Greetings. I am new to the group and posted the below message the other day in the Hardware Zone under Toshiba but it is a more generic query than that. I am not yet a Tablet PC user but am anxious to be one and am looking to you all for your experienced advice to help me choose wisely.

I have been reading up on the Tablet PC and it sounds like something that could serve my very different purposes: taking notes and keeping documentation on my patients; and as a tool for my art work. I draw, paint, and I often use photos as models. Ideally for the medical purposes I would like to put in a template of the forms we use for our office notes and other forms and be able to hand write notes that I can put into the different sections of the form and then print them out later in legible text. The word seems to be that the hand writing recognition programs are getting better and better. Or even use voice recognition in the same way. For the art aspect, I have many saved images of say tropical flowers and palm trees etc that I have backed up on a disc to use if I need to see how the light reflects off a bunch of green bananas, etc. I was also reading about an art program that would let you draw as with dry pastels. Anyway, I can not tell which tablet out there would serve my purposes best. I have appreciated the experience I read in the threads on this website and hope that you all can help me select. I am so anxious to buy one but want to feel confident about the purchase.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions and insights.
Sincerely,
ashawhan

Welcome to the forums!

Anyway, I can not tell which tablet out there would serve my purposes best. I have appreciated the experience I read in the threads on this website and hope that you all can help me select. I am so anxious to buy one but want to feel confident about the purchase.

This is a tough decision. Determine which features are the most important and then look to see if there is a Tablet PC that matches it. For example, long battery life goes to Electrovaya, screen resolution goes to Toshiba, inexpensive convertible belongs to Avaratec... etc

For an artist, you might look at the Fujitsu units because their displays are good with a wide viewing angle.

Those are just a couple of suggestions.

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Thanks for your suggestions. I am wondering if the same programs for handwriting recognition and art work can be used in the Avaratec, and since I am somewhat computer literate, but in no way a wizard, might I be satisfied? Will I notice the screen resolution of the Avaratec as insufficient? I am like someone who can read music a little, keep in tune when singing but do not have illusions of having a musicians trained ear. So would Avaretec tide me over the next two years while Tablet PCs continue to refine? OR are the differences so very stark?

ashawhan

Good questions. I think Layne's suggestion of making a list of priorities is the best.

Since you're looking at the Averatec C3500 Tablet PC now, then my guess is that price is at the top of your priority list. You might also want to consider the Acer TravelMate C112 because the price range is close, it's lighter weight, and runs cooler so you can carry it around more (you mentioned "taking notes and keeping documentation on my patients").

Remember, a Tablet PC has more input features than a traditional notebook. Once you get past whether you want a convertible or a slate, the differences between units really has to do with small features.

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Lora,
Price is not top priority and your advice is good. I am just trying to get a feel for style vs substance. I guess substance would be my priority, i.e. high functionality. I am pretty sure I want a convertible because I can type well but the pen computing allows me to draw as in illustrate to patients while educating or drawing a drawing while traveling. So far the Toshiba seems to have it all but and indwelling cd/dvd drive. So many choices so little time. Thank you for your help I will give the Acer a closer look.
Ann

The Averatec's primary advantage is price. It ranks lower than other Tablet PCs in terms of ultra-portability because of weight, heat and battery life. It is a great entry level Tablet PC. In other words it's good, and just like with other products when you have a lower priced item, there are reasons that it's able to be priced lower.

You can always use an external optical drive or a network optical drive. Consider if it's that you just want an optical drive for the now and again use or if it is something you would use daily. For example, I download most applications so rarely use an optical drive, but do like one to make backups. I use an external or network drive for this purpose. If I want to watch a movie, I can go to Netflix and download it. Consider buying one when you get your machine, just so you have it, but if you don't have to carry it around with you all the time, leave it behind :)

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Very helpful. This is really helping me refine my consideration. Thanks,
ashawhan