Gateway updates all-in-one PC line with easy-open case

Gateway will next month ship what it claims is not only the most serviceable all-in-one desktop PC but one of the most secure - thanks to its Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip, used to encrypt data stored on the machine's hard drive.

The Profile 6 is built around an adjustable, detachable 17in LCD driven by an Intel 945G chipset's on-board GMA 950 graphics engine. The CPU is a 3GHz P4 631 - not the latest generation of Pentium 4, but one with HyperThreading - backed up by 512MB of 533MHz DDR 2 memory. There's 80GB of Serial ATA II hard disk storage and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive - Gateway sees the machine going into business environments and schools.

Both should appreciate the machine's accessibility - the sides and back come off to expose memory, hard drive, the floppy disk, PCI and PCI Express slots, and other components. That said, if the machines are indeed being pitched at educational establishments, we hope they're not too easy to open for the more light-fingered students... At least pilfered parts are a doddle to replace, and there's a Kensington slot on the back to prevent the whole thing being lifted.

The unit has Gigabit Ethernet on board, along with 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. There's a plethora of ports, including Firewire, USB 2.0, audio and memory card slots.

The Profile 6 goes on sale in the US in April. Prices start at $1,199 for the base system outlined above. ®