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www.gateway.com
Chapter 2: Checking Out Your Gateway Computer
Accessories
To order accessories, visit the Accessory Store at accessories.gateway.com.
Memory
Large programs, such as multimedia games or graphics programs, use a lot of memory. If
your programs are running more slowly than you think they should, try adding more
memory.
Printers
You can attach almost any type of printer to your computer. The most common types are
inkjet and laser printers, which print in color or black and white. See “Installing a printer,
scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 34 for more information about attaching a
printer.
Inkjet printers and cartridges are relatively inexpensive, but they are slower than laser
printers. Using an inkjet color printer, you can print pictures, banners, and greeting cards,
as well as documents.
Laser printers and cartridges are more expensive, but they print much faster than inkjet
printers. Laser printers are better than inkjet printers when you are printing large
documents.
Storage Devices
If you need additional storage space or you want to back up your files, you can add storage
devices to you computer.
With a recordable CD or DVD drive, you can free up hard drive space by backing up files,
then removing them from your hard drive. Writable CDs can hold as much as 700 MB of
data. Single layer writable DVDs can hold as much as 4700 MB of data. Dual layer writable
DVDs hold as much as 8500 MB of data. For more information about using recordable
drives, see “Creating CDs and DVDs” on page 40.
If you need to back up your entire system, you probably need a tape backup (TBU) drive.
TBU drives, like tape recorders, use magnetic tape cartridges to store data. Tape drive
cartridges can store 2 GB, 20 GB, 40 GB, 130 GB, or more of data.
If you want to increase your internal storage space, try replacing your existing hard drive
with a larger drive.
USB flash drive
Use a USB flash drive for storing files or transferring files to another computer.
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