Cow Boxes For Computers?

You can’t help but smile when you see those spotted black and white “cow boxes”. Whether it be the product inside or the thought of square cows, these boxes represent where the founder of Gateway came from. Ted Waitt had big plans for his future. Starting out in 1985 in an Iowa farmhouse, with a 3 page business plan, a $10,000 loan with the help of his grandmother, and a rented computer he made his dreams a reality.

By 1993 Gateway was a successful computer company. It was a Fortune 500 company listed on the NASDAQ, and because of its growing success relocated to the New York Stock Exchange. Most of Gateways success came from being the first manufacturer to produce color monitors with a standard 3 year warranty, and the option to buy these products online. They also produced plasma televisions and digital displays, that were becoming very popular at this time.

Gateway expanded even more in 2004, when they purchased the eMachine company. This company was known for its “value” computers. These inexpensive computers made a great addition to Gateways product line. By combining products and keeping the same product names, it presented consumers with a large variety of products to choose from.

Being bought by Acer Inc in October of 2007, Gateway and eMachines became part of the 3rd largest PC producers in the world. Not bad for a small business that started out in an Iowa farmhouse with one mans visions. Just as Gateway did with eMachines, Acer Inc. kept all Gateways names on their products. These products included all their notebooks, desktops, displays, gaming devices, accessories, and consumer electronics, along with eMachines desktops and displays. Gateway notebooks have several different series to choose from. Some are designed for mobility, performance, or flexibility. They also deliver value desktop models, performance systems, and all-in-one units. The display line has many options ranging from basic to 30-inch Extreme HD widescreen models.

Gateway stores not only sell their products but because of the company merges they are able to sell many others. You might find Sansa MP3 players, Turbo Tax software, PC games, cell phones, PDA’s, digital cameras, video cameras, and Microsoft Xbox consoles at Gateway stores. Gateway may be gone from the Iowa farmhouse, but their success still lives on and those special boxes remind us where it all began.

Nanette Aniston