What advantages are there to choosing a tablet PC over a notebook PC?

[coolred]

I know you can use the tablet PC for handwriting and drawing and that type of stuff, and it would likely be smaller and lighter, but are there other advantages?

 

[drag]

Unless you considure "much more expensive" and "slower" as advantages, then no.

 

[Bekker]

A friend has a tablet PC (cannot recall which brand) that totally disappointed me in terms of speed. It has the speedstep (?) that adjusts the speed based on whether it is operating on battery and when on the battery it operated more like a 450 P3. Given the choice of notebook versus tablet PC, there is no comparison at all. Notebook all the way. IMHO only of course.

 

[UltraWide]

The newest tablet PC's seem really functional to me. I have an X24 (12in notebook) and it's nice and small, but I rather try a tablet PC. They seem to be good for common tasks: surfing, taking notes, reading papers on bed. I use my laptop to read some news before I go to sleep and it would be better if it didn't fold and it were 1 piece. As long as it has a Pentium M or Centrino set, it should be plenty fast too.
I think Compaq makes some good ones.

 

[Bekker]

The slow computer I talked about is new and has a fast processor when not on battery. The Speedstep technology really slows it down big time. The other thing I really disliked was not being able to use a keyboard instead of a stylus since the stylus slows you down too. I did like being able to write and draw on it though. For what you describe, a tablet PC might be okay. I guess it is just a matter of preference. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Bryans]

The tablets PC's advantages lie in note taking and usability while standing/walking.

- note taking is a pain on a normal laptop, it is hard to quickly jot down the kind of symbols and graphics you would write to save time when taking paper notes. When taking notes during a lecture or meeting the tablet PC will be much easier and faster to use.

- normal laptops are not very easy to use while walking or even stading still, If you need to use the PC while on the go a tablet PC would be a good choice. A standard laptop is hard to use without setting it on a table or lap, you can kinda cradle it in the crook of your left arm and type with the right but this is awkward and slow.

Outside of these areas the tablet PC will be less capable and more expensive than a standard notebook. So look at what you will be using it for carefully before you commit to a tablet PC.

 

[Slappy00]

Yah my g/f tried to make me get one "They are sooo cool ohhh ahhhh" but i resisted and got a notbook instead. I think if you are like previous posts mentioned taking notes while standing or need to take free-hand sketches. This is the way to go. I have yet to see ant tablets with a processor higher than an x-scale or a VIA 1Ghz. Its good for taking notes, surfing the web/email, but not much more than that. Most come with no drives also , so be prepaired to buy an external USB drive of some kind...

 

[coolred]

All good post, thanks for the info. As for the last poster most second gen Tablets made recentlly use Centrinos or pentium M processors. Some as high as 1.7GHz.

 

[Slappy00]

"Some as high as 1.7GHz"

greeeat give more ammunition to my g/f :/

 

[Busithoth]

I always thought the Speedstep technology was optional. If you really notice the slowdown in performance, you can just opt for full speed, and use it for less time (battery is drained faster).

I've really wanted one of these since they were introduced, but only want a model with a keyboard built in (unless a tablet-only version presents itself as a superdeal...)

handwriting recognition is their biggest boast, I guess.
I imagine if you use a tablet for anything else, (photoshop, flash, etc...), you'd really like it.

I'm always looking for a used one, since I don't have any urgent pressing need for one myself.

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: Bryans
The tablets PC's advantages lie in note taking and usability while standing/walking.

- note taking is a pain on a normal laptop, it is hard to quickly jot down the kind of symbols and graphics you would write to save time when taking paper notes. When taking notes during a lecture or meeting the tablet PC will be much easier and faster to use.

- normal laptops are not very easy to use while walking or even stading still, If you need to use the PC while on the go a tablet PC would be a good choice. A standard laptop is hard to use without setting it on a table or lap, you can kinda cradle it in the crook of your left arm and type with the right but this is awkward and slow.

Outside of these areas the tablet PC will be less capable and more expensive than a standard notebook. So look at what you will be using it for carefully before you commit to a tablet PC.

Tablets are popular in some professions, especially medicine. A doctor in a hospital moves around alot and being able to stand and use a computer is a real plus. Sales reps that travel also use them alot. If you don't need it for a profession like this, then a tablet doesn't seem worhtwhile.