@sarah11919: wow! thanks for such a detailed and thoughtful response. It's been really helpful to work out how functional the Edge in real-world use.
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Originally Posted by sarah11918
... You do need to be aware, though, that handwriting recognition is not yet supported. So while you can write, the edge itself can't convert that to text. Not sure whether that's a deal breaker for you, and I think I mention below that with the help of Evernote on a PC I believe someone here has been able to get handwriting recognition.
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On tablet pcs, I've found the handwriting works pretty well, as they use similar wacom technology, hopefully this can be brought to the Edge too.
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Originally Posted by sarah11918
4.TYPING ON THE VIRTUAL KEYBOARD
It works, but I find it a tad too small and a notch too unreliable to do much touch typing. For the most part, I have an external keyboard connected to my machine. If I do use the virtual keyboard, it's usually by tapping with the stylus. Certainly, typed notes pales in comparison to handwritten notes.
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This one thing that I'm really unsure about the Edge. I would like to have a physical keyboard built-in, but then it wouldn't be an Edge
Else, if it would be possible for a virtual kb to be in landscape, and the upper screen to show the typed text. But given that screen is e-ink, that can't work? Or is it because the e-ink doesn't yet rotate? Having used the ipad's virtual kb in landscape, if found it to be really usable and for everyday note-taking very comfortable. If the Edge had something similar...
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Originally Posted by sarah11918
...That being said, I'm actually without any other machine right now and I'm using the edge as my only laptop/computer. So, there's very little in terms of essentials (web, email, twitter, documents) it can't do compared to a tablet PC, and some that, in my opinion, it does just as well or better. I love that the journal/pdf annotation is its own screen and the other is free for other apps running. I love the clamshell design and multiple positions it can be used in. I love. That it's one-click to turn a web page into a pdf or epub, since a lot of what I used to do was print articles off the web.
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Even as my only computer, this machine is holding up pretty well, and I would choose it over a tablet PC all things considered. In just the 6 or 7 months it's been out, there have already been noticable improvements. But, the people who are most satisfied with the device are those who don't mind that it takes 2 minutes to turn on or that you have to get used to a variety of buttons/menus. You really do have to want the unique features it does have (pdf/annotation/handwriting) because it helps you forgive some other little quirks (highlighting). It's still has the feel of a first generation device (physically) but there are lots of us here who absolutely love this thing. I don't think you'll find this feature set at this price anywhere else.
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This seems to sum up really nicely the Edge, some of its strengths and current limits. With 1st gen technology, there's always an early adopters 'price' to pay + thrill!
I'm mindful that the Edge may be a bit on the chunky side and physically awkward. I even found this with relatively lightweight tablet pcs, their thickness and weight made them a bit unwieldly compared to a single screen tablet or an e-reader. But then again, that's like comparing apples to oranges.