The Latest Tablet PC Comparisons, Reviews, Software & Accessories and Announcements
Our Tablet PC Quick Compare include photos and allows you to quickly and easily compare the differences between individual Tablet PC'S Updated November 25, 2008
In looking through the RSVP lists last night, I realized there were several "regular" attendees who had not mentioned they were coming. So, I sent out the following email:
You are invited to attend the annual Tablet & Touch Community Gathering during the 2009 CES. The gathering is hosted by Tablet PC MVPs. Enthusiasts, OEMs, ISVs, IHVs will come together to share information about new products (Tablet PCs, UMPCs, MIDS, Netbooks with touch, etc.), tips on current products, and enjoy meeting people in the community.
Date: Saturday, January 10 Time: 3PM - 6PM Place: CntrStg suite at the Wynn
D-Link, the end-to-end network solutions provider for consumers and business, today unveiled an all-in-one home network router with all the features of a fast, far-reaching 802.11n Wi-Fi router combined with network attached storage (NAS), SharePort technology for sharing printers and scanners, along with a bright 3.2-inch LCD monitor on the face for displaying photos, desktop applications and network performance.
Designed with convenience and functionality in mind, the new D-Link® Xtreme N® DIR-685 offers a stylish, even chic addition to the digital home. Its upright design allows users to easily view the vibrant LCD screen that displays device status via graphical gauges, digital photos, streamed video, weather forecasts and other live streaming Internet content in up to 1.6 million colors.
As a router, the DIR-685 features a sleek design made possible, in part, by the router's internal antennas. In addition, the network attached storage (NAS) feature supports both UPnP® server functions and BitTorrent™ downloads. A built-in FTP server allows users to access documents, photos, music and other media locally through the home network or remotely over the Internet.
Lenovo today announced the latest additions to its Idea brand of personal computers for consumers. The new PCs push the envelope in the pursuit of thinner and more stylish designs, and combine these attributes with unique features like facial recognition and high-definition entertainment technologies to give consumers a computing experience like no other. There are four new IdeaPad laptops – the IdeaPad Y650, the thinnest and lightest 16-inch laptop in its class1, the Y550 and Y430 laptops with a similar family design to the Y650, and the thinnest all-in-one desktop PC, the IdeaCentre A600. With the explosive growth of social networking, Lenovo also continues to enhance its IdeaPad S10 netbook with new instant on capability, facial recognition and easy access to Lenovo’s social networking community
IdeaCentre A600 All-in-One Desktop
Lenovo brings consumers the next generation of desktop computing with the IdeaCentre A600 – Lenovo’s first all-in-one desktop. The new, sleek IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one features a 21.5-inch frameless screen, and provides discerning space-conscious and style-conscious users a modern design that measures only one inch at its slimmest point, making it the slimmest all-in-one in the industry2.
For the entertainment enthusiast, the all-in-one offers a true Hi-Def experience featuring a 16:9 aspect ratio screen for cinema-like viewing and support for 1920x1080 full HD resolution delivering outstanding image quality. The integrated speaker system includes a bass sub-woofer and Dolby® Home Theatre™ audio certification, while the optional Blu-ray player completes the home cinema experience. Users can also take advantage of a digital TV tuner for watching and recording their favorite TV programs. Users can opt to include the Microsoft Vista Media Center for easy recording of TV programs and interactive navigation between videos, music and TV programs.
For gaming enthusiasts, Lenovo developed the first-of-its-kind 4-in-1 optional remote controller. It is the first to bring PC users the ability to play games using the remote control’s ‘motion drive’ feature, which controls on-screen objects according to the movement of the remote.
Lenovo today is bringing users the highest levels of mobile workstation innovation and performance with the introduction of the ThinkPad W700ds mobile workstation. The ThinkPad W700ds gives users prime screen real-estate as the first mobile workstation in the industry with two screens. Lenovo combines a new balance of unique design with complex engineering and unparalleled performance to give users in the most demanding of fields such as digital content creation, oil and gas exploration, computer-aided design and photography, the ultimate mobile workstation.
“The ThinkPad W700ds dual screen mobile workstation challenged our international development team to engineer a notebook to fit the way workstation users work - in the office and on the road,” said Mark Cohen, vice president, Notebook Business Unit, Lenovo. “Bringing this level of innovation to the most extreme PC users required continually balancing size and functionality with keeping the PC cool and quiet. This mobile workstation is the result of where Lenovo innovation and performance intersect.”
The Power of Two
Because many workstation users typically work with two monitors, Lenovo designed the ThinkPad W700ds mobile workstation with two screens, accommodating their work habits while on-the-go and eliminating the compromise of having only one display when operating in a mobile environment. Research has shown that extra screen real-estate with multiple monitors helps maximize user productivity versus single display solutions.1 Measuring almost 40 percent of the 17-inch primary screen, the 10.6-inch second screen gives users extra screen real-estate measuring approximately the size of a Lenovo IdeaPad S10 netbook .
It's been a whirlwind year filled with new technology to explore and share. Tablet PC's, notebooks, netbooks, networking gear, Wi-Fi , mobile phones, all the things we need and use to get our work done everyday. Everything High Definition, Plasma televisions, DVR's even HD optics for sunglasses. Then there is the world of music, pre amps, amps,, speakers, soundbars, Blu-ray players, games, the bright lights of Broadway and all the things we turn to when its time to unwind.
We all have our favorite things, some are technology oriented and others, which are of equal importance are not. It's always a challenge to choose my favorites products for the year but after weeks of thinking about it, and slowly narrowing down the field you will find my favorites for 2008 below. I hope you enjoy checking them out and feel free to drop me an email with your favorite things from 2008.
In part 1, we gave everyone a quick hands-on look at the Lenovo Thinkpad W700ds, as well as some close-up pictures of the W700ds, docking station, and size comparison to the Lenovo X200 Tablet PC. In this part 2 video InkShow, we go in to a little bit more detail on how the dual screens works, moving applications back and forth, and demonstrate a little bit of inking on the main and secondary secondary screen. In part 3, we’ll get in to the built-in Wacom digitizer, and in part 4 give a tour of this massive digitizing workstation featuring built-in dual screens.
From my use of the W700ds, I’ve learned that is primarily suited for the graphic artist preferring a digitizer not built-in to the screen, as well as needing another display to reference data from: look at another picture, reference email, reference copy that needs to go in to a Photoshop document, and more. This is not your typical mobile tablet pc. It is targeted at the artist who finds themselves working at a client site every now and then, or needing to take work home for the weekend or longer.
So if you woke up Christmas morning and discovered a new Tablet PC under your tree where do you start? What first? Which applications should I grab?
Well, this post won’t cover all your bases, but it will get you started with a few Inking applications on your Tablet PC.
The place to check out applications for your new Tablet PC is Tablet PC Post. You’ll find a collection of great software there. Some of it is free, some of it is shareware, and of course some of it requires that you pay. Tablet PC Post has everything from educational apps to games to productivity apps, and it is a great resource for a Tableteer who is just getting started.
Two applications, both free, that I recommend will get you started Inking:
InkSeine from Microsoft Research. Many Tableteers feel like this is what Inking is all about. InkSeine lets you Ink, sketch, capture, collect, just about anything and its handy scroll wheel feature gives you some excellent navigation assistance with the pen as well. If you want to get the feel of Inking on the screen, this is a great piece of software to check out.
Tablet Enhancements for Outlook. Of course you need to be running Outlook to use this, but this excellent piece of software from Josh Einstein is now free to all comers and makes Inking in Outlook feel more like a first class citizen.
Here at GBM we’ve got InkShows one these two excellent applications (and many others) The numerous GBM InkShows will give you a taste of what’s out there and how to start incorporating Inking into your Tablet PC experience.
The impact of the global economic meltdown didn't affect third-quarter shipments in the worldwide PC market, which saw an overall increase of 15.4%.
Global laptop shipments surpassed desktops in the third quarter, marking the first time mobile PCs have led the market, a research firm said Tuesday.
Laptop shipments rose by nearly 40% in the quarter compared with the same period last year to reach 38.6 million units, according to iSuppli. Desktop shipments, on the other hand, dropped by 1.3% to 38.5 million units.
The watershed event was expected, given that laptop shipments have been increasing by double digits for some time, while desktops have been in the low single digits.
"However, this marks a major event in the PC market because it marks the start of the age of the notebook," iSuppli analyst Matthew Wilkins said in a statement. "The notebook PC is no longer a tool only for the business market or a computer for the well-off consumer; it's now a computer for everyman."
There was no change in the rankings of the top five PC makers in terms of shipments. Hewlett-Packard led the market with an 18.8% share, followed by Dell , 13.9%; Acer, 12.2%; Lenovo, 7.5%; and Toshiba, 4.6%.
Acer had an exceptional quarter. Shipments soared 79% year over year. The company shipped almost 3 million more laptops than in the second quarter, with most of those systems being netbooks.
The fast-growing netbook category is defined as ultralight, ultraportable PCs with screen sizes of 10 inches or less. Prices are often as low as $300.
The newest 12-inch notebook from HP is no ordinary ultraportable laptop. The HP TouchSmart tx2z is the first consumer notebook and tablet PC that offers on-screen multi-touch control. Forget about using the notebook's touchpad or an external mouse. If you see something on the screen you want to press or move just reach up and touch it. HP's new "MediaSmart" software allows you to use your fingertips to take command of everything on the screen with a quick touch or simple gestures. Is this the future of laptop computing? Keep reading to find out.
One of the big questions surrounding the release of the TouchSmart tx2 was whether it would have an active digitizer like the tx2500z or if it would sacrifice the active digitizer (and quality tablet functionality) in order to provide multi-touch screen controls. We're pleased to tell you the tx2 still has an active digitizer along with the multi-touch screen. You can use your fingers or the pen. The tx2 also has great entertainment features, like Altec Lansing speakers and a mini-remote control. For the price this tablet seems to be packed full of features just like its predecessor.
Can't decide between a desktop PC and a laptop? How about a workstation and a laptop? Lenovo's ThinkPad W700 desktop replacement (and desktop-size) laptop incorporates many of the latest mobile workstation features while also packing in a few unusual--and very welcome--goodies for the graphic artist or CAD designer.
As I've noted, high-end graphics users are the target market for the W700--that much is obvious thanks to a couple of key add-ons: A built-in color calibrator and, as well, a built-in tablet.
The W700 is also the first laptop to incorporate a WACOM drawing tablet (and that should give you an idea of how ginormous the W700 is). It measures 128mm by 80mm, or roughly the size of two playing cards side by side, and is located in the right palmrest. You must use a digitizing pen, which stows in a slot on the side of the notebook, but it works well with applications like Photoshop and Corel Painter. In addition, it works with Windows Tablet PC input, so you can, for example, use it to insert your signature into documents. It's pressure-sensitive, and you can adjust just how sensitive it is.
The ThinkPad W700 may look understated--and it's a bit of a kitchen-sink approach to computing--but it's a top-flight notebook. For on-the-go graphics artists, or those looking for the ultimate mobile workstation, it's hard to beat.
The Fujitsu LifeBook U820 is an ultra-mobile convertible notebook with a high resolution 5.6” display. Packing built-in GPS with Garmin navigation software, a passive touch screen, and a 4-cell battery claiming upwards of 7.5 hours of battery life this UMPC can handle almost any situation. In this review we cover all the reasons why spending above $1,000 on a U820 is worth it compared to $400 or $500 on a standard netbook.
Tablet Features
The Fujitsu U820 offers a passive touchscreen display which is not that fun on a small high resolution screen. Trying to click icons or specific buttons can be a pain if the calibration is off just a fraction of an inch. For basic movements or using the Garmin GPS capabilities it is not as big of a problem since the targets are larger. Pen movement over the screen was almost rough at first, but got better as more oil from your hands built up on the surface. Under normal use I found the pointing stick to be the best form of input while on the go, and an external mouse if I was at work with plenty of desk space.
GPS Navigation
If you are familiar with Garmin GPS units, the Garmin MobilePC software is very similar. The interface looks just like what you would expect, and buttons are all large enough to tap with your fingertips instead of using the pen input. The internal GPS receiver works best NOT using the included external antenna and works well even indoors.
The PC industry ended the year on a decidedly gloomy note, with very few bright spots.
While Hewlett-Packard has navigated the economic downturn well thus far, the entire industry is facing a variety of inclement conditions, including Western markets oversaturated with laptops, constrained IT budgets, and declining consumer confidence.
The one product buoying PC makers right now, however, is the Netbook.
Partnerships with TechTurn, a Leader in Technology Recovery, Rebuilding and Recycling and Goodwill Industries Creates a Variety of Disposal Options for Motion Customers
Motion Computing®, a leader in mobile computing and wireless communications, announced today that it has partnered with Goodwill Industries and TechTurn, an industry leader in technology resale, refurbishing and secure data retirement for the Motion® Tablet PC recycling and donation program. The program allows for the free return of all Motion-branded products for donation or processing and disposal in an environmentally safe manner.
First Slate With Embedded, Biometric Pre-Boot Authentication Delivers Added Data Protection
Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation, the expert in pen computing, today showcased its 17 years of experience in developing tablet PCs, announcing the Stylistic(R) ST6012 slate tablet PC featuring the first embedded, biometric pre-boot authentication available on a slate, improved processor performance, and a new semi-rugged sleek exterior. Less than one-inch thick with a 12.1-inch, anti-glare display, the comfortable-to-carry slate is ideal for on-your-feet computing markets including insurance, education, and healthcare, as well as retail/mobile sales.
With its multifunction pen and indoor/outdoor display, the Stylistic ST6012 slate works like pen and paper -- only better -- offering the ability to write or sketch on the display, fill out digital forms, enter data and take orders. Plus, an optional rear mounted webcam captures images essential for reports such as insurance claims. When customers need to acknowledge receipt or sign contracts, the Stylistic ST6012 tablet PC delivers with digital signature capture using automatic handwriting recognition and special software.
We love the persistence of this rumor, mostly because we would actually buy an oversized iPod Touch device. But we have the feeling that, after an hour or so of playing we'd want to go outside and the oversized iPod Touch wouldn't fit in our pocket. We further imagine that we'd soon hanker for a proper keyboard to get some work done. The thing is, Apple already makes a tablet PC, and it is the current iPod Touch.
The other problem would be price. How much would Apple charge for a tablet? It would have to be a lot more than the Touch, itself already an expensive little device at the high, 32GB end. What would you pay? $800? $1000? That's a little too much for such a specialist computer.
Netbook
Steve Jobs dismissed the netbook market as "Nascent". This certainly doesn't mean that Apple won't make one – Jobs has a history of denying entire product categories until Apple is ready to actually ship – but don't expect an Apple netbook anytime soon.
No matter which of the above labels fit, I find myself loving imperfect mobile devices and platforms. Without laying myself on some anaylsts couch, I’ve been trying lately to examine the reasons why. Here’s my thinking.
First up is my long standing love affair with the Tablet PC. I’m hoplessly smitten here. Not only does this imperfect Mircosoft solution offer me a way to take notes in my work and allow me to be less tied down when I do so, I really enjoy the freedom and flexibility it gives me when I use a computer for relaxation and fun as well. There are several things that I cannot imagine giving up on, should Tablet PCs ever cease to exist.
Taking notes in meetings and rehearsals
Web browsing in slate mode on a Tablet PC
Brainstorming using MindJet’s MindManager and a pen
Jotting off a quick reply in email using Ink
When creating a new project or schedule being able to mark up what I’ve previously done with the pen
This year's list includes more than 160 products from over 75 vendors. The list includes Tablet PCs, Mini-Noteboks, Entertainment PCs, Software, Accessories, Blu-Ray, Bluetooth, Digital Cameras, Mobile Phones and more.
I will be posting new sections from December 4th thru December 9th
Come back every day and see what's been added.
Event InfoHost: Tablet PC MVPs Type: Party - Mixer Network: Global Time and Place Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009 3:00pm - 6:00pm Location: TBD City/Town: Las Vegas, NV Contact InfoEmail: ljheiny@hotmail.com
Note: The time and date may change upon confirmation of location.
Enthusiasts, users, OEMs, ISVs, IHVs are invited to attend the fifth Tablet PC & Touch Community Gathering. The annual gathering takes place during 2009 International CES. It has been an excellent place for people to share information about new products, tips on existing products, and enjoy meeting people involved in the community.
December 2, 2008
My self, two assistants and Thunders Storm have all been working on the TabletPc2.com 6th Annual Holiday Feature for weeks now. The 2008 List for Santa it's taking a bit longer than expected , but it will be up in the next few days so keep checking back!
Site features content from over 90 providers including CollegeHumor, Comcast Entertainment Group, Discovery Communications, Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Hulu, IMG SPORTS MEDIA, Lifetime Television, Marvel Entertainment, MGM, National Geographic Channel, Ovation TV, PBS, Playboy, Sony Pictures Television, Reuters, Starz Media, The Onion and many more.
New York, NY and Foster City, CA — December 2, 2008 — Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), announced the public launch of Sling.com (http://www.sling.com), an online video entertainment destination. Users can go to Sling.com to watch a huge selection of clips, TV shows, films, news and sports in high quality, for free, anytime they want. This includes video programming from over 90 content providers spanning 150 content brands.
“Sling.com is a wonderful combination of premium video content, television viewing, robust editorial and consumer-friendly access and socialization features,” said Jason Hirschhorn, President, Sling Media Entertainment Group. “Users will have a blast watching great clips, full length shows and movies while customizing the viewing experience to their liking."
Sling.com features:
Robust editorial programming: Sling.com’s editorial team creates great content including blogs, playlists and clip collections.
Socialization features: Users can subscribe to any channel, show or user to create a feed of programming and activity that reflects your personal tastes and those of your social network.
Slingbox access: For the first time, Slingbox owners can now access and view their home television (cable, satellite receiver) and DVR via the Sling.com website, making their Slingboxes available without a software client download.
We can think of worse things to do than spend a day at a BMW dealership configuring the vehicle of our choice. To make the experience of selecting the Ultimate Driving Machine even more engaging, BMW and Microsoft have teamed up on futuristic touchscreen tech.
The tabletop touchscreen interface enables users to pick a BMW, modify colors and content, and even save the finished project to a thumb drive to take home with them. As customers configure their vehicle on the Product Navigator, a plasma TV on the wall displays video and specs of that exact vehicle.
You can't buy your way onto the List. You Can't Apply for it. You have to Earn it.
Asking which model isthe Best Tablet PC is like asking what flavor of ice cream is best:
everyone has their own opinion.
What is a Tablet PC?
Tablet PCs are mobile PCs with something extra: a screen that you can write on or interact with by using a tablet pen instead of a standard keyboard and mouse. When you write on the screen, you can convert your handwriting to typed text or leave it as ink. Advancements in Windows Vista have made Tablet PCs even easier to use, with improved handwriting recognition features, ink recognition for more languages, and other features.
Slate Tablet PCs
Slate Tablet PCs have no lid or keyboard, which makes them slim and lighter in weight compared to most convertible Tablet PCs. You can hold a slate Tablet PC in one hand and write on the screen with the other hand—like a clipboard. If you want to use an external keyboard and mouse, you simply attach them to the Tablet PC. A slate Tablet PC can rest easily in the crook of your arm while you write so that you can take notes, fill out forms, or read and write an e-mail with ease while on the go, sitting in a meeting or class, or relaxing on your couch. You can also lay it flat on a table or desk to do your work.
You can use a tablet pen to select, drag, and open files, browse the Internet, draw freehand diagrams, add numbers and symbols, and more. On some Tablet PCs, you can also interact with the screen by using your finger. Most Tablet PCs are small or moderately sized. They range from 2 to 7 pounds and have screens that range from 8 to 15 inches. There are two types of Tablet PCs: slates and convertibles.
Convertible Tablet PCs
Illustration of a convertible Tablet PCConvertible Tablet PCs are notebooks that can be used either in tablet mode or laptop mode. This type of Tablet PC gives you the best of both worlds. In laptop mode, you can use the integrated keyboard and mouse or the tablet pen to navigate and write. To use it in tablet mode, you rotate the screen and lay it flat over the keyboard so that you can write on it like a clipboard. Both positions enable you to work and write with a tablet pen.
Ultra-mobile PC
If you’re looking for something smaller than a notebook or Tablet PC and yet powerful enough to get your tasks done while on the go or in tight quarters, consider a UMPC. Illustration of an ultra-mobile PCJust like other mobile PCs, UMPCs run the full version of Windows and any other Windows-compatible software. It’s a great choice for anyone who needs something compact and practically feather-light. UMPCs range from 1 to 2 pounds. The screen size is 7 inches and smaller. UMPCs with Windows Vista come with Origami Experience, which gives you easy access to your music, videos, pictures, and programs.
You can use a tablet pen or your finger to interact with a UMPC. You can carry this paperback-sized mobile PC effortlessly in one hand while using the other hand to quickly jot down notes, fill out forms, read and write e-mail messages, surf the Internet, and more.
consumers. The new PCs push the envelope in the pursuit of thinner and more stylish designs, and combine these attributes with unique features like facial recognition and high-definition entertainment technologies to give consumers a computing experience like no other. There are four new IdeaPad laptops – the IdeaPad Y650, the thinnest and lightest 16-inch laptop in its class1, the Y550 and Y430 laptops with a similar family design to the Y650, and the thinnest all-in-one desktop PC, the IdeaCentre A600. With the explosive growth of social networking, Lenovo also continues to enhance its IdeaPad S10 netbook with new instant on capability, facial recognition and easy access to Lenovo’s social networking community
performance with the introduction of the ThinkPad W700ds mobile workstation. The ThinkPad W700ds gives users prime screen real-estate as the first mobile workstation in the industry with two screens. Lenovo combines a new balance of unique design with complex engineering and unparalleled performance to give users in the most demanding of fields such as digital content creation, oil and gas exploration, computer-aided design and photography, the ultimate mobile workstation. 
some close-up pictures of the W700ds, docking station, and size comparison to the Lenovo X200 Tablet PC. In this part 2 video InkShow, we go in to a little bit more detail on how the dual screens works, moving applications back and forth, and demonstrate a little bit of inking on the main and secondary secondary screen. In part 3, we’ll get in to the built-in Wacom digitizer, and in part 4 give a tour of this massive digitizing workstation featuring built-in dual screens.
Tablet Enhancements for Outlook
display. Packing built-in GPS with Garmin navigation software, a passive touch screen, and a 4-cell battery claiming upwards of 7.5 hours of battery life this UMPC can handle almost any situation. In this review we cover all the reasons why spending above $1,000 on a U820 is worth it compared to $400 or $500 on a standard netbook.
