windows tablet
July 20, 2011 8:36 AM Subscribe
Windows 7 Tablet?
I'm 98% certain I want it to run Windows. Android would be the other option, but I basically want it to be a more portable version of my home computer, so Windows is really the choice. So my question now is, which model?
I've looked into maybe the HP Slate 500 and the Acer Iconia. The Slate looks nice, although maybe a little small, and they seem sketchy on the marketing only for business users.
And I would like to get a look at these in person, but I'm having trouble finding retailers that carry them. Any ideas?
Thanks.
I'm 98% certain I want it to run Windows. Android would be the other option, but I basically want it to be a more portable version of my home computer, so Windows is really the choice. So my question now is, which model?
I've looked into maybe the HP Slate 500 and the Acer Iconia. The Slate looks nice, although maybe a little small, and they seem sketchy on the marketing only for business users.
And I would like to get a look at these in person, but I'm having trouble finding retailers that carry them. Any ideas?
Thanks.
Wal Mart carries the Acer Iconia tablet - both Windows 7 and Android 7 versions.
posted by Telpethoron at 8:53 AM on July 20, 2011
posted by Telpethoron at 8:53 AM on July 20, 2011
Ack - Android 3.0, not Android 7. That would be what - Klondike or Licorice?
posted by Telpethoron at 8:55 AM on July 20, 2011
posted by Telpethoron at 8:55 AM on July 20, 2011
I'm ridiculously in lust with the Asus Eee Slate and keep trying to convince myself that I can afford one. Probably out of your price range, but it's something to look at.
A couple of my friends have Lenovo Ideapads, and they do seem really nice (but they do have normal laptop bulk, so not for you if you're looking for something sleek).
posted by anaelith at 9:01 AM on July 20, 2011
A couple of my friends have Lenovo Ideapads, and they do seem really nice (but they do have normal laptop bulk, so not for you if you're looking for something sleek).
posted by anaelith at 9:01 AM on July 20, 2011
I own a Slate 500, and it works fine. I don't actually have much need for it, so it doesn't get used much, but when I do use it it does the job it's supposed to do. (I bought it because it was cool, not because I really needed it for anything.)
The only thing about it is that it's tough to get it set up initially. The default for the on-screen keypad is for autorepeat, so entering your name and password initially using the onscreen keyboard is a royal pain. If you get a Slate, borrow a USB keyboard to do the initial setup.
Once you get past that, you can turn autorepeat off for the onscreen keyboard, and then it works fine. (It really should have defaulted to "off".)
The touch screen can be used with your finger, but it's better to use the stylus for most things. Also, there's a button on the stylus which substitutes for the right mouse button. Holding the button down and clicking with the stylus pops up the context menu. With your finger there isn't any obvious way to get that.
The Slate has one USB port built in. When it's sitting on its charger stand, there are two additional USB ports. If you hooked up a DVD drive, a keyboard, and a mouse, it would be just like a standard computer.
The only thing about the Slate that I don't like is that they didn't include an ethernet port. I wouldn't expect that in stand-alone mode, but I hoped there would be an ethernet connector on the stand. There isn't, so wifi is the only way to network it, including for initial validation of the Windows license, and downloading patches.
I got one of the very first Slates. It has 2GB of RAM and a 64G SSD. That doesn't sound like a whole lot, but it's more than you think. Right now, with Windows and all the apps I've got installed, I'm only using 17G of it. There is 46G of free space.
Also, the Slate has an SDXC port. That's the successor to SDHC. I've got a 32G SDHC plugged into it, for additional space if I need it. The SDXC standard supports up to 2 TB. There are 64G chips already, and bigger ones will be appearing.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:18 AM on July 20, 2011
The only thing about it is that it's tough to get it set up initially. The default for the on-screen keypad is for autorepeat, so entering your name and password initially using the onscreen keyboard is a royal pain. If you get a Slate, borrow a USB keyboard to do the initial setup.
Once you get past that, you can turn autorepeat off for the onscreen keyboard, and then it works fine. (It really should have defaulted to "off".)
The touch screen can be used with your finger, but it's better to use the stylus for most things. Also, there's a button on the stylus which substitutes for the right mouse button. Holding the button down and clicking with the stylus pops up the context menu. With your finger there isn't any obvious way to get that.
The Slate has one USB port built in. When it's sitting on its charger stand, there are two additional USB ports. If you hooked up a DVD drive, a keyboard, and a mouse, it would be just like a standard computer.
The only thing about the Slate that I don't like is that they didn't include an ethernet port. I wouldn't expect that in stand-alone mode, but I hoped there would be an ethernet connector on the stand. There isn't, so wifi is the only way to network it, including for initial validation of the Windows license, and downloading patches.
I got one of the very first Slates. It has 2GB of RAM and a 64G SSD. That doesn't sound like a whole lot, but it's more than you think. Right now, with Windows and all the apps I've got installed, I'm only using 17G of it. There is 46G of free space.
Also, the Slate has an SDXC port. That's the successor to SDHC. I've got a 32G SDHC plugged into it, for additional space if I need it. The SDXC standard supports up to 2 TB. There are 64G chips already, and bigger ones will be appearing.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:18 AM on July 20, 2011
The Asus Eee slate anaelith mentions is really, really nice, if you can cope with the relatively short battery life (and the price tag, of course). I don't regret buying mine, but at the same time it might be worth waiting a bit, if you can, since I think there are some other promising models in the pipeline.
My go-to site for any info or advice on tablets is the TabletPCReview discussion forums -- lots of good comments from people who actually own and use various models, as well as links to press releases on upcoming models, etc.
posted by Kat Allison at 10:25 AM on July 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
My go-to site for any info or advice on tablets is the TabletPCReview discussion forums -- lots of good comments from people who actually own and use various models, as well as links to press releases on upcoming models, etc.
posted by Kat Allison at 10:25 AM on July 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Win7, 10-inch display, converts from netbook w/keyboard to touchscreen tablet by rotating the screen. Log in via password, touchpattern, or face recognition. Pretty robust. I use it as a netbook in the office and traveling, and as a touchscreen tablet (w/ foot pedal page turner) to display music for rehearsal and public performance.
Look for one with the Atom N470 processor. The N450 and N455 are slow.
Microcenter had a N455 on display when I was shopping this past January.
posted by Herodios at 8:52 AM on July 20, 2011