Gateway updates convertible notebook with pressure sensitive stylus

Gateway has updated its professional convertible notebook series to include a new pressure sensitive stylus and biometric security features. Tailored as durable electronic palette for digital art applications, the E-295C facilitates direct input onto its swivelling 14-inch screen and recognizes 256 levels of sensitivity to achieve the simulation of paint on canvas.

Wacom provide the battery-free pen and digitizer used in the E-295C which is designed for intuitive navigation, drawing, sketching and jotting notes. The 256 levels of sensitivity enable a wide range of effects to simulate different brush strokes and the pen allows writing or line-drawing at varying angles.

Given the obvious advantages of being able to directly input drawings and sketches, the E-295C is built to survive use in the field and incorporates a scratch-resistant glass widescreen display plus a magnesium lid and internal frame which anchors the alloy hinge for the swivelling display.

Able to be configured for right-hand or left-hand use, the display is flush with the surrounding frame so that the working surface is as smooth as paper or canvas and is designed to accommodate viewing at different angles.

The optional biometric security comes in the form of a UPEK Biometric Fingerprint Reader – a first for Gateway's convertible notebook line.

The system can be configured with different graphics options with a choice of ATI Mobility Radeon HD X2300 with 256MB PCI Express Graphics video controller, Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, which delivers enhanced video quality and reduces power consumption.

Other features of the E-295C include ATI graphics, Intel Core 2 Duo processor and a choice of Intel 802.11a/b/g WiFi or optional Bluetooth 2.0 integrated wireless options. A version for home customers – the C-140 - is also available.

Convertible notebooks have provided a productivity boost for art colleges where paper is still the predominant medium.

"Currently, student work in the animation department is done 90 percent on paper," said Jonathan Stiles, director of campus technology at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. "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."

Artwork and animations created by students using tablet PC’s can be viewed here.