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The New Gateway E-295C / C140X Tablet PC
by
Linda A. Epstein
August 2007
Gateways new E-295C / C140X Tablet PC with a 14.0" WXGA TFT Active Matrix screen which is sure to please those who are looking for a convertible notebook that is a combination Desktop replacement, Tablet PC and Media center PC all in one convenient package.
So there is no confusion, now that the Tablet PC features are integrated into Windows Vista Gateway, along with many other OEMs are using the term Convertible Notebooks rather than Tablet PCs. In the case of the Gateway the E-295C and the C140X are one and the same - the E-295C designation is for education and the C140X is for home and home
The Gateway E-295C / C140X Tablet PC I have here is is running Windows Vista Ultimate and came with 3 batteries, Microsoft® Works, Protector Suite Ql, and a trial of Symantec Anti virus installed, as well as the CD for Microsoft OneNote. At the Gateway web site users can start with the basic configuration of the E-295C / C140X Tablet PC and then ad the options and extras to suit their individual needs.
What's in The Box:
Gateway E-295C / C140X Convertible Notebook -Tablet PC
Gateway Setup Guide
Power Supply
Pen & replacement nibs
6, 8 and 12 cell batteries
Phone cord
FingerPrint Reader for Notebooks information sheet
Microsoft One Note 2007 CD
Microsoft Works 8.5 CD
Gateway Applications & Drivers Disc
Cyberlink Power DVD Solution DVD
Gateway Operating System Disc
Upek Protector Suite Ql CD
Computer cleaning cloth
Who is it For: The Gateway E-295C / C140X will be an excellent choice for students or anyone else who wants the features of a tablet PC along with all the power and abilities of a Media Center PC. Built with durability in mind, the E-295C / C140X appears to be a strong and sturdy machine , including the hinge that allows users to rotate the screen 180 Degrees to the right which makes collaboration with others easy.
Display: The 14.0" WXGA TFT Active Matrix (1280 x 768 max. resolution) wide screen display is gives users plenty of real estate for taking notes in class or watching movies on the road or in a dorm room. The screen is flush mounted with is a feature I happen to like. And the scratch resistant glass screen feels good under your hand when your writing. Display is nice, but its on the soft side rather than being clean and crisp.
Ports: One type II PC card slot, (3) USB 2.0, VGA, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - will all of these ports available on the Tablet there is no need for an addition docking station.
Pen and Ink Experience : The new pen is comfortable in your hand and works very well for writing and for flicks. The right click button on this pen also works, which is always nice. A slide button on the underside of the E-295C / C140X gently slides the pressure sensitive Gateways Executive Stylus (by WACOM™) out of its "Pen Garage" which ensures that your pen does not fall out by accident. Although it is a bit odd to have to lift up the Tablet to get to the pen, knowing it wont fall out by accident is worth it)
Buttons: Easy access buttons on Bezel (shown below) :
Page orientation,
Lock
Launch Windows Journal or One Note
mode button ( selects the available modes within the 4 way scroll and select menu )
4 way scroll and select -allows you to change volume, mute brightness of the notebook and web scroll when surfing
Heat: Even with the 12-Cell battery heat was not an issue with the E-295C / C140X
Battery: 4 hours 26 minutes of battery life using the 12 cell battery with the brightness turned all the way up, the wireless and blue tooth on, no standby, sleep disabled and the screen and hard drive set to always on.
There is no question that these setting are going to give you the shortest amount of battery life. I need to know the absolute minimum battery life I can expect, that is why I run the battery test this way.
Four battery options giving users up to 10.6 hours of battery life.
Outside in the Shade
The Gateway E-295C / C140X Tablet PC shown above does not have an outdoor display,
but as you can see for yourself when it is not in direct sun the screen is easy to view.
Notable Features:
Graphics card: Users have a choice - Choose Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900 or ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1400 Graphics featuring Avivo™ display technology on select models.
Durability: constructed of a magnesium superstructure and display frame for a skeleton that's solid. Even the alloy display swivel is anchored in magnesium. It's a notebook that's built to last!
Speakers: The two speakers located on the front of the E-295C / C140X Tablet PC allow you to listen to music or watch a movie without headphones.
Gateway Big Fix Continually monitors your system and a flashing icon in your system tray warns you if there is a problem. Clicking the Icon will open an information screen with instruction to fix the problem.
From the Gateway web site:
Get the edge with our Convertible Notebook. The power and mobility of a notebook combined with the flexibility and creativity of a tablet—that's the Gateway® Convertible Notebook! Use the full-size keyboard and 14" widescreen display for all your day-to-day computing needs. Or swivel and switch the display to tablet form, and start writing directly on the screen. Plus experience a breakthrough in mobile performance with Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology.¹ Once you get the edge, there's no going back. You'll be instantly converted to our Convertible Notebook.
Optional Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
Say goodbye to tangled wires and unsightly adapters with optional Bluetooth technology.
7-in-1 Media Card Reader
Ditch the extra wires and cables—this system will read memory cards for digital cameras, camcorders and more.
Microsoft® OneNote 2007 Included
Easily take, save and share notes across multiple applications with ease. A $99 value.
Spare Backup Software Included
Free local and online storage that's safe, secure—and easy to use!
The Gateway comes with a link to games from WildTangent
The Gateway E-295C / C140X Windows Experience Index
The Pros:
The Convenience of A Tablet PC combined with the power of a desktop in a mobile form factor
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor
Graphics card customizable
All of the necessary buttons are on the screen for use in Tablet Mode
Screen rotates to the right so its easy to share
Magnesium case makes this tablet strong and sturdy
Highest Windows User Experience I have seen on a Tablet PC
4 battery Options
7-in-1 media card reader
Outside case is fingerprint resistant
All of the necessary ports so there is no need for a docking station
Finger Nail Friendly
The Cons:
Large in size and Heavy in weight
not a good choice if you plan to carry it around all day
Display is on the soft side rather than being clean and crisp.
no built in wan option
no auto rotation
no printed manual - userguide is on hard drive
Conclusion
the The Gateway E-295C / C140X hits the "Sweet Spot" right on the mark for those who want the convenience of A Tablet PC combined the mobility of a notebook and all the power of a Desktop Media Center PC. This sturdy machine is built for those who want it all and don't mind the extra weight the Gateway E-295C / C140X Tablet PC is an excellent choice.
As I have said many time before - Tablet PCs running Windows Vista always benefit from a minimum 2 gigs of memory.
