X60? TX1000? TC4400? Need guidance.

[ElverGun]

I need some advice from you guys. I’m interested in getting a new or used tablet PC and I’m just at the beginning of my quest for the right equipment.

I’m basically looking for a multimedia computer to browse the net, listen to music, and watch movies while I’m in the yard. You see, I’m only allowed to smoke cigars outside the house– it can get pretty boring smoking a stogie for an hour or so with only my dog to keep me company.

I have a new Dell Latitude D620 from work that I’m using for yard duties right now, but the damn thing is just too heavy (5.3 pounds) and awkward to lug around outside. I need something smaller and more portable. An ultraportable would work…but I love the idea of the tablet.



I can go one of two ways: get the latest and greatest or go with something old/used from last year’s batch of tablet PCs.

If I go with the second option, which computer do you guys suggest? Do you guys know of a used online shop or a place that sells old stock that is still brand new?

If I buy a new computer, I’m looking for one that has an optical drive. I really like the X60, but the lack of DVD and low native resolution are keeping away from that model (oh, but how nice it is).

I’m seriously considering the TX1000. The problem with that model is that many have reported that the touchscreen is as good as those sporting the Wacom screens. I also heard that the battery life is not that good.

The Gateway is too heavy.

The HP TC4400 does not have an optical drive.


I’ll keep researching for now. Any advice would be appreciated. Anything else I should know about???

Thanks.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I want to spend around $1500.

[d_lomanto]

Elver,

I have the TX1000 and while I really like it, the screen has a glossy finish that doesn't perform well outdoors. I think it's probably going to be a big problem for you since that is your primary usage. And yes, the battery sucks. Otherwise, pretty good machine.

I am a first-time tablet owner and I don't really feel like the tablet functionality is as bad as people say. I haven't experience active digitizer but this works fine for me and it's gotten better since I got the machine two weeks ago (I think the screen loosens up).

[ElverGun]

Originally Posted by d_lomanto

Elver,

I have the TX1000 and while I really like it, the screen has a glossy finish that doesn't perform well outdoors. I think it's probably going to be a big problem for you since that is your primary usage. And yes, the battery sucks. Otherwise, pretty good machine.

Thanks for the info…


Is the glare bad just during daylight time? I can hardly see the screen on the Dell (not a glossy finish) when the sun is out – I have to smoke late in the afternoon when the sun begins to go down (after 6 pm or so).

How heavy is the TX1000 (just in case you have a scale around…lol). I weighed mine at work and it is 5.3 pounds (the Dell site lists it at 5 pounds).

[darthsat]

The TX1000 is about 4.1-4.2 lb. when the optical drive is removed and replaced with the included weight saver.

[nutsnbolts]

$1500 is not a true budget but will get you started. I can say that I have the TC4400 and it works well for multimedia purposes. Of course, without the optical drive, you really can't play DVD's. You can...get an external optical drive but that's an external attachment which doesn't really make it fully portable. What I do though is mount the iso or place the video file into my machine before travelling and here I have it.

As far as battery, 2.5+ and with an external battery you can get 10+ hours (advertised 16+) by hp. Otherwise, I love my TC4400. Small, light, (with the exception of battery attachment) but I rarely even notice it anymore and the optical drive, doesn't really hold me back.

[ElverGun]

Originally Posted by nutsnbolts

$1500 is not a true budget but will get you started. I can say that I have the TC4400 and it works well for multimedia purposes. Of course, without the optical drive, you really can't play DVD's. You can...get an external optical drive but that's an external attachment which doesn't really make it fully portable. What I do though is mount the iso or place the video file into my machine before travelling and here I have it.

I love the TC4400...and the price is right. However, if I end up going with a machine lacking a DVD player, I would probably buy an ultraportable tablet for the sake of convenience.



I found a new Fujitsu LifeBook P1510. It does not have a DVD player, but the size and weight are attractive. Can any of the old-timers on this forum give me the pros and cons of this computer? Would the XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 it comes with be one of the cons? How about the Pentium M 740 processor?

[nutsnbolts]

I can only comment on the difference between Tablet PC XP versus Vista.

Definately Vista. Do a search on the forum the functionalities that it offers for tablets.

WOW?

[P8RSON]

Absolutely nothing wrong with the little P1510..... I used to have one before upgrading to the P1610.

I can't share the same enthusiasm as nutsnbolts for Vista but that doesn't mean to say it's not an attractive upgrade.
Personally I would rather wait until Vista gets to SP1, the drivers have been sorted and third party software has finished playing catchup.

Anyway, if you are considering the P1510, it's a cracking little number.
Obviously size it's biggest selling point, making it ultra portable.
It has a lovely 8.9" screen which makes it bigger than the 7" UMPC's, lighter and with a keyboard.
Memory is disappointing at 512MB but with prices of 170 PIN RAM so high, to have 1GB would push the price out of reach to most.
Having said that, what little memory there is does perform very well.

[ElverGun]

Originally Posted by nutsnbolts

Definately Vista. Do a search on the forum the functionalities that it offers for tablets.

WOW?

Yeah, but do I really need 'WOW' to cruise the internet in my yard? I will definitely go with Vista if I get the latest model tablet.

I also came across a new T4020D...and that one has an integrated optical drive. Hmmm...


I keep looking at the TX1000, but once you add all the extras (as if the touchscreen “option” is an extra…it is not really a tablet without it) the darn thing comes to about $1700 (added 1 extra gig and the touchscreen upgrades).

The T4020D looks pretty good right now.

[ElverGun]

It seems like the T4020D it is.


Any yays or nays before I take the plunge???