I'm a software architect, and after my normal de

[bketelsen]

I'm a software architect, and after my normal desktop took a nose dive yesterday, I was forced to use my Tablet as my primary workstation for all of today. What follows is my review. Please note that I don't have a docking station, so I have the tablet "Propped up" against my cubicle wall with wires coming out of every possible plug except the phone jack.

I've been using Visual Studio.Net, Visio, Word and Outlook all day long without incident. The only major annoyance is that with the external monitor hooked up and "extended" desktop enabled, no matter what I do I can't seem to make popup windows like save/open dialogs come up on the external monitor. I thought I saw a thread on this before, but wasn't paying attention... I'll have to dig for it.

With the tablet plugged in and the BatteryAid running on "Max Performance", the Tablet is actually quite a bit more snappy than I thought it would be. I have 512MB of RAM and have done most of the tweaks for performance I could find, including Un-Theming windows. I think that one alone makes the biggest difference. I am now almost sold on the idea of a docking station, and perhaps making my desktop at home a secondary computer and making the tablet my primary machine. I brought in my USB keyboard and mouse because the desktop that died had ps2 peripherals. I have my Storix DVD/CDRW connected, as well as my ACOMData 60GB usb2 hard drive. One small problem is my lack of a usb2 hub. I have the keyboard, CD and mouse hooked up to a usb 1.1 hub on one USB2 port, and the hard drive on the other. Not optimal, but it works. I don't anticipate using the CD too often.

I can see that having the docking station to securely hold up the tablet would be very useful, but it seems like overkill to have that multibay thingy. I really need a stand and port replicator, not the full docking solution. Has anyone seen one of these?

Overall, I'm quite pleased with the performance. As usual, the initial load of an application is slow, but once it is up and open it runs fine. Performance seems about equal to the P3-500/256mb that died when everything is taken into consideration.

Has anyone else taken the leap and started using the tablet as a primary workstation... especially anyone who is doing memory/processor intensive work like software design/development?

[Kurt]

I commend you for running VS.NET on your tablet. ;)


quote:The only major annoyance is that with the external monitor hooked up and "extended" desktop enabled, no matter what I do I can't seem to make popup windows like save/open dialogs come up on the external monitor.

Check out a program called Ultramon. While I've never tried it on my tablet, it's a permanent fixture of my workstation. It gives you an incredible amount of control over how Windows interacts with multiple monitors. Since I'm assuming the dual monitor feature of the tablets is pretty standard, I'd imagine it will work well in your situation as well.

[Steverock]

Thanks for the write-up, I am also using my Compaq as a primary computer and am a bit frustrated with the speed. Particularly with Outlook.What do you mean by "un-theming windows?

[Gareth Sargeant]

To Untheme (turn off all the Win XP eye-candy):
Start-> Settings -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced Tab -> Performance Settings -> Visual Effects Tab -> Adjust For Best Performance

[Will]

I had a desktop at home (simple wifi network) and a desktop at work (exchange, wifi network) and a laptop for presentations, and a Ipaq 3970 for many many things.

Now I only use the TC1000 (was not simple to make it ready for 2*network and stand-alone) and the Ipaq only for agenda, contacts, tasks and gps.

What a machine!!!

[rwitte42]

I have been using my TC1000 as my primary computer for about 2 weeks now. My previous machine, a Thinkpad A20m has been relegated to deskwarming duty. I'm an IT Architect for IBM Global Services. I use my machine mostly for Office Applications (word, excel, powerpoint and visio). I don't run anything terribly processor intensive (unless you count Lotus Notes running amok from time to time).

I find it helpful to plug in a mouse and external monitor for serious document editing and review. The Compaq keyboard actually works fine for me.

For my typical business use, the 1Ghz machine with 768MB memory is perfectly adequate.

[wraith808]

Though this is an HP forum, I figure I'd crash the party. ;)

I do my serious development on my main machine, but I've found that changing the more I use my motion. I run VS.net, Dreamweaver MX, and Delphi 5-7 on it with no problems. The only reason I don't use it all the time is the fact that the screen only goes to 1024x768 and I'm used to 1600x1200 for development. Other than that, it pretty much keeps up with my Dell 8100 that I was using (now relegated to desktop use) as long as I'm not doing graphically intensive things.

[Slate]

The full way of removing the Windows Themes, and the part that actually gives you the best performance improvement, is to turn off the Themes service. To do this, start the Windows Services manager by going Start->Control Panel->Performance and Maintenance->Administrative tools->Services. Double click the service "Themes", click on Stop and change the Startup type to "Disabled".

[bloom]

SLATE SAYS>>The full way of removing the Windows Themes, and the part that actually gives you the best performance improvement, is to turn off the Themes service. To do this, start the Windows Services manager by going Start->Control Panel->Performance and Maintenance->Administrative tools->Services. Double click the service "Themes", click on Stop and change the Startup type to "Disabled".

Slate, what specifically will that do? Is it something you would want to do with all laptops and even desktops to improve the performance? What do you give up? You learn a lot more than just about Tablet PCs here! Thanks for the tips.

[Kurt]

bloom- You give up the "skinning" abilities, which essentially means you can't use the included Luna themes or any themes that come with the Powerpack.

You'll also give up the option of using hacked on aftermarket themes, but not many people do that anyway.

For most newish systems, the performance gains are minimal. For something like a Tablet (especially if it only has a small amount of RAM), it can offer an appreciable performance gain.

[bketelsen]

Another note to this thread, I bought a wireless mouse last night, and that's a tremendous boon to using the tablet as a primary machine. I actually had to clear some space out in my briefcase for the mouse and receiver, because that thing is cool! Logitech cordless Optical Mouse, 39.50 at Walmart. Excellent buy, highly recommended. The range is incredible. I had the tablet setup on the projector at work, with the receiver next to it, and the cordless mouse was easily 6 feet away working perfectly. Of course as the batteries wear, I suppose the range will diminish, but this thing is a must; I don't know how I survived without it. If only the TPC had more USB2 ports. I've got the external DVD/CDRW, external Hard Drive, and usb mouse now. I need a USB2 hub! Anyone seen them cheap?

[wheat]

Stratitec USB2 with 4 ports plus an extra USB 1.1 hub extension with multiple ports, also. Includes AC power adapter all for under $25 at Sam's.


quote:Originally posted by bketelsen

Another note to this thread, I bought a wireless mouse last night, and that's a tremendous boon to using the tablet as a primary machine. I actually had to clear some space out in my briefcase for the mouse and receiver, because that thing is cool! Logitech cordless Optical Mouse, 39.50 at Walmart. Excellent buy, highly recommended. The range is incredible. I had the tablet setup on the projector at work, with the receiver next to it, and the cordless mouse was easily 6 feet away working perfectly. Of course as the batteries wear, I suppose the range will diminish, but this thing is a must; I don't know how I survived without it. If only the TPC had more USB2 ports. I've got the external DVD/CDRW, external Hard Drive, and usb mouse now. I need a USB2 hub! Anyone seen them cheap?

[bketelsen]

Do usb2 hubs require external power? I can use my 1.1 hubs with or without power, and it would be nice to have an unpowered hub for the tablet, as it's getting to be a stretch plugging in the tablet, cd, hard drive, etc. everytime I'm "camping" somewhere to get some serious work done.

[rudolpht]

I tried. I tried, but went back to a new ThinkPad. Use the Compaq for a useful livingroom device and will likely use it for NetRemote.

[Big Lar]

My USB 2.0 hub has a power adapter and according to the Belkin web site it is required. Here is an excerpt from their FAQ:

Q: Is the Power supply required to operate the hub?
A: Yes. 2.0 hubs and devices are very power "hungry". Our 2.0 hubs will require a power supply connected to it at all times. It requires a 6 VDC, 2.5 amp, center pin positive power supply. The Size of the connector is 5.5 mm (Outer) and 2.1 (center). The power supply should be included with the hub.

I hope this helps,

--Lar

[Dennis Rice]

Check this out for great wireless combo!
http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1776