Hands On First Look The New

TabletKiosk Sahara Slate i500 Tablet PC
Sahara Slate PC i500 Tablet PCs bring a whole new level
of desktop PC compatibility and performance to the tablet platform

by
Linda A. Epstein ~ June 1, 2011

The TabletKiosk Sahara Slate i500 Tablet PC is loaded with power and packed with features that make the i500 stand out from the crowd.   With an Intel i7 vPro processor, 8.0GB RAM,  Windows 7 Professional, an outdoor viewable screen and hot swappable batteries there are no limits to where you can work or what you can work on because the i500 can do it all.   Pen and Ink, dual mode touch and plenty of power… Tablet computing at its best!

World’s Most Powerful Slate Tablet PC  

Finally a Windows Tablet PC with enough power to run everything you need!.  With an i7 Processor, ease of use, and exceptional screen..... There is no question that TabletKiosk paid careful attention to detail when designing the Sahara Slate i500 Tablet PC. It's sleek, sturdy and powerful, the case is fingerprint resistant, it has a great pen and ink experience, the onscreen keyboard is easy to use. Those are just some of the features that made the Sahara Tablet PC stand out from the crowd. 

Additionally I know first hand that TabletKisok provides some of the best support in the industry.  I know when I recommend a TabletKisok Sahara Tablet if there is happens to be a problem it will be taken care of.   Currently, just to mention a few, there are TabletKiosk Sahara Tablet PCs controlling the sound for the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the Walt Disney Concert Hall, controlling the sound for Neil Diamond's Tours and controlling the sound on the current Star Wars in Concert tour.   TabletKiosk Sahara Tablets were also chosen for use by the both the script readers and celebrity judges to read the entries submitted in the Final Draft Big Break screen writing contest in the past. 

As you will see from the array of photos in this review, TabletKiosk's SUN-BRITE™ Sunlight Enhanced, Outdoor Readable Screen is exceptional both indoors and out.

It's All in the Details........

Weighing in at 3.3 pounds the TabletKiosk Sahara Slate i500 Tablet PC is a slate style Tablet PC with expansion options that can be customized to fit individual users' needs with ease.    Battery life runs from between four hours and 30 minutes and eight hours depending on the battery configuration and settings.  With the Intel i7 processor under the hood, you have the power to run all of your current PC applications with ease so whether your in you're in your office, out with clients, at a trade show or flying coast to coast on a plane you have the to power to use power - hungry app's, such as Photoshop, with ease.

The 12.1” WXGA (1280 x 800) AFFS+ with LED backlighting, Dual Mode WACOM® Active Digitizer + Capacitive Touch Screen on TabletKiosk's i500 series Tablet PC  allows me to demo it in a variety of locations and situations so I can travel with a single machine and not worry about finding myself poolside or slope side and not having the ability to view the screen where ever I happen to end up.

The on screen keyboard (shown right) pops up when you need it and makes it easy to type if using a pen to write isn't an option in the app your using.   For a long trip I'm likely to tuck a keyboard into my travel bag but for quick data input or email when handwriting isn't available it works well.

A dual mode display intelligently auto-switches between pen (Wacom active digitizer) and the capacitive multi touch screen.  This means that you can use the pen, which gives you highly accurate handwriting recognition, or you can choose to use your fingers to navigate the screen. You have the ability to flick, tap, pinch or swipe of your fingers across the screen.  Tablet Kiosk also offers an resistive, single touch-based flavor for those who need to be able to use with a gloved hand (I use Gaspar TouchTech gloves) using a Tablet PC has never been easier.  (As a long time Tablet user I often navigate with my pen instead of my fingers)

My business frequently requires travel between the West and East coast.  When traveling back and forth across the country it's nice to be able to travel with one Tablet PC rather than several machines. The power in i500 Tablet will allow me to work in Microsoft word, edit photos in Photoshop, update TabletPc2.com using Dreamweaver as well as watch an action packed movie, or even indulge in some gaming if I chose to do so.  

In the Sun                                                                           In the Shade

What's in The Box:  

Sahara i500 Slate PC
Included: Two (2) Standard Lithium-Ion Batteries
AC Adapter with Power Cord Set
Neoprene Slip Case & Presentation Stand
Quick Start Guide & Digital User’s Guide
On-Disk System Restore Solution
1 Year Limited Warranty, Parts & Labor

Optional Accessories:
Docking Cradle with additional I/O Ports*
Extended Life Battery (for up to 8 hours of use)
External Optical Drive (CD, DVD or Combo)
Folding USB Keyboard
Airplane/Car Charger
Bump Cases, Screen Protectors and more.
2 Year and 3 Year Extended Warranties

* I always recommend anyone buying a slate style tablet to purchase a docking station.  

In my opinion, the added ease of use and convenience of having a docking station on your desk when you're at home or in the office is well worth the price.    If the additional cost of the docking station is prohibitive, rest assured that the included folding stand you see pictured above is sturdy and works well. 

The screen on the TabletKiosk Sahara Slate i500 Tablet PC looks great in my office

Display: 12.1” WXGA (1280 x 800) AFFS+ with LED backlighting - TabletKiosk is offering several screen option that you will find below but there is no additional charge for the SUN-BRITE™ Sunlight Enhanced, Outdoor Readable Screen it comes standard.

Battery Life : Up to 4.5 hours with standard two batteries  -  Up to 8 hours with the Extended battery   

Speaker: Built-in Stereo Speakers.   I understand that the business model of a Tablet PC is not designed for "listening pleasure".  I've yet to find a Tablet to with great sound however the i500 sound quality with headphones is certainly good enough to watch a movie when you're traveling.

Who is it For:   the Sahara i500 Tablet PC Tablet PC was designed with the business user in mind, but it is an excellent choice for anyone and everyone who wants a powerful, feature rich Tablet PC.  The i500 would be a great Tablet for students because its both powerful and sturdy.

Heat: I had no heat issues with the TabletKiosk Sahara Slate i500 Tablet PC

Weight: (3.3 lbs.) with 2x standard batteries installed

Full Sun                                     Inside                                        Shade

The Pen and Ink Experience:  The "Pen Feel" when you're writing on the display is excellent, writing flows easily and the pen has an eraser and feels good in your hand.  Handwriting recognition on the i500 is faster than I've ever seen it.

Most Notable Features: