I have been doing more research on what tablet computer I think I would like to get, and with research comes more unanswered questions. First, on convertible tablet computers, by convertible does it mean you can take the keyboard off, or does the keyboard swivel around behind the display screen? Second, I have seen some tablet computers with a “dock� option. I do not quite understand that. Some say something about it being a compact disk drive. I thought a dock, or something to that affect, would come with all of the tablet computers to be able to charge them in a wall outlet. Is it possible to buy charger cables to charge the tablet computer in what is usually used to charge cell phones in vehicles (Sorry, I do not know its name, most call them cigarette lighters, but those are truly separate)? Or is that specific to what the company wants to make for it? I do think I am leaning toward the Toshiba M200, thank you very much for the suggestion John Einstein. I was hoping to get a slate, but none of them measure up to everything I would like. To John Einstein as well, I have friends who like to hear about new technology all of the time. I will try to spread the word all I can, I really want tablet computers to keep going they are great already. The only reason I found out about tablet computers is from Microsoft’s advertisements on the world wide web. Also, terri, if you look at this message, I thank you very much for that website link you gave me, it has helped me out a lot. I thought the only tablet computers available were the ones in the Microsoft hardware demonstration, although I found it is somewhat outdated.

"Kienja Kenobi" <KienjaKenobi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:91AF41B3-4206-45E4-9232-AFC4E9DF3315@microsoft.com...
> I have been doing more research on what tablet computer I think
> I would like to get, and with research comes more unanswered questions.
> First, on convertible tablet computers, by convertible does it mean you
> can take the keyboard off, or does the keyboard swivel around behind the
> display screen?

Slate model = detachable keyboard
Convertible = keyboard swivels but doesn't detach.

> Second, I have seen some tablet computers with a "dock" option. I do not
> quite understand that.

It's like a docking station for laptops - which allows you to attach the
tablet/laptop at a single point to a dock that already has power and other
devices (mouse, keyboard, extra monitor, USB devices etc) You should think
of Tablets as advanced models of laptops.

> I thought a dock, or something to that affect, would come with all of
> the tablet computers to be able to charge them in a wall outlet.

You just plug the power directly into the Tabelt just as with a laptop. If
you have a dock(-ing station) then you can have power feeding that instead.

>Is it possible to buy charger cables to charge the tablet computer in what
>is usually used to charge cell phones in vehicles

Yes. Same as laptops again.

> Slate model = detachable keyboard
> Convertible = keyboard swivels but doesn't detach.

Hybrid = Detachable keyboard and/or Screen swivals (HP TC1000 & 1100)

Fritz

One additional note, Kienja - as you've been told, the convertible models
can be used as a notebook, or with the screen swivled and closed, as a
slate. In this case, you always have the additional weight of the keyboard.

With the hybrid models (Compaq) can actually remove the keyboard. There are
a couple of slate models that allow the insertion of the slate into a
keyboard, effectively making them a hybrid. The keyboards for these are
optional accessories (Motion and Electrovaya).

The slates have no attached keyboards, but can have one attached via USB,
firewire, or use a wireless keyboard.

The thing I wanted to add is that if you will be using this outdoors, or in
bright lighting, you might want to check the indoor/outdoor screen options.
The Fujitsu (10.4") has this option and so does the Motion M1400 (12.1"
screen). In addition, the M1400 also has a wide-angle screen (standard),
which allows you to use the slate in any position, rather than having to
have it at a specific angle.

--
Terri Stratton
Editor / Owner
http://thetabletpc.net
Microsoft Windows MVP / Tablet PC
"Kienja Kenobi" <KienjaKenobi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:91AF41B3-4206-45E4-9232-AFC4E9DF3315@microsoft.com...
> I have been doing more research on what tablet computer I think
> I would like to get, and with research comes more unanswered questions.
> First, on convertible tablet computers, by convertible does it mean you
> can take the keyboard off, or does the keyboard swivel around behind the
> display screen? Second, I have seen some tablet computers with a “dock�
> option. I do not quite understand that. Some say something about it
> being a compact disk drive. I thought a dock, or something to that
> affect, would come with all of the tablet computers to be able to charge
> them in a wall outlet. Is it possible to buy charger cables to charge the
> tablet computer in what is usually used to charge cell phones in vehicles
> (Sorry, I do not know its name, most call them cigarette lighters, but
> those are truly separate)? Or is that specific to what the company wants
> to make for it? I do think I am leaning toward the Toshiba M200, thank
> you very much for the suggestion John Einstein. I was hoping to get a
> slate, but none of them measure up to everything I would like. To John
> Einstein as well, I have friends who like to hear about new technology all
> of the time. I will try to spread the word all I can, I really want
> tablet computers to keep going they are great already. The only reason I
> found out about tablet computers is from Microsoft’s advertisements on the
> world wide web. Also, terri, if you look at this message, I thank you
> very much for that website link you gave me, it has helped me out a lot.
> I thought the only tablet computers available were the ones in the
> Microsoft hardware demonstration, although I found it is somewhat
> outdated.

On Sun, 1 Aug 2004 08:22:58 -0700, terri wrote:

> In addition, the M1400 also has a wide-angle screen (standard),
> which allows you to use the slate in any position, rather than having to
> have it at a specific angle

Oops, drooling. Please excuse me! May need to find a good home for my 1200
and purchase one of those puppies. Am thrilled, no ecstatic, to hear that
Motion has added VA to the 1400.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows XP Shell/User

It certainly gives them a nice edge. It's pretty amazing!

Hopefully, others will follow suit.

--
Terri Stratton
Editor / Owner
http://thetabletpc.net
Microsoft Windows MVP / Tablet PC


"Sharon F" <sharonfDEL@ETEmvps.org> wrote in message
news:%23lTP8DBeEHA.3476@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> On Sun, 1 Aug 2004 08:22:58 -0700, terri wrote:
>
>> In addition, the M1400 also has a wide-angle screen (standard),
>> which allows you to use the slate in any position, rather than having to
>> have it at a specific angle
>
> Oops, drooling. Please excuse me! May need to find a good home for my 1200
> and purchase one of those puppies. Am thrilled, no ecstatic, to hear that
> Motion has added VA to the 1400.
>
> --
> Sharon F
> MS-MVP ~ Windows XP Shell/User

I thank you all more than can possibly be said. I will keep an eye on tablet computers.