First time buyer

manary · 11-04-2009, 06:38 PM

I am currently a student at Caltech, and need a new computer. I will be going to graduate school soon, so would like something that I can take notes on during class and browse the internet (for the tablet function) as well as run excel/word and mathematica-like programs. Below are my answers to the suggested questions. Any and all advise is appreciated.

General Questions.
1. What is your budget? <$1500
2. Would you consider purchasing used/refurbished? No - want it to last a long time
3. Do you prefer a Slate, Convertible or Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC)? Huh?
4. What size Tablet PC would you prefer? Mainstream-large
5. Which country do you intent to purchase from? USA
6. Do you have any preferences to brand loyalty or dislikes? No
7. How many hours battery life do you require? at least 3hr
8. What will be the primary usage scenario of this tablet? Notetaking for tablet, many computer functiosn for rest
9. Do you have an OS preference? Windows 7 would be nice
10. What software and tasks do you intend to run? Office, Mathematica, ChemBioDraw, other biology programs
10. Do you intend on playing Games? Not really

Screen Specifics
1. Do you prefer a standard or widescreen display? No preference
2. What resolution do you prefer? Larger is fine - I have good vision
3. Do you require the screen to be readable in sunlight? Yes?
4. Do you prefer your display to be glossy or matte? No preference?
5. Do you require Touch? Don't care?
6. Do you require a Digitizer Pen ? I would need to buy a pen, but don't care which one
7. Do you require pressure sensitivity? Not particularly
Component Specifics
1. What size Hard Drive and Memory do you require? >120GB hard drive, 2-4GB RAM, >2GHz
2. Do you require an Optical (CD/DVD) Drive to be built in? No, but it would be nice
3. Do you require ability to add a second Battery or Hard Drive (Modular Bay technology)? No

Misc
1. Other non specific items ~ please add other items you require not covered above? Hardiness is the key! Also good wireless connection
2. Additional requests ~ anything other you wish to take into consideration?

DRTigerlilly · 11-05-2009, 12:29 AM

Check out the Fujitsu t5010 which is the biggest tablet pc currently available @ 13.3''. If you will consider 12'' models check the Fujitsu t4310 or t4410 or Toshiba m750.

If you want to get a machine with better battery life, and heat management, but might not be as powerful as the machines previously listed (This doesn't mean they are underpowered, but would perform processor intensive tasks a little slower) you could look @ machines like the Fujitsu t2020 or the HP 2730p or Lenovo x200 tablet.

manary · 11-05-2009, 12:27 PM

Thanks! The Fujitsu t4310 looks like what I might need. Thank you for taking the time to answer such a simple request.