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SUMMARY

Gateway G6-333 PRO: Fastest Windows 95 PC we've tested CON: Midtower case's curved top makes stacking external components difficult

The new Gateway G6-333 is a winner--a terrifically speedy Pentium II-333 machine with all the horsepower you need to run apps at your home office or small office. This well-designed, generously configured PC earns our top Best Buy right out of the gate. And with a PC WorldBench 98 score of 179, the G6-333 ranks as the fastest Windows 95 machine we've tested. Best of all, the G6-333 has a modest price: $2684 is eminently reasonable for a system that comes packed with high-end features.

For your greenbacks, you get a 2X DVD-ROM drive and a sampler of DVD movie previews. Other features are equally impressive, if a bit less fun. The STB Velocity 128 Accelerated Graphics Port video card offers resolutions up to 1600 by 1200 dots per inch, though you would not want to push the 17-inch Gateway EV700 monitor that far.

Enjoy listening to your favorite music while you work? The Ensoniq Audio PCI sound card feeds audio to good, basic Altec Lansing ACS41 speakers, which produce fine sound quality despite lacking a subwoofer to boost the bass. We liked the multifunction keyboard that accompanies the G6-333: Extra buttons on it let you adjust sound level and control audio CDs--and even a TV or radio if you hook up the system to a home entertainment center. And of course, you get components that we've come to expect in souped-up Best Buys: a 56-kilobits-per-second x2 modem and a hefty 8.4GB hard drive.

Like other Gateway G6 machines, this PII-333 midtower has a dove-gray case with curved sides and a rounded top. It's nice to look at and fairly well designed--as long as you don't try to stack components on the tipsy top. Removing the side of the case isn't too difficult--just turn two large screws--and the front pops off to provide access to the three empty external drive bays. Inside, you'll find minimal cable clutter: We were easily able to reach and fill the two available expansion slots and the one empty DIMM socket. Finishing the job was the toughest part; we struggled a bit to line up the side of the cover with the case before we could fit it back in place.

If you have any problems upgrading your machine--or even setting it up--the documentation provides detailed information and drawings to help you out. If that doesn't work, you can always turn to Gateway's round-the-clock toll-free technical support. We didn't have to wait long on hold when we called anonymously, and the technicians offered good advice.