Gateway E-3200 400

Gateway E-3200 400

Corporate PC buyers looking for a high-quality managed PC for less than $2000 should seriously consider Gateway's E-3200 400 desktop. For $1813 you get a network-ready computer that's easy to service and has built-in remote management hardware. Performance isn't the E-3200 400's strongest suit, however. Despite the PC's speedy Pentium II-400 processor and Windows NT 4.0 operating system, it turned in a PC WorldBench 98 score of 224--about 6 percent lower than those of similarly configured Windows NT­equipped systems, whose scores averaged 234.

But the E-3200 400 compensates for its less-than-thoroughbred gait with smart remote management features and a clever modular design. The motherboard packs DMI 2.0 and Intel LANDesk Client Manager software, which enables IS personnel to monitor the computer remotely. Such powerful management tools make the E-3200 400 a good fit for small companies that want more control over their fleet of PCs and for large businesses looking to outfit an entire division.

The E-3200 400's design also makes it remarkably easy to service. Normally tedious tasks that involve removing the case cover and exchanging a component (whether system memory or the processor) require very little time and very few tools. You have unimpeded access to the memory and expansion slots, and you can even remove and replace the entire motherboard in less than a minute. Best of all, putting the pieces back together is as straightforward as taking them apart. Color-coded cables for the keyboard, mouse, and monitor make it a cinch to get the system running again.

This Gateway's components, though not state-of-the-art, suffice for general business applications. The motherboard integrates a Crystal PnP sound chip and an ATI 3D Rage Pro AGP graphics chip, but you can install an additional 4MB of video memory if you need it. The 17-inch Gateway EV700 monitor offers unremarkable display quality for images and text. But image adjustments are easy enough: A flywheel control lets you change on-screen settings by turning a knob. The E-3200 400 also comes with a pair of unexceptional Altec Lansing GCS speakers, but multimedia isn't a priority for this PC. If you must have better speakers, you can pay $30 more for the superior Boston Acoustics BA635 sound system.

The PC is backed by a generous three-year warranty on both parts and labor, and by around-the-clock tech support every day of the week. In our survey, readers rated the reliability of Gateway's business systems as good; and in responding to our anonymous calls, the company's representatives provided acceptable answers to our questions.

SUMMARY

PRO: Well-supported corporate PII-400 system with easy-access interior CON: Limited expandability, mediocre monitor