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General discussion

For the 'Computer' guru's...............

Feb 21, 2004 6:22AM PST

Has anyone seen the Gateway Profile 5XL ? Any thoughts ?

Although the 'Cow boxes' have never caused me a second
thought, the Profile 5XL caught my eye.

I saw one on the shelf the other day at just under $1700
(US). Compact. No tower. Lots of ports to hook up stuff.

Wish it could be obtained 'bare bones', ie, no software.

Discussion is locked

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Re:For the 'Computer' guru's...............
Feb 21, 2004 8:13AM PST
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Re:Re:For the 'Computer' guru's...............
Feb 21, 2004 9:05AM PST

I feel the same way that the reviewer Clay linked to did, Del. I don't like all-in-one units specifically due to the fact that once you own it, there's almost nothing you can do to it.

For the person who knows he'll never, ever have the desire to crack open the case and upgrade stuff, I suppose they're OK. However, I'm not one of those folks - and buying a new PC just to get an equipment upgrade seems just a little counterproductive (and expensive) to me. I also don't like the notion of being restricted in my (limited) upgrade choices to those items available solely through the OEM.

Paul

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Know the feeling, Paul
Feb 21, 2004 9:21AM PST

Have never owned a 'brand name'. Started with
a penciled spec sheet to a local one man shop and
have expanded, upgraded, changed out, etc, etc.

Seeing Profile 5, and it's spec sheet, was kinda like
looking at cars at night, under lights.

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Thanks Clay
Feb 21, 2004 9:16AM PST

Kinda takes the 'joy' out of it.

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Re: For the 'Computer' guru's...............
Feb 21, 2004 12:19PM PST

Hi, Del.

Are you fairly good technically yourself? Gateway does not do well on the PCMag Service and Reliability surveys -- one major reason for their several-year-long decline. Furthermore, the company is in real financial trouble, so there's a chance you might be left with an "orphan." Now, if you're technically proficient, neither of those may be such a negative factor. If not, fogeddaboutit!

-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

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A lot probably depends on what you're going to use it for.
Feb 21, 2004 2:36PM PST

It's got a nice combination of features; 3Ghz P4, 1Gig memory, 160Gig HD, 802.11g built in, 2 USB 2.0 (double check that they are High Speed), and 2 Firewire.

It's also got drawbacks noted by the reviewer. Weak sound, weak video card, limited monitor adjustment which would drive me nuts, perhaps poor ergonomics (short cords on keyboard/mouse?), and little or no upgrading.

The USB and firewire ports will alleviate some of the upgrading issue, but you're probably stuck with weak video and sound. As an office type machine, OK. As an audio/video machine, not OK.

I tend not to be interested in Gateway, but the price sounds attractive for the features. Can you live with the limitations?

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As I told Paul earlier,
Feb 21, 2004 3:22PM PST

..The physical configuration caught my eye, kinda
like looking at cars at night under lights.

I know a few people who have purchased more than a
single cow box, and know what they have gone thru
when it comes to service. With the other drawbacks
that have been mentioned on this one, I have forgotten
all about any interest.

Still waiting for 'Longhorn' then it will be 'going
shopping' time. Will probably follow old habits, and
pencil out a spec sheet, and have someone locally
bolt it together for me, using parts from this one
where appropriate.

That all-in-one approach I like....as far as it went.