Gateway Updates Its Convertible Notebook with Leading Graphics Technologies, Making it the Ideal Platform for Digital Artists; Wacom Pen and Digitizer Make Digital Content Creation Natural and Intuitive
Gateway today refreshed its award-winning convertible notebook with several new technologies, providing digital artists with a secure and powerful electronic palette ideally suited for creating a wide range of art forms.
Featuring a pen and digitizer from the industry leader of digital pen technology, Wacom, the E-295C also includes an optional finger print reader, next generation graphics from ATI and a bright 14-inch widescreen display. Combined with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor and chipset, the E-295C is a powerful tool sure to please the most discriminating Professional customer. Gateway will also offer a version of the product for home and home office customers, the Gateway C-140.
“Digital artists who rely on the latest and greatest technology as a medium for expressing their work will appreciate the benefits of our newest convertible notebook,” said Gary Elsasser, Gateway senior vice president, products. “Its ergonomic design and advanced capabilities make it an extremely intuitive and practical mobile device for digital content creation of all types.”
Pen and Digitizer from Industry Leader Wacom Delivers Best in Class Technology
Gateway’s new convertible employs Wacom’s latest pen sensor technology, delivering a natural, intuitive way to navigate and communicate with the computer. The pen provides creative control, comfort and freedom not inherent with other input devices. Drawing, sketching, jotting notes and navigating are a breeze.
The battery-free Gateway executive stylus is pressure sensitive, and is ideal for simulating paint on canvas. With 256 levels of sensitivity, users can easily achieve a wide range of effects, making it ideal for simulating either fine or thick brush strokes.
For pencil sketches and line drawings, the Wacom pen allows artists to write or draw at varying angles without the ink disappearing when the pen is slanted.
The Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is a Gateway customer that has been using Gateway’s tablet PCs for several years. This school is particularly excited about the E-295C and Wacom technology, due to the benefits previous Gateway tablet PCs have brought to the classroom. Faculty and students in the animation department are especially tech-savvy, and have found tablet computing to be tremendously useful in their discipline.
“Tablet computing brings remarkable benefits to student productivity and learning,” said Dan Seely, Department Chair. “Traditional animation drawing with pencil and paper is a multifaceted and time consuming process. But with the use of animation software and electronic ink and paper, our students have quickly overcome the ‘paper scan bottleneck,’ which can make it difficult for them to get work done.”
By inputting drawings directly into a computer, the overall workflow and timeline has been streamlined. In the past, animations had to be retraced on paper several times, then scanned into a PC. Lines often had to be redrawn, cleaned up and filled in with color. But using a digitized pen and touch screen, students can now see individual frames progress and transition immediately, so they can adjust for motion and depth, essentially perfecting their work in real time.
Not only does the use of technology assist students in their daily studies, it also helps prepare them for the real world. “Wacom’s technology is the industry standard, so our students are learning to use the same technologies and processes employed by major animation houses,” said Seely. “It makes for an easy transition and equips them with the skills they need to move into a professional environment and become productive employees almost immediately.”
Not only has tablet computing assisted the college with student learning, it also supports RMCAD’s campus-wide green initiative by removing a large amount of wasted paper as it moves toward a digital, paperless environment. “Currently, student work in the animation department is done 90 percent on paper,” said Jonathan Stiles, director of campus technology at RMCAD. “Over the course of the next year, we will be reducing that amount to 10 percent, an enormous overhaul that will positively impact the environment and benefit our students at the same time.”
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, located in Colorado, offers fully- accredited BFA degrees in: Sculpture, Painting + Drawing, Illustration, Animation, Interior Design, Art Education, and Graphic Design + Interactive Media; including specializations in: Green Design and Children’s Book Illustration. To view artwork and animations created by students, visit http://www.rmcad.edu/galleries/animation.aspx.
Advanced Low Power Graphics Maximize Battery Life
Unlike other convertible notebooks on the market, customers can configure their system with different graphics options, depending on their needs. Delivering some of the best graphic capabilities available in a convertible notebook today, the E-295C features the ideal combination of high-performance graphics and battery life. Customers have a choice of an ATI Mobility™ Radeon HD X2300 with 256MB PCI Express Graphics(1) video controller, or the energy saving Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, which delivers enhanced video quality at speeds twice as fast as the previous generation.
The PC can be configured for mobility through the use of a lightweight battery option or for extended operation, for up to 10.6 hours of battery life(2).
The convertible notebook features a spacious 14-inch widescreen display with a wide viewing angle. This shows more area on the panel at different angles.
And with constant connectivity through a choice of either integrated Intel 802.11a/b/g WiFi or optional Bluetooth 2.0 wireless options, artists can stay connected in local hot spots while they are out of the studio. This can be especially useful for artists showcasing their work at local coffee shops or art studios.
Designed for Durability and Comfort
The new convertible notebook features an ergonomic and durable design, making it easy to use in any environment and durable enough to go just about anywhere. Sketching from a mountaintop or in an artist’s loft, the PC’s ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold while standing or sitting. The system easily adjusts for right-hand or left-hand use, while the battery acts as an ergonomic hand grip that makes the unit easy to grasp and carry. The display is flush with the surrounding frame, making the entire surface a smooth, even work space, similar to paper or canvas.
Built for strength, it also features a scratch-resistant glass screen and magnesium lid and internal frame. The swiveling display is attached with an alloy hinge, which is securely anchored in magnesium, while a pair of magnetically-activated latches keeps the display securely locked in place.
Security Features Protect Priceless Artwork
New to Gateway’s convertible notebook line, an optional UPEK Biometric Fingerprint Reader assures customers their information is secure from theft.
Gateway also offers Absolute Software’s Computrace Complete notebook security and tracking software, providing the ability to track down the PC if it is stolen. And like all Gateway Professional notebooks, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 hardware is integrated onto the motherboard, safeguarding data and email communications through encryption and authentication(3).
Pricing and Availability
The Gateway E-295C and C-140 are available to order now with a starting price of $1,549 and $1,099.99 respectively. For more information, customers can visit http://www.gateway.com/ or call 1-800-GATEWAY. Solution providers and value-added resellers (VARs) interested in partnering with Gateway through the ProNet Partner Program, can find more information at www.gatewaycom/pronet.
(1) 128MB GDDR3 Dedicated Memory, with up to 256MB shared (using HyperMemory™ Technology).
(2) Battery life varies depending upon use and configuration.
(3) Internet connection required. Additional subscription charges may apply. Please see gateway.com/programs/gwshield for terms and conditions.
