Gateway DX4300-17 Desktop PC (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Had to get a new computer to replace my 4-yr. old WinXP machine.Did a lot of research on many models and configurations, decided to go with this Gateway model.It seemed to be the optimal choice for features, given I didn't want to go much over this price but still wanted a new, powerful machine.

Read good reviews about the PhenomII-X4 CPU.As far as RAM,wasn't convinced it was worth the extra money (at this time) to go DD3, so went for more gig (6 G) & DD2.I liked the 1-TB HD, and the TV tuner also seemed OK (you're not paying much extra for it) as well as the number of USB ports and the wireless capability (some customers didn't realize you have to attach the two small screw-on antennas on the back that come in an envelope in the box, and may have to enable the wireless in the control panel/devices section).

After studyingmany modelsfinally took the plunge and ordered this one.

Went with std. shipping, arrived in 6 days or so.It fired right up out of the box no problem, though had to reset the cable modem.This was abig increase in speed, power, and memory from what I had been used to (it was total "I give up" time with the old XP machine), so far have been very impressed.

LOVED the keyboard and mouse.Have been very impressed with how sweet this thing runs.To test its capability, ran three separate comprehensive virus scans with Comcast, Spybot, and Advanced Spyware Remover, all scanning at the same time.No problem running other programs, surfing the web as the three scans were running. No way could I do this on the old machine, it was [almost] like the scans weren't running at all.Nice.

Like the TV tuner also, it runs in Windows Media no problem (there is a male cable input on the back as well as HDMI).You can pick up a lot of free shows, Hulu, Netflix, etc. Am not happy with the fact that Win7 does not run the old and very comfortable Outlook Express. You have to use Windows Mail, and so far I dislike Windows Mail a LOT.But as far as this machine itself, I give it high marks, though have not yet had to try Gateway's customer service.

Wish the DVD had a simple pushbutton eject on the front panel like the old machine. Instead,you have to push the thing on the side to get it to eject, sometimes repeatedly and fairly hard.Gateway should come up with something better than that, though not a dealbreaker at this price.

Also,doesn't have a firewire port, wish it did (maybe I overlooked it?). However, the speed of transfer for my USB Accomdata external drives is more than satisfactory, so can get along fine w/o firewire. Am not into gaming, but do run Google Earth on a regular basis.Does a very decent job handling that, though
would say if you need super-intense gaming graphics like this all the time, maybe go to a more powerful CPU (and more $$$).For me, it does just fine. The unit is super-quiet, don't even know it's on.Also very lightweight, compact, cool exterior as well.

I do tons of research, and here's what this unit will do.Might have 8 or more internet windows open to Wiki, Brit, search engines, news, etc., along with 4 MS-Word docs, Powerpoint, spreadsheet, Mail, Google Earth, and maybe running a scan and/or downloading a new program.No problem.If IE crashes, reopen it, "restore last browsing session", and in about 3 seconds--presto--all 8+ IE windows re-open quickly.(I think it will take the reincarnation of Einstein to finally fix the IE crash syndrome once and for all. Until then, get a machine that is relatively faster than the old one)

Also comes with HDMI, you might have to play around with it to get the connection from the machine to your bigscreen via HDMI 1.4 cable to work properly (wireless HDMI is still pretty exp., and not convinced those units work well thru walls, only line of sight).To answer the question some have asked, yes, the HDMI carries sound as well as video.But you have to (a) click the volume icon/"mixer" and disable the Realtek Hi-Def speakers for your computer (but leave the Realtek Digital audio output enabled), and make sure HDMI sound is enabled (sound icon in the tray, "mixer", etc.), and use the "control panel"/vid-devices to "enable duplicate display".Shouldn't have to re-boot to do the audio/vid reconfig, takes less than a minute to do this.Be sure to set your video program on your computer (wMedia, etc) to "fullscreen" so it comes across fullscreen on the TV.

When you're done watching TV, re-enable Realtek Hi-Def speakers, and can leave HDMI audio enabled also (since the Hi-Def speakers are the default audio setting) to resume sound to your computer, and reset the video "duplicate" to "extend".Though this configure/reconfigure process only takes a minute or less, it took me a few hours to figure that out so am including FYI. Also, if you have both WinMedia and (say) Itunes pulled up, you might have to close one or the other or else Win7 might shut off the sound unless you reconfigure. Win7 tends to want to cut one, or the other, off.Thus, if you have been playing Itunes, and stop the playback, and then pull up WinMedia, Win7 senses a conflict with the two programs. Just close Itunes down, should be no problem.Again, FYI.

Overall, great unit for the price. This is the eighth computer I have owned over more than 25 years, and each has been a significant improvement over the previous one.This unit is no exception.

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Product Description:

Gateway DX4300: High Definition Entertainment

Play the hot games, fuel your multitasking and whip through content with the Gateway DX4300-17 desktop PC, which offers affordable quad-core power thanks to the AMD Phenom II X4 processor, integrated ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics, and 6 GB of installed RAM right out of the box. Watch and record live television with the hybrid (analog/digital) TV tuner and Media Center remote control, which can be easily stored in the recessed digital device holder on the top of the PC. Enjoy the next generation of video playback with the HDMI output, which allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video and audio to your digital TV or capable external monitor.


The Gateway DX4300 desktop PC.

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