Tablet PC Buzz

NEC Versa Lite suspend mode crash

I had a strange problem wiht my NEC Versa Lite tabletPC when it would go to suspend mode but would never come out. I would have to hold the power button for several seconds to force it to turn off. Sometimes it wouldn't even start from there and I would have to take the battery out.

After a lot of experimenting, seems like there was a problem with Norton antivirus 2005. I have NO idea why, I didn't investigate too much more into it ... but seems like the problem is gone after having removed Norton antivirus 2005.

I don't have too much other junk on there other than office 2003 and all the latest patches from microsoft, including service pack 2 for XP.

I figured I would pass on this info because it was a strange one, and EXTREMELY annoying.

Where to buy Versapad

I am trying to find a place that sells the Versa Pad. From the threads on this board I've looked at Sams Club, Tiger Direct, PC Connection, Best Buy, Circuit City and more but no one has them. Price Grabber is only finding one listing for $1,499! I was hoping to score one for $800-900 like others have done here. Any suggestions other than ebay?

I'm new to tablets and have been lurking for a few weeks bouncing all over the place with thoughts on which one to buy. Basically I think I'll start with the NEC since it's more reasonable and then I'll figure out what I may need/want from there.

From what I read I can accomplish what I need: Accepting signatures, writing on PDF files, taking notes, doing email with wireless connection, printing to a bluetooth printer (will need a BT card), auto adaptor will be a must. My only real concern is the viewability while in the car and while in my clients' businesses (mostly retail) with respect to brightness.

Thanks!
-Dan

Litepad as a paper notepad replacement ?

I have been thinking of getting the litepad as a notepad replacement for my office, but motion1's comments here (http://tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21971), about the batteries no longer being available gave me caution. I've read that the charge on the battery doesn't last long, but the battery itself.... does it become completely unuseable quickly?? or are we just talking about buying second / backup batteries?

I would need to go back and forth between office/labs and maybe an occasional meeting (no more than an hour, if it's a working meeting, I'll bring my laptop instead). most of the time I'd work at my desk with it, or there could be extended periods in a lab, but I figured I could take the ac adapter for those stints.

my usage on the litepad would mostly be handwritten notes, reading / marking PDFs, and wireless connection to download docs off the net... though I might need a specific wireless card, so a pcmcia slot would be good, too. also, some occasional keyboard work.

I mainly like how thin the litepad is, because I'd rather not have some big chunk on my desk for notes. but is the screen difficult to see at that angle?

for alternatives, I think something smaller might work, but the litepad is the thinnest I've seen. I also like the tc1100 for the easy keyboard connection, but it's a good bit pricier, and I'm not sure I want to spend that much to replace my notepads.

appreciate your thoughts!
--tok

Pen, Cursor, and Display problems revisited

I have had my LitePad for a few months, have updated it on line with Microsoft, and have a few issues which I have seen described before with varying responses. My problems are:
1. (BIGGEST PROBLEM) In mid-sentence the ink tracing skips, as if it were a ball point running out of ink. Not surprising, the handwriting recognition is lousy when this happens, and even when I am using Microsoft Journal it comes out so trashy at times I erase it and redo it. I typically try rotating the pen in my hand and the problem goes away, but I'm not sure if it had anything to do with my manipulation. (This is using the pen that came with the tablet. By the way, even though I have disabled the R click on pen option it still functions).
2. When using both pen and keyboard together sometimes it forgets to acknowledge the pen.
3. The erratic cursor that wants to go to the upper R or lower R corners. (I have adjusted for this by not using full screen so that windows do not get clicked shut. I still have to close the clock on occasion, though).
4. At times the cursor going "dead". (It seems to me this is just the computer freezing like a non-tablet, although to get out of it I have had at times to hook up the keyboard to physically do Ctrl-Alt-Delete to see what is running and turn off a thing or two).

I have seen discussions about replacing the motherboard, reinstalling drivers, that it is electromagnetic interference (KGB or CIA??), etc. I am not sure how many of my problems are manifestations of one thing, or different things, and if there are some definitive conclusions as, "Yes it is the motherboard", or, "Yes there is too much EM noise in the area you are having the problem in", or, "Yes, the original pen is poorly constructed, the Cross Pen (or something else) works a lot better."
Hopefully the answer is not, "Yes, to all of the above"[:(] or, "We are actually all more confused than ever."[cry]

Thank you all, Mike M. in Philly

Worth it for Adobe Reader only?

I already own an M200 tablet, and am looking for a solution to just read acrobat reader files on another screen, while doing my actual work on my M200. I saw the NEC and thought it might be a better solution than a PDA, which seems next to impossible to read a pdf on. Can anyone recommend if it would be worth to get this just for pdf reading - I can get it for $800 - is that a fair price?

Versa Litepad for Video?

Hello,

I have been reading all the posts in here about the Versa Litepad and I am really wanting one for my business purposes. The most attractive thing to me about this TPC is the size, and of course the recent price points (~$1000). The question I have is, do you think this pad will be a good display device to show video clips on. I have a video production business and this TPC will be great for client meetings, but I also want to use it as a display device to show some work samples to the clients I visit or just happen to run into. What are your thoughts? This would be my first TPC, I am currently using an averatec 3150 laptop for this, but of course I cant take "real" notes in the laptop and its getting a little bulky for me. Any other great points about this TPC would be great too; someone please try to sell this to me! hehe.. I need just a little more arm twisting.

Brian

thanks in advance for the replies.

Versa Litepad LCD replacement

My sister has a litepad, the top right corner of the LCD is cracked, well er crushed to be more precise, and it does not display correctly.

Now NEC wants $900 for the lcd replacement, but I am looking on the cheap a bit, especially since the machine costs $999 new from tiger direct.
Does anyone know of a good source for a replacement for this? Anyone have the model # of the LCD? If not I will need to crack it open and replace myself, but I still need a source..... :)

Thanks in advance.

Desperately seeking battery!

Greetings!

Can anyone point me shed any light on where I can purchase a battery for my LitePad?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have searched across the Internet, but maybe I missed a site.

TIA,
Rick

new to litepad

Hi everyone! I am writing this message on my new (open-box) versa bought at PC connection for 799 $. First time with a tablet PC and I am amazed at the handwriting recognition. Brilliant! I also got the much needed 512 memory. And an external battery called the N -charge 2. Without its expansion pacK it is quite light at 1.5 pound. With the expansion, I get a wonderful 10 hours of battery life with full brightness and wifi on. Maybe I don't need all that and I might look into the thinner electrovaya batteries for shorter times. Does anyone know ifthe powerpad 80 works with it ? I wonder which adapter would work.
cheers. Julien

Bundled LitePad USB Keyboard

Why did they make this keyboard? Who would make such a terrible keyboard? I wish they never bundled it and sold the unit without the mouse and keyboard for $5 less. I thought that once I use the keyboard for a few weeks that it would become softer and easier to type on. After 2 weeks of constant typing and correcting and retyping letters, I realized that it will not get any better than it is right now. I'm not too sure about how everyone else's bundled keyboard, but mine is bad. Very bad, and a huge waste of time to type on.

Can this component be returned to NEC for one that works thru warranty? Has anyone done this yet?

Regards,