Handheld vs. Tablet

jim.dvorak · 07-19-05, 09:48 AM

What kind of future do handhelds have when awesome Tablet PCs are being created?

http://www.motioncomputing.com/produ...blet_pc_ls.asp

psionandy · 07-19-05, 10:05 AM

Even if it managed to fit in my jacket pocket... it weighs 2.5 pounds

07-19-05, 10:06 AM

I prefer the smaller size of my PPC to carry around. Until they come out with tablet PCs that have screens which can fold so the device size is smaller, I will stick with a PPC.

07-19-05, 10:07 AM

At present, Tablets are very expensive. PPCs are getting cheaper all the time.

07-19-05, 10:37 AM

I have a 'small' laptop (700m) already, so along with my PPC I can't see a use I wouyld have for a heavier, less convenient solution

aximbigfan · 07-19-05, 11:26 AM

maybe and maybe not..... i like my ppc however i really would like something that runs windows xp...

chris

ZGD193 · 07-19-05, 11:38 AM

I tried to go the tablet PC route (HP TC1100). They are nice, but they are large, require being booted up just to view PIM fuctions, and most of the time, it was convenient for me to take out my X50v and take notes, etc.., but it was NOT convenient for me to do so with the tablet PC. Just my opinion, however.

geneb · 07-19-05, 12:01 PM

"About the size of a paperback"

"The LS800 Tablet PC measures just 8.94” by 6.69” by 0.87”, and it weighs only 2.2 pounds."

What kind of paperbacks are these people reading?!
(standard size for paperback is 7" x 4.25")

That's a little large for my pockets (and so is the cost)

07-19-05, 12:38 PM

i would love to see a book sized tablet pc, i think that would be perfect for students, big enough to read your text books in ebook form, use MS onenote to keep all your notes on. it really sounds like that would be the perfect storm for the educational market.

joedoe101 · 07-19-05, 12:42 PM

Sorry to betray the pocketpc, but i think a tablet pc would be nice...Like jp said, if they had foldable screens, that would be great. I just want something that runs xp. Put xp on a pocketpc, and I will never even go back to the pc.

Alexim · 07-19-05, 01:50 PM

As most people seem to be saying, tablets are just too big and heavy - plus they don't have a keyboard - add a keyboard and you may as well buy a much cheaper laptop. PPCs just cannot be beaten for portability - I'm still getting over just how dinky mine is. And the boot up time doesn't cause problems on PPCs- because they don't need to boot up.

The OLED organic screens which are coming out should solve problems re small screens as I believe they are foldable too.

However, casting an eye into the distant future, I see 3d touch sensitive projected screens which could be set to almost any size - just not sure about their usability in daylight, though. Maybe someone will have finally invented an alternative to the key board by then too - how about reading alpha waves from our brains - IBM would be able to give new life to the name 'Thinkpad'!! ;-)

07-19-05, 02:00 PM

I voted 'Yes" for the TabletPC because I already use one. I got tired of some of the limitations, especially in the MS apps like Excel, Word and in the handling of web-surfing and email support. I use my TPC far more now than my X5. But...

I would not give up having a PPC in my arsenal. I still use my Axim daily for its organizational features. I still keep wireless support with it for access to email or the 'net when I'm out and about. A PPC you can keep on your person all the time, but a Tablet is too big for that.

Oh, there are 3rd party apps available for TabletPC's that allow a sort of 'instant-on' for checking Outlook calendar, tasks, etc.

Also, I seldom 'boot' my Tablet. I leave it in Stand-By mode most of the time, and Hibernate it for the evenings. I only reboot the machine when I have to. I can usually go a week without rebooting. Coming out of StandBy only takes about 10 seconds, Hibernate about 30 seconds.

Prices of TabletPC's have come down as well, especially if you look for used TPC's. I bought my Compaq TC1000 for US$600 on eBay. Not a heck of a lot more than a brand new top-of-the-line PPC.

Chris...

07-19-05, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by Alexim

As most people seem to be saying, tablets are just too big and heavy - plus they don't have a keyboard - add a keyboard and you may as well buy a much cheaper laptop. PPCs just cannot be beaten for portability - I'm still getting over just how dinky mine is. And the boot up time doesn't cause problems on PPCs- because they don't need to boot up.

You're mistaken.

There are 3 types of TabletPC's. There is the Slate tablet which, as you say, has no keyboard at all. Like you mention, you can easily attach a USB keyboard to them if you wish...but most Tableteer's seldom do this.

The there is the Convertable TabletPC's. The have a form factor identical to a notebook/laptop, but the screen is hinged so that after you open it up you can also spin it around and lay it over the keyboard to convert to Slate mode. This gives you the option of Pen input or Keyboarding. These units are obviously heavier than a Slate but are still considered 'ultra' lights in notebook terms and usually weigh in around 4 lbs.

HP/Compaq make what is termed a "Hybrid" model. The 'guts' of the device are attached to the screen portion instead of the keyboard portion. This allows the keyboard to be attached and used like a notebook, or detach the keyboard and run as a Slate.

I kept my keyboard attached for the first couple months but used it so infrequently that I finally took it off. It's slim and light so I keep it in my laptop case but seldom use it. I prefer Pen input.

Chris...

07-19-05, 04:08 PM

obviously you have never played with a TC1XXX it is very light weight.

stevenator65 · 07-19-05, 07:35 PM

Tablets look cool, but they're relatively large and way expensive.