M&A Technology's Companion Touch Selected by McGraw-Hill Education to Help Bring the 21st Century Classroom One Step Closer

DALLAS, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- M&A Technology and McGraw-Hill Education today unveiled a new partnership to distribute the Companion Touch(TM) tablet.  The Companion Touch is an Intel-powered convertible classmate PC with touch screen functionality to enhance learning in K-12 market.  M&A Technology will distribute the Companion Touch to schools across the country on behalf of McGraw-Hill Education.  In addition, M&A Technology, a company with extensive experience into the K-12 market, will provide schools with technology support for these devices.

The M&A Companion Touch offers a resistive 10.1-inch touch screen, which allows students to interact with the device using the stylus or simply by touching the screen.  The screen can be laid flat for writing, sketching and for solving math problems.  It also can be oriented in portrait mode for eBook reading.  In addition, students can use the device in laptop mode for typing.  These features make the Companion Touch a leading device for learning in the 21st century classroom.

The Companion Touch is based on the Intel-powered convertible classmate PC reference design with touch screen functionality to enhance learning in K-12 market. The tablet's rugged, student-friendly design and built-in handle make it easier for students to interact with the device and share their work in group activities. The built-in webcam swivels 180 degrees to capture pictures and movies from different angles.  In addition, the new Companion Touch comes pre-loaded with specialized educational software and classroom management software for easy implementation in schools.

"Intel is excited to support M&A Technology in the launch of the Companion Touch with McGraw-Hill.  The combination of Intel technologies, McGraw Hill's education expertise and interactive content and M&A's understanding of the local market will help realize the vision and benefits of 1:1 computing in education, enriching learning experience for our students in the United States," said Kapil Wadhera, general manager of Intel's Emerging Market Platforms Group which developed the reference design.

"Our students need 21st century skills to succeed in school and in today's global economy. Having great new content and the latest technology in the classroom is essential to instruction and the attainment of these skills," said Randy Reina, senior vice president, of McGraw-Hill Education's Center for Digital Innovation. "Our goal is to create engaging solutions that enhance classroom instruction, drive student achievement and keep today's children – digital natives – from 'powering down' when entering the classroom."

The standard configuration comes with 10.1" resistive touch screen, 160GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM, 1.3 MP rotating camera, Bluetooth, WiFi and built-in handle.  The casing is made with rubberized material for easy grip and to prevent slipping on the desk.  A full description of the product is available at www.macomp.com/companiontouch10. 

SOURCE M&A Technology