Which Tablet PC? Mature techy(ish) student teacher for taking lecture notes

RugbyFan

Hi,

I'm about to commence studying the Hibernia College H Dip in Arts and Primary Education.

I have a budget of €1500/€1700 to include MS Office and am seriously considering buying a tablet PC rather than a laptop. The obvious benefit is that I could write my lecture notes directly into the computer.

I'm looking for advise on:

1. Am I being realistic
2. If so, which Tablet PC should it be?

Obvious choices are:

HP
Toshiba
Fujitsu-Siemens

Thanks in advance

Tom Dunne

RugbyFan wrote:

The obvious benefit is that I could write my lecture notes directly into the computer.

Have you ever actually used one? The hand-writing recognition takes a lot of getting used to.

Personally, I think you should consider a standard laptop if you are a fast typer.

killbillvol2

I had a loan one for a couple of days and it drove me mad. The idea of taking lecture notes on it is fanciful if my experience is anything to go by.

majiktripp

I would stil IBM/Lenovo on the short list, had a chance to look at one of their tablet laptops and quite liked it, I found that all their bundled software was useful and none of it rubbish like Dells usual tripe. Worth a look at their range, can be pricey tho'.
I think you would like a tablet laptop and hey you can still use it as a normal one aswell...even if your not mad keen on the transcribing part of it.

killbillvol2

majiktripp wrote:

I would stil IBM/Lenovo on the short list, had a chance to look at one of their tablet laptops and quite liked it, I found that all their bundled software was useful and none of it rubbish like Dells usual tripe. Worth a look at their range, can be pricey tho'.
I think you would like a tablet laptop and hey you can still use it as a normal one aswell...even if your not mad keen on the transcribing part of it.

I'd definitely agree on the IBM/Lenovo option. As a long term Toshiba fan I was amazed at the quakity of the IBMs. It was an IBM Tablet that I tried and didn't like but I still bought a Thinkpad. They're definitely at the upper end of the price range though.

RugbyFan

Thanks for your advice.

Tom - never thought of actually typing into the laptop at a lecture - 12 years since I was in college - I take it from what you're saying people do that these days! My typing speed is alright. Would typing noise be distracting to those around? I'm not a gamer so a regular laptop would certainly help the pocket.

Others - my dream choice would certainly be Lenovo - tried one once, a couple of years ago and it was superb, managed to read my scrawl first time and didn't need to much pressure - a problem with the HP budget end I believe.

Would be delighted to hear more thoughts on the matter.

Tom Dunne

RugbyFan wrote:

Thanks for your advice.

Tom - never thought of actually typing into the laptop at a lecture - 12 years since I was in college - I take it from what you're saying people do that these days!

Actually, now that you mention it, nobody uses a laptop in any of my classes. But having said that, I wouldn't have a problem with it and I doubt the students would either.

Another vote for the Thinkpad. Typing this on one at the moment. Though I haven't used their Tablet PCs.

Beno

I'm also thinking about replacing my laptop with a tablet pc. Alot of my lecture notes have to be printed out and filled in lectures. I nearly aways forget my notes and i hate carrying hundreds of pages of notes on top of my laptop as well.
Friend last year had a tablet he converted the pdf into powerpoint presentations and wrote directly on to the notes with his own handwriting. Drawing diagrams highlighting text all like you would do on the normal paper notes.
Plus he had all the notes with him from all the lectures all the time and didnt have to go through the hassle of printing them out.
I'd say go for it
as for which one id say look a www.laptopsdirect.ie which have a good selection

Tom Dunne

Beno wrote:

as for which one id say look a www.laptopsdirect.ie which have a good selection

I'll repeat my usual warnings about this crowd - do a search on this forum before dealing with them. I personally wouldn't recommend them any more. Too many horror stories and too many underhand tactics by them on this very forum.

Ghost Train

my friend has a ibm/lenovo tablet/laptop, never heard her complain about it. Got one of the ibm x series standard laptops 2 weeks ago and really love how light it is plus it has great battery life.

Saruman

Whatever you get, always opt for the higher capacity battery. Its the difference between 2/3 hours and 7 hours +

Ghost Train

Saruman wrote:

Whatever you get, always opt for the higher capacity battery. Its the difference between 2/3 hours and 7 hours +

I don't know... this can add a lot of weight(and sometimes size) to a laptop. Do agree that you look carefully at what battery youre getting and will the battery life be good enough for you, but also factor in what weight it's going to add, at least with smaller battery, worst case you can just pick up a second battery if you want more running time

RugbyFan

Hi,

Thanks again for all the advice.

Microsoft have a page dedicated to why students should have Tablet PCs!

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/evaluation/bymarket/education/toptenbenefits.mspx

Regarding hardware vendor sites I have found that HP, Acer and Toshiba ones are quite helpful, Lenovo's is reasonably helpful but its link to find local resellers has timed out on three different PCs I've tried (incl a Lenovo one ). Fujistu-Siemens site gives very little info, and no price info at all.

I'll definitely go for a larger battery - whether I end up with a Tablet or not.

Tom - The main benefit of the Tablet in lectures as I see it is that if the lecturer does a drawing/diagram then it is possible to recreate that in a tablet but not on a laptop.

Still interested in hearing more thoughts!

Thanks

Tom Dunne

RugbyFan wrote:

Microsoft have a page dedicated to why students should have Tablet PCs!

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/evaluation/bymarket/education/toptenbenefits.mspx

Repeat after me PROPAGANDA.

Or Marketing. Or sales pitch. Etc.

RugbyFan

tom dunne wrote:

Repeat after me PROPAGANDA.

PROPAGANDA

Okay - I've been on a US Tablet focused board and it seems much more common for students to use Tablets in the US. They seem to love the Lenovo X61 too - might have to stretch the budget!

RugbyFan

Hi,

There is a student deal going for this Laptop:

Lenovo Thinkpad X61
Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2GHz
1GB
80GB
12.1" XGA
Wireless
Bluetooth
Fingerprint Reader
3 Year Nextbusiness Day On Site warranty
From 1.3 Kg in weight
XP Pro
Backpack & 2GB USB memory Key

€1055 inc VAT plus delivery.

I was looking at using this http://www.pegatech.com/?CategoryID=158&ArticleID=142 if I wanted to take handwritten notes and then transfer them into the PC afterwards. I tried one of these pens at CeBIT last year and it worked great. A lot cheaper than most tablet options in Ireland. Apparently the Vista version is due out on 8 October.

Spipov

RugbyFan wrote:

Hi,

There is a student deal going for this Laptop:

Lenovo Thinkpad X61
Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2GHz
1GB
80GB
12.1" XGA
Wireless
Bluetooth
Fingerprint Reader
3 Year Nextbusiness Day On Site warranty
From 1.3 Kg in weight
XP Pro
Backpack & 2GB USB memory Key

€1055 inc VAT plus delivery.

where is this available?

killbillvol2

RugbyFan wrote:

Hi,

There is a student deal going for this Laptop:

Lenovo Thinkpad X61
Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2GHz
1GB
80GB
12.1" XGA
Wireless
Bluetooth
Fingerprint Reader
3 Year Nextbusiness Day On Site warranty
From 1.3 Kg in weight
XP Pro
Backpack & 2GB USB memory Key

€1055 inc VAT plus delivery.

I was looking at using this http://www.pegatech.com/?CategoryID=158&ArticleID=142 if I wanted to take handwritten notes and then transfer them into the PC afterwards. I tried one of these pens at CeBIT last year and it worked great. A lot cheaper than most tablet options in Ireland. Apparently the Vista version is due out on 8 October.

If you can get a Thinkpad x61 for that price grab it with both hands. It's a lovely piece of kit. One thing - it doesn't have an optical drive. The Lenovo external one is expensive (but very neat) so you need to factor in the extra cost.

RugbyFan

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply to your query.

This is a student offer from Lenovo. Their partners on the deal are DSS (www.decision.ie).

The deal is available on www.cxcommerce.com and the login is: student and the password is also: student.

I am purchasing this with 2GB RAM (€120 + VAT extra) and with an additional 8 cell battery (€150 + VAT extra). I have also asked for a Vista version instead of XP as I hope to get the best out of my new digiscribble pen (see www.apcom.ltd.uk) so my total cost is €1433 inc VAT & delivery (€15).

You can purchase the standard spec online or contact John Murphy in DSS for upgrades.