" but iwth a 15% 'restocking' fee deducted! So I got the same thing again. It was obviously something seriously wrong with the original one, as I could not get anything on the monitor. Switching to a different monitor didn't work either. The replacement seems to be doing ok so far. The FPD1960 TFT LCD monitor is very nice. So far, so good with the replacement, but the inconvenience of the exchange, added to the disappointment of having to buy whatever they had at Circuit City since mine had just died, made it a somewhat less than stellar purchase. I had spend days researching on C-net and had decided between an IBM and a Dell!

Tips on Gateway 838GM Media Center - P4 630 3 GHz

About CNET Archive BETA

Welcome to the CNET Archive, a library of product reviews, user opinions, videos, specifications, and manufacturer descriptions for products no longer offered by the manufacturer or most retailers. Here you will find information on replacement parts and replacement ink cartridges. Read what others had to say about that used laptop you are considering buying. Take a trip down memory lane as you browse and reminisce about your favorite old video game or that first digital camera.

Gateway 838GM Media Center - P4 630 3 GHz specifications

  • General
  • Type Media center
  • Product Form Factor Tower
  • Width 7.2 in
  • Depth 16.0 in
  • Height 14.3 in
  • Weight 22.9 lbs
  • Processor
  • Type Intel Pentium 4 630 / 3.0 GHz
  • 64-bit processor Yes
  • Installed Qty 1.0
  • Max processors supported 1.0
  • Processor main features Intel Execute Disable Bit , Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology , Hyper-Threading Technology , Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
  • Cache Memory
  • Type L2 cache
  • Installed Size 2.0 MB
  • Cache Per Processor 2 MB
  • Mainboard
  • Chipset type Intel 915G Express
  • Data bus speed 800.0 MHz
  • RAM
  • Installed Size 512.0 MB / 4.0 GB (max)
  • Technology DDR SDRAM
  • Memory speed 400.0 MHz
  • RAM features Two DDR channels
  • Storage Controller
  • Type 1.0 x Serial ATA - Integrated
  • Controller interface type Serial ATA-150
  • Storage controller interface channel qty 4.0
  • Storage Controller (2nd)
  • Type 1 x IDE - Integrated
  • (2nd) storage controller interface type ATA-100
  • :Controller Interface Type:Channel Qty 1
  • Storage
  • Hard Drive 1.0 x 200.0 GB - Standard - Serial ATA-150 - 7200.0 rpm
  • Hard Drive (2nd) None
  • Optical Storage
  • Type DVD±RW (+R DL) - IDE
  • CD / DVD read speed 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD)
  • CD / DVD write speed 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD+R DL)
  • CD / DVD rewrite speed 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)
  • Optical Storage (2nd)
  • Type CD-ROM
  • 2nd optical storage read speed 48x
  • Storage Removable
  • Type None
  • Monitor
  • Monitor Type None.
  • Graphics Controller
  • Type Integrated
  • Graphics Processor / Vendor Intel GMA 900
  • Video Memory Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0
  • Audio Output
  • Type Sound card - Integrated
  • Sound output mode 7.1 channel surround
  • Audio output compliant standards High Definition Audio
  • Speaker(s) 2.0 x Right / left channel
  • Input Device
  • Type Mouse , Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Mouse technology Optical
  • Mouse interface USB
  • Mouse features Scroll
  • Telecom
  • Modem Fax / modem
  • Max transfer rate 56.0 Kbps
  • Protocols & Specifications ITU V.92
  • Networking
  • Networking Network adapter - Integrated
  • Data Link Protocol Fast Ethernet , Ethernet
  • Printer
  • Type None
  • Expansion / Connectivity
  • Expansion Bays Total (Free) 2.0 ( 0.0 ) x Front accessible - 3.5" x 1/3H , 3.0 ( 1.0 ) x Front accessible - 3.5" x 1/3H , 2.0 ( 2.0 ) x Internal - 5.25" x 1/2H
  • Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1.0 ( 1.0 ) x PCI Express x16 , 4.0 ( 1.0 ) x SmartMedia Card , 1.0 ( 0.0 ) x SD Memory Card , 1.0 ( 1.0 ) x PCI , 3.0 ( 1.0 ) x Processor , 1.0 ( 2.0 ) x Memory , 1.0 ( 1.0 ) x Memory Stick , 1.0 ( 1.0 ) x CompactFlash Card , 1.0 ( 1.0 ) x PCI Express x1
  • Interfaces 4.0 x Audio - Generic - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) , 7.0 x Mouse - IEEE 1284 (EPP/ECP) - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , 3.0 x Microphone - VGA - 6 pin FireWire , 1.0 x Audio - Line-in - 25 pin D-Sub (DB-25) , 1.0 x Hi-Speed USB - RS-232 - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style) , 1.0 x Keyboard - Generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style) , 2.0 x Serial - Input - 9 pin D-Sub (DB-9) , 1.0 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - Line-out - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , 1.0 x Parallel - 4 pin USB Type A , 1.0 x Display / video - Mini-phone 3.5 mm
  • Power
  • Power device type Power supply
  • Operating System / Software
  • OS Provided Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
  • Software Napster 3.0 , Nero Suite 6.0 , Google Toolbar , Apple QuickTime , McAfee AntiSpyware 2005 (Trial) , Microsoft Picture It! 10 , Microsoft Encarta Online , Microsoft Money 2005 , Microsoft Office 2003 (Trial) , RealPlayer , Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 , Adobe Acrobat Reader 7 , Microsoft Internet Explorer , BigFix , Cyberlink PowerDVD , AOL 9.0 , Microsoft Works 8.0 , Norton Internet Security 2005 (Trial)
  • Manufacturer Warranty
  • Service & Support 1 year warranty
  • Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year
  • Card Reader
  • Card reader 8 in 1 card reader
  • Supported flash memory cards Memory Stick , SmartMedia Card , MultiMediaCard , Memory Stick Pro , Microdrive , CompactFlash Card , SD Memory Card
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