Gateway E-3110 300

Gateway E-3110 300

SUMMARY

PRO: LAN adapter and client management software included, top-tier support policies CON: Curved case top makes stacking external components difficult

Great performance and good components help the E-3110 300 stand out, but its price rises $90 to $2049 this month as part of Gateway's recent price restructuring. The result: The E-3110 300 drops three places despite an impressive PC WorldBench score of 172. The E-3110 300 also includes corporate add-ons such as an SMC EtherPower II 10/100 ethernet card for high-speed network connections, and DMI-2 management software, which lets administrators upgrade the system remotely. As with most PCs sold with ethernet cards, it doesn't come with a modem.

The E-3110 300 is outfitted with a 17-inch monitor for the budget chart (it was configured with a 19-inch monitor two months before, when it was a power chart contender). It also comes with an 8.4GB hard drive and an ATI 3D Rage Pro Turbo PC2TV graphics card that includes video-out ports and 8MB of SGRAM. Also surprising for a corporate box: The E-3110 includes an Ensoniq Audio PCI audio card and reasonably good-sounding Altec Lansing ACS-41 speakers. The only problem: If you like to stack external drives on top of your PC, you're out of luck. The case's stylish curved top prevents it.

Color-coded cables and ports make attaching peripherals easy. And the cover is a breeze to remove, too: Just twist off the two large screws with your fingers and slide back the side panel to reveal the orderly interior. Gateway's support policies are terrific, including a three-year parts and labor warranty and 24-hour toll-free technical support.