Need advice for College Engineering Required Tablet

[ShadowRex]

Hello, I don't know much about laptops or tablets. I'm an entering Freshman Engineer at Virginia Tech and need some advice on a required tablet.

Minimum Computer Requirement


Platform Tablet PC Convertible
OS Windows Vista Business Edition, 32 bit version (*see note below)
PC Processor speed Intel Core 2 Duo (dual core processor) 2.2 GHz or higher
Memory (RAM) 2 GB (1 dimm recommended to allow for easy upgrade.)
Hard Disk Drive 120 GB or larger ; 5400 RPM spindle speed or better
Video RAM 128 MB
CD/DVD drive DVD+-R writeable DVD (External drive acceptable)
Input/Output Ports USB 2.0
Wireless 802.11 a/g/n
NIC/Ethernet Card 10/100/1000 Ethernet Card
Printer Any Windows compatible inkjet or laser printer
Warranty 3 Year onsite with accidental damage coverage (recommend 4 years)
External Backup Drive USB external hard drive of 160GB or more
*Note: Vista Enterprise and Ultimate are acceptable

There are only 4 choices in the college bookstore and none of theme appeal to me.

w w w.bookstore.vt.edu/ePOS?this_category=300&store=1&listtype=begin&form=shared3/gm/browse.html&design=vt (remove spaces between "w"'s and the space between "form" and "=" for link to work)

I went to HP's website to try and configure a custom Tablet, and they only had one available. w w w.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/load_configuration.do?destination=review&email_id=896103&jumpid=in_r329_emailconfig (to see link, remove spaces between "w"'s and the space between the "=" and "89")

I then sent an email to the head of IT at Tech asking about the intel processor requirement. His response: We require an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz. Processor or better. We have not tested AMD processors for full software compatibility. The AMD Turion 2.4 GHz. processor found in a lot of budget systems actually benchmark tests slower than our required processor. I would recommend you look at the Fujitsu 5010 or Toshiba M750 as those are the only two models which I know of which currently meet our specs.

A friend of mine said that the AMD 2.4 Ghz processor only benched at an Intel 1.8 Ghz level.

I want this computer to hopefully last 3-4 years while at school, but I'm not ready to spend 2400$ on something from the bookstore that isn't exactly what I want.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[ShadowRex]

No suggestions? Price isn't a huge concern, anything under $3000 would be ideal

[negative1]

1) what are you looking for? featurewise/program wise, and aesthetics?

2) all those computers are fine, what exactly is wrong with them?

3) nothing you get now, is going to last 4 years, let alone 1 or 2,
without you being outdated, as long as it works for you, and you
take care of it, that's what matters

4) these are more traditional convertibles, and not pure
tablets/slates... are you sure that's what you want?
there's drawbacks for all them..

5) you need to give more information that just stats to find
out what you really need..

over on the right hand side of this page:

<admins>
by the way, the actual picture link doesn't work

[h ttp://www.alltp.com/shop/pc/msg.asp?message=88]

it says item does not exist.


motion
============
http://www.alltp.com/shop/pc/viewCategories.asp?pageStyle=h&idCategory=55
are some motion computing computers (yes, they go to 1.5 GHZ, but they should
be able to run Vista).. if you go the home page, it will mention a lot more about
tablet pc's.

what about the hp tc4400:
====================
http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=627

with the budget you have, you could buy plenty of machines easily:
---------
fujitsu 5112 12.1 inch tablet core 2 duo/fujitsu 6xxx series

check out :
http://www.alltp.com/shop/pc/viewCategories.asp?pageStyle=h&idCategory=124

ibm lenovo x61/ x200
http://www.alltp.com/shop/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=6

gateway (several models)

if you are willing to try ebay, you could find more,
and at a lot lower price, if you feel adventureous..

later
-1

[ShadowRex]

Well I configured one on Fujitsu's website and bought it. It's a little more amped up then the bookstore one for about 200$ less.

Battery Options: High-Capacity Lithium ion battery (6-cell, 5800 mAh)

Warranty: Two-year International Limited Warranty

Keyboard: US keyboard

Optical Drive: Modular Dual-Layer Multi-Format DVD Writer

Display: 13.3" WXGA LED backlit active digitizer indoor/outdoor display with webcam

System Memory: 4 GB DDR3 1066 SDRAM memory (2 GB + 2 GB)

Processors: Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.8 GHz, 6 MB L2 cache, 1066 MHz FSB)

Operating Systems: Genuine Windows Vista® Business (MUI), Bonus Media (ENERGY STAR® qualified)

Hard Drive: 160 GB (7200 rpm) hard drive, will be buying an extra external for much more space

Wireless Communication Intel® Wi-Fi Link 5300AGN (802.11a/b/g/draft-n) and Bluetooth wireless with Intel® vProTM Technology

Came with a free backpack and mouse estimated about 90$

Total cost $2215 after a 10% discount for my first purchase from Fujitsu. Hopefully I'll be pleased with it.

[negative1]

sounds good...

hope it works out for you..

i'm liking the fujitsu computers...

also, check out windows 7 (maybe installed as a dual boot),
it has some really cool tablet math conversions built in..
http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/showthread.php?t=36574

it will convert complex math equations, and notation..

later
-1