Tablet computing wins another convert - me! - Page 3

Bob Russell · 06-11-2007, 07:50 PM

Anyone have any experience with screen protectors for tablet PCs? Especially for both touch and active pen digitizer technologies.

I've seen these:
http://www.strongengineering.com/ind...ROD&ProdID=453
http://www.boxwave.com/products/clea...d-x60_2444.htm
http://www.boxwave.com/products/clea...d-x60_2444.htm

but I'm not sure if they will be more of a pain than a help.

orcinus · 06-12-2007, 07:19 AM

Touch screen protectors are always a pain, it's just a question of how much pain

I used to use (overhead) transparencies, with one or two corners cut to slightly larger dimensions then the screen, so i can tuck it under the screen frame. Used to have one a tablet, and long time ago on an iPaq 3670. It held on pretty tightly (thanks to the oversized corner, static electricity and partial vacuum under it) and worked on both, the iPaq and the tablet, so i guess it works just fine on both passive and active touch screens (as long as it's not too thick).

Most transparencies i tried fared against scratches somewhat better than most dedicated screen protectors, but once they got scratched, it was more visible, so you had to change them every now and then.

erwin · 06-12-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

I think Bob's pretty well decided, erwin, but I'm looking at a TC4400 through work, do you think your experiences with the 1100 would apply well to the 4400?

In my opinion no.

The TC1xxx family had (beside other intersting ones) the almost unique feature of a separable keyboard. The tc4400 is a convertible model.

The TC and TX stuff around today is related to the old TC1xxx models as the today iPaqs are related to the original modular design from Compaq: i.e. none at all!

In both cases HP continued to use the name of the product families after acquiring the lines form/with Compaq (both the modular iPaq and TC1xxx original projects were from HTC teams design anyway, if I remember well), and totally butchering every bit of originality in them...

If you want to have a more vivid impression of the TC1xxx models you can find some videos on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...&search=Search

NatCh · 06-12-2007, 12:30 PM

I actually remember them, now that I see images. The local MicroCenter had them on display, so I got to play with one a bit. I liked them well enough, but came away decided that the 10" screen was just not big enough for the resolution it seemed to force me to use.

I like the 12 inchers a lot better -- it's amazing how much difference a mere 2 inches can make.

yvanleterrible · 06-12-2007, 01:29 PM

Sigh!

I just wish Apple could get in the tablet and ebook businesses.

erwin · 06-12-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

I like the 12 inchers a lot better -- it's amazing how much difference a mere 2 inches can make.

For me the 2" smaller screen is not so important compared with the general ergonomy of the machine, but, as always, is a question of tastes...

NatCh · 06-12-2007, 03:27 PM

For me, it was more a question of visual acuity -- I couldn't see anything on the smaller screen at 1024X768!

orcinus · 06-12-2007, 08:25 PM

With tablets, especially slate tablets, you can always use your built in zoom function (i.e. bring the tablet closer

).

Unlike with traditional laptops and heavier machines.

NatCh · 06-12-2007, 09:36 PM

True, but this was beyond the limits of that.

Azayzel · 06-13-2007, 08:18 AM

erwin: I've never had a problem with my TC100's stylus, it's powered by a little AAAA battery (yup, finding the battery was a little problematic but Home Depot carried it). 4 years in August. I did have to buy a new keyboard a little over a year ago, when I spilled a Mountain Dew on it. Got a brand new one for $50 off of eBay.

Bob: I think most of the newer Tablet PC's have scratch-resistant screens. I never used them on mine and there aren't any scratches on it. For that matter, the Gateway rep made a point to show how durable their model was by running his keys over the screen and knocking on it like he was wanting to come in.

NatCh · 06-13-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azayzel

... when I spilled a Mountain Dew on it.

Interesting bit of trivia: You know the old, manually operated telephone switchboards? The ones with all the plugs and patch cable? They had a flat surface on top, with lots of ventilation slots cut in the panel to allow the heat from the vacuum tubes to escape easily.

What do you suppose the primary cause of failures in those devices was?

Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup.

The operators would set their soup mugs on that flat surface, and inevitably it would get spilled sooner or later.

Just a bit of useless trivia that I always found interesting. Carry on.

erwin · 06-13-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azayzel

erwin: I've never had a problem with my TC100's stylus, it's powered by a little AAAA battery (yup, finding the battery was a little problematic but Home Depot carried it). 4 years in August. I did have to buy a new keyboard a little over a year ago, when I spilled a Mountain Dew on it. Got a brand new one for $50 off of eBay.

From the info I got at the time the TC1000 pen problems were a "yes or no" issue: some machine had them right from the start, others never at all in their life. Mine, unfortunately, was a "yes" machine...

Anyway, I'm happy the have switched to the 1100 (bought it second hand on eBay for about 700 €). The 1100 is more powerful enough to eliminate all the (already few indeed) sluggines of the 1000, and the incorporated Bluetooth and SD slot are really useful.

IMO is unfortunate that HP choosed to terminate that form-factor product line.

AvidReader · 08-03-2007, 06:41 PM

Bob,
I'm desperately awaiting your opinion on the Ebook side of things with your tablet pc.
I'm on the very cliff-edge of buying a tablet myself rather than a Sony reader.
I figured that with the tablet I won't have any native pdf issues, I can also read my comics (cbr files) in full colour, and on top of ALL of that, I can surf the net if I'm in a wireless hotspot.
How can a Sony reader possibly live up to all that?
(Am I sort of looking at it in the right way?)
I'm torn between a IBM thinkpad x1 or a Fujitsu Stylistic 5020.
Both look very good...
So as for the pdf reading, I'd love you to confirm if it's just like reading a pdf file on your home computer.
Open in Adobe Acrobat and read away.
No sizing probs etc, like on the Sony Reader.
Any advice at this vital turning point in my life would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

AvidReader · 08-04-2007, 01:24 AM

Just discovered the Fujitsu p1610.
What a little beauty THAT looks like!?

Bob Russell · 08-04-2007, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvidReader

Bob,
I'm desperately awaiting your opinion on the Ebook side of things with your tablet pc.

Haven't tired yet, but I think it will be nice for displaying ebooks, not so nice for very long reading sessions due to weight & size. I'll let you know more when I've gotten around to using it that way. ;-)

08-03-2007, 06:41 PM	#43
AvidReader Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: PRS-500	Bob, I'm desperately awaiting your opinion on the Ebook side of things with your tablet pc. I'm on the very cliff-edge of buying a tablet myself rather than a Sony reader. I figured that with the tablet I won't have any native pdf issues, I can also read my comics (cbr files) in full colour, and on top of ALL of that, I can surf the net if I'm in a wireless hotspot. How can a Sony reader possibly live up to all that? (Am I sort of looking at it in the right way?) I'm torn between a IBM thinkpad x1 or a Fujitsu Stylistic 5020. Both look very good... So as for the pdf reading, I'd love you to confirm if it's just like reading a pdf file on your home computer. Open in Adobe Acrobat and read away. No sizing probs etc, like on the Sony Reader. Any advice at this vital turning point in my life would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance Last edited by AvidReader; 08-04-2007 at 01:24 AM. Reason: Oh, and another thing...

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06-11-2007, 07:50 PM	#31
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Anyone have any experience with screen protectors for tablet PCs? Especially for both touch and active pen digitizer technologies. I've seen these: http://www.strongengineering.com/ind...ROD&ProdID=453 http://www.boxwave.com/products/clea...d-x60_2444.htm http://www.boxwave.com/products/clea...d-x60_2444.htm but I'm not sure if they will be more of a pain than a help.

06-12-2007, 07:19 AM	#32
orcinus Gadgeteer Posts: 222 Karma: 540 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Croatia Device: iRex iLiad, Sony PRS-500, Nokia 770, BB 7200, Samsung i600, iPhone	Touch screen protectors are always a pain, it's just a question of how much pain I used to use (overhead) transparencies, with one or two corners cut to slightly larger dimensions then the screen, so i can tuck it under the screen frame. Used to have one a tablet, and long time ago on an iPaq 3670. It held on pretty tightly (thanks to the oversized corner, static electricity and partial vacuum under it) and worked on both, the iPaq and the tablet, so i guess it works just fine on both passive and active touch screens (as long as it's not too thick). Most transparencies i tried fared against scratches somewhat better than most dedicated screen protectors, but once they got scratched, it was more visible, so you had to change them every now and then.

06-12-2007, 12:30 PM	#34
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I actually remember them, now that I see images. The local MicroCenter had them on display, so I got to play with one a bit. I liked them well enough, but came away decided that the 10" screen was just not big enough for the resolution it seemed to force me to use. I like the 12 inchers a lot better -- it's amazing how much difference a mere 2 inches can make.

06-12-2007, 01:29 PM	#35
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Sigh! I just wish Apple could get in the tablet and ebook businesses.

06-12-2007, 03:27 PM	#37
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	For me, it was more a question of visual acuity -- I couldn't see anything on the smaller screen at 1024X768!

06-12-2007, 08:25 PM	#38
orcinus Gadgeteer Posts: 222 Karma: 540 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Croatia Device: iRex iLiad, Sony PRS-500, Nokia 770, BB 7200, Samsung i600, iPhone	With tablets, especially slate tablets, you can always use your built in zoom function (i.e. bring the tablet closer ). Unlike with traditional laptops and heavier machines.

06-12-2007, 09:36 PM	#39
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	True, but this was beyond the limits of that.

06-13-2007, 08:18 AM	#40
Azayzel Cache Ninja! Posts: 643 Karma: 1002300 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: PRS-500, HTC Shift, iPod Touch, iPaq 4150, TC1100, Panasonic WordsGear	erwin: I've never had a problem with my TC100's stylus, it's powered by a little AAAA battery (yup, finding the battery was a little problematic but Home Depot carried it). 4 years in August. I did have to buy a new keyboard a little over a year ago, when I spilled a Mountain Dew on it. Got a brand new one for $50 off of eBay. Bob: I think most of the newer Tablet PC's have scratch-resistant screens. I never used them on mine and there aren't any scratches on it. For that matter, the Gateway rep made a point to show how durable their model was by running his keys over the screen and knocking on it like he was wanting to come in.

08-04-2007, 01:24 AM	#44
AvidReader Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: PRS-500	Just discovered the Fujitsu p1610. What a little beauty THAT looks like!?