I hate to admit it but, despite significant research, I remain undecided between Scribbler 2200, M1400, Portege 200, and Stylistic 5xxx. Thanks for the posts that narrowed the list to these four.

How it looks from a rookie:

Motion Computing seems the highest rated slates among slate afficionados. I've found little info on the "dashboard" but apparently Motion does it best.

Electrovaya will run a full day on a single charge. Fujitsu Stylistic posts a 5 plus hour charge time

All three units are pure slate.

The Toshiba model is a convertible, however, its attractiveness is better screen resolution, optional 2.0Ghz M processor, and a wide variety of accessories including a port replicator as opposed to a docking station.

Motion continues to get a nod from a variety of net sites despite its 1.1Ghz M processor speed compared to Electrovaya's 1.4 and Toshiba's 2.0. The viewing angle and "view anywhere" technology is reportedly best on the M1400 although both Electrovaya and Fujitsu both offer a similar feature.

Electrovaya and Motion require a second mortgage to afford the slate plus goodies.

I agree with most in that it's difficult to make a recommendation as to which flavor of tablet tastes best without understanding what the user's requirements (intentions for use) are. Here's mine:

Slate- pure thickness issue as this will replace my paper dependency
Horsepower- I run a variety of graphic design packages (AI, PS, Quark..)
Ram- 1Gb plus
Port replicator- not a dock. This is key. I'm a heavy phone user with extensive note requirements and want to use the tablet pc for scribbling, designing, text recognition/conversion, etc. Simultaneously, if text input is heavy, I like a wireless optical, natural keyboard for entry. A separate 20" LCD display would mirror the tablet screen.
USB port(s)- printer connectivity and external Rom/DVD

The technology side of the tablet is relatively easy to compare but the intangibles are what drives all of us to enjoy the experience of one unit over another. I like my Thinkpad laptop but the Gateway my wife has feels flimsy and whines incessantly while the fan is running. This being said, Motion gives me a warm fuzzy except for the processer speed that clearly needs a bump given my application needs. Similarly, the Scribbler 2200 has an attractive alloy casing suggestive of durability with a design that lends itself to professional presentation. Fujitsu is plastic as is Toshiba.

Toshiba is 1.5" thick...too much for a paper tablet alternative.

I like Electrovaya but haven't found recent posts about the 1.4 processor, support, and the view anywhere option. Electrovaya's following seems modest, on balance.

Thanks for the rant and I welcome others comments.

Best,
Valpo