Netbook Tablet as a Viable eBook Reader Option

[thinkpad]

Anyone in here with experience of Thinkpad tablet models? I'm thinking that my next laptop might be a x200t. I certainly wouldn't mind getting the IPS screen that's installed. But what about fingerprints and dirt, is this a problem when it comes to tablets? I'm guessing I mostly will use it as a regular PC and from time to time flip it into tablet mode. Would you constantly have to swipe it from fingerprints?

[AdrianWerner]

Originally Posted by thinkpadx

Anyone in here with experience of Thinkpad tablet models? I'm thinking that my next laptop might be a x200t. I certainly wouldn't mind getting the IPS screen that's installed. But what about fingerprints and dirt, is this a problem when it comes to tablets? I'm guessing I mostly will use it as a regular PC and from time to time flip it into tablet mode. Would you constantly have to swipe it from fingerprints?

all thinkpads have matte screens, so they won't be anywhere near the finger print magnet and you will be overall hardpressed to find better convertible laptop than X200t series. Altough rember they lack the touchpad (which is a big plus to me), so if you want one get x201 instead.
I actualy ordered X61t today (cheaper than x200 and has more comfortable or pdfs 4:3 screen). All this tablet/ipad/slate hype has awaken my gadget lust, but then I just calmed down and went for THinkpad as always

[thinkpad]

Originally Posted by AdrianWerner

I actualy ordered X61t today (cheaper than x200 and has more comfortable or pdfs 4:3 screen).

I didn't know you could still get the x61t. x200t on ebay go for around $1000 up to $2000 but that's with the touch and pen.

Oddly enough Lenovo hasn't started selling the x201t on there site but I've read people who got it, from where I'm not sure.

[Crowl]

Originally Posted by Magnesus

I don't understand why all those tablets have wide screens. Well, actually I understand - they are the cheapest right now. Those screens are too narrow when used in portrait mode and too short when used in landscape world... I won't buy iPad but I have to admit - using better than TN screen (IPS) with 4:3 proportions was a very good decision by Apple.

For reflowable formats then a widescreen device in portrait is fine and doesn't waste space, video is obviously better in most cases and they may also be a cheaper option due to wider availability.

Incidentally, go and measure your paper books, most of them will be closer to 16:10 than 4:3.

[thinkpad]

I found this really great walk through of the thinkpad x200 tablet showing the touch feature for scrolling in firefox amongst other things:
http://jkontherun.com/2009/09/22/mob...t-pc-on-video/

After seeing this video I really think my next laptop might be a x200 tablet. The touch interaction seems very responsive.

Extensive review:
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/lapt...ultitouch.aspx

[AdrianWerner]

Originally Posted by thinkpadx

I found this really great walk through of the thinkpad x200 tablet showing the touch feature for scrolling in firefox amongst other things:
http://jkontherun.com/2009/09/22/mob...t-pc-on-video/

After seeing this video I really think my next laptop might be a x200 tablet. The touch interaction seems very responsive.

It is, plus it far more readable under a sunlight than majority of it's competitors (especially iPad). Throw in classic Thinkpad build quality and the best keyboard in laptop business and x200 is a winner.
Just be sure to buy a version with 8-9 cell battery, the extra bulk is a worthy price to pay for 9-10 hours of battery time

[sheygetz]

Maybe it should be mentioned that the X200t is about 3 to 4 times the price of the alternatives this thread started out with. With a view of the subject at hand it seems just a little over the top.

[ChrisC333]

Not sure if anybody mentioned it yet but Hewlett Packard do a tablet style notebook with a touch screen. The HP Touchsmart Tm2, which is extensively reviewed at the link below, including 3 videos and many pictures.

HP TM2 reviewed at Mobiletech

It's a good bit bigger than the Asus T91MT - the HP has a 12" screen - and it's obviously quite a lot heavier too.

I bought one recently and it suits my requirement perfectly. I don't mind the weight of a laptop and can comfortably read on my HP tablet in bed for instance as well as lying on the couch with it propped against a leg, sitting with it on my lap, or whatever. And it's big enough to do a good job of displaying things like on-line magazines, news sites, PDF manuals etc.

It's a real winner for me. So thanks again to jswinden for this thread, which prompted me to investigate local availability of tablets in the first place.

The picture below shows it in company with a few other things plucked off my shelves to give some comparison (the other computer is a cheap 10" Acer netbook). The printed books are by far the heaviest, the newspaper the biggest, and the iTouch and pocket dictionary the smallest, yet I can read all of them without any problem. Both computers are reasonably demanding with regard to getting the angle right for the best viewing experience, but I didn't have any trouble adjusting to that. The HP tablet sits nicely in the middle of the size/weight range and is easily the most versatile of them all.

Cheers,

Chris

[AdrianWerner]

Originally Posted by sheygetz

Maybe it should be mentioned that the X200t is about 3 to 4 times the price of the alternatives this thread started out with. With a view of the subject at hand it seems just a little over the top.

true, however it's a good choice if you're buying a new laptop and thought "why not buy one that will work as e-reader". For other people X60 and X61 tablets are better choice obviously

[thinkpad]

The ASUS t101 model looks good, although without tweaking the OS it seems a bit on the slow side. I like the smaller size of the T91MT better. 2.1 pounds vs 2.86. I would have prefered if the T91MT came with the faster Atom N450 (1.66GHz) processor instead of the Atom Z520 (1.33GHz) processor.

I found this link with unboxing of the T101:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gFlH...layer_embedded


I was curious about the differences between the T91MT and the T101 so I found this link that sums it up:
http://www.netbooklive.net/asus-t91m...-eee-pcs-3091/


A Thinkpad x200 Tablet will run considerably more smooth than any of these netbooks but as sheygetz mentioned: this comes at a considerable higher price.

[mrkarl]

yeah, a quite a bit higher price..........I just did a clean win7 install on my t91mt and it's actually quite fast with none of the asus software on it, go figure. I think my comic reader works better too

[tablettweet]

If you are interesting in HP TouchSmart TM2. Amazon has offered 30 percent discount price right now ! made it around 860 USD. But the price of HP TouchSmart TM2 still almost double of T91MT. Hmm you have to decide !

[thinkpad]

Originally Posted by mrkarl

I just did a clean win7 install on my t91mt and it's actually quite fast with none of the asus software on it, go figure.

Is it possible to use something like Safari Books online without lag on this device?

[mrkarl]

Originally Posted by thinkpadx

Is it possible to use something like Safari Books online without lag on this device?

Don't know......I'm not familiar with safari books online, I'll have to check it out

[mrkarl]

hmmm...is there some sort of other like service that works the same but doesn't want a credit card number before I can even see what they have to offer?