<p>Good stuff. Just some questions and commets.</p>
<p>What is TIP and "Out of the box"? Being that I don't have a TabletPC could you explain what the guy is talking about? A lot of the stuff he says doesn't really make sense to me since I'm not familiar with TabletPC lingo.</p>
<p>I also want to say that the Toshiba M400 comes with the integrated Intel 950 chipset for the video card. It's the M7 that is upgradeable to a dedicated video card. I know this for two reasons: the website (try customizing both the M400 and the M7 you'll see the difference in the video card) and I also called the company by phone to ask about discounts (besides telling me that there aren't any student discounts they told me that one of the differences in the M7 is the ability to upgrade the video card).</p>
<p>Amazing enough when I called both Toshiba and Gateway they had no idea about the new Intel processors coming out. In fact the Gateway rep I talked to was completely lost, the Toshiba rep just said he wasn't sure when Toshiba would start shipping them out on their tablets.</p>
<p>Here is something that has been bugging me. I was looking at the M7 and I noticed the ability to upgrade the RAM. It starts off with a PC4200 DDR2 533MHz SDRAM module but you can change it to the module. Now the M7 has a 667Mhz FSB. I'm curious if I could buy it with the standard ram (PC4200) it comes with and then upgrade the ram (to PC5300). The reason I'm unsure about this is because I know that some motherboards you can't change the type of ram; you can't just go from a PC4200 to a PC5300 on some machines because it will only accept one type of module. I'm was planning buying the PC5300 ram module from pricewatch.com (it is soooo much cheaper to upgrade thru a third party than thru the toshiba site).</p>
<p>Also would you have more info on the new intel processors.</p>
<p>And also my impression I'm getting is that it doesn't matter what version of Vista you get, it will support TabletPC functionability. This is different than now where if you want a TabletPC you need to get Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005 if you want to be able to use the TabletPC functions. Am I right about this? All versions of Vista will automatically recognize if you're on a TabletPC and have the TabletPC features available?</p>
<p>Re: TIP (Tablet Input Panel)</p>
<p>See the following: <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/tabletpc/expert/vanwest_newtip.mspx%5B/url%5D">http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/tabletpc/expert/vanwest_newtip.mspx</a></p>
<p>Basically, TIP is a small panel or dialog box that allows you to enter your handwriting and convert it into text. This allows you to write in URLs, e-mail addresses and to insert changes into text documents. And it also has an on screen keyboard, in case you want to use your stylus to tap out a short message
</p>
<p>Re: Out of the box </p>
<p>Im presuming that Out of the box just means your laptop as purchased from the manufacturer or from a big box store
Id need a context if this isnt correct.</p>
<p>Re: Customer Service</p>
<p>Training is all over the place regarding customer service reps and how much they know about a companys product line. Frankly, customer service reps are usually the last to know when new products and technical specs are changed or updated. Reps are not computer science majors. Typically, they are just reading off of Cheat Sheets.</p>
<p>Re: memory</p>
<p>Your instincts are correct. Toshiba offers two levels of memory sticks. The PC4200 will work with a 667 FSB (Front Side Bus) and will be cheaper than running a PC5300 stick (which costs more and will be faster). Since it is easy to add your own memory, just configure your laptop with the minimum 512. Remember, you only have two memory slots. Getting 512 will mean getting two 256 sticks. If you want to upgrade to 1 G, you can add two 512 sticks or buy a 1 G stick and have a leftover 256 stick of memory
</p>
<p>Re: XP Tablet Edition (2005)</p>
<p>Actually, XP Tablet Edition is just XP Pro. Its just that you need a Tablet PC for XP Pros Tablet features to be revealed or turned on. XP Pro will recognize that you have a digitizer screen and will install all the drivers and software that makes a Tablet a Tablet.</p>
<p>The same goes with MSs Vista. The Tablet features are already there. Installing Vista will install the associated Tablet functions.</p>
<p>Let me make a major correction.</p>
<p>Re: XP Tablet Edition (2005)</p>
<p>XP Tablet is separate from XP Pro. XP Tablet Edition uses XP Pro as its base and builds on top of it. If you install XP Pro on your Tablet PC, you will not have the Tablet functionality installed.</p>
<p>Vista will have the Tablet PC functionality embedded...</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, michuncle. gottabemobile is a great site!</p>
<p>Let me just add a few things.</p>
<p>-- "Out of the Box" --
That just refers to the original configuration of the computer before the user adds any additional hardware and/or software. So for example in those articles about Vista, people would like to be able to write anywhere without having to get additional software for that functionality, or, out of the box.</p>
<p>-- TabletPC + Windows Vista --
All versions of Vista will include TabletPC functionality EXCEPT for Home Basic.</p>
<p>It's just too bad that Vista won't be ready in time for fall. It's part of my main concern as far as getting a tablet goes. Even if it's ready and supports Windows Aero, it'll still cost a bundle to buy the OS on store shelves. News reports has it that as we near the holiday season, there may be offers that allows the buyer to upgrade to Vista for free or a heavily discounted price. Then again, it won't be as smooth or easy as a tablet with Vista pre-installed.</p>
<p>Secondly... those Intel chips. Maybe with those out, the price of current models might even drop a little bit more.</p>
<p>Ahh.. decisions decisions.</p>
<p>michuncle: Can you explain the benefits/disadvantages of a high resolution screen? How would you be able to tell if a certain tablet is hi-res?</p>
<p>Does the Tablet PC actually replace paper and all your binders. So you wont need any binders or notebooks at all. Just your tablet PC and your books. Also, what about worksheets from classes, can you load them on your tablet since you dont use binders? Am I right on this?</p>
<p>Re: Tablet PC screen resolution</p>
<p>The following link lists Tablet PC models (2004-2005) and their technical specs (including screen resolution):<a href="http://www.tabletpctalk.com/faqs/comparison/2004.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.tabletpctalk.com/faqs/comparison/2004.php</a></p>
<p>My nephew's Toshiba M200 has a 1400 x 1050 resolution on a 12" screen. The screen is very sharp, but icons are really small. You can get used to it and MS's "Clear Type" helps with reading text. Of course, you can adjust your screen resolution to the 1024 x 768 standard.</p>
<p>For normal tasks such as web browsing, writing papers and reading e-mail, screen resolution is a non-issue. It's gaming where resolution is an issue. Everything revolves around a laptop's "native" resolution and what a pc game requirement is... Having too high a resolution and insufficient video ram to properly run say, a 3D game, will cause image problems. </p>
<p>See the following link for a better explaination:
<a href="http://www.d-silence.com/feature.php?id=249%5B/url%5D">http://www.d-silence.com/feature.php?id=249</a></p>
<p>Frankly, if you're a serious 3D gamer, most Tablets will disapoint you unless you get maybe a Toshiba M7 with their high end video card option.</p>
<p>Re: $RedSoxs$100</p>
<p>Check out the program "Gobinder": <a href="http://www.gobinder.com/Default.aspx%5B/url%5D">http://www.gobinder.com/Default.aspx</a></p>
<p>When Gobinder came out a couple of years ago to take advantage of the Tablet PC, it really changed the way students could keep track of their class notes and assignments. It goes way beyond paper and pencils. </p>
<p>As for worksheets and handouts, many professors post them on the school's network for downloading. If not, you could scan the sheet with a printer/scanner and convert it to a pdf format...</p>
<p>See how other students have handled this in the forum section of: <a href="http://www.studenttabletpc.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.studenttabletpc.com/</a></p>
<p>michuncle, maybe I'm using the wrong term here for "high-resolution." I'm thinking of the specification that affects the usage of the stylus. From what I gathered, some screens/digitzers provide a much finer/more precise pen input than others. Is that correct? Or are all TabletPCs the same as far as inking goes?</p>
<p>Almost all Tablet PCs use the Wacom digitizer software and hardware standard. Thus, pen sensitivity (pressure) across Tablets should be roughly equal. If there are differences, it may be due to screen resolution. Since a pen point should equal a pixel, the more pixels available would mean a finer line (if that is what you need).</p>
<p>Many Tablet users have drawing programs that they use to great effect (do a search on the Tabletpcbuzz.com site for examples of artistic renderings...).</p>
<p>You may want to search the various Tablet PC forums on Tabletpcbuzz.com to see if pen sensitivity is an issue. I recall that's a question that lots of people have. </p>
<p>In most Tablet applications, there's usually icons in the tool bar that lets you adjust your pen's sensitivity, the thickness of your stroke and even change your pen into a "highlighter" (you can even select the color).</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Yes, it definitely does help! Thanks a bunch michuncle.</p>
<p>Would it matter if it's not made by Wacom? How would one know who made the digitizer? Unfortunately, Google did not turn up much info on the CX2724.</p>
<p>Last question I have at the moment is this: Will the price come down the longer you wait? Or do they just sell it at that price with random promotions until it's discontinued and replaced by a new model with a price similar to the previous model's original price?</p>
<p>I'm only aware of one company (Averatec) that did not use a Wacom digitizer and their Tablet PC is no longer being manufactured. I believe all other Tablet PCs use Wacom.</p>
<p>As for pricing, I'd wait a few weeks until August. Most colleges start up in late August and September. For computer companies, this is their Xmas. Most freshman in the country are looking for a good deal on a laptop or desktop. Intel is supposed to be releasing their Meron processors which may drop their core duo pricing...</p>
<p>A quick guide to selecting the right Tablet PC for you, </p>
<p>see:<a href="http://www.tabletpcreviewspot.com/default.asp?newsID=516%5B/url%5D">http://www.tabletpcreviewspot.com/default.asp?newsID=516</a></p>
<p>Hi, I've been following this thread and it's been very useful! I was especially interested in jeparlefrancais's posts on the features like the 'binder' and 'flashcards'...very cool! How do you actually record your professor though, jepar? don't you need a microphone? i'm confused...
Okay, so basically, I'm torn on whether to get a tablet pc or a macbook. haha. anyone can convince me?
if i do get a tablet pc, i think i'll either get the gateway cx2724 or the ibm x41. can anyone talk abou the ibm more please? thanks y'all!</p>
<p>Well I don't have any TabletPC as of right now but I'm curious as to why you're choosing between the Gateway CX2724 and the IBM X41? Gateway has a much more recent model out the CX210x. The X41 is a bit dated and when I was comparing it to the other companies it didn't really match the specs the other companies were offering. The X41 carries a Pentium M processor and has a slower FSB than the other ones that carry the Core Duo processors. That, for me at least, was a big turn off. It seems to also be limited to 1GB of total RAM (the others you can customize to 2GB, the X41 you can't which may mean that it's limited at 1GB). It has 2 USB ports as well while the others from what I've seen have 3 or more. It does weigh less than the other tablets which may be good for you but that's about all I see as a positive really. </p>
<p>At least for me, the ones I found to be similar and pretty good computers (all the latest models): Toshiba Terca M7, Toshiba Protege M400, Gateway CX210x, and Fujitsu T4210. I don't know if you've looked at all these models yet but if you haven't I recommend you do check it out. Right now I have a spreadsheet halfway done that has the specs on the tablet PCs mentioned here. I'll try and upload it when I get it done. I think it might be more helpful for comparing them.</p>
<p>Yes, the lightness of it and it being 12" is a big turn on. Perhaps I didn't mention that I haven't done that much research on the whole tablet PC thing, but those two models just seemed the most affordable, and I've heard from infinite sources that IBM is arguably the best PC company out there. Price is a major factor for me. I cannot spend more than $1500. Even $1500 is pushing it really. You have to remember I'll be a poor college student soon. ;)</p>
<p>I guess for everyone the situation is different. Keep in mind that IBM does not make those laptops, it's Lenovo (I wrote IBM earlier). Just thought you should know that.</p>
<p>Also I've actually heard much better things about Gateway with TabletPCs and their customer service. Toshiba, not being too far behind. And the X41, or at least the ThinkPad series, from what I've heard have also been very durable to the people who have owned them. Just some things to think about. Oh and one thing that may be a huge plus for you, you may have read this earlier, Gateway has student discounts if you call them up. Picture this, new intel processors coming out dropping the price on current models out, add to that student discounts, and you have yourself a good deal. I don't know about Levono's student discounts (or if they have any for that matter).</p>
<p>I'm not rich either. My parents will be making a big sacrifice getting me this TabletPC. And I plan on going all out on it. The reason being is because my desktop computer is just running too slow nowadays and I'm not spending a dime upgrading the parts (I was unlucky to get a Dell when they were making the Dimension series with RD ram). So this TabletPC will most likely be my primary computer while my desktop I'll continue to use for storage purposes. And I'll definitely be getting most of the standard stuff on whatever TabletPC I get, and just upgrading from a third party site. You might want to consider doing that if it means you might save a couple of more bucks on RAM and HDD.</p>
<p>I wanted the cx2724 b/c it's on sale at bestbuy for $1099. But the other gateway one you pointed out seems very nice also. Do you know exactly how much the educational discounts are?</p>
<p>It varies I assume. If I were you just call up Gateway (number is on their website) and ask a sales rep how they can help you with student discounts. If it's anything like what I did for my friend through Dell then you'll basically be negotiating with the sales rep. Best thing is that you still get to customize it however you want. And like I said earlier, if you want to ugprade parts like HDD or RAM just go to a site like pricewatch.com (or pricegrabber.com or newegg.com) and to it thru there. It should be much cheaper and effective that way.</p>
<p>Why is it that there is no reference to the Toshiba Sattelite R-25...</p>
<p>isn't it better than the gateways in more ways than 1?</p>
<p>It depends on the person I guess. I think if I recall the Toshiba sales rep said the R-25 is more for business users than home users. It has to do with the way it's build (and I'm not talking specs but more like weight, dimensions, flexibility to use, etc).</p>
<p>Hmm i kinda wanted for drawing/graphic designing purposes.. does anybody know if it's good for this purpose? (I have a tablet already but... it's small... and WACOM's monitor cintiq's EXPENSIVE!)</p>
<p>many professors do not like people to use laptops in class because they can be distracting. Even the typing noise can get irritating</p>