Just got a Compaq Tablet, Apple surrenders
Ever since the unfortunate demise of the Powerbook 2400 I have been waiting impatiently for Apple to introduce a new sub notebook. Years have gone by but still nothing. I tried to fill the void with an ibook, but at 5+ lbs you can?t realistically call it a sub notebook. Has Apple lost their innovative touch when it comes to new hardware? So, anyway, I found my self in a computer store yesterday, when a thing of beauty caught my eye. No it wasn?t the Powerbook or ipod but the new Compaq TC-1000 tablet. Wow, this is probably one of the coolest notebooks I have ever seen. I played with it for a good hour, the screen was bright, pen recognition was fast and accurate and the size was perfect. 3 lbs of pure lustful techno wonder. I found the system to be spunky but not blazing, but hey I?m used to an ibook so that didn?t bother me. I ordered one that day, shipping time is in 2 weeks, counting the days. How long are you guys going to wait for your perfect computer? Is Apple really doing it for you right now? I travel a lot for my work; I mean a lot, 11 days out of the month. I need a computer that weighs nothing and is powerful enough to do presentations on the fly. Apple missed this mark for me, all well its just a computer. If you get a chance I highly recommend you looking at the new Compaq, so cool.
Comments
in it's different modes, holding it, typing on it, next to some other devices, I want to get an idea of it's relative size.
Thanks.
<strong>Ever since the unfortunate demise of the Powerbook 2400 I have been waiting impatiently for Apple to introduce a new sub notebook.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I have the same problem. I sold my PowerBook 2400c to buy an iBook that could run OS X. I haven't regretted the upgrade, but still find myself longing for a real subnotebook, i.e. one that is lighter than 3 lbs. In the end, however, OS X has kept me on the Mac side. I simply do not want to deal with Windows, its still-terrible user interface, and all the viruses that haunt the Wintel platform.
I have to admit that the Compaq TC-1000 Table looks interesting. But I have no need and would have no use for a pen interface.
Escher
CNN just had a damn, ah not toshiba but some 10" PC Tablet/Laptop for $2200 using M$'s handwriting recognition software. So Renay, the host of hotwired, said he's been at it for a few hours and still couldn't get it to recognize his name, Renay. It kept spelling Renoir & Renae. HAHA, then he hands it to another host Stephen, he writes his name and it comes out as Steuhen. HAHAHA. Then Bill Gates comes on from an earlier interview to talk about the software. He says " It's a breakthrough. It won't replace your keyboard but it's great for a quick email letter. If you want to write something longer then you'd be better to use your keyboard". HAHAHA, so a $2200 Tablet/Laptop with this software to write a 'short email' HAHAHAHAHA.
Enjoy your tablet but Apple isn't surrendering anything, are you still a mac user?
[ 11-12-2002: Message edited by: KidRed ]</p>
As for Microsoft getting your information, I personally do not think you will have to worry about it too much for now. Install Zonealarm, which is a great firewall program that tells you which proccess is trying to connect to the internet - great for detecting unnecessary outbound traffic. There are also numerous places that teaches you how to tweak Windows to disable unnecessary services. We will talk once you get the tablet PC!
But everybody just brushed it of back then.
I'll try finding them again.
Since apple has the inkwell technology, there is really no reason not to do this, (unless the whole tablet thing flops that is).
Apple really don't need another newton project, os I guess they're wise to hold out and see how thing fare...
<strong>Wouldn't installing Linux mean dispensing with pen input, which is the entire point of this computer?
Well I haven't kept track of all of the other Tablets, but the Paceblade currently can run a Beta release of LINUX ( With Hand writing recognition and screen rotation capabilities ). The last I heard they expect an official release around January 2003.
with the super pda and the tablet pc. This technolgy is very new. Just like when apple came out with the newton.
People were'nt ready for it. Maybe people are ready for this new technology. I think that the industries and market is there, but the technolgy is'nt. The companies are all bound to The Microsoft stronghold and there for will never have a product that they call there own. That is Apple's advantage, there hardware and software is designed together.
You know i would hate to be drawing or writing on my tablet-pc and have it tell me that the XP tablet pc driver just had an illegal error and had to shutdown (ohh and please restart your tablet PC). It would also be bad for explorer to crash to ehhh.
Apple and Steve know what there doing when it comes to portable computing, they've been working at this for a long time. If Apple ever comes out with a Tablet Mac it will most likely be a spectacular product.
Untill this technology allows instant on and error free service all the time it willl not replace a peice of paper.
[ 11-12-2002: Message edited by: dmgeist ]</p>
<strong>The revolution of the Pen Tablet Computer has just started. I think its was last year when view sonic came out
with the super pda and the tablet pc. This technolgy is very new. Just like when apple came out with the newton.
People were'nt ready for it. Maybe people are ready for this new technology.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think it was more like the Newton wasn't ready for the people.
The technology isn't new at all. While the underlying algorithms and overlying functionality may have moved on, the usability of pen devices - on the evidence of Palm, Pocket PC, and Tablet PC devices - hasn't moved on one little bit.
None of these devices recognize my handwriting satisfactorily, even if I write neatly. And you have to write BIG. My natural handwriting is small.
<strong>
I think it was more like the Newton wasn't ready for the people.
...None of these devices recognize my handwriting satisfactorily, even if I write neatly. And you have to write BIG. My natural handwriting is small.</strong><hr></blockquote>
First.
The Newton was/is loved by many and would have become something great if it wasn't killed off so early in its young life. Though I preferred the Emate.
Second.
Just like we all have conformed to the layout of the QWERTY keyboard and pay little attention to its awkwardness... the next generation of users will write the way the Tablet wants them to without giving any thought to its awkwardness.
<strong>Geeesh, here we go. Yes, to clarify if I?m still a Mac user it?s yes, I have a Dual gig. I like the Compaq; it fits my needs in everyway. The hand recognition is a nice feature but believe me it wasn?t the main selling point. I use Visio to graph out my customers Lan configuration, having a tablet when I walk around with my customers to jot down ideas is great. I?m not going to right my master thesis on the thing. I?m a fast typist and have horrible handwriting. At least someone has the balls to bring out a new idea, while Apple sits on their ass with last years technology. Why do a majority of Mac users feel threaten when one of their own goes to the competitor. Hey, this might be just a toy at the end, but you know what it?s a cool toy. Defiantly one that I will use and cherish to the max. Lately Apple hasn?t come out with what I can honestly called trend moving. This gadget is pure wow factor, the child who opens up that bike on Christmas feeling. So back off with that kind of attitude, at least until Apple comes out with there own. <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>
Couple of things:
Hope you are not walking around too long without it plugged in as the battery lasts only 2 hours.
You have no idea if it meets your needs, you have not even gotten it, EVERY tablet review I have read says it is a great theory that suffers from horrible execution.
As far as new ideas, you must be forgetting this tech has been aroung for years and has already failed a couple of times, not to mention successful recent ideas like the iMac, and iPod, or iSych or Rendezvous...those are new technologies are they not???
Your little tablet is cool however, but I can think of a lot of things that you could get for 2 grand other than a novelty computer.
<strong>Have you tested inkwell, belle? I find it almost usable...</strong><hr></blockquote>
I find it completely unusable. Then again, I'm a sloppy handwriter.
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/07/technology/circuits/07stat.html"; target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/07/technology/circuits/07stat.html</a>;
[quote]...And in hopes of avoiding the ridicule heaped on Apple's Newton, Microsoft emphasizes that handwriting recognition isn't an important aspect of the Tablet PC...
...To share your handwritten Tablet PC notes with other people, by contrast, you must export them as TIFF graphics files or Web pages, or ask your colleagues to download a free Journal viewer that Microsoft intends to put on its Web site...
...But for the moment, only a handful of programs accept Tablet PC-style handwriting. For example, Tablet PC owners can download a free software add-on that lets them add handwritten comments in Microsoft Office programs...
...This Office Pack, as it's called, lets Outlook send handwritten e-mail - an intriguing novelty. True, your recipients won't be able to search your correspondence, sort it or copy its contents, because your message is sent as an attached graphic. (In fact, recipients whose e-mail programs don't display graphics won't see your note at all.)<hr></blockquote>
Anyway, it goes on.
The technology in many cases doesn't try to convert handwriting to typed text at all. So Tablet PCs aren't quite a digital clipboard just yet, but these things do provide a few good ideas and features. They'll need a bunch more to really be a replacement for a pad and pen, or for a Newton in some respects. Hopefully as these things mature, some of these guys will have a clearer idea of how exactly the tablet will not only be as accessible as the "analog" original, but also a lot more useful (therefore worth the cost).
[really sloppy]
[ 11-13-2002: Message edited by: BuonRotto ]</p>