Computer advice

[EHaskins]

Originally Posted by wpdrummer

I was looking at the HP Compaq tc4200 PC mainly for it's ability to convert into a tablet. I was wondering if any of you have used a tablet PC before and if so, was it any better than a laptop.

Thanks in advance
James Austin

I've been using a Gateway Tablet for over a year. My recommendation is that if you're a student who wants to take notes in class, then you should get a convertible tablet. The handwriting recognition in Vista is amazing, I can barely read my writing, but my tablet can interpret it almost perfectly. IMHO, the only disadvantages to a convertible tablet, are the price($25 to $200 over comparable) and the small screen sizes.

Personally I've had good luck with the Gateway tablet, my brother even bought one since he liked mine so much. The main reason I chose the Gateway line was due to the 14'' screen, where the HP and Toshiba only had 12''. That might not sound like much, but it is very noticeable when writing on it.

BTW, HP says the tc4200 series is discontinued. It has been replaced by the tx2500z series.

Cost info:
HP(Customizable) Starts at $900, recommended config $1200
Gateway $999(-$250 instant discount) or $1300(-$150 instant discount)

[EricH]

My school-issued Gateway tablet is fine for me. Taking notes during class...pretty good, though handwriting recognition is annoying sometimes (I write an E and it thinks it's an S, or vice versa). Screen spins around, making it into a notebook/flat surface. (As a side note, that's what I'm on right now.)

[i_am_samus]

I wouldn't recommend a tablet, unless you can write faster than you can type (I type faster). We had tablets in school, and I've had bad experiences with them myself. They're a little slow, and I prefer a mouse and keypad over touch screen any day.

I've been looking into laptops myself for college, and found a great deal. I like power and price, so I found this laptop: http://microcenter.com/single_produc...uct_id=0290541

I haven't found a better laptop for the price, but it's not a tablet. Graphics processor isn't that great, but I don't plan on gaming myself...

[EHaskins]

Originally Posted by i_am_samus

I wouldn't recommend a tablet, unless you can write faster than you can type (I type faster). We had tablets in school, and I've had bad experiences with them myself. They're a little slow, and I prefer a mouse and keypad over touch screen any day.

I've been looking into laptops myself for college, and found a great deal. I like power and price, so I found this laptop: http://microcenter.com/single_produc...uct_id=0290541

I haven't found a better laptop for the price, but it's not a tablet. Graphics processor isn't that great, but I don't plan on gaming myself...

First, I agree with you about slate(no keyboard or mouse) tablets, but with a convertible(flip screen) tablet you have both options. Also keep in mind that one of the places where Vista has outstanding upgrades from XP is the tablet support, so if you're basing your judgment on XP you're not doing justice to the hardware. From what you said I'm guessing you only ever worked with slate tablets, most likely running XP Tablet Edition, but I may be wrong in which case you can ignore my ranting.

Second, that machine you linked to looks good, but be careful when choosing a 64 bit OS. Although I'm currently running Vista x64 on my desktop, I won't claim there aren't compatibility issues. Do research into compatibility issues with software you use frequently. Also IF you would ever want to downgrade to XP, which I still don't understand why people do, you may be unhappy with the XP x64 driver and compatibility issues.