Laptop or Table PC?

K

King of Creation

Vault Fossil
So I've got a new internship for next semester, and I'm going to need a mobile computer for it. I can't decide whether to get a laptop or tablet PC, however. It seems that tablet pcs are definitely not as powerful as laptops, but I've never used a tablet PC so I wouldn't know where to begin a real comparison. Has anyone used one before? What should I get?
 
Ask yourself, do I want it, or do I NEED it? It all comes to – what are you designate it for.

Why do you need it for? what type of job will you do? which applications you are going to run? are you going to sit in an office or run outside throughout the day? how durable do you need this thing to be (will it be subject to potential damage)? how long do you need the battery to last? do you want to upgrade it in the future? do you have a proffered notebook brand?


and if you really cant decide, get a convertible, best of both worlds.
 
Well, I probably wouldn't get a slate tablet. I'd definitely get one of the convertible ones if I was to get a tablet.

As for what I'd be doing...it's a congressional internship, so I'd probably be going to lots of committee meetings, making presentations for the senator, other intern stuff. I can't really see the computer being in any potentially damaging situations. I'm sure the Capitol Building has plenty of outlets everywhere, so I don't think battery life is all that big of an issue. I don't really care about brand, just as long as warranties and service are good. And I don't really plan on upgrading it, as I've got my desktop for all the upgrade worthy applications (ie. Fallout 3).
 
I think the most important thing to consider then is how you will transport it around DC. I suggest a soft-wall briefcase, to protect the finish.

As for the brand, I'm typing here on my Compaq Presario V2000. It has a widescreen format monitor that works well for powerpoint and word processing, and for playing DVDs. I got it from Best Buy for $900ish after rebates. It has a decent battery life, is lightweight, a nice bright crisp display and plenty of USBs and the ilk. My only issue is that some of my keys stick (since purchase, shut up Ratty :twisted: ), esp the M key for some reason, but that may all just be a fluke of this particular unit.

But in the end transporting it alot can lead to mishaps and scratched covers and things, along with general damage issues that transcend brand and such. So just be sure to get a nice soft-over case for it!
 
Here are some ultra portable models I personally used/serviced during my work as a systems admin.

The notebook I use right now is an IBM (not Lenovo) X31 - its about 8 months old, and it dose all I need it to do. it weights only 3.6lb has a 12.1" LCD with 1024x768 resolution which is acceptable. It is great for presentations (as I often used it for them) and it is very durable having a magnesium shell (I once had a 50lb kid stepped on it and nothing had happened). it has all the itsy bitsy toys like gigabit NIC and Bluetooth adapter, it accepts up to 2GB of ram, though only 1gig is installed at the moment. battery lasts for around 3.5 hours (depends what you use it for).
The cons: no integrated optical drive - you'll have to buy an X3 ultrabase (in which you can add another battery) or use an external optical drive like I do right now.
The machine has 2XUSB 2.0 and a firewire port, so it should be ok for that.

IBM released some successive models: the X40, X41 and the X41 tablet edition. While I did not have the opportunity to check both X41's I assume that they are somewhat similar to what I have right now. The X40 notebook I used a while ago, is a little bit smaller then my x31, it weight is around 3lb and it is one of the smaller notebooks on the market. the cons of the x40-41 series is their integrated video cards (Intel extreme graphics, BAH) and their integrated 256MB of ram (which limits your maximum installed ram to 1280MB.Other then that those are pretty wicked machines designed for mobile business users who need their notebooks to do what they are designed for.

The warranty from IBM lasts for 3 years, and by having the on site plan the stupid tech will come to you to fix (or replace) your machine. IBM will keep supporting their machines up to 2008 and then Lenovo will take over.

Another useful machine on of the lawyers used was the Dell Ispiron 300m, pretty wicked little machine roughly the size of an x31. it has the standard 12.1" LCD and a somewhat attractive blue shell (even though its cheep plastic and not magnezium) it has a decent battery life lasting around 3-4 or so hours. cons: integrated video and no optical drive.
Again, this module is replaced by the Latitude X1 notebook line that have the same problems as the IBM X40-X41 (integrated video, and ram and no built in optical drive)

One of my friends has a Fujitsu P7010, a wicked little notebook.
10.6" lcd with XGA, built in modular DVD-CDRW and weights around 3lb. It is pretty wicked machine that with only two problems: Intel extreme graphics and the usage of MICRO DIMMS (they are more expensive and hard to find). This little system is highly recommended and Fujitsu, unlike Sony still manufacture their products in Japan.

Whatever you do, don’t buy HP.

If you don’t need the latest module, consider purchasing either the X40 or the 300M, they are all worth it.
 
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