Time to Toss the Tubes: Gateway Unveils Significant Expansion of Digital Television L

[Gregg Lengling]

Gateway Continues to Deliver on Its Plan to Launch 50 Products In
            15 Categories With Barrage of New Digital TV Offerings

    POWAY, Calif., July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Accelerating its
transition to a branded integrator of digital solutions, Gateway, Inc. today
announced its entry in the LCD TV market and additions to its plasma TV line.
The company expanded its family of digital TVs with two thin and compact LCD
models that offer brilliant picture quality.  It also extended its line of
plasma TVs with a 50-inch high-definition version and a 46-inch
enhanced-definition model, providing customers with exceptional value and
brilliant picture quality.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030717/LATH013
             http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/LAM050LOGO )
    The new products build on the success of Gateway's first 42-inch plasma
TV, which quickly became the nation's best-selling model of its type(1).
Today's announcement marks significant progress in Gateway's evolution to a
branded integrator of personalized technology solutions.  The company is on
track to launch 50 new Gateway(R)-branded products in 15 categories this year.
    "We accelerated widespread consumer adoption of plasma technology when we
introduced our 42-inch model last year and set new standards for quality and
value," said Dave Russell, Gateway's general manager of digital TV products.
"Now Gateway is extending into a wider range of TV formats, sizes and price
points to provide simple and affordable consumer electronics to a wider range
of customers.  Our latest products enable mainstream consumers to toss their
bulky old TVs and enjoy all the viewing and space-saving benefits of plasma
and LCD technology."

    Gateway Enters LCD TV Market
    With prices starting at just $799 (2), Gateway's new 17- and 18-inch LCD
TVs are affordable and fit neatly within tight spaces such as the kitchen,
bedroom, office or dorm.  They are lightweight and come with a handle, making
them easy to transport and mount on a wall(3) or tabletop.  The Gateway(TM)
LCD TVs also have built-in speakers and work with multiple external devices
such as the Gateway(TM) Connected DVD Player, the first DVD player to deliver
PC connectivity via a wireless connection to U.S. customers.
    Gateway offers customers the ability to pair the LCD TV with a PC so they
only need one monitor for viewing their favorite programs and performing
computing tasks.  A "picture-in-picture" function makes it possible to use the
computer and watch TV simultaneously.  For instance, customers can surf the
Web for stats while keeping an eye on their favorite football team.  In
addition, the multidirectional platform swivels to allow consumers to view the
TV from just about any angle in the room.

    18-Inch LCD TV: Sleek and Compact
    Gateway's handsome new 18-inch LCD TV creates a grand statement in
kitchens and infuses bedrooms with style.  It's sleek and compact, measuring
21.26 x 16.18 x 9.37 inches.  It also offers stunning picture clarity with its
1024 x 768 resolution and 350:1 contrast ratio.  Maximizing viewing options,
it offers multiple video inputs include PC analog, s-video, TV/CATV, composite
and component.  The Gateway(TM) 18-inch LCD TV is available now for just
$899 (2).

    17-Inch LCD TV: Wide Screen Display -- Skinny Price
    The Gateway 17-inch LCD delivers vibrant picture quality in a wide 16:9
format, so consumers can watch movies at home in a letterbox style, the way
film directors intended them to be seen.  The Gateway 17-inch LCD TV's small
form factor of just 20.2 x 13.38 x 6.26 inches makes it the perfect fit for
the tightest spaces and ideal for mounting on a wall(3). Providing a crisp
viewing experience, this LCD TV has 1280 x 768 resolution, 450 nits of
brightness and a 600:1 contrast ratio.  A wide variety of video inputs provide
optimum flexibility, including analog, TV/CATV, DVI-D, s-video, composite and
RGB.  The Gateway 17-inch LCD TV will be available in August for just
$799 (2).

    Gateway Expands Plasma TV Line
    Gateway's new 50-inch plasma HDTV and 46-inch plasma EDTV deliver a
stunning cinematic experience in a wide-screen format.  A slick, lightweight
design allows the new Gateway plasma TVs to be easily mounted on a wall(3) to
maximize space and placement options, unlike traditional bulky TVs that are
heavy and require dedicated furniture.  The plasma technology delivers
brilliant images and superb picture quality, while the 160-degree viewing
angle guarantees undistorted picture from virtually anywhere in the room.  In
addition, zoom and freeze functions ensure customers don't miss important
details of their favorite programs.
    The Gateway plasma TVs offer significant benefits for both consumers and
businesses.  For businesses and institutional customers, the Gateway Plasma
TVs can be used as digital displays, making them the perfect tools for dynamic
messaging, presentations and teleconferencing.  The displays bring wide-screen
viewing to conference rooms, reception areas and other locations that are too
small for standard CRT monitors, projection TVs or other outdated messaging
systems.
    Consumers will appreciate the built-in internal speakers and integrated
NTSC tuner, so they can enjoy their plasma TV without any additional
equipment.  Yet, the plasma TVs also extend the ability to connect external
devices including a VCR, gaming devices and DVD players.  The new Gateway
plasma TVs are also the perfect visual medium for the Gateway(TM) home theater
systems, which bring surround sound to the comfort of home.

    50-Inch High-Definition Plasma TV -- Best Value for Superior Performance
    The Gateway 50-inch plasma HDTV is the best value in its category with a
breakthrough price of just $6,999 (2).  Ideal for large rooms and people who
enjoy entertaining in style, the striking size makes viewing favorite programs
a theatrical experience.  In addition, high-definition resolution delivers
stunning picture clarity, and makes the TV ready for the wide range of high
definition programming available now and coming soon on cable, satellite and
network television.
    The Gateway 50-inch plasma HDTV boasts the features that make it the
ultimate display for home theater.  The TV "picture-in-picture" function
allows viewers to watch two shows at the same time -- one family member can
enjoy a favorite drama while another watches the action in a basketball game.
The Gateway 50-inch HDTV plasma provides dramatic, well-defined images with
1366 x 768 resolution, vibrant brightness of 600 nits and a contrast ratio of
600:1.  It will be available through all Gateway sales channels including
phones, web and Gateway(R) stores starting July 24.

    46-Inch Plasma TV -- Unique Size Maximizes Value
    The Gateway 46-inch plasma EDTV's unique size makes it ideal for consumers
who want a larger television but want to reduce the significant price delta
between a 42-inch and 50-inch model.  The thin and light 46-inch plasma TV has
20 percent more viewing area than a traditional 42-inch model, making it the
perfect alternative for customers on a budget who want a bigger display.  For
those with an eye on the future, the Gateway 46-inch Plasma TV is HDTV
compatible.
    The new plasma TV can fit in most living areas because of its small size
measuring less than 3.5 inches thin.  Gateway's 46-inch plasma TV delivers a
clear picture thanks to 852 x 480 resolution, which is enhanced by a
brightness of 700 nits and a contrast ratio of 800:1.  Priced at just
$3,799 (2), it is available now by calling (800) 221-9616 or through
http://www.gateway.com.  It will also be available for consumers to take home from
Gateway(R) stores starting July 25.

    Warranty, Service and Financing
    Business and consumer customers interested in plasma and LCD technology
can get the advice they need from highly trained sales professionals at
Gateway stores nationwide.  Gateway supports the plasma and LCD TVs with a
one-year warranty and offers a wide range of extended service and support
plans(4).
    Making it easier to get the latest technology today, Gateway is also
offering a special financing option through the end of July with no payments
or interest until 2004 on all Gateway(TM) plasma and LCD TVs(5).