I got my Gateway a few years back, then it was a top-of-the-range model. Now it looks, in terms of specification, like it should be a complete write-off, not even valuable to people as a calculator. However, it still serves me very well and does everything I want it to.

The helpline is probably the most important aspect of the Gateway deal. When I got mine there was 24:7 coverage, even on Christmas Day, as I found out! You can have any PC in the world, and it will crash, although NASA and IBM are working on the uncrashable computer. When it does crash it can all go drastically wrong and completely screw up the system, as it has done to me several times. This is where Gateway shine through. Their freephone number is quickly answered and friendly staff guide you through every aspect of the procedures, until both you and they are happy with the outcome. They will wait and help for as long as it needs, without ever sounding a bit annoyed, even when dealing with the most idiotic computer-illiterate simpleton! However, the system has now changed, keeping the service, but getting rid of the freephone aspect, which was vital to it.

The price is not the best on the market, if you look to Tiny or Time you will find much better prices, but you get what you pay for. While Time and Tiny may offer cheaper deals, and with better specification, they are not the kind of reliable and trustworthy company that Gateway are. They do not offer freephone support and their computers are, and this is a fact, not of the same quality as others of the same specification.

There is a good range of PCs, all fully customisable, ranging from economy PCs to top-end machines, faster than a Cheetah on steroids. The website is well stocked and presented, featuring many options, as well as the option to customise and buy online, a useful feature for anyone scared of talking to or seeing real people, as is the case with many avid computer users!

I'd recommend Gatewa
y to anyone in the market for a new PC, especially for the first-time buyer. Their customer support excels (but is no longer free), their hardware is superb and the warranty is cheap, although rarely ever needed. There may be cheaper, but they certainly won't be better. However, you should also look at Dan and Evesham for a similar deal, both of which match Gateway in every category, beating it in some.