Shopping for Gateway Desktop Computers

In an attempt to learn more about how easy (or challenging) it is to shop for business desktop computers, AllBusiness hit the online marts of trade. Here’s what we found when we looked into buying Gateway computers that would suit a typical small business.

Business Credit Solutions

• Get a Credit Report
• Get a D&B D-U-N-S Number
• Monitor My Business Credit - FREE TRIAL!

Business Credit Advice

• Business Credit Basics
• Build My Business Credit
• Extend Credit to Customers
• Use My Credit to Get Loans

The S-5200D comes pretty well configured, with a fast enough processor, enough RAM, and a CD burner as a bonus. Gateway was even having a deal when we shopped in January 2006--a Canon PIXMA iP1600 printer, free after rebate. We brought the hard drive and operating system up to our standard, and added a monitor and Microsoft Office. The final price was on the low side of our vendor pack.

AllBusiness.com Standard Business Desktop Computer — Gateway

The E4500 we looked at costs more across the board because it's aimed at businesses buying multiple systems and who need to do that "image stabilization" thing, whereby you are ensured that when you buy more boxes, they have the exact same components as the last truckful you bought, making volume system deployment and management easier. However, we don't think most small- to medium-sized businesses will get full value from this degree of management until they pass a few hundred computers per IT management team.

AllBusiness.com Standard Business Desktop Computer — Gateway

Gateway E4500S SB Tower As of January 20, 2006. Totals based on vendor configurator.

The Power User's Office Desktop

The Power User's Office Desktop ups the processor to a 3.0GHz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent AMD; a full 1GB RAM; a 120GB hard drive; a writable CD/DVD; and a slightly larger 19-incn LCD monitor; everything else is the same. It should cost more--let's see how much more.

AllBusiness.com Power User Desktop Computer — Gateway

Gateway S-5200D As of January 20, 2006. Totals based on vendor configurator.

We found no unpleasant surprises in configuring the mainstream Gateway system to support our Power User, and the fully configured price is in our power-user ballpark as well.