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Electronic Resources for Schools
compiled by Kathie Felix
Managing Editor/News and Reviews Editor, MULTIMEDIA SCHOOLS
This section provides concise, original reviews of new or important hardware, software, Web sites, & electronic media that relate to the K-12 curriculum. All reviews are written by practicing educators who, in most cases, have used the software in a school environment. Where grouped into broad, age-appropriate categories, these categories should not be viewed as prescriptive. To facilitate "comparison shopping," these reviews are highly structured. Reviewers prepare a "report card" based on the five-star scale:
Hardware
Gateway Tablet PC
Company: Gateway, 14303 Gateway Place, Poway, CA 92064; Phone (Education): 800/211-4952; Web: http://www.gateway.com/.
Description: The Gateway Tablet PC is a portable, notebook-sized computer that combines handwritten note-taking with computerized functions.
Specifications: The Tablet PC includes Microsoft Windows XP Professional Tablet PC Edition.
The standard configuration provides a mobile Intel Pentium III Processor-M Low Volt 866 MHz, 40 GB hard drive, 256 MB SD-RAM (expandable up to 1,024 MB), 830 MG integrated UMA graphics adapter driving a 12.1-inch XGA TFT display, lithium ion battery with AC pack, external mobile keyboard with touchpad, and two digitizer pens. Also included are two USB ports; one IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port; one VGA port; integrated sound and stereo speakers; headphone/speaker jack; line-in, line-out and microphone jacks; integrated 10/100 Ethernet; integrated 802.1-1b wireless networking; internal v.90 56 K modem; one type II PC slot; and a desktop stand and hard-cover top.
Available options include an external IEEE 1394 Firewire 8x8x24 CDRW/8x DVD Combo Drive ($309), extra digitizer pens (three more for a total of $49) and a Flex docking station ($229).
Price: $2,249-base price, not including shipping and handling. $2,558-the unit configuration evaluated in this review (includes the optional Firewire CDRW/DVD Combo Drive). $2,549-starting price for a Deluxe version of the Gateway Tablet PC that includes Microsoft Office XP Professional.
Warranty: Includes Gateway's Value Service Plan, a 1-year warranty that covers parts and labor, but not on-site repairs. Also includes 1 year of Gateway Technical Support with the purchase.
Extended coverage plans, including on-site or 3-year programs, are available at additional cost at the time of purchase in most states. Accidental damage protection is available, except in the states of Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington. See Gateway's...