No malace in my heart on this. Was with GATEWAY over a decade bought many machimes but seems like upper management is the problem. Bought Desk top DX441S - beautiful PC & 22" HD Display.
Colors were way off. Only Green & ugly yellow - no reds. Was to have had a white wire, came with blue. Tek & Salesmen were genuinely helpful.
Some supervisors very bad. Was told "No custom PC's anymore only out of the box". Ok no problem here.
Wanted it partly for CIV 4 graphics. Went over what was needed, All stated it was there but evidently was not or couldn't recognize the mother board graphics or sound.
I had to buy a graphics card from GATEWAY about $90. THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE SOUND CARD! Had to purchase from STAPLES ($70.)! I KID YOU NOT.
Add to this with tek help I checked the hard drives & they were used by someone. The job was partially done as indicated on the screen & dated 3 weeks before I bought the PC.
So was the PC was refurbish??? Nothing but problems. I was then willing to just exchange. These thisgs can happen.
I spoke to a woman in "escalations" & she seemed to agree. Defective possibly refurbished & we were to exchange.
I called Returns Dept. to set thisngs in motion.
(Not to loose out with the return period).
Then "M" (male guy) tells me that I can't remove the "VISTA" software & Can't return until I install the graphics & sound cards!
VISTA software MUST go with PC. I wanted XP told couldn't get it with PC. Told him I would do it myself, then was told I couldn't remove VISTA.
Then I ended it all & demamded a refund.
Don't believe it - I don't blame you. Then I get
some more management types that were a nghtmere.
15% restocking fee on a possibly used PC that never worked properly.
The monitor needed a white wire & none was there. Yup had to order for something that should have been there.
The Sales & tek were excellent. They really were upfront & put in the effort.
The automatic answering service just schuffles you around. Management should try it sometimes.
In fairness much of the other problems was from the new "VISTA' software. It clearly is not ready for the market so beware.
Called windows "VISTA" support & they actually didn't have any answers for some of their own error codes! Also cases that no drivers existed for your hardware even if less that a year old. In one instance they blamed the MFG. for not having drivers.
Had difficulty understanding some people.
Windows blames manufacturers & sent me to Gateway & Gateway sent me to windows.
Suggest get XP PC for now until Vista bugs are solved. The 'VISTA' software problems will take time to sort out so be careful.
Me, I bought 2 XP machines from Tiger.
BTW - GATEWAY - I have ALL the documentation. Even sent email to alleged VP of sales - no reply. (Not that I expected one.
Last thought for everyone. Why can't Bill Gates let the customer choose the software?
I understand that manufacturers are forced by contract to only sell "VISTA".
SO AS WE COMPLAIN ABOUT BUGS THEY FIX.
This review was modified by its author, ED-SI, on
2/8/08 9:31 PM.