Do you own a Tablet PC?
Do you use the Inking or Touch capabilities?
Always / Often / Rarely
More or less than you expected?
Would you get another one
Answers (20)
Nope. I've looked at them, but never found them particularly compelling. Od, because I really liked the Graffiti function in the old Palm units, and I like the touch screen on the iPhone.
Douglas H
Principal Technologist at Xirrus
Best Answers in: Computers and Software (1), Computer Networking (1)
I work as a Wireless Networking and Security Engineer. I use a Tablet PC on the job, primarily for Wireless Site Surveys. It is easier to carry and quicker to use the touch pad to annotate my location on building diagrams.
The rotating screen comes in handy when I am sitting on the opposite side of a desk from someone, but would like to share what I am looking at. Furthermore, I sometimes fold down the screen on the tablet and hold it more like a book when I am watching videos - this seems more comfortable to me when traveling on airplanes, etc.
Lastly, I use the inking/touch capabilities to take hand written notes or make sketches when typing notes just won't capture the spirit of the information I am trying to retain.
I had a Toshiba tablet about 5 years ago - I used the tablet feature the day I got it and never again.
A client bought a couple of tablets 2 years ago and had a similar experience.
Like with any new technology it needs an investment of time and effort to get the most from it. At the time I got mine I could afford neither - it was an expensive impluse buy. Given the right environment and business need I am sure these devices can offer a great deal. Until then I will sick with my bog standard laptop!
No, but they offer some interesting possibilities, especially in the are of specialized commercial and industrial applications. Cost effective, fast, connected and easy to maintain.
No. When Apple comes out with a tablet, I will take a look again. Until then, Microsoft products have proved to be for the birds.
I have used TabletPCs since they first came out. They are great, for the right business purpose. My primary use has been to document clinical findings in healthcare settings where eye contact is key. A TabletPC can easily sit on your lap or be held in one arm while talking with a patient, just as a pad of paper would be used. Our product was designed to take advantage of the stylus by making most data capture checkboxes or radio buttons.
I still own and use a TabletPC, but my current role does not have the need for the stylus, so I use it just like any other laptop.
Bart N
Graphic Artist at American Express, Web/Graphic Design Professional, Cartoonist
I've owned both the Lenovo ThinkPad X41 and Gateway CX200 Tablet PCs and loved them both (the Lenovo a bit more as far as inking/touch capabilities). I will only buy tablet PCs in the future. I use them primarily for cartooning (Windows Journal for Tablet PC) and graphic design (Photoshop). Using the stylus with the tablet capabilities adds so much more than is possible with just a mouse or even pencil and paper. I would highly recommend a tablet PC to anyone who does graphic design or other illustration. They sometimes take some getting used to, but are definitely worth the investment.
Michael R
CEO/CVO at Rose Technology Group, Inc
Best Answers in: Small Business (1), Computers and Software (1)
Yes, this is my third Tablet PC. I own the HP TC1000, TC1100, and most recently, the 2710p.
I use the inking ability everyday. When at my desk I typically type just because I am a reasonably fast typist. But I still grab the pen to do things that are better suited to do with pen input. I can tolerate using a mouse at my desk so much before it starts to aggravate my wrists (ambidextrous mouse user with carpal tunnel). Using a pen is just so much more natural and far more comfortable.
I use OneNote 2007 almost exclusively with the stylus. I took all my notes for graduate school classes exclusively in OneNote. Most applications work very well with pen input and the handwriting recognition in Vista is superb. I sometimes will use pen input when I am using a remote desktop session or even in a Linux VM.
I prefer to use the Tablet PC in meetings because in slate orientation it is completely unobtrusive. I find that an open laptop creates a barrier between you and the person across from you. Typing can also be very distracting in meetings. Once people get passed the oh, wow, look at that new fancy gadget, using a Tablet PC to take notes becomes seamless and transparent to people around you.
I would not get a mobile computer that didn't have an active pen digitizer. I do like touch input as well but I have stayed clear of passive digitizer based Tablet PCs because of the lack of pen pressure input and imprecise pen tracking. I would love to try out a tablet with a n-trig based multi-touch glass surface, but currently the Dell Latitude XT is the only model to offer this and is very pricey.
Paulo B
SAP Functional Consultant in INSA, S.A. and Student at Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa
This product is one special product, for who use his capabilities, not for those that need to say to his friends that have a tablet PC.
I had one Toshiba since two years ago, and I’m always use his features. Making some presentations, I can write directly in the slide what need to call some attention or add some important note.
I can easily take notes, and use the Tablet PC like a book, I can make my notes in free hand to any digital book in for example in pdf, etc.
When my TabletPC became obsolete, I will buy a new one, this I have no doubts!
Kevin M. K
Strategic, dynamic business technology executive ● CIO at BuzzBack Market Research
I am a big fan of tablet PCs. I am currently using a Motion Computing LE1700, but have used the HP TC1100 in the past. Neither has been the most powerful computer I've ever used, but it is ideally suited to the way I work. I use the inking capability every day.
I spend quite a bit of time in meetings. The tablet PC allows me to take and organize all of my meeting notes digitally, rather than juggling multiple notebooks as I used to. Everything goes into Microsoft OneNote (documents, clippings, handwritten notes, etc.) and can be easily extracted and e-mailed as needed.
Hi,
yes the Palm TX. The Graffiti function is great when limited to a certain number of applications like the calendar or the email (read only).
Cosimo
I have and use a tablet PC, Gateway M285 and have a M295 enroute.
OneNote 2007 is the killer app for the TabletPC. I use ON for notetaking during meetings and for sketching out ideas. It's very easy at the end of the meeting to quickly email out the notes and todo items to participants.
It is also nice to use the tablet in slate mode for going through quite a bit of read-only mail. I have recently loaded the tablet pc extensions for Outlook 2007 and am still evaluating it--others have indicated that it is a must have for the tablet pc.
Giacomo Davide F
Webmaster at il Tablet PC Italico, Developmental Psychology & Child Protection student at UCSC of Milano
I've a HP tc1100, it is my best buy ever.
I daily use it at my university, to take notes with OneNote. I love the slate mode and the ink features; it oblige me to mantain order in my work and I've all my last five years documents in one only place, ready to be used.
It is more than i expected; the Wacom digitizer is perfect for writing; OneNote has revolutionized the way I take notes and work in teams. The ink recog is not still perfect (I often use the keyboard out of the class) but it works fine.
I'll buy only tablets in future.
Yes, I own the Compaq tc4400 Tablet PC. I use the Journaling capabilities often to take notes in meetings. It's also great if I don't have much space to type, like in a plane. Yes, I would certainly get another one.
Scott G
Manager of Software Development at Axia Technology Partners (VoIP Services)
Best Answers in: Computers and Software (5), Telecommunications (5), Software Development (2), Customer Service (1), Customer Relationship Management (1), Distribution (1), Product Design (1), Starting Up (1), Enterprise Software (1), Computer Networking (1), Information Security (1), Wireless (1)
I own a TC1100 (upgraded from TC1000) and use it daily. I basically have two modes: 1) keyboard open, when developing code, and I tend to use the stick mouse over the pen for the rare instances where I need to mouse, 2) keyboard closed (folded up behind) with the pen, usually in portrait mode, often for reading documents, web, email, etc.
I'd have to characterize my pen usage as "often", although if you look at the non-coding time, it would be "always". Yes, I would get another one, although currently I'd just replace the TC1100 if it broke down (used cost is very reasonable). I could not do without one, since I'm often needing to sign documents with it (either fax or pdf-email). I also use it a lot when showing documents to someone - it's handy to be able to flip (with the side button) through a PDF in full screen mode, and the display works well enough that I can set it flat on the table between us and everybody around can see it.
So while the pen isn't used predominately (because I spend so much time developing code), I couldn't do without it, and would not consider upgrading to anything that wasn't pen capable at least, and tablet form preferably.
Seth M
Strategies for Succesful Development
Best Answers in: Personnel Policies (1), Staffing and Recruiting (1), Organizational Development (1)
Love it. I use is as a tablet (i.e., as opposed to with the keyboard) about 25-30% of the time, but it's well worth it for that. I am in the market for another, in fact, since mine is finally wearing out.
Be sure you get tablet-aware apps if you want to get good use out of it: OneNote is fabulous, once you get your head around what it can do; MindManager from MindJet Software is amazing; and maby check out the InkSeine project at MS Research, it looks pretty good.
Links:
I have used a Tablet PC every day for the last 5 years on 3 machines.
It is the ultimate mindmapping platform.
Using it with a Mimio whiteboarding device (www.mimio.com) is the ultimate brainstorming/ requirements gathering platform.
Annotating documents is the 3rd killer application.
4th is teaching my 2 sons how to draw .
thanks...
Matt T
Web Developer at philly.com
Best Answers in: Telecommunications (2), Professional Books and Resources (1), Computer Networking (1), Web Development (1)
To be quite honest, if I can completely abuse a classic Shredded Wheat commercial for a moment, the geek side of me wants one, but the realistic side of me doesn't know what I'd do with it after the initial buzz wore off. Seriously though, as Michael Zucker pointed out, if Apple releases one I might consider it but even then I think it would really only be a toy for me.
Brett A S
President/CEO/Chairman/Security Architect/Community Leader/IT Security Attaché at ~TITSSN~
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (3), Computers and Software (2), Information Security (2), Customer Service (1), Government Policy (1), Personnel Policies (1), Staffing and Recruiting (1), Corporate Law (1), Business Development (1), Change Management (1), Planning (1)
Good day to you,
I have been an avid tablet PC user for many years and I can't tell you enough of how much I love it. It is the perfect business executive tool because of the inking and hand writing features.
As a mobile executive on the go from point-to-point, this device proved to be so resourceful I pretty much strapped it to me, I went nowhere without it. It gave me everything I needed to do what I need to do, when, how and where. It was the tablet PC that took me away from the lockdown of the desktop and gave me freedom to roam un-prohibited.
While this is the case, I still had access to my powerful workstations that I could tap into at anytime. Tablet PCs are not for everyone and should be looked at in relation to the need and how practical it is for it. A developer or coder or someone with high system performance demands my not find value in this device as they are still not at that level of power. However, it is a perfect tool for mobile professionals on the go who have a lot of meetings, conduct presentations and needs access to messaging and the web.
My HP TC1100 changed my world and from then I never looked back. Now, I use a desktop only if needed for high end projects and work. I’m leaning more towards mobile devices because of being constantly on the go. The HP TC1100 was and still is the only real tablet PC on the market and when HP dropped it I dropped HP as well. I would never buy another HP product but I would buy another tablet PC.
My suggestion to you is, evaluate the need and what it is that you’re looking for in a device. The most important factor is for it to suit the way you work and what your job function requires.
I hope this helps.
Have a great day.
~Brett A. Scudder~
Ray B
Head of Business Development, Regular speaker on Ecommerce and etail
Best Answers in: Computers and Software (1)
Yes I do, On the 2nd tablet over 3 years, currently a Toshiba Tecra with A4 sized screen.
I use the pen/touch aspect most days at work, it has now replaced my A4 paper pad for meeting notes. (on the basis it can now keep up with my scribbles and can convert them accurately to text).
It is also useful for browsing, drawing and appending notes to digital text and presentations
Current Toshiba meets my expectations for a tablet - it works successfully for my requirements
I will replace with another tablet.
only "new" tech unused on the tablet is the fingerprint scanner - was not consistent enough to get a successful login each day
Hope this helps
Ray Buckler
