Agreement With Leading Technology Retailer Is Another
Key Step in Expanding Retail Distribution
POWAY, Calif. and IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Gateway today announced that its new line of retail notebooks, desktops and
monitors are now available for the first time at Micro Center's 20 stores
nationwide.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/LAM050LOGO )
The Gateway products are available at Micro Center stores and on the
company's website, microcenter.com. The retailer is offering the Gateway(R)
4520GZ and 4525GZ notebooks, which deliver outstanding performance in a thin
and light design. Micro Center also offers the new Gateway(R) 550GR and 500GR
desktop PCs, which provide premium features and the latest Intel technology
for a superior entertainment and computing experience. Additionally, two new
Gateway monitors -- a 17-inch flat panel LCD and a 17-inch flat CRT -- are now
available.
The agreement is the latest in a series of announcements by Gateway to
expand the distribution of its products beyond the company's popular direct
channels.
"Gateway's newly-established relationship with Micro Center is a very
exciting one," said Bob Davidson, senior vice president of retail, Gateway,
Inc. "Micro Center services millions of customers, which helps us reach a
broader audience of customers looking for a great system. We're very pleased
to see the Gateway brand on Micro Center shelves."
"Gateway's new PCs and monitors are an exceptional addition to our line-up
of premium technology products," said Kevin Jones, vice president of
merchandising, Micro Center. "These new systems suit a wide range of
customers who depend on us to meet their growing technology needs."
The Gateway 4520GZ and 4525GZ notebook PCs combine the best aspects of
mobile computing -- slim size, wireless connectivity, enhanced battery life
and excellent performance -- making them ideal for college students trekking
across campus as well as road warriors traveling for business. Weighing only
5.5 pounds(1) and measuring just over one-inch thin(2), the lightweight
notebooks can be taken virtually anywhere to stay connected and productive.
Plus, they boast a large 15-inch high-resolution XGA TFT display, an ideal
size for viewing office software, photos and video.
The 550GR and 500GR desktop PCs include features that dramatically enhance
digital entertainment and productivity applications. These include a DVD
burner, 8-in-1 media card reader and an Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 processor with
Hyper Threading technology(3). The systems are the first from Gateway to
incorporate the new Intel 915G chipset, which offers improved video and audio
capabilities, as well as support for next generation hard drives. In
addition, these new desktop PCs leverage PCI Express technology for enhanced
digital media performance and graphics playback.
About Gateway
Since its founding in 1985, Gateway (NYSE: GTW) has been a technology
pioneer, offering award-winning PCs and related products to consumers,
businesses, government offices and schools. With its acquisition of eMachines
now complete, Gateway is the third largest PC company in the U.S. and among
the top ten worldwide. Its products under both brands received more than 150
awards and honors last year. Gateway products are offered at major retailers,
over the web and phone, and through its direct sales force. eMachines products
are sold by major retailers. See http://www.gateway.com for more information.
About Micro Center(R)
Micro Center operates twenty stores in major markets nationwide. Founded
in 1979 in Columbus, Micro Center's distinctive features include:
* A destination retailer designed to satisfy the dedicated
computer user.
* Uniquely focused on computers and computer-related products.
In fact, Micro Center offers more computer and computer-related
SKUs (over 30,000 in stock) than any other retailer.
* The most square footage devoted exclusively to computers and
computer-related items of any retailer (stores average 45,000
square feet).
* Selection, service and sales staff expertise modeled after
Nordstrom and other service-oriented retailers.
* More upscale atmospherics than big box consumer electronics stores.
* Innovated the departmentalized approach to computer retailing.
Service levels and expertise vary to meet customer preferences by
department. This means:
* Consultative career sales staff in hardware departments, which
surround staple items in the center of the store.
* Quick in/out shopping experience on staple items with checkouts
conveniently arranged.
For more information on Micro Center and its 20 retail locations, please
visit http://www.microcenter.com.
1. Weight varies with options.
2. Thickness ranges from 0.95" to 1.23"
3. Performance may vary. See http://www.intel.com for additional information.
Special note
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not materialize or
prove incorrect, could cause Gateway's results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements,
other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be
forward-looking statements, including any projections or preliminary estimates
of earnings, revenues, or other financial items; any statements of plans,
strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements
regarding sales by third-parties of Gateway products; any statements regarding
proposed new products, services or developments; any statements regarding
future economic conditions or performance; statements of belief and any
statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. The risks that
contribute to the uncertain nature of these statements include, among others,
our inability to control the sales, plans and strategies of third-party
retailers, competitive factors and pricing pressures, including the impact of
aggressive pricing cuts by larger competitors; general conditions in the
personal computing industry, including changes in overall demand and average
selling prices, shifts from desktops to mobile computing products and
information appliances and the impact of new microprocessors and operating
software; the ability to simplify the company's business, change its
distribution model and restructure its operations and cost structure;
component supply shortages; short product cycles; the ability to access new
technology; infrastructure requirements; risks of international business;
changes in accounting rules; the impact of litigation and government
regulation generally; inventory risks due to shifts in market demand; the
impact of employee reductions and management changes and additions; and
general economic conditions, and other risks described from time to time in
Gateway's Securities and Exchange Commission periodic reports and filings.
Gateway assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to
reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which
they were made.
SOURCE Gateway, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.gateway.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/LAM050LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/144245.html
CONTACT:
Lisa Emard of Gateway, Inc., +1-858-848-3426,
lisa.emard@gateway.com
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