Tablet PC Recommendations 1

[geek42]

The release of the iPad has increased my interest in purchasing a good Tablet PC. I'm looking for a true Tablet (not laptop with turn-around screen) that will run Windows and which I want to use for reading books, surfing, email, viewing photos, and light games (not FPS but maybe browser games, Bejeweled, side-scrollers...).

I wasn't impressed by the iPad's reviews and I haven't seen anything that looks powerful enough for what I want in my searching. I've heard a bunch of new Tablets are coming out in response to the iPad - should I just wait for those?

Thanks.

 

[krafka]

Motion Computing specializes in tablet PCs that run windows. I believe they have 4 different models right now.

 

[xwb]

What size screen are you looking for?

From personal experience, reading ebooks on a backlit background in a small font can be quite a strain on the eyes. Same sized font on printed paper doesn't strain the eyes that much.

Also, can you put up with the oily fingerprints on the screen. I find them really annoying so I actually stopped using tablets.

 

[geek42]

Thanks for the recommendation Krafka. I'll look at those.

xwb - I'm looking for someting the size of an iPad or Kindle reader. I'm thinking that if it runs Windows I should be able to change the view size either on the bookreader software or on the display just like I can with my laptop display. As for fingerprints, that will be something to deal with but I can carry a cloth in the same bag I carry the tablet. My issue is portability and not having to deal with the bulkiness / weight of a laptop while lying on the couch, or sitting in my car / park bench. I almost never use my laptop because its just not nice to hold with my hands/lap and I seldom have anything to set it on.

 

[xwb]

Can't really recommend anything but beware of thunderflies and other little insects when using them on a park bench or anywhere in the garden in the autumn. They are attracted to the backlit screen.

Some seem to be able to get behind the front layer so you see this insect wandering around the inside of your screen and there is no way of getting it out. I had one and pressed the screen near it to move it on towards the edge. That continued for a bit then I pressed the screen too near the insect and it got squashed. Now I have a permanent squashed insect on the top left corner of the tablet.

 

[kmcferrin]

There are a couple of new tablets coming in the near future. I know that HP has one (I think called Slate) that will be released in the next couple of months. Google is also working on a tablet-based PC, but it won't run Windows.

If I were interested in getting a true tablet I would probably wait a few months until the windows-based, consumer-oriented tablets start being released.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

 

[xwb]

Chrome, the Google OS is very dependent on an internet connection. This is wonderful if you are on a desktop that has a permanent internet connection. It is totally useless if you do not have any internet access.

 

[kmcferrin]

Have you tried the Chrome OS yet? I heard that they were using something similar to Gears to provided offline capability. Not that you'd be too likely to have a tablet PC and no Internet access. Most people have wifi in their homes now, right?

BTW, it appears that HP has killed their "Slate" tablet PC. They're apparently going to do one with the newly acquired PalmOS instead.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

 

[geek42]

Thanks everyone. Good point about the little insects!

I didnt' know they cancelled the Slate - that's one of the ones I was thinking of waiting to see. Looks like I'll wait a while and see what happens.