This is the place to nominate your favorite Tablet PC for the 2004 Year. Just like last year, we will keep this thread open until we get enough input. We will then compile the list and make the poll for voting. Once the Tablet PC has been nominated then I'll update the list in this post. You may then chime in regarding the pros and cons of the Tablet PC. May the best Tablet PC win.

Please include the following:

(1) Model Number
(2) Target Audience
(3) Provide reasons for nominating the tablet and make sure you convince us !

Note: Only registered members are able to post nominations.

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I nominate Toshiba's Portege M200. This is why I vote for this unit:

1.I needed a lightweight convertible for use in my law practice. I wanted an ability to record oral orders while in court (my unit has a built in recorder that picks up sound). This was to assist me in memorializing the orders in writing after leaving Court and to eliminate disputes with opposing counsel over what the Judge ordered. This was also to eliminate the need to have to order a transcript which takes both time and money.

2. I needed a unit that was very fast. My unit fits the bill. I maxed it out with a 1.7 Centrino M Processor and 1GB of RAM. As far as I am concerned, it moves along as well as my Sony Vaio 3.0 Gig (Hyperthreading) Desktop with 1 GB of Ram.

3. I needed a fast hard drive and was able to upgrade the 4200 RPM drive that came standard to a 7200 RPM one.

4. I needed an ability to run my LCD Projector from the convertible since I give presentations for our local bar association. My M-200 has this flexibility.

5. I wanted to have bluetooth capability to synchronize my convertible with other bluetooth compatible devices in anticipation of cell phones coming equipped with such capability (like Motrola's new V700 which I am seriously considering). I also wanted infrared compatibility to synchronize my covertible with other infrared devices likes Canon's mini I70 printer. The Toshiba M-200 comes equipped with both capabilities.

6. I needed a convertible with a small footprint so I didn't break my back taking it to Court. I needed a convertible since many Courts (where I practice) require attorneys to prepare an order before they leave the Courtroom. The convertible gives me a keyboard to accomplish this. Further, I hate handwriting these orders out since I don't have the best handwriting nor do many other attorneys I know. As such, I have a form of Order on my computer and then simply type in the wording necessary to conform it to the Judge's ruling. I then print it out using my I70 Canon Printer (which I think is hands down the best portable printer on the market today - along with its newer sibling -- the I80).

7. I needed a Tablet with a sufficient hard drive to load many sofware applications as well as substantive material I use in my law practice. For example, I have installed New Jersey's Child Support Guideline software on my computer so I can run the numbers while in Court to assure they are accurate. This has been a lifesaver since court personnel don't always run them correctly and other attorneys frequently make mistakes in representing what child support should be based on the guidelines. Having the proof "in hand" takes away the "guess work". My Tablet has a 60GB harddrive which is more than adequate for my day to day uses which not only include wordprocessing and child support guideline calculation but database management (via Abacus Law), bookkeeping (Quickbooks 2004), updates to my web site, legal reasearch, downloading my favorite on-line magazines, games for my long plane rides, billing (Timeslips), Image Transferring from my digital camera and editing software to clean up the images when necessary; software to generate slideshows from my images (e.g., Nero Photo Suite and Roxio Media Creator 7). I also have installed Nero's Start Smart Software to work with one of Sony's newest external (and quick) DVD reader/writers. With the amount of storage available on my convertible I can literally take all my in-house applications with me.

8. I wanted the ability to hand write and convert to text (probably one of the most common reasons people want Tablets). I think the software used for this purpose is probably more important than the actual tablet one has as long as the tablet is maxed out for speed. My table works great but I currently prefer the Franklin Covey software.

9. I wanted a laptop I could take on a plane without feeling it was too big for the seat. The Model I have is perfect.

10. I wanted a sturdy unit in view of the fact that I would be constantly swiveling the unit into tablet mode. So far so good.

11. I wanted a unit that would come up in the direction you held the machine when it was turned on. e.g. - If I am holding the tablet like a piece of 8-1/2 x 11" paper I wanted the print to read from top to bottom. If I turned the tablet sideways I also wanted it to read from top to bottom. This unit meets this spec due to a built in gyroscope.

The only major drawback I perceive with my particular model is the inability of the screen to adjust to different lighting conditions. This is why I originally considered the Motion Computing Tablet; however, this unit had so many more plusses above and beyond the MCT I considered at the time I purchased this Tablet, I didn't consider this "problem" to be an "eliminator". This is particularly since I have rarely used my tablet outside. In the future, however, I am hopeful Toshiba will take this concern very seriously since I believe it would make this convertible a front-runner on all counts. I also wish they would include some retracable (and sturdy) legs so the tablet could sit on an angle when I am writing on it in Court. At present, I must hold it in my hands and write at an angle since it is difficult for me to do when the tablet is flat on a table and lighting conditions are poor.

So any way, I vote my model the best of the rest (nov it's one drawback) but look forward to hearing what I'm missing from the rest of you. As an aside, I can say that I am already excited about Toshiba's new offering but not because it's billed to be a portable office without wheels but because it's billed to be a portable multi-media station without the drag. I think it's called the Qosimo or close thereto. I know it doesn't fit in this category but just thought I would mention it and NO, I do not own stock in Toshiba nor do I know any one who works there.

Well stated. I'm not an attorney -- I'm a marketing professional at a software company and a heavy-duty blogger. I rely on the M205 as my sole PC and it works in just about every environment I need it to including:

1. Office - plugged into a port replicator with 19" LCD flat panel and FS keyboard
2. Home - at the computer desk or relaxing in my favorite overstuffed chair
3. In meetings - either scribbling notes or hooked to a digital projector
4. At the radio station where I do a weekly call-in talk show
5. Internet cafes
6. Traveling

I can run pretty heavy duty apps like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Fireworks with no problem on this unit (1.5 Ghz Centrino, 512 MB RAM). I regularly have half a dozen apps running with no degradation in performance.

Finally, the screen on this Tablet rocks! :w00t: Super hi-res and a dedicated nVidia card.

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Was glad to hear you enthusiastically endorse our convertible as a best of the rest. Am anxious to hear what others have to say about their systems.

Have a great day!

newjerseylawyer

My vote is the Motion 1400. I have had it for several months. I researched tablets fairly extensively prior to my purchase, and I have really loved it!
Features that motivated my purchase:
- view anywhere screen, which is great
- a larger display
- integrated 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth and Fingerprint Reader
-good ergonomics/lightweight
-ample RAM and large hardrive. Centrino. It is FAST.
-3-4 hours of battery life
-ariplane/car adapter available, which works great
-convertible cover keyboard available, as well as bluetooth
-very nice docking station
And of course all the great standards of a tablet. I love all the cool software.
I take this thing EVERYWHERE. I have my planning (FranklinCovey)software on it. It has basically replaced my PDA. I use it as my atlas when I travel, and so much more. Frankly, I have not yet found anything I don't like about this tablet. I use in my practice as a physician, without limitation.

I actually just read the above postings on the toshiba. It sounds like we had very similar reasons for buying a tablet. I think the Motion would give the toshiba a run for its money on ALL the referenced features. I actually have the Motorola V710 bluetooth phone and headset. And hands down, the view anywhere screen rocks.