Customer Reviews

Gateway SX2840-01 Desktop PC (Black)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

The Gateway SX2840 is a terrific value, and this cannot be understated. With its i3-530 processor (which is very highly rated and supposedly easy to overclock), 6GB of DDR3 Ram, the H57 mobo, 1TB green HDD and Windows 7 Home Premium, you could expect to pay $700+. An equivalent computer from Dell or HP runs $720+, as does one built yourself through NewEgg. With the addition of an HD4650 or a 9800GT (low profile), this can be a competent gaming rig as well.

The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is purely to do with Gateway. I haven't purchased a pre-made computer in years, and now I remember why. Gateway does not include recovery disks, instead provides software to burn them (3 DVDs of Windows 7 and bloatware). However, you can expect a dozen or so disks to fail the burning process. I called asking how to clean install, and after taking 30 minutes to register me, forwarded me to a "software help line" that wanted to charge me. I called again explaining that I could not burn recovery disks and that this was a common problem according to the internet. The tech agreed, and said they would send out physical copies, but they are not available yet. She requested i call back in a few weeks. I e-mailed Gateway asking how to do a clean install of Windows 7 without bloatware, and they responded with a form letter on how to use the recovery partition (to factory default).

If you're a casual or HTPC user, you cannot beat this value, and you will likely have no problem living with the bloatware that Gateway, or any other manufacturer puts on. If you are more of an advanced user, with ideas of doing a clean install, expect drama. I got a Windows 7 disk from a "friend", and entered my product key, but this required calling Microsoft's help line. If you follow this strategy, remember to enter your product key when it first asks, don't click next and install without.

I purchased this computer for its parts, not the Gateway name, and saved nearly $200.

May 24, 2010: I recently installed an HD5570 video card, and highly recommend it. I now have the following Windows Experience ratings: Processor 6.9, Memory 7.0, Graphics 6.7, Gaming graphics 6.7, Primary hard disk 5.9. For the price, this is still unbeatable.

I upgraded to this machine from an oooooolllldddddd Sony Vaio Pentium 4 2.2 Gig. The Gateway is obviously a step up from my old dinosaur. For the money, you can't go wrong unless you are an extreme gamer. I opened Nero 9, Photoshop CS2, Itunes, Google Chrome, all while running a full scan with Norton with zero lag. It handles HD video uploads and editing without any problem. The tower is somewhat compact, but the are numerous vent holes in the back and side of the tower and a large internal CPU fan for proper air circulation. I have never been a Gateway fan, but you can't go wrong with this machine. The only thing it lacks is a wireless card in case you want to set it up near a living room HDTV and your router is in another room (to take advantage of the HDMI port to stream Netflix videos to your TV). Like most PC's today, the Recovery and Application disks are not included with the machine, but you can easily burn them with 4 blank DVD's (in case your hard drive is wiped out in the future). Bottom Line: If you want a great machine but don't want to shell out a ton of cash, buy this machine.

I've had this computer since March 2010. The computer crashes because it gets too hot. I watch videos in my browser and the hard drive--which is cramped into one end of the box without proper ventilation--over heats and shuts down the computer. I have returned for repairs twice. The first time they replaced the hard drive (maybe a bad bearing?). Sadly the shipping was only paid one-way and cost me $60 for insurance and packaging. Worse the computer came back and the problem did not go away. I worked through the chat support again (very CLUNKY) to get them to take the machine back to repair a second time. Unfortunately the computer came back with a note indicating that they could not recreate the problem. To my utter frustration, they evidently didn't take the time to watch an hour of web video in an 80 degree, sun lit office to witness the meltdown (literally). The problem is simple and repeatable. I consider it a basic design flaw. The ram, the video circuits, and hard drive are jammed in the front of the box without any air flow. According to the hard drive temp monitor that i installed, the drive was getting to about 55 degrees celcius (into the "Danger zone" according to the app) and then quit.

I agree with the others that this machine looks like a good deal on paper. However, the support is very weak and frankly the design is flawed. I'm currently working to create a specific scenario for the repair staff to test so that they can recreate the problem. Not sure what they'll do about the problem once they recreate it... maybe cut a huge hole in the other side panel and stick a fan in it. ;)

Nine usb ports allows for easy access for devices. Light weight and 1TB memory worth price. CD/DVD takes some time to eject.

I just bought this comp a few days ago and it is more than i expected for the little i payed for it i hooked up my wireless internet to it and as soon as i click on a web page it is loaded in a split second where as my old comp would take so much longer time. The graphics are also very good i've been able to play pc games that i haven't and they are extremely good not to mention that i get a free trials with microsoft word, excel and all the other microsfot documents that i need and also free trials with norton anti virus.

I'm forced to give at least 1 star, otherwise a zero is more appropriate. Machine worked great for about 9 months, then it completely crashed. Gateway fixed it under warranty (at my expense to ship it), only to have it break about 3 hours after it was back at home...same issue. Shipped it back for repair again at their expense.

Two weeks after receiving it back, its broken again, except now, the warranty is expired. That's were their lack of customer support really shines. I tried calling the # I have, only to have their automated system keep hanging up on me. Turns out, they don't offer phone support once your warranty runs out. I have no means of speaking to a human being.

Now, I have been battling them over email for a new machine, or my money back. They will only offer to repair it again, but I have no faith in that now. On top of it, I am going 1-2 weeks per repair without a computer at home.

Based on CNET and other reviews, this may be a great machine, but I definitely got a lemon, and their customer support is unacceptably poor. They have lost my business forever.

My Dell computer was 7 years old and sooo slow. I researched a lot of new computers and finally decided on the Gateway SX2840. It has been a dream so far. I have given it 4 stars only because I haven't had it long enough to see if there are any glitches. It is fast and capable of handling my many photos. It has 6GB of memory and a 1TB
hard drive. The size of the tower amazed me. It is about a third of the size of the old one and can be used upright or lying down.
The old computer would come to a halt when the Anti-Virus program was running. Now I don't even know when it's running. I am not using the trial office software, instead I downloaded the free "Open Office" which has every thing I need. I am completely happy with this Gateway so far.

First, I was looking for a video performer and fast machine in a small package, and this really delivers on what I wanted. Love the top 'shelf' design too. I have a quibble with the product info on this Amazon page which states:

"Video out: HDMI and 2 DVI" = NOT true

Yes it has HDMI. Bu the "2 DVI" are simply black plastic covers on what seems to be add-on capability. Question is - where do I get the DVI as optional add-in? Slogging through Google, Amazon, and Gateway sites so far with no luck. Any clues would be much appreciated.

Part of the problem here is that the online user's guide (comes loaded on desktop) is pretty lame - it assumes the DVI connection exists - and there is no printed user's guide either. Just one big sheet of paper showing a DVI connection(!) with a cryptic parenthetical - "(depending on your model)"

I actually love the machine so far. Just feeling like I didn't get the whole memo.

Also been deleting the bloatware. At one point early on had to do a complete recovery because I made the mistake of allowing the Norton trial after which Hulu wouldn't run. I don't remember why. But I would recommend getting rid of Norton first. Went with AVG instead.

As for the DVD drawer, been investigating soft key approaches. Using shortcut on desktop to eject, but would also be nice to have a keystroke or shortcut to reload as well. The physical button works, but you must push hard.

Really nice design overall. Had I known all of this, I would have bought it anyway. In this size, with these specs, in this price range, it has no competition.

Pluses:

Good value in terms of computing and storage power. Only hardware problem is that the "eject button" on the top of the computer usually does not function now matter how hard you push it - therefore, you must eject the DVD tray using the Windows software (no big deal once you learn how).

Negatives:

Awful, awful "free" support from Gateway. (Gateway seems to be selling great value products, but they seem to have drastically cut back on support. And, in terms of an Amazon middleman, avoid ordering through Tiger Direct at all costs. Tiger Direct is awful regarding returns and/or support.) So if you are not Windows 7 literate, best you buy a another product instead of a Gateway.

I have had two relatively minor problems with my PC in the several months I have owned it, one relating to wireless capability and the other to the PC's interface with my monitor. Gateway's "customer support" is frustrating beyond belief. To sum it up, only "hardware issues" are covered by the warranty, and NOTHING is a hardware issue. One is immediately shunted over to software support where the least expensive option is $120 for up to 90 minutes. While most of customer support was polite, none of the four or five representatives I dealt with was remotely helpful. I have primarily dealt with Dell computers in the past, and while far from perfect, their customer support is in an altogether different universe from Gateway. More recently I have been using more and more Apple products. If Apple's products serve your needs, my advice is spend the money (admittedly, not insignificant!) to get their customer support, and especially if you live anywhere near an Apple store and thus can get face to face customer support.

Apart from the dismal custom support, I am not a fan of this PC. I don't like the vertical DVD drawer (which is also very balky)and there are many aspects of the set-up of the PC that seem less intuitive than the Dells and HPs I am most familiar with. The only things that I especially like about this PC is that it is rather compact, quiet and runs cool, but those attributes, while significant are utterly negated by the issues I have had.

I will never, ever buy another Gateway product, and deeply regret my decision to do so in this instance. Unless you are a bona fide computer expert who can troubleshoot all your own problems -- or have infinite time and patience to sort all you problems out through forums -- you will add several years to your lifespan by not buying Gateway!