I’m considering a Motion, and I was hoping to he

[xkwisit-lady]

I’m considering a Motion, and I was hoping to hear from some folks who also have PocketPC’s.

I’ve had my IPAQ for years, and love it dearly. But I don’t always use the stylus, sometimes it’s faster and easier to just tap around with my fingernails. I suspect that these bad habits of mine would carry over to the TabletPC platform as well.

Do you miss not having touch screen capabilities on your TabletPC? Do you find yourself trying to tap around with your fingers then saying, “Doh!” when it doesn’t work? Is the stylus so handy that this is a non-issue?

My original plan was to wait and see the Paceblade (which does have a touchscreen). But the wait just goes on and on! I did finally get to play with a Motion at Gateway and I didn’t want to leave the store! ;) My resolve to wait for a touchscreen is definitely wavering.

Anyway, any insights would be appreciated – thanks!

[brammerf]

You don't want a touch screen with a Tablet. Trust me when you get used to the pen being the only thing that the screen reacts too you'll love it. I still catch myself trying to keep from touching the screen while I navigate/write with the pen, but then I relax and lay my hand down like it was paper. It feels so comfortable and easy. It's going to take months before I'm fully acclimated to this form of interfacing with a PC. I love it so far, and I believe the functionality will out pace the weariness that usually sets in as the newness wares off. I've experienced that in the past with other mobile devices (notebooks, palms, Pocket PC's). They all fell well short of what I really needed. I tried to compromise, but you can't compromise functionality. If you need a full blown PC to do certain task, a Palm isn't going to work.

I got a bit off subject, but trust me. You do not want a touch sensitive screen! If you really depend on a keyboard consider a convertible.

My $0.02

[gatorj24]

Ive had iPaqs for years. You only use your finger on them because the form factor is so small, your finger is easier then the stylus. I dont miss the touch screen AT ALL.

Also realize, that when you write on a piece of paper you tend to rest your hand on the paper. If it were a touch screen you couldnt do that.

Its all about the form factor.

/davewolf

[zippy]

I've used an IPAQ for years, and don't miss having a touch sensitive screen on the Motion. In fact, like brammerf says, you don't want a touch screen with a tablet! It's great to be able to rest your hand on the screen while you write, and the pen works great for any tapping you need to do.

[xkwisit-lady]

Thanks - you guys are great enablers! [unworthy]

I appreciate your comments and insights. They've helped me make up my mind, and I'm pretty sure that a Motion will be finding its way to my house soon! :D

[laser]

I guess this is a "me to" post. I could not imagine my Toshiba Tablet having a touch screen. It would make it nearly impossible to use for note taking. Laying my hand on the screen was awkward at first. I always kept others from touching my laptop screen. Now I lay my whole hand on my screen. As said above it makes taking notes like writing on a regular notepad.

I also have an iPAQ that I use daily. It's form factor makes it's touch screen a plus.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

[cmspilot]

what about an option to turn a touch screen feature on and off on the tablet, that might be nice. Turn off when writing and then the ability to turn it on when wanted. l wonder if this is possible.

[xkwisit-lady]

Hi cmspilot -

I believe that's what the Paceblade will have, a touch screen that can be activated and de-activated. In fact, I believe that is one of the reasons on the delay. They are working to smooth it out.

Thanks to the posts here, I was able to think through the mechanics of how I'd actually be using it. I'd probably have the touchscreen turned off because I'd be using the stylus for ink, so I wouldn't be able to just idly use my finger as a pointer anyway without turning it on again.

The biggest advantage that I can see is that the paceblade has a keyboard on screen that you could use in touch screen mode. That would be cool, but if the handwriting recognition is as good as people say I'm not sure how much I'd be using a keyboard anyway. And there's always Fitaly, which I got pretty good at on my IPAQ for data entry as well.

[yvilla]

Supposedly, the PaceBlade is designed to sense when the stylus is being used, and automatically disable the touch screen aspect, but then automatically get it back when the stylus is not in use. I also heard that the delay is due to problems in getting this implemented right, though. I can imagine that this would be really tricky to get perfect, when I think about how I sometimes rest my hand on the screen, with the pen in it, but not pointed down at the screen. How far away does the stylus have to be etc etc....

I do think that if such a feature could be implemented right, it could make for the ideal Tablet. I didn't want to wait for it either though. Maybe in the future.

[bloom]

I've had many tablet form PCs. Until now they've always had touch screens. It's very unnatural to try to write without your hand resting on the surface. Sine using my TC1000 I've had a few D'oh moments where I've tried to use my finger to close a window.

But if you really want something with a touchscreen (and to save a little $) I have a QBE Tablet Pc with XP (pro not tablet) that I will sell. I also have an IBM Transnote, Vadem Cleo (CE) and Apple Newton that I am willing to part with.

I've dreamed of this tablet PC for over 10 years (as my collection of pen devices will attest to). Believe me, you'll get over the non touch screen quickly

Good luck!