High School Teacher

[JAW]

Hello.

I am looking for a teacher-friendly notebook with touch screen capabilities, preferably a convertible tablet. I have a limited budget but power is not a major concern (as long as it loads relatively quickly and can run multiple programs simultaneously). I would prefer high durability, but still light enough to be held/passed around on occasion.

Thanks in advance.

General Questions.

1. What is your budget?
$450 Max

2. Would you consider purchasing used/refurbished?
Yes

3. Do you prefer a Slate, Convertible or Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC)?
Convertible

4. What size Tablet PC would you prefer?

Small and light ~ 5" to 8.9"
Compact ~ 10"
Mainstream ~ 12.1"
Large ~ 13.3"
Compact or Mainstream

5. Which country do you intent to purchase from?
USA

6. Do you have any preferences to brand loyalty or dislikes?
None

7. How many hours battery life do you require?
5

8. What will be the primary usage scenario of this tablet? (Email/Web Surfing/Drawing/Word Processing/Entertainment/Notetaking etc)
Teaching/Instruction/Presentation/Notetaking/Word Processing/Spread Sheets/Grading

9. Do you have an OS preference?
Prefer Win7, but Linux/MacOS is fine

10. What software and tasks do you intend to run? (Microsoft Office or other Word Processing Suite/Photoshop/3D Studio Max/Autocad etc)
Office, Grading Programs, Handwriting/Chalkboard Program

10. Do you intend on playing Games? If so please list.
Nothing beyond simple apps/flash games


Screen Specifics

1. What resolution do you prefer?

XGA - 1024x768 ~ large and easy to read text and graphic icons but you fit less on the screen.
SXGA - 1400x1050 ~ Small text and graphic icons which require good vision but the gain is a much larger screen. (no longer available new, must look for used or refurbished machines)
WXGA - 1280x768 ~ has a wider usable area than XGA, ideal for viewing Spreadsheets and other programs that require desktop space. The mainly used resolution for new tablet PCs since 2008.
No Preference

2. Do you require the screen to be readable in sunlight?
See the above linked FAQ for guidance
Sunlight no, but prefer a wide viewing angle

3. Do you prefer your display to be glossy or matte?
No Preference

4. Do you require Touch? (without pressure sensitivity) (Which one: resistive or capacitive)
See the above linked FAQ for guidance
Yes. Prefer resistive (stylus) (

5. Do you require a Pen? (with pressure sensitivity) (Which one: Wacom or N-Trig)
See the above linked FAQ for guidance
Not Necessary but Not Opposed

Component Specifics

1. What size Hard Drive and Memory do you require?
80GB minimum

2. Do you require an Optical (CD/DVD) Drive to be built in?
Yes or Available Docking Station (not external USB)

3. Do you require ability to add a second Battery or Hard Drive (Modular Bay technology)?
No Preference

Misc

1. Other non specific items ~ please add other items you require not covered above?
In the classroom this will be used primarily for PowerPoint and as a virtual chalkboard/smartboard. I have a PC for gaming but plan to do the majority of grading/planning/prepping/Email/etc. at home from this laptop.

2. Additional requests ~ anything other you wish to take into consideration?

[Agent 9]

I don't quite understand the reason you want a touch only and not a pen or pen and touch device (Wacom active digitizer pen systems are WAY above resistive touch screens, which are way above capacitive only screens for actual use), reguardless... I just last week got my most recent addition in, a Fujitsu P1620 which is a resistive touch 'netbook' and while small, is VERY light and yet very fast and quite powerful (dual core, Core 2 Duo 1.2Ghz U7600 w/ GMA 950 GPU, a 1.8" IDE HDD, 2GB DDR2, it seems to have no trouble handling a lot of multi-tasking or some moderate document work), its of high quality, and surprisingly the restive screen is super super accurate across the whole thing (I find it works more than well enough for decent notes, its not as good as my Wacom systems, but with a comfortable stylus in hand it looks close to what a Wacom system can do minus the pressure sensitivity and some finesse), the screen is a bit small at 8.9" but it has a high res 1280x768 screen (you may want to lower the resolution some to make it easier to use, but I rather like it default, the viewing angles are good, but the restive overlay makes the image look 'hazy' at extreme angles); I got it for $150 + $10 S&H from a ebay seller, and it seems there are several for $109 + S&H p1620 | eBay

It also has a VGA port that works fine, 2x USB 2.0 (fully powered ports, they power external HDD's no problem), a SD card slot (probably 32GB max), and audio ports (really good quality), a great smaller sized keyboard, doesn't get hot (or even 'warm' for that matter), and I've been getting what appears to be a legitimate 4-5hrs of battery life (depends on screen brightness, wi-fi use, and programs in use); and it has a docking/ port replicator available (I have one on its way in this week, I got it for $25 + S&H on ebay, it seems to only have a VGA, 2x USB and an Ethernet port though, this is what I got > eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices)



Other than that I don't have any other small convertibles and I don't think there really are many (most convertibles are 12.1" or larger); There is the Fujitsu T580 and it is more or less a slightly larger 10" new version of the P1620 series, and it has a N-Trig Active Digitizer pen + capacitive touch, the only real problem really is the not so great viewing angles it has...



Still, for on the cheap and looking for a real quality [build, light weight, powerful enough, cool running, decent screen] device I don't think you can go wrong with a P1620 because for a bit over $100 you can easily re-sell it and recoup most if not all what you spend on it of keep it as a ultra portable for on the side use and get something like a HP 2730p or Lenovo X200 tablet for a main machine (the two best 'normal sized' convertibles that have a Wacom pen system standard, and the X200t had optional [typically resistive] touch in addition to the Wacom pen)



Ask some questions, and try to give us a bit more info, and be open to different things and we should be able to find a good fit for you

[JAW]

I'm certainly not opposed to a pen device, I just meant that it wasn't a deal-breaker. I guess I assumed stylus/resistive was comparable, but from what you say that isn't the case.

I like the price-point on the P1620 but that screen seems a bit too small. I've been seriously considering older models of the Lifebook T-series, Thinkpad X-series, and the HP 2730P.

• Originally I was sold on the 2730P, but an IT friend said most repairs/upgrades are a massive headache.
• I need an optical drive which gives an edge to the Lifebook, but I've heard they are battery hogs and on the heavier side.
• Lenovos are supposed to be lightweight, reliable and can take a beating, but the docking station is bulky and can add up to $175 to the price tag.

Anyone have experience with these 3 in terms of presentations/note-taking? In the classroom the tablet will connect to a projector and serve as a virtual chalkboard.

I've had a few people suggest the iPad 2 with keyboard case. I've always considered the iPad more of a toy; do you think it could suit my needs? Part of the reason I'm seeking a convertible tablet is for the traditional laptop/desktop workstation when not presenting.

[doobiedoobiedum]

I'm certainly not opposed to a pen device, I just meant that it wasn't a deal-breaker. I guess I assumed stylus/resistive was comparable, but from what you say that isn't the case.

Pens, like many things can come down to personal preference. Some people loathe the stub ended pens that come with most Android slates and iPad slates and most will probably prefer the Wacom type pointed tip for precision drawing and menu entry. It's down to your personal preference and experience really.

• I need an optical drive which gives an edge to the Lifebook, but I've heard they are battery hogs and on the heavier side.

Anyone have experience with these 3 in terms of presentations/note-taking? In the classroom the tablet will connect to a projector and serve as a virtual chalkboard.

I've had a few people suggest the iPad 2 with keyboard case. I've always considered the iPad more of a toy; do you think it could suit my needs? Part of the reason I'm seeking a convertible tablet is for the traditional laptop/desktop workstation when not presenting.

In answer to the three points (working backwards) - an iPad, like anything else can be a toy unless you decide to use it otherwise. In my opinion, it's primary Raison d'être is media consumption but there are productivity applications which have changed the mould. For long term typing, entering grades lesson planning etc etc you will however (probably) need access to word or Open Office to produce documents that you swap / send to others and for this you need to look beyond an iPad or Android type device.

That said, the guys in our music and media departments all use iPads in class, sometimes with specific software (mostly music editing / generation / drumming etc) and all use them connected to projectors and other equipment - sometimes as virtual chalkboards etc however these guys all use Macs anyway in their offices so the integration is there. What I mean is they have native Mac software creating the presentations / lessons / activities which they then put onto their iPads.
You are PC based and might find it harder to link across platforms - though none of us here have tried: we simply use PCs to create for PC laptops connected to projectors and we also use our Macs to create for iPads connected to projectors. (Hope that makes sense?)
As for optical drive (your first point) - that's a definite no-no where the iPad is concerned.

See if your college has any kit to try however my feeling is you're probably better going with PC / convertible machinery and there's plenty of support in Windows and Linux for such machines.

[Steve B]

I don't see any reason why an x200t or a hp2730p wouldn't do what you're asking for in re: to presentations, etc. Compared to some of the other suggestions, they're far more functional a choice for an all-around desktop replacement.

The Fujistu's are nice, but you most decidedly gain thickness and weight for privilege of always having a optical drive attached. That really depends on how important that feature is. The x200t has the ultrabase too, as you mentioned, but you should be able to get it for about 100$ on ebay. If you look up "x200t Ultrabase", you'll get the expensive listings, because tablet pc's are rarer. But if you look up "x200 Ultrabase" or some such thing, the price drops instantly to about 75-100$. My understanding from research (though I haven't bought one yet), is that the Ultrabase is the same for both the tablet pc and the normal Thinkpad laptops. The hp2730p also has a bottom DVD player you can attach as well, of course.

I don't think repair is an issue I'd be so worried about. They're all built like tanks. Sure, something could happen to the screen, etc., but that could happen to any laptop. And I would imagine repairing the screen on any laptop would be expensive or difficult if something like that happened. I dont see the difference.....??

However, you want a "touchscreen" which tends to mean "finger touch". None of these models do that. All are pen only. All of them, with a Base inlcluded (or the Fujitsu t5010 with the base), are over your budget by about 150$. You could look at a slightly older model though, if the 450$ is firm. X61t's or x60t's. Fujitsu t4220's are much cheaper too, and are still core2duo and come with the modular bay. They're still heavier and thicker, but they're only 200-400$. Easily in your budget.