1995 Gateway 2000 P5-100

The Gateway 2000 P5-100 was a desktop computer that was based on the Pentium architecture, manufactured by Gateway, and subsequently released to the public in 1995.

Background

Gateway 2000 came into existence as a significant contender in the personal computer marketplace during the mid-1990s, having expanded from a modest two-person operation located in the state of Iowa to a prominent Fortune 500 company. The organization distinguished itself through a direct-sales model that permitted customers to personalize and customize their computer systems, which was relatively innovative and groundbreaking for the time period. Founded by the entrepreneurial duo Ted Waitt and Mike Hammond, Gateway quickly garnered a reputation for providing computers that were competitively priced while also offering solid performance characteristics that appealed to many users.

The P5-100 represented a mid-range computer system that effectively captured the technological spirit and ethos of the mid-1990s computing landscape, featuring hardware specifications that were considered robust and capable for both home users as well as small business users. Its release coincided with the increasing popularity of Windows 95, which in turn would become the primary operating system for the majority of consumer desktop computers during that time.

Features

The Gateway 2000 P5-100 came equipped with several notable and impressive technical specifications, including:
• 100 MHz Intel Pentium processor
• 8 MB of RAM (which was expandable)
• 256 MB hard drive
• Fully compatible with Windows 95
• Expansion slots that allowed for the addition of graphics cards and other hardware
• PS/2 ports designed for keyboard and mouse connectivity

The system’s processor speed of 100 MHz was considered quite capable and impressive for its era, allowing users to run various productivity software programs, early multimedia applications, and basic gaming titles without encountering significant performance limitations or issues. Users had the ability to upgrade the RAM and enhance graphics capabilities, which provided some degree of future-proofing for their investment in the system.

Popularity and Legacy

During the mid-1990s, Gateway 2000 experienced rapid growth and expansion, ultimately becoming a prominent computer manufacturer alongside notable competitors such as Dell and Compaq. The P5-100 was a part of a product line that appealed to consumers who were seeking reliable performance without incurring astronomical pricing. Numerous small businesses and home users found the system to be particularly attractive due to its well-balanced feature set and Gateway’s established reputation for providing excellent customer support.

The computer represented a transitional period in the realm of personal computing, effectively bridging the earlier 486-based systems and the more powerful Pentium II machines that would come into existence in the years that followed. Its design reflected the aesthetic and visual characteristics of 1990s computing – beige towers with distinctive front panel designs that were emblematic of Gateway’s brand identity.

Video Reviews and Commercials

The video is about the presenter’s childhood memory of discovering computers through his aunt’s Gateway P XL in the mid-1990s. As a five-year-old, he was initially afraid of computers, thinking they were killer robots. When he finally saw the Gateway computer, featuring a Pentium processor, Windows, and various components, he fell in love with technology.

Availability and Collectability

While the Gateway 2000 P5-100 is no longer in production, it has become a sought-after item among vintage computer enthusiasts and collectors. Collectors appreciate the system not only for its historical significance but also as a representation of the technological advancements of mid-1990s computing technology. Original systems that remain in good condition can fetch modest prices within the retro computing communities.

Finding functional units has become increasingly challenging over time, as various components degrade and replacement parts become increasingly scarce and difficult to obtain. Enthusiasts often choose to preserve these machines as museum-quality pieces or restoration projects, valuing them for their technological heritage and historical context rather than for their practical utility in today’s computing landscape.

Potential collectors should be aware that these systems require specialized knowledge for proper maintenance and may necessitate significant restoration work in order to become operational once again. Original documentation, software, and peripherals can greatly enhance a system’s collectible value and desirability among collectors.