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TabletPCBuzz.com - new tablet tc4200 junk
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USA
1096 Posts My Tablet PCs: Acer C110tci (sold);
Acer C302XCi
1.6GHz
512MB RAM (current)
Posted - Feb 04 2005 : 12:02:05 PM
Wow, lol, I guess my Acer 302 wouldn't be looked at in a nice light by tablettc1000 considering it's a 6lb tablet with a keyboard perminently attached. What was I thinking buying this worthless thing???
Lol, j/k, and I know many (most) of the HP tablet users are people who only use the keyboard at times and can live without one attached, which is why most of you purchased the light hybrid you did. But it was requested that people explain how they use the keyboard with their tablet, so here's mine:
From a student point of view, it's useful to have a keyboard firmly with me at all times (yes, even though that means when taking notes) because there are lots of times I need to type but I don't have the level/secure surface I'd need fof a keyboard attachment (busses, parks, benches, crowded tables...). The reason I chose a convertible over a hybrid is for many of the reasons already listed; I was insecure about leaving behing the safety of a keyboard, I type a lot anyway, I didn't know what all I could do with a tablet when first choosing, AND, like many unexperienced users, thought that writing on the screen was just a "feature" not the entire computer experience. If convertibles open up more users to the usability of a pen and a pen alone in interacting with their day to day tasks, then all the better! Who knows, I may have never made the jump to tablet if there wasn't a convertible on the market, as there was no way for me to try the pen technology in advance before buying. I know in my head I was thinking, "Well, if the pen sucks and the whole tablet idea is junk, then I still have a normal laptop. That's fine."
Thought I'd chime-in in the defense of convertibles, that's all ^_^.
The Student Tablet PC - http://studenttabletpc.blogs.com
convertible tablets are what will make the tablet pc concept survive and thrive. If the tablet pc only existed in slate mode, it would have died a long time ago. I, personally, cannot survive without a keyboard. I like to type and I'm fast at it.
Using a convertible tablet will also open up a lot of eyes to the possibilities of using a slate - just a different form factor. Its' all about choices, and choices are good.
These are exciting times for tablet pc's and tablet software development.
USA
149 Posts My Tablet PCs: TC1100
(Treo 600)
(Newton MessagePad)
Posted - Feb 04 2005 : 3:25:44 PM
--RANT ON--- I'd have to say that the Hybrid format is the one that makes the most sense to me. Having a keyboard is important. Anyone who is a decent typist can attest to that (or a gamer or programer for that matter). But having a keyboard permanently attached to your system is backwards thinking. And from a manufacturer's standpoint, its just bad design ... or perhaps 'cop-out design' is a better term. For the 4200, without a built in DVD drive, this is even more so.
For those who always walk around with the TC1100 keyboard attached, there is fundamentally no difference between a TC1100 and a convertible that uses an external optical drive. But having the ability to go without the keyboard (and only using the pen) is what really 'defines' the Tablet PC experience.
I've been an HP mobile device user since the Omnibook 600C (popout mouse anyone?). And a handheld user since the Newton. And the TC1100 is the BEST mobile device I've ever used. Certainly the most forward-thinking consumer computing device I've seen from HP.
While the 4200 isn't a bad device, and certainly fullfils a 'market need' for HP, it can't be placed into the same class of design as the TC1100. And the hybrid tablet format (perhaps with a larger removable keyboard) makes the most sense for the average TPC user.
Is there any one of you convertible users out there that didn't at one time wish you could pull off the keyboard and just use the screen? And if you say "no," ask yourself, "when was the last time I used the pen?" If the answer is "hardly ever," then you're a laptop user with a TPC, not a TPC user. ---RANT OFF---
USA
1096 Posts My Tablet PCs: Acer C110tci (sold);
Acer C302XCi
1.6GHz
512MB RAM (current)
Posted - Feb 04 2005 : 4:19:53 PM
I use the pen all the time, but I have to ask:
<lol, to follow suit, ---RANT ON---> What's wrong with being a laptop user with a TPC? Some people don't need to redefine their computer use to include the pen 24/7, but still want the option to draw a picture or write some notes here or there. If you're use to a keyboard (aka, laptop), and you don't have a *real* reason to leave to keyboard (some people aren't tech people who get excited over these things, some people hate learning new things and don't really need to, some people just LOVE to type everything, etc.) then what's your motivation to do so?
Example: I have a phone that supports internet, but I only use it to download ringtones here and there, and I'm not even really sure how the internet works on my phone. There's just a button to find songs. I still bought the phone, internet is still big on phones, the power user still gets his powerful wireless phone to use like real "mobil computing," and I still have my phone to download a ringtone or two. The same idea lets each type of user do his/her own thing with the phone.
I guess, to sum it up, who cares if some people don't use *every* aspect of a TPC? People will still buy the technology, some people will slowly learn to use it everyday, but some will simply push it aside as something they don't need but like to have "just in case". I know we're suppose to be all, "Tablet PC is the only way to go!!!" here, but when it comes down to it, as long as the tablet screen gets picked up as a norm for the computer user, then those of us who use the tablet to it's fullest will have more options for software and hardware, and a better tablet experience over all. Don't complain about anything that gets more people to buy a tablet pc, even if it's not the tablet you think they could find the best tablet pc experience on. <lol and ---RANT OFF--->
The Student Tablet PC - http://studenttabletpc.blogs.com
I'm going to buy a tc4200 unless either HP, Toshiba or somebody else comes out with something better. Or I die of old age before HP starts taking orders for it. I had a tc1100 for about 8 months and the things I like better about the tc4200 are bigger screen, better keyboard, touchpad, faster and I think I like the new docks better. I would have been happier with a slightly larger tc1100 with a better keyboard and faster. I mainly used my tc1100 as a PDA with light duty database and programming. I did most of the heavy lifting on my desktop with a larger screen. I would like to be able to get out of the house more often now that most of the local hangouts are getting WiFi. I could deal with the screen size but really hated doing anything keyboard intensive and didn't like the pointing stick at all (never have). So while this may not be perfect its simply the best available. The other option would be to get a tablet and a notebook but that would be costly. For people that took notes all day long in meetings and did email, internet and a little spreadsheeting back at the desk a slate would be perfect.
For me the issues are the compromise between power, screen size and portability and the advantages/disadvantages of using a portable with a dock vs. a portable and a desktop.
United Kingdom
1386 Posts My Tablet PCs: HP TC1100.
Previous:
HP TC1000,
Viewsonic 1100,
Fujitsu Sytlistic 3400
Posted - Feb 04 2005 : 5:19:42 PM
I practically never use the keyboard on the TC1100 as all I do involves handwritten notes, which is what I bought it for However, I don't know if I would have the same requirements if the tablet was my only laptop. Maybe my requirements would be closer to the TC4200
what does it mean " tablet pc " people want take some note or write something on the sreeen but still holding tablet with keyboard weight to heavy . How long can u hold the tablet pc 4.5 lbs when u waking around , can lady the carry tablet weight 4.5 lbs for more 1 to 2 hours .
the winner still tc1000 and tc1100 hp will never come back to upgrade it ? tc1000 and tc1100 the screen only 2lbs compare to tc4200 4.5 lbs ? talking about screen if u blind thanu can go to view and click on textside amd to largest , i have no ploblem when using 10 inchs screen i can sit far away 6 feet and still see the text .
it would be nice have biger screen but the keyboard must left when i do not need it . i going back my laptop and keep tc1000 wait until other tablet from other pc marker , , tc4200 really really junk junk junk .
I too would like to see a hybrid with a great detachable keyboard, but the designs I've seen so far make it far too precarious to use the keyboard in non-flat surface environments. I suppose the biggest reason I went for the M200 were the specs though. I wanted the fastest, the highest res, and the rest I could deal with.
I hope you change your attitude a bit tablettc1000; I don't think anyone appreciates it so far.
4 Posts My Tablet PCs: HP TC1000
(soon) Toshiba M200
Posted - Feb 05 2005 : 12:43:58 PM
Wow, I was actually glad and quite wistful to hear of the TC4200.
Monitoring my usage patterns over the past 2 years, I have found that I rarely use Ink but find it extremely invaluable when I do. I was looking at various upgrade options including buying a regular laptop and a wacom tablet but came to the conclusion that I *must* have a TPC.
I finally got a refurbed M200 instead because I don't anything else out there with a large resolution screen (TC4200 is still 1024x768 ) and a fast processor. Still, I am a faithful HP customer so still feel quite guilty at leaving camp. I hope the TC4200 succeeds and does well.
USA
477 Posts My Tablet PCs: tc1000 (CONVERTED Dell Axim/Sony Clie user)
Posted - Feb 05 2005 : 2:57:32 PM
Why is everyone griping about the 4200? (after reading several of the Rants..tablettc1000...I can see. But, I thought HP was releasing two new tablets. Can we wait and reserve judgement then. Also, thee are many differnt types of tablets and many different types of tablet USERS. To each is/her own. If you like your TC1X00 thats fine, I like mine too. Bu there are other people that like the 4200 for different reasons and will buy it. I think what it important is that it blends Tablet and laptop together to catch that section of the market and bring it in to the "Tablet PC World". I believe that one day all laptops will have some/all tablet function to them and then there will also be "pure" tablets for those of us that chose that route.
United Kingdom
68 Posts My Tablet PCs: TC1100, Celeron 800mhz, 30gig, 512mb, 802.11 a/b/g, Freecom USB DVD/CDRW - OpenOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, HTML Kit, Media Player Classic...
Posted - Feb 06 2005 : 05:03:53 AM
I'll be upfront, I hate it, it just looks like a ripoff of the Toshiba Design to me, and when I bought my original TC1000 I made a concious decision to avoids that.
It occurs to me that this new HP tablet is a consequence of the marriage of Compaq and HP, the original TCs were Compaq's take on the concept, but now that the decisions are being made by HP, which as far as I know did not even have a Tab in planning at that time, this could be the only way that the Tablet team could ensure that the TC line continued at all, although it confirms what what I have thought for a while in that the Tab will simply be molded into another variant of laptop, leading to a standard design with pen input.
This seems to me very much a VHS/Beta type situation, anyone who has used the TC1X00 design will praise it to heaven, as far as I kow it is the nearest we are ever going to get to the best of both worlds and for me it makes the tab unique but still usable to a traditional KB user like myself. From a domestic usage standpoint its best application is that without the KB, it is a superb web navigator, light enough to use liying down and held above your head. Some day soon, we will all have a dumb wireless display which can hookup to any PC and do the same, but at the moment it is a unique and valuable selling point.
The real tradgedy here is that HP has chosen to throw away its one differential in the marketplace, IE its unique design, and turn its tabs into what the critics have always called them, overpriced laptops.
This seems to be the crux of the matter, MS has long been known to want a design of laptop which includes digitizer input, could it be that the Tab PC was just a way to kickstart this? The thing is, that if all you offer is a laptop with pen input, given the lack of an optical drive and the much lower numbers, who is going to dump their Laptop and pay the premium?
for my part, I think current plan,, barring a new hybrid design from HP, is to upgrade my Celery to a Centrino in the near future and when that begins to groan, hope that Sony and JVC are still producing their micro laptop lines, keeping my HP for comfortable web browsing.
Oh, an ditching the Geforce graphics is a stupid idea too!
USA
149 Posts My Tablet PCs: TC1100
(Treo 600)
(Newton MessagePad)
Posted - Feb 06 2005 : 07:25:27 AM
I had totally forgotten that the TC1000 was a Compaq brainchild.
Guess I'm being hard on HP for no reason. The design team/division that created the TC1X00 may no longer be part of the company. Sort of like Apple without Woz and Jobs.
And Carly may be getting nervous about product lines which the board (and investors) could call frivolous...
tablet tc4200 junk ....junk ..fujitsu came out long time ago tablet t4000 , it come dvd combo drive build in but the weight only 4.2lbs + 12 inchs screen . fujitsu t4000 selling less than 1800 dls compare to tc4200 weight heavy and no dvd build in http://store.yahoo.com/col88/fujitsut4010.html which one is the winner ? fujitsu t4000 or hp tc4200 ?
new tablet tc4200 junk 
Topic Locked
Posted - Feb 04 2005 : 12:02:05 PM
Microsoft MVP - Tablet PC 
) and a fast processor. Still, I am a faithful HP customer so still feel quite guilty at leaving camp. I hope the TC4200 succeeds and does well.
