Alternatives

[e-schreiber]

Intel is offering more specifics on the features of future Windows 8 tablet at a conference in Beijing. It's a laudable goal, but can Intel make it happen this year? Underneath the glass will be beat an Atom Z2760 "Clover Trail" chip: dual-core capable with "burst mode" (for quick bursts of performance when needed) and Hyperthreading -- the latter allows a dual-core chip to behave in quad-core-like fashion in some cases.

Source: Cnet

I guess HP will stick with fan-less designs for their slates. The question is: will this new Atom Z2760 need a fan? If Intel plans are true, a device with 9-hr battery life and only 9 mm thick should be fan-less.

[Bronsky]

I guess HP will stick with fan-less designs for their slates. The question is: will this new Atom Z2760 need a fan? If Intel plans are true, a device with 9-hr battery life and only 9 mm thick should be fan-less.

If it is fanless, 8.9", >9mm and HP makes an improved version of the Slate to run W8, I will give it some serious consideration. I still use my slate every day and am quite pleased with it, in spite of some serious shortcomings. The real issue will be the display (matt, bright and better resolution) and the digitizer. I will have to be really convinced that an N-Trig product is perfect before I buy it, since I am extremely unimpressed with N-Trig support (or lack thereof).

[e-schreiber]

The real issue will be the display (matt, bright and better resolution) and the digitizer. I will have to be really convinced that an N-Trig product is perfect before I buy it,

The masses have spoken. They love shiny thingies, which means that screens will remain glossy for a while. And my guess is that HP will stick with Ntrig for the Slate Gamma. Perhaps Wacom for the EliteBook. I wish HP "leaked" some information once in a while. It works for Apple... and Microsoft is currently learning that too.

Chinese PC vendor Lenovo has revealed early UK pricing for its hybrid Windows 8 Ultrabook/tablet, the IdeaPad Yoga. The firm says the product will start from a hefty £1,199 (approximately $1,905) in the UK, and will debut sometime in October.

Source: TabTimes

This price can't be right. I would understand such aggressive move (against the consumer) if the machine turned out to be a tough ThinkPad with an i5 CPU, huge 512Gb SSD and 4Gb RAM. Otherwise, it sounds like to much apple'ing!

[Bronsky]

The masses have spoken. They love shiny thingies, which means that screens will remain glossy for a while. And my guess is that HP will stick with Ntrig for the Slate Gamma

I don't use my pen anywhere near as much as I would like. I doubt seriously that I'll be buying another N-Trig device. Glossy display is another serious negative for me. The good thing is that my slate will probably hold me until something comes along that meets my needs. I also need enough power to use one note and hopefully Adobe Acrobat seamlessly. I think Clovertrail will suffice. If not, I can wait. I've already resisted the urge to upgrade to the S7, even though it was tempting because it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Afterall, I bought this slate to see if a tablet would make a better portable computer than my old 11.6" Acer 1410T. There's no question that it is a significant step-up. In the year-and-a-third that I've owned it, I've come to understand what I want out of my next unit.

On an up note, this display technology looks promissing.

Sharp rolls out high-res IGZO LCDs destined for tablets, laptops and monitors -- Engadget

[e-schreiber]

I've already resisted the urge to upgrade to the S7, even though it was tempting because it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Afterall, I bought this slate to see if a tablet would make a better portable computer than my old 11.6" Acer 1410T.

Given the the S7S screen issues, and how close to Win8's release we are (there will be lots of new Tablet PCs in the market in the holidays), I believe waiting is a good decision. And if none of the new devices makes your fancy, you can always resort to the S7S. It seems that all units sent back to Samsung for "repair" (not exchange), were fixed for good (please, anyone correct me if I'm wrong).

Your Slate 500 story is somewhat similar to mine. All I had was a desktop computer and I needed a portable machine. First I tried a Samsung Ultra Mobile PC. l loved it, but its resolution was too low for me. Then I tried the TC-1100... The rest is history.

[e-schreiber]

Cove Point sports a touchscreen that can be used as a tablet when the device is closed. The keyboard rests flush against the back of the screen in this position, so the device more closely resembles a standard tablet than a clamshell notebook. You can also push the screen forward and prop it up against a stand to reveal a full-size keyboard — voila, you now have an ultrabook. Cove Point also boasts other folding modes that make it easy to watch a movie, or type on the touchscreen. [...] As it’s currently configured, Richman estimates Intel’s Cove Point device would probably cost around $1,000.

Source: Wired

Unlike the Yoga's rumoured $1,900 cost, this one is more reasonably priced.

[dceggert]

I, personally, would not be waiting for W8 stuff at this point. I know many are excited about the new 'metro' start screen but it is a huge step backward in usability of the TabletPC pen.

The only way I would want a W8 tabletpc is if it came with downgrade rights to W7.

[Bronsky]

The only way I would want a W8 tabletpc is if it came with downgrade rights to W7.

Downgrade rights ... funny!! Actually, I am liking W8's Metro page. I like the way it organizes my programs and essential internet use. I know you have issues with the TIP, but I am holding out for a device that can seamlessly run onenote, so I can use the translation funciton in that program. I honestly use the pen primarily for note-taking and normally save them in my own handwriting using PDF annotator. I would use One Note if the Atom in my slate could run it seamlessly, but it can't. When I need to be productive I use my 13.3" Acer or the Slate folio keyboard.

[dceggert]

Downgrade rights ... funny!! Actually, I am liking W8's Metro page. I like the way it organizes my programs and essential internet use. I know you have issues with the TIP, but I am holding out for a device that can seamlessly run onenote, so I can use the translation funciton in that program. I honestly use the pen primarily for note-taking and normally save them in my own handwriting using PDF annotator. I would use One Note if the Atom in my slate could run it seamlessly, but it can't. When I need to be productive I use my 13.3" Acer or the Slate folio keyboard.

I know, I am a 'fringe' pen user and heavilly use the pen. I have one book about 80% written in Word and a second and third outlined already. All written with my pen and the TIP. If I was using a W8 TabletPC it would have to be all touch-typed. Or maybe a laptop and all typed out using a keyboard.

So that begs the question; why have a TabletPC at all? If I am going to touch type stuff, why even use Windows?

[Hattori Hanzo]

I have one book about 80% written in Word and a second and third outlined already. All written with my pen and the TIP.

You're a mad man!