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Dont look now, but Tablet PCs are on the rise
arstechnica.com — Considered a flop by many, the Tablet PC is poised to prove the naysayers wrong. Recent moves by Dell and Microsoft, as well as an aftermarket mod for Apples MacBook, give a glimpse of a potentially bright future for the concept.
waterangel77- 635 diggs
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- sixthplanet, on 10/11/2007, -23/+22All I can say is that I saw a video of Bill Gates talking to bloggers about Microsoft strategies and Bill Gates was jotting down notes on a pad of paper. That's right. Lined Paper V.1.0.
- Cwo655321, on 10/11/2007, -3/+33they just need to become more affordable. No one is going to pay several hundred dollars more than a laptop "just to take notes"
- TheBobbyx, on 10/11/2007, -5/+29Can i start looking now? My eyes have been closed for sometime...
(P.S. Don't ask how I typed this.) - solemnraven, on 10/11/2007, -3/+11i have the new gateway convertible notebook, and the base is 899.99 (its 999.99 right now but you can wait a bit and they will do the extra 100 dollar discount) that is reasonably priced for any type of laptop let alone a tablet. i use it to take notes with MS One note in class and it is VERY useful as it's handwriting recognition is pretty good. i also upgraded the video card (which is decent enough to run a MMO at low settings.) Yeah, it's kind of heavy but overall the tablet is great for its price.
- Haohmaru, on 10/11/2007, -4/+2@cwo655321
Or one that could lock up, slow down and kick out errors.
"Hold on, let me boot up my notepad... oh no, my notepad's batteries are dead!" - 4degrees, on 10/11/2007, -6/+2don't look now?
trying to get as many diggs as possible and maintain zero hits? - Kazbaeden, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6"they just need to become more affordable. No one is going to pay several hundred dollars more than a laptop "just to take notes""
They cited the most over-priced tablets on the market. You can get very decent tablets for as low as $1000, and while they may cost a little more than a similary configured non-tablet, they also have that additional method of input, which I think is worth the tablet tax. - JibberGeorge, on 10/11/2007, -5/+1@cwo655
Speak for yourself
http://www.layoutsville.com - bat-21, on 10/11/2007, -2/+3People who complain about tablets costing too much don't know where to shop. Earlier this year, I got a widescreen Gateway tablet with a dual-layer DVD burner for $750 and I love it.
- Feanor, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4bat - and where do you shop?
- drinklord, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1The naysayers aren't dogmatically opposed to Tablet PCs, as the summary implies. They're waiting until the technology matures, becoming cheaper and more reliable, before they buy it.
- Ireland, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Doesn't it really defeat the purpose that the tablet PC they mentioned in the article (the one they bought) has a physical keyboard - it's really just a notebook with a swivel-screen. It's not a true tablet in my eyes. I sure hope if Apple decides to enter this market they have the whole thing built inside a multi-touch screen, with a fully modified OS and a clever, soft keyboard. Look: http://www.engadget.com/2005/05/10/apples-patented-the-tablet-mac/
- JrGhoull, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2@tomthewambat
that bit about the cost outweighing the benefit can be said about virtually any feature in a computer (in terms of personal need). for me, this would be great for when i need to take notes in unorthadox ways (such as diagrams) and/or when i'm required to create certain images that do not exist on a keyboard (think science class) - bat-21, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2@Feanor
Go to Froogle.com and search for tablet pc. Now's a good time to get one because retailers and manufacturers are dumping Windows XP tablets to make room for Vista.
- Waredgo, on 10/11/2007, -4/+11Tablet PC's will never replace the pen/pencil and paper, not while they are still made of glass and plastic.
However, there are a lot of other applications and uses for it...bought one myself the other day to read eBooks on while listening to music. I think thta their utility is finally coming to light.
Take a look at the HP Compaq 2710 coming up - sweet!- thatsmyaibo, on 10/11/2007, -0/+19Actually I think that would make them more useful. Instead of spending so much on college books, you could just download them as PDFs so you don't have to carry 600$ worth of 100lbs books.
- sexycommando, on 10/11/2007, -0/+7@thatsmyaibo
I tried that for med school. It would work except for the fact that hardly any publishing company sells their textbooks in pdf. - DEIx15x8, on 10/11/2007, -2/+4Who cares about replacing paper for notes? I hate tablet PCs but after seeing all the cool thing done on Pixel Perfect and then looking at my mouse drawn versions i have been wanting a tablet mac solely for the ability to draw pictures combined with the power of photoshop.
- Kazbaeden, on 10/11/2007, -2/+5I scan and OCR all of my textbooks. This enables me to carry around 7 books to all my classes, something I would not be able to do with 7 traditional textbooks. With the tablet, I can also annotate my ebooks and sell my textbooks in mint condition.
- inukki, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1@ waredgo
I think prejudging the future use of technology is premature
And it is ridiculous to think the world was believed to be flat
what you say is not founded by the future or whatever.
Don't dismiss the inventions of the future nad its uses by the majority of the people too soon, before you know it
you will be old and outdated like the politicians of today, who see technology by only their advisors that can use it and tell their opinions for them.
"Information age" is strongly by paper,today "digital age" comes sooner or later, as the whole nation used to use horses and chariots
now they use a whole different way of traveling: cars anyone?
Look at the timeline, look at the stuff we use that were thought to be impossible and/or unimaginable to be used realistically centuries ago.
Imagine this concept, it is near future: Holographically controlled User Interface computers, mix it with ingenuity of nanotechnology pioneers
and some undiscovered ingredients of future technology (yet to be invented). Crazy thought?
or that old PS2 commercial that was released before the PS2 was released into the wild gaming style.
remember: we are only in 2007, the future of the past are hilarious, when we see them of their predicted time usage by the public and the actual advancement don't mix, they never mix graciously. I can't even predict the future accurately like most others have tried.
Tablet PC's are new and their time will comes very soon, via UMPC's look at history and we are already history in 200 years time.
step by step, journey can only go on its own pace,.
- chingy1788, on 10/11/2007, -13/+1There are many issues with using a tablet PC over paper
1. you have to wait for the OS to load up
2. you have limited time to do writing, or if you hate waiting for the OS to load, you would use standby and that chews battery too
3. there is no grip on the pen, which is annoying for some people
4. you cant really just whip out the tablet PC on the train and use it, there is always the fear some one can come up, grab it off you and run
other than that
I still want one
lol - Phocion55, on 10/11/2007, -1/+17I love my Fujitsu LifeBook - it consolidated all of my college notebooks and papers from sophmore year on. I had all class materials on demand. Art History class? All of the paintings are there at my fingertips for reference. Complex Software Design class? Pull the latest code off our SVN server, and test from anywhere.
WinXP Tablet Edition is a solid platform IMO. 4+ years and still goin strong.- gentoogrrrl, on 10/11/2007, -11/+5Wow... Art History and Complex Software Design... you sound like my kind of guy....
- alaren, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4I agree. I also have a Fujitsu. I am a second-year law student and it has been awesome for notetaking because I can draw my charts, draw arrows from one place to another... I would say however that OneNote 2007 is far superior to the original OneNote, especially the lasso tool. I love my tablet!
- FortyCaliber, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5Well put. I don't own one... I simply can't find a good solid lengthy use for it. However, that's the point.
If I was in college, or did a lot of work that required extensive use of prior notes, I'd be all over it. When a tablet pc is used well it is well used. My wife bought one because "it's cool." She has never, to this date, used the pen. In fact, I don't even think she can get it out any more.
For the record, I use a Dell M1210. It works well for me because I can hold it in one hand and I know how to type about 25+ wpm with one hand. And it's easy to carry from IDF to IDF or to the MDF or to a downed computer's room.
- gerbalblaste, on 10/11/2007, -2/+24I'm using my tablet pc right now. granted mine is a convertible so i still retain the standard functionality of a laptop.
A tablet pc is worth it, you won't want to use it to keep your grocery list, but it is excellent for business meeting and taking notes in classes. Plus the added bonus of gadget envy.
The pen interface is wonderful and amazingly useful, The onscreen interfaces in games like EVE online and most rts games work amazingly with the pen and i can register more command per minute than i can with a mouse and keyboard.
my only qualm is the absence of reliable linux drivers for some brands of tablet pc.- pastaq, on 10/11/2007, -0/+11I agree. I use my convertible tablet for most of my photoshop work and class notes. Also, Starcraft + touchscreen is friggin' awesome.
- rudy23, on 10/11/2007, -4/+1Only reason I didn't stick with the tablet.
1. the screen had a anti scratch coating which made it look dull.
2. Once in tablet mode your keyboard is as good as gone bringing productivity close to zero.
3. Taking notes on the screen is worse than it actually seems. Using paint or something else to type it via keyboard usually gives better and more compact results. - Jeifurie, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3Its hard to scroll around the map in starcraft though and you have to play in the 640 *480 res or else it won't calibrate correctly.And keyboard shortcuts always beats the pen. Its still a really interesting way to play games though.
- syafthegeek, on 10/11/2007, -0/+9Tablet PC is for the future. Pen and paper will last longer than that.
- inukki, on 10/11/2007, -3/+1The Internet(s) was for the future about 17 years ago in the eyes of the Normal public, back then it was used only by "geeks"
Who knows what will happen in the future huh?
- inukki, on 10/11/2007, -3/+1The Internet(s) was for the future about 17 years ago in the eyes of the Normal public, back then it was used only by "geeks"
- LowROI, on 10/11/2007, -2/+5Just let me know when to look...
- SnowflakePillow, on 10/11/2007, -8/+3Buried for "Dont look now". It's incorrect language and it's unnecessary bias in the headline.
- legendxx, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2My sister needs a tablet for college, can anyone recommend one that is fairly powerful and VERY reliable? Even a manufacturer would be great.
- shartman, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3I have a Gateway for work. The resolution SUCKS, And it weighs a ton.
- greeneyes137, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2I completley enjoy my tecra m4. I like it better than the new M7 because the m4 came with a separate graphics processor (got the 128 meg nvidia geforce in it and enjoy playing LotR:o on it.)
The new acer line has a very nice 6200? nvidia in it and the LG that is coming out looks poised to be very very nice with a 256 meg nvidia though it looks to only be a 1.2 or 1.6 ghz. - unusualbob, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I have a gateway as well, but its pretty good, its weight is not so great but that will be fine since she will be sitting at a desk when she is using it. Its a flip screen so its useful for just about everything. Its powerful enough to run HL2 at a playable rate when at semi-high graphics.
- gerbalblaste, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Toshiba makes several excellent tablet pcs. The UNC has contracted with toshiba to replace overhead projectors with toshiba tablets and projectors.
The brand i have is gateway, while it is a tank, it weighs a ***** load and the pen is not nearly are responsive as the toshibas i've used. - jakem1, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0I'm posting this from a Fujitsu P1610 and can't recommend it enough. It's small and light and the tablet features in Vista are superb.
- forensicmeteobo, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I have a Toshiba M400 and love it. It's not cheap, but personally, it's worth the price. Just FYI: Tons of crapware preloaded, and you have to burn the recovery discs yourself if you want them. Other than that, the build quality is pretty nice. My only complaint would be the occasional dust under the screen (a common problem among tablets).
Also, if you want to demo a tablet, go here: http://www.alltp.com/content.aspx/c/48hourdemo
You can 'borrow' a tablet for a 48 hour trial if you pay for shipping both ways. - jldugger, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0@greeneyes: ive got an m7 with an nvidia 128M. It's a Quadro 110M NVS, which is apparently the new GeforceGo 7300 or something. It does 3d well enough to play most games at native resolution. They've stopped selling customized versions though, to make way for a newer one I think.
- Mach5, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2I had a HP/Compaq TC1100 for 2 years, on loan from my college, and I loved it. I'll never get a traditional laptop because of it.
- Dontlooknow, on 10/11/2007, -1/+12Somebody called?
- matdevdug, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Tablet PCs are one of those ideas I love to have pitched to me. On the one hand, it has all the abilities of a notepad with the power of being able to send that work to others. On the other hand, its a $1000+ device that claims to replace a 30 cent piece of equipment. I have used one both in work and in school and found them to be amazing tools but I doubt they will ever rise like this article is discussing.
- MDrake, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Artist's best friend? yes?
- rudy23, on 10/11/2007, -7/+2Basic problems is that Tablets offer very little value to the business and productivity world. None of the features actually useful when used in real world scenarios.
- Kazbaeden, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4You couldn't have it more backwards; business and "real world" scenarios are where the Tablet PC shines.
For example, when meeting a client, a laptop screen acts as a barrier or fence between you and her. With the tablet's flat screen, that barrier is eliminated and you become more personable, while still having all your business materal with you. Instead of carrying a load of paperwork, you carry all your files on the tablet. When it's time to close the deal, your client can just sign off on the tablet and the documentation can be sent to headquarteres via the internet; there's no need to drive back and drop it off.
Or take this scenario: Your warehouse managers aren't the most computer savvy guys, but you'd really like a powerful computer system to make inventory management more robust. That's not a problem, because your managers do know how to write, and they do know how how to use their fingers. So, you can design an intuitive pen/finger based interface for them to tap into the powerful inventory management backend. Moreover, these guys are going to be standing most of the day, so the tablet is the perfect form factor for them to operate with.
So you see, there are plenty of business and real-world applications for the tablet PC. You just need to get out of the keyboard/mouse mindset and thing more naturally. - unusualbob, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Are you kidding me, these are great for doing quick notes for network diagrams. I use mine all the time on walkthroughs for new networks. Its so easy to use and i dont have to worry about losing peices of paper like I always do.
- Kazbaeden, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4You couldn't have it more backwards; business and "real world" scenarios are where the Tablet PC shines.
- totorototoro, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1The main reason for its relatively new popularity is because of the ubiquity of computers in general. Now that most people can afford to own one computer, you'll see more and more people opting for more than one computer, and it follows that a Tablet is a reasonable choice for a 2nd or 3rd.
The Tablet concept was always a "2nd or 3rd computer" idea anyways, similar to how a 2 seater car is a "2nd car or 3rd car" for most people who can afford owning more than one. - alienfubar, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3I bought the compaq.. sis-inlaw uses it now. That thing was awsome, but once I graduated it was useless for me. They market these things for the wrong croud. It was the most awsome utility in college, but at work it's not useful in any way.
- aserer511, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Why should we not look now? They appeal to a certain niche and that niche only benefits as these get smaller, quicker and cheaper.
- slapthemonkey, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Perhaps good for smaller jobs.
- one2gamble, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1As the tech improves the interface they will catch on more. We have a lot of laptops that are used in trucks and whatnot now that could turn into tablets if the interface wasnt so clumsy.
I know I wish I had one in college. - emiliogtz, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2I was skeptical about tablet pcs for a long time. Last month I had the chance to grab a Toshiba Tablet convertible for a few weeks, and it won me over, really. I'm looking forward this year to replace my widescreen laptop for one of those tablets. Granted, the display looks a bit dull, especially when running on battery, but I guess you can get over it given the extra functionality.
- swrostmore, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2Integrated graphics chips are a deal-breaker. But damn do I wish I could make a modbook out of my macbook pro...
- osarhan, on 10/11/2007, -3/+2twist screen laptops surely are the same thing, i just think tablets are slightly useless
- crimsonalucard, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1People thought the same thing about cars, computers, and soap before they got popular. Come on, I hate these "practical" ass holes who think everything "new" is useless. First adopters of the tablet will define what YOU consider practical in the future.
- grassiness, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1no offend but I have to make space for my blood pressure caused by the people who *think* they know but actually don't. Let me put it this way:
First: Tablets aren't new at all, nor innovative in any way.
In fact, tablets are a very old idea, existed even before the newtons and any other PDA. And they are more than useless bullsh*t compared with multitouch technologies that will come up next.
@xtraa: you made a very good point.
You people simply have no imagination nor the slightest idea about trends. I feel for you but sometimes the ignorance makes me angry.
Meanwhile, you can easily believe that every vision of Bill gates is a true indicator for something about not to happen. This guy is not a visionary. He and ballmer just had luck with IBM, they never fought the war of competition. Thats why Gates and Ballmer are average guys with no clue and not the slightest glim of vision.
Ask your granny, she maybe has a better intuition.
- ThinkFr33ly, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2Tablets are pretty damn cool. Would I buy a laptop that was *only* a tablet? Probably not.
But considering that Tablet PCs are only a $200 premium (and dropping), it's a great option to have. - robdazomba, on 10/11/2007, -5/+1Tablet PCs are on the rise? Let's see, 2 years ago, I didn't know anyone with a tablet PC. And now...? Let me do the math here... 0 tablet PC users in my professional life plus 0 tablet PC users in my personal... um... yeah, that's a total of 0 people I know using them now. That's a whopping 0% increase over 2 years ago.
Yeah, I know it's anecdotal, but I bet I'm not the only one with the same experience. If the tablet PCs are out there, their owners are keeping them well hidden. I haven't even seen strangers using them. They are just nonexistent from my point of view. Does anyone know people who are using these?- EtherGnat, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3It's possible that people are using them and you're just not noticing. I have a Gateway convertible tablet, and unless you were looking very closely it'd look like any other laptop.
- Phocion55, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Hi, nice to meet you.
There's one. - Paladin27, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1I've got a Gateway convertible one as well! I love it, had it for the past six months and it works great with Vista! It even has a Radeon X600 graphics chipset so gaming isn't totally horrible with it!
- jsusanka, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2Like the tablets
Linux runs very nice on them
http://www.emperorlinux.com/systems/tablet/- crimsonalucard, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Too bad they charge a lot! They should have a universal tablet linux so I don't have to get ripped off.
- torgos, on 10/11/2007, -3/+1I didn't look but clicked anyway, clicked on a porn pop up, and now I lost my job. Thanks, Digg!
- Ramble, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Tablets are awesome for specialised stuff. I'll probably get one when I go to uni and sometimes I wish I had one now. Nice looking notes all indexed and available within a few seconds. Fantastic stuff.
- elDoppelganger, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1um... so... should i look or not?
- arbulus, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1I'm looking...I'm looking!
- shortino, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Lol I loved all the commotion surrounding the release of the Tablets. They are for obvious reasons going to be successful it just people expected too much out of it too fast. Microsoft's Gates I imagine would be use to looking towards the future and I think his confidence in the product was mis-interpreted as to immediate figures.
The fact is the technology versus practicality (terms of speed, weight ect..) wasn't there back in 2002 (for the average user) but now, I could see my self happily tapping/drawing away on a tablet. - uaioe, on 10/11/2007, -4/+2And I, for one, welcome our tablet PC overlords!
- inukki, on 10/11/2007, -3/+2Hail tablet PC overlords!! for no reason!!
HAIL Tablet PC Overlords!!!
HAIL Caesar!!! - arbulus, on 10/11/2007, -3/+4I'll just go ahead and get the rest of them out of the way:
But will they blend?
In Soviet Russia, tablet PC uses you!
I'm in ur tabletz, writin' ur notez!
Now, I hope we've taken care of that for today. - MacParrot, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2@arbulus
You left out a Ron Paul reference
- inukki, on 10/11/2007, -3/+2Hail tablet PC overlords!! for no reason!!
- anonymouse2007, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Tablet PCs are going to be used by Circuit City sales associates in the near future. They will be used for sales transactions, and talking to techs using the system using a cool camera system. Its going to be awesome where tablet PCs will be taking us in the future.
- jpowlus, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Is cost really that much of an issue any more? I know you needed $3k to get a decent one a year or two ago, but I just spec'ed out a ThinkPad X60 Tablet (convertible) because I need 30 of them for work ... fairly well equipped for about $1750... really not too bad. I've had 2 of the Motion Computing tablets in the past, and they are pretty decent, too, but the ThinkPad is my favorite. Tablets really are pretty cool... I wouldn't want it to replace my laptop (unless they start making them with bigger screens), but there are so many useful things you can do with them. Stuff you don't really even think about being useful until after you use one for a while. Really great for reading e-books while on the crapper, among other things.
Even the free painting software MS offers as part of their tablet "experience pack" is pretty damned cool. I use it for making rough sketches of stuff for work all the time. - BlueCadenza, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2Doesn't anybody have a clue as to the fact that a tablet has A LOT more uses than just taking notes?? Think about it...you can write words....so it also lets you...DRAW images...
I have a tablet PC and its infinitely better for illustrations than a Wacom tablet. Art Rage 2 is awesome with it. Since touch-screen monitors can go into the 10,000+ range, a tablet PC with a decent resolution is much more accurate than using a seperate tablet.
http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/to/toshiba-portege-3500-(pp350e-002f6-en).jpg
I own this one and its extremely portable as well (about the size of a college-ruled notebook), though its a considerably older model, it does the job. - W3bbo, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1The problem with TPCs (especially my own Tecra M4) is they're just so damned heavy. They're sort-of alright for jotting down notes in class when they're on your knee, but for holding up like a clipboard? Naaah. You really need a "slate" tablet for that kind of thing, but then you lose out on a keyboard and good GPU.
And the major problem affecting the Pentium 4/Centrino-based TPCs was dismal battery-life (3 hours tops, when everything's on low) and they get /really/ hot. If you've got it on your knee or lap you'll begin sweating to the point of developing a wet-patch. Not good.
But overall? I like my M4, the real seller was the docking station which makes the tablet platform worthy for desktop surfing. No mousing for me, just drag the slider with the stylus. And speaking of the M4, the model is over a a year and a half old (and since discontinued) but it's the only one that came with a GeForce Go 6600 GPU, all the others (including Microsoft's posterboy Asus converable TPC) still use Intel Integrated 950GMA, which isn't enough to run Aero Glass acceptably well (IMO).
The main problem with convertable TPCs is the single point of failure: the solitary display hinge. Intel demoed a few alternatives about 6 months ago (there was a video of it here on Digg) but they were worse. The best proposal I've seen so far was the "Wireless display" concept Toshiba pitched at WinHEC for TabletPCs a couple of years ago, where the display was detachable and communicated with some propriety /really/ high-speed short-range wireless connection and the display had a built-in 2-hour battery. I feel these wireless displays will save the convertable tabletpc form-factor from competition from feature-limited slates and their own weight (literally).- Kazbaeden, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1The Tecra M4, at almost 7 pounds, is heavy by all laptop standards, Tablet PC or otherwise. Most tablet PCs today weigh in at a nice 3-4 pounds, and are not a bother to hold for any extended period of time. Tablet PCs have really come down in weight since 2005 when the M4 was introduced.
"Pentium 4/Centrino-based TPCs was dismal battery-life" Yeah, that was 2 years ago, but today with the Core2Duo and santa rosa, we're expecting to see 10 hours in the fourthcoming HP 2710p laptop with extended battery. Also the GMA 950 runs Aero with perfect fluidity
- Kazbaeden, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1The Tecra M4, at almost 7 pounds, is heavy by all laptop standards, Tablet PC or otherwise. Most tablet PCs today weigh in at a nice 3-4 pounds, and are not a bother to hold for any extended period of time. Tablet PCs have really come down in weight since 2005 when the M4 was introduced.
- BlueCadenza, on 10/11/2007, -1/+0Well future and current tablet pcs would fare better if they adhered to this model
again:
http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/to/toshiba-portege-3500-(pp350e-002f6-en).jpg
INCREDIBLY LIGHT and as small as a college-ruled notebook. They aren't supposed to be big and bulky. - JoeTech, on 10/11/2007, -4/+2We need to dump this old world vision that we have to be able to use a computer the same way they did with a pen and paper.
Here's the simple reason why the notion of a tablet PC in general is just atrocious:
- take a laptop, invert it's orientation where as the screen is on the surface and the keyboard is where the screen would be.
- press the palms of your hands on it in dozens of areas
- now make believe you have to write on this surface, say, a paper or even a simple IM chat
Anyone who finds this acceptable probably finds other inefficient things "A-okay" as well... bah.- Kazbaeden, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Correct, the pen is inefficient for writing papers and IMs the same way the keyboard and trackpad are inefficient for writing equations, sketching diagrams and graphs, and drawing pictures. That's why they invented Convertible Tablet PCs, which give you both worlds and allows you the flexibility to choose how you use your computer based on your situation.
Why does it seem that everyone who's ever used a Tablet loves it, and the only people who think they're retarded never used one?
- Kazbaeden, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Correct, the pen is inefficient for writing papers and IMs the same way the keyboard and trackpad are inefficient for writing equations, sketching diagrams and graphs, and drawing pictures. That's why they invented Convertible Tablet PCs, which give you both worlds and allows you the flexibility to choose how you use your computer based on your situation.
- vostek, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I recently grabbed an HP TC4400 for $900 on Ebay. I've become quite attached to the little bugger, and the touch screen does greatly increase productivity and enjoyment compared to the *shudders* touch pad. Solid.
I was going to wati for multi-touch to come to market, but hell, that'll take a couple more years to be mainstream methinks. - DjDimitrious, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2As another college-aged tablet pc user here (gateway convertible), i'd have to say it's made my life a whole lot easier. I take all my notes in OneNote, and since a lot of class assignment giving/receiving is done online now, it's great to be able to have everything in one place.
- skrinak, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1I fully expect Apple to announce a tablet at WWDC on June 12th. I noticed an 'inking' system preference pop up in os x.
I have a Fujitsu st5112 slate model that I absolutely love. It's easily readable in direct sun. For doing system design, DB design or just brainstorming nothing beats it, plus you can email everyone your notes afterwards. It got me to put down macbook. In fact, I'm thinking of selling my macbook and just keeping my mac pro. I almost never use it anymore.- fr34k5h0w, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1The inking system has been in there since 10.1 I believe. It's main use is for digitizing tablets and their interaction with the OS as an input device.
- specialK16, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Apple Tablet PC? Let me guess. +$3k.
I really want one for college. But they are way to expensive. Look at newegg.com, $1500 for a 512 RAM, 40GB HD, 1,5GHz Core Duo Fujitsu tablet pc. No chance Lance.
I bet most undergrad college tablet pc owners are a bunch of rich kids.- Kazbaeden, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Not really. A Gateway CX210X costs $900, and it comes with 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD, and 1.86GHz Core Duo. Sure you're paying more for the tablet than a similarly configured normal computer, but you're also getting the digitizer, which of course isn't free and adds A LOT of functionality and flexibility.
- QuantumParadox, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1I have a Lenovo X60 Tablet- 2.0 Ghz Intel Duo Processor, 2 gigs DDR-2 RAM, 256 MB Video Card, 120 gig hard drive, 9 hrs battery life, Windows Vista Ult. Office 2007 Pro and I love it. As a physics major, I use this tablet as a note taker, equation writer, Graphing calc, Matlabs, voice recording, E-book reader, and even a brain age game. In my university, instead of ordering books I get them all in PDF format, I also have access to a campus wireless printer. The Tablet PC is also very light. about 3 lbs. I upgraded from a Dell Axim 51V PDA I used to use(Still use) I upgraded for the tiny stylus kept hurting my hands. With this Digy pen, I have a good grip and is very conferable. I also ordered the base station for my tablet with included a optical drives. I got a DVD burner. Also with my Tablet it has a finger print reader. I have it set to post the system via finger. The BIOS and hard drive encryption are all controlled by my finger as well as windows vista log in and e-mail, etc. I can't say enough about this tablet. Even the hard drive has Bit-locker enabled. bit locker is an encryption from Vista. I also have Blue tooth and WiFi N. This all cost me $2,578.35. So, if anyone is looking into tablet PC's, go with a Lenovo IBM Think pad. Also, the Pen has a digital eraser. So if you make an error just erase!! Oh, you one gets a tablet PC, get a Brain age program to improve IQ scores and one can do crossword puzzles. If anyone wants to E-mail me about my tablet feel free to do so: James.QuantumParadox@gmail.com
- answr42, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Ummm... no. Lenovo never put a 2.0 Ghz processor in the X60 and it surely doesn't have a 256MB video card!
- mrsteve007, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0My office worked as beta testers for on the tablet concept for microsoft. They came up with a pretty interesting 'white paper' for architecture firms use.
http://download.microsoft.com/documents/customerevidence/6814_Johnson_Braud_OneNote_Case_Study.doc - Identity4, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1mmmm...tablet pcs....grgl grgl grgl...
@mrsteve - how did i not know this? lolz im new to that office (yes i workz there too...hehe) cool study... - death2hypocrisy, on 10/11/2007, -2/+0i want one sooooooooo badly
- aristotle0dude, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2You need to get laid son.
- aristotle0dude, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Pencil and paper is cheaper and more reliable.
- QuantumParadox, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Pencil & paper may be cheepr but it's the Tablet that attracts the girls.
- xtraa, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1Why will tablets flop?
1. you don't want to type, where you look at
2. the screen is unprotected, you can't flap it
3. it is way more exhausting to work without a hinge and free angle
4. microsoft hasn't the interface so you need a stylus or stay with a mouse
It makes much more sense if a multitouch replaces the keyboard,
like maybe the new upcoming Macbooks. - JrGhoull, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2well i hope that the linux programmers can get at least a little bit ahead of the game and start coming up with their own open sourced hand recognition software so that when these things do get popular, that linux will be waiting with software far ahead of anything that either OSX or windows has.
- smileydude, on 10/11/2007, -3/+0I give it two more years before huge amounts of people start upgrading to tablets. Apple is gonna get this ball rolling.
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