Gateway E-3110 333

Gateway E-3110 333

This stylish, corporate-minded midtower scored a meager 163 on our PC WorldBench suite, making it the second-slowest Pentium II-333 we've tested. But it's redeemed by great features.

The $2747 E-3110 333 is one of the few Top 20 systems with a 19-inch monitor. It also includes both a 3Com 100-mbps PCI-based ethernet adapter and a Gateway Telepath 56-kbps modem inside its case. The modem's desktop microphone and answering machine software are unusual (and welcome) in a corporate PC. Intel's LANDesk Client Manager software offers remote maintenance. An 8.4GB hard disk and an Iomega Zip drive provide ample storage.

With 8MB of SGRAM, the Rage Pro Turbo 2X supports resolutions up to 1280 by 1024 on the big screen and is matched with an ATI Xpert@Work AGP graphics card. The speaker set has no subwoofer, but the Altec Lansing ACS41 units produce nicely balanced audio.

There are thoughtful touches in the system, such as color-coded rear ports and cables, and well-organized recovery and driver disks. The E-3110 333 comes with Gateway's sterling manuals. The system case's side panel slides off easily; the interior is a bit cramped around the upper drive bays--complicating drive upgrades--but other components are easy to access. Plenty of slots and bays are available.

The rubber feet on our test unit were slightly off level, causing the PC to rock a bit when touched. Also, the reset button must be pushed hard, and the power supply is only 200 watts. But Gateway offers a superb three-year parts and labor warranty and round-the-clock phone support.

SUMMARY

PRO: 19-inch monitor, ethernet adapter, good sound system CON: Slow; small power supply