Gateway DX110 Computer Review

The Gateway DX110 is one of the budget desktop computer systems offered by Gateway with a price point starting at around $400 or so.  This computer is a good choice for a second computer or for your child.  The computer is built inside of the BTX chassis and thus runs smoothly with adequate cooling and room for expansion.

Built inside the handsome silver and black Micro BTX chassis, the Gateway DX110 features the Intel 2.66 GHz 64-bit Celeron processor, 512 MB of RAM (memory), and a more than adequate 160 GB hard drive.  You should not run out of hard drive space, but if you do, there are expansion bays where additional storage space can be added.  If you require more memory or a better processor, plan on paying $100 or more for the upgrade. 

The DX110 also includes a 48X/32X/48X CD-RW drive, but you will be disappointed if you expect this computer to handle any DVD media.  However, since it includes expansion bays, you can always add your own DVD drive.  For those who just have to have a DVD player, Gateway allows you to add  the basic player for around $30.  But if you need a DVD writer, you will spend right under $100.  The good thing about the DVD writers for these units, though, is that they feature dual layer technology, allowing you to use traditional discs as well as the larger capacity 8.5 GB DL media.

There is no floppy drive or media card reader on the Gateway DX110 series of desktops.  However, you can have a 9-in-1 media card reader installed for less than $20, and the unit includes numerous USB ports for flash drives.

The Gateway DX110 is not the system you want to buy if you are heavy into gaming and love the graphics, being that this desktop computer system has integrated graphics.  It features ATI's Radeon Xpress 200 graphics and the video memory is shared with the main system RAM.  For those who insist on using this system for gaming, there is an available PCI slot, so you can upgrade the graphics card if necessary.

For peripheral connectivity, the Gateway DX110 has numerous USB ports both in the rear and front of the computer, which makes connecting items such as printers, cameras, and USB flash drives a breeze.

The DX110 includes a set of speakers and a basic keyboard and mouse.  The included speakers will not blow the roof off, but they will suffice for your basic computing needs.  Gateway does offer upgrades for its mouse and keyboard, though.  You can upgrade to a multimedia keyboard and an optical mouse for a mere $5 or get the wireless combo for $35.

The operating system for the Gateway DX110 is Windows XP Home.  The software bundle is basic and includes Microsoft's Works Suite which includes Microsoft Word and Nero Express 6 for media burning.  You can add Microsoft Excel and Outlook for less than $100.

Overall, The Gateway DX110 is a decent buy, with the the only potential drawbacks being that the system does not include a monitor and the graphics are integrated.  Other than these minor issues, the Gateway DX110 is more than sufficient for daily computing.