Gateway 2000 G6-266B

Gateway 2000 G6-266B

SUMMARY

PRO: Terrific performance, inexpensive for a 266-MHz Pentium II PC, very good support CON: Cryptic port labels, rounded case top

Looking for a fast, decked-out home-office PC that doesn't cost a bundle? Gateway's new G6-266b is the best sub-$2000 system we've seen.

On the whole, this PC is a terrific deal. Aside from the fifth-place $1699 NEC Direction 266L, the $1939 G6-266b is the cheapest PII-266 we've tested, and it performs well for its CPU class. It's also well appointed for a low-cost PC and has some above-average components, including a 13X-32X CD-ROM drive and an exceptionally sharp 17-inch Gateway EV700 monitor. The G6-266b even looks better than most PCs. The near-full-tower case bows gently outward in the middle, and an easy-to-remove curved front panel covers the drive-bay panels, all lending this PC a smooth, contoured look. But convenience is sacrificed to style: The convex top panel makes putting stuff on top of it an exercise in futility--general home-office paraphernalia such as a stack of CD-ROMs slides right off.

Still, home-office users will appreciate the extra mile Gateway went to minimize hassles. The G6-266b's serial number is conveniently located behind the removable front panel, making it easily accessible for support calls. If you need to get inside the case, that's easy too. You'll find a tidy interior with convenient access to all expansion slots, memory sockets, and drive bays. Our one complaint: Some of the rear ports are labeled with confusing icons; for example, the serial ports are labeled with ones and zeroes.

The mainstays of a top-notch home-office PC are good support and reliability, and Gateway offers both. The company's excellent policies include a three-year warranty for labor and parts, plus round-the-clock technical support. According to our readers, Gateway builds generally reliable PCs and provides above-average support for them.