LE1600 or HP-TM2

[gaiking]

I'm thinking of getting a tablet pc for artwork and I'm interested in either a used LE1600 or a new HP-TM2. Which is actually better for artwork? I was leaning toward the TM2 but I've read that the cursor can be jumpy. Does anyone here have experience using both tablets and if so which works better for artwork?

thanks
Jim

[digitaldoctors]

Well ... this might help you.
A good Motion LE1600 with View Anywhere costs $324.
If you bought it, tested it, didn't like it, you could sell it in a week for
$324.

ebay (http://cgi.ebay.ca/Motion-Computing-LE1600-1-5GHz-View-Anywhere-Tablet-PC-/200395334288?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item2ea87e2290)

These units are quite different.
HP-TM2 is a heavy convertible tablet.
The LE1600 is an ultrathin slate.

Two entirely different markets.

If you want super portability and low price the 1600 is awesome. But you sacrifice battery life, CPU, RAM, Hard Drive.

I love my thin Motion LE1700 Tablet, but with greatness (ink, sleek, great screen) comes great sacrifice (battery life, CPU, RAM, Hard Drive).

Uh.. what apps do you plan on using ? Photoshop ?

[gaiking]

Hi thanks for the reply.
I love how thin the LE1600 is but the TM2 has multitouch and is more powerful...but I don't know if I really need all the power.
I'm thinking of Artrage mostly and maybe Sketchbook Pro or Mangastudio with Photoshop possibly being used to color the work done in those programs.

I've read that the TM2 can have a jumpy cursor. Are there any pen/screen issues like those ,that you may have found with the LE1700?

What kind of battery life do you see with the 1700?

Do you still use XP on it or have you tried to upgrade to Windows 7?

you're right about the 1600..I could buy and sell it for the same price without much of a problem....I've been checking them out on ebay and have found some decent deals.

[digitaldoctors]

I love how thin the LE1600 is
Very easy to carry. But do you need to be that mobile ?


but the TM2 has multitouch
Exactly what multitouch app are you going to use ?
and to do what ?
and how often ?
Do you fingerpaint ?


and is more powerful...but I don't know if I really need all the power.


I'm thinking of Artrage mostly and maybe Sketchbook Pro
Probably run fine on the older LE1600.
You'd want to max out the unit probably.
See if other 1600 users have had acceptable experience.


or Mangastudio with Photoshop possibly being used to color the work done in those programs.
Sounds CPU and Graphics and RAM intensive.


I've read that the TM2 can have a jumpy cursor.


Are there any pen/screen issues like those ,that you may have found with the LE1700?
No significant ones.


What kind of battery life do you see with the 1700?
Well you can buy extended batteries that last 3 hours. I have 7 of them.


Do you still use XP
Yes. Others use Windows 7 on the LE1700.


you're right about the 1600..I could buy and sell it for the same price without much of a problem....I've been checking them out on ebay and have found some decent deals.
Buy a unit that will be easy to resell, not just the cheapest.
To test it fairly, you'll have to MAX out the RAM. Get one with max RAM.

LE1600 = mobile and sexy, but that's it.
Why do you need to be mobile ?

[gaiking]

Thanks for all the great info.
I really want the mobility of being able to sit anywhere in the house any time I like and drawing on the tablet.

I checked out the TM2 and was able to use the pen..it was nice but the viewing angles really are made for a standard notebook and NOT a Tablet..I was a bit disappointed with that. I also tried the multi touch and after thinking about what I would be using it for I don't really think it would make a difference....but I'm not sure.

I also went ahead and got an LE1600 off ebay for a fair price (should be arriving next week) so I can compare it to the tm2....and if it isn't what I want or expect I can always resell it like you said.

thanks for taking the time to answer so many questions

Jim

[digitaldoctors]

I also went ahead and got an LE1600 off ebay for a fair price

Hope it was View Anywhere. Most are. :)

[gaiking]

it said it was...but it's ebay....we'll see.