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Winona State University Selects Gateway Tablet PCs in Largest Higher-Ed Tablet Deal in North America Gateway M275 Convertibles Offer Full Notebook Features + Pen Input POWAY, Calif., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In the largest higher-education implementation of Tablet PCs in North America, Winona State University, of Winona, Minn., has signed an agreement with Gateway, Inc. to standardize on Gateway(R) M275 convertible tablets for its students, faculty and staff. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/LAM050LOGO ) The seven-year deal, which includes an initial two-year agreement and five, one-year extensions, will likely exceed $40 million over the length of the contract. Winona State will immediately rollout more than 4,000 Gateway M275 Tablet PCs for incoming freshmen, as well as current students, faculty and staff ready for a refresh of their existing notebooks. The university, with an enrollment of more than 8,000 students, is the first major higher educational institution to standardize on the Tablet PC platform. Winona State was one of the first "laptop universities" in the nation in 1994. Today, every full-time undergraduate student receives a university-leased notebook, as do faculty and most student services staff. "We conducted an open bid and had faculty, staff and students evaluate many different models of PCs, including other tablets from competing companies," said Joe Whetstone, vice president of information technology for Winona State. "The Gateway M275 tablet bubbled to the top. It was the overwhelmingly popular choice of our students and faculty because the convertible has all the features of a mainstream notebook coupled with pen input." The Gateway M275 offers traditional notebook features -- a full-size keyboard, Intel(R) Centrino(R) technology(1), optional 768MB RAM, 40GB hard drive(2), four hours battery life(3), CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, integrated wireless -- combined with Tablet PC pen input that allows users to write on screen. And unlike many other Tablet PCs on the market, Gateway's M275 is priced starting at $1,799 -- only $150 more than a similarly configured notebook. The M275 also boasts the largest screen size in the industry (14.1 inches), so students and faculty don't have to strain to see the screen. "Students love the all-in-one quality of Gateway's tablet, which allows them to use it like a notebook or notepad. Faculty like the fact that the tablet eliminates a barrier during classes with its fold-down screen," said Whetstone. "I've even had some professors mention it will be useful in scribbling down physics formulas or annotating presentations in class." Gateway bested several other key PC vendors, including IBM, Dell, Toshiba and HP, in winning the open bid. Winona State has been a Gateway customer for more than four years, utilizing Gateway(R) 450 notebooks, Gateway plasma TVs and other technologies. Gateway's superior service, nimbleness in responding to issues and self-maintainer programs gave it a leg up on the competition, according to Whetstone. Launched in November 2002, Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system represented an evolutionary step in the development of the notebook computer, offering all the functionality of Windows XP Professional, plus additional functionality allowing for digital pen input. While slate tablets -- those Tablet PCs without built-in keyboards -- have spiked in popularity in vertical markets such as manufacturing and health care, convertible tablets such as Gateway's M275 series are pushing tablet computing into the mainstream. "Winona State University's decision to implement Tablet PCs is significant for the platform because it's a shining example of how versatile the tablet can be -- from students taking notes in class to teachers drawing mathematical problems on-screen to university staff storing digital signatures on contracts," said Andrew Dixon, marketing director of the Tablet PC division at Microsoft Corp. "The Tablet PC is now a vital tool for all members of the university's educational community." "We've been proud to partner with leading universities that share strong beliefs in how technology can truly assist in providing quality education to students," said Bridget Winders, vice president of public sector sales for Gateway. "By embracing the Tablet PC, Winona State is a perfect example of what Gateway has named the 'Alpha Campus' -- a representation of how cutting-edge technology is seamlessly integrated into learning, research, administrative and all other aspects of campus life." Winona State University was founded in 1858 as the first teacher training institution west of the Mississippi and is now a full-fledged university with a comprehensive base of liberal studies, as well as specialized professional, technological and occupational degrees. Winona State University is divided into five distinctive colleges: Business, Education, Liberal Arts, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Science and Engineering. The university offers eight master's degree programs, 60 undergraduate degree programs, 11 pre-professional programs and several licensure and specialist degree programs. From high-end servers to market-leading plasma displays to comprehensive services, Gateway delivers whole-office technology solutions, coupled with high-touch service. Serving organizations for more than 15 years, Gateway uses its multi-channel approach to make the purchase, use and support of technology simple. Gateway customers include many of the world's leading organizations, such as the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, the University of Arizona, Harvard University, California Highway Patrol and others. For more information on Gateway Professional solutions, visit http://www.gateway.com/business. About Gateway Since its founding in 1985, Gateway (NYSE:GTW) has been a technology and direct-marketing pioneer, using its call centers, web site, direct sales force and retail alliances to build great customer relationships. Gateway offers consumers, businesses and schools a wide range of thin TVs, digital cameras, home networking products, servers, storage and other products, which work together seamlessly with its award-winning line of eMachines and Gateway PCs. Its products and services received nearly 130 awards and honors last year. With its acquisition of eMachines now complete, Gateway is the third largest PC company in the U.S. and among the top ten worldwide. Visit http://www.gateway.com/ for more information. All offers valid in US only and are subject to change without notice or obligation. May not be available through all sales channels. Prices exclude shipping and handling. Applicable taxes extra. (1) Performance may vary. See http://www.intel.com/ for additional information. (2) Hard drive accessible capacity varies; GB = 1 billion bytes; MB = 1 million bytes. (3) Battery life will vary depending on actual use factors. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/LAM050LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Gateway CONTACT: Ted Ladd of Gateway, +1-858-848-2515, Web site: http://www.intel.com/ Web site: http://www.gateway.com/business Web site: http://www.gateway.com/

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