Do You Own a Dell XT2 ?

[Steve S]

I'm trying to get a sense of how many members use the XT2.

If you use an XT2 with Win7, please post a short note here.

Thanks...

[ShaunKanak]

I've had an XT2 since Sept 2009. I put Win7 (32bit) on it as soon as I got it. Though, I'm thinking about switching to 64bit.

[Steve S]

Shaun: Thanks for posting. I was hoping there would be more people, but...

[ShaunKanak]

Shaun: Thanks for posting. I was hoping there would be more people, but...

Yeah, I follow this forum and another tablet forum via RSS feed in my Google Reader. There seems to be a lot of people using certain tablets but not many talking about the ones I'm interested in... XT2, HP, and Thinkpad tablets.

I was fortunate a got a U9600 1.6GHz, 3gig ram, 128gig SSD model off Dell's refurb site. Only downside was that my refurb came with a 4 cell battery (I'll get a 6 cell one someday) and just the dvd-rom.

Anyway, I love the XT2. The only real issue I've had with it is the n-Trig pressure sensitivity not being compatible with Photoshop but I read that a driver fix is coming. I just use it for casual stuff though and have a workstation for photo and video editing.

Now I'm wondering when/if there will be an XT3 and what features will be improved.

[Steve S]

<<...I follow this forum and another tablet forum...>>

See also: www.gottabemobile.com

<<...I read that a driver fix is coming...>>

The preliminary fix has already been published. See the WinTAB Support Driver posting in this forum...

[pmatulew]

My office bought one as a test platform when tablets were being considered for a new EMR application. It has been passed over several times and is still sitting in a corner.

I even passed on it myself in favor of keeping my Toshiba M200. (Kinda holding out for a 2730p/2740p)

Here is my weekend test drive report..

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6396327/book%20report.jpg

[kevman1983]

i too would like to know how windows 7 runs on the Dell XT2. I am upgrading from an HP TC4200 (quite happy with it still) to either an HP 2730p or Dell XT2.

On the XT2, is writing with the pen fluid, responsive, and accurate? This is going to be my main use, as I like taking notes with the pen. The multi-touch would just be a nice bonus for reading (and not having to use the stylus).

Cheers,
Kev

[Steve S]

<<...i...would like to know how windows 7 runs on the Dell XT2...>>

kev: It runs fine. I have been using Win7 on my XT2 since... late last year or early this year, can't remember exactly when I made the transition. Dell has since published a reasonable set of drivers and so life is good...

<<...is writing with the pen fluid, responsive, and accurate?..>>

...Inking is pretty good, but users have reported occasional issues with the pen, primarily some intermittent inking at the edges of the screen. There is also an odd condition where ink will appear on the screen when the pen is only hovering over the screen (not touching). Neither issue is, in my opinion, serious. I've seen both problems but, as I said, they only appear occasionally. N-trig, who makes the DuoSense digitizer for the XT2 has been working to improve their drivers and they have made progress over the past three or so months. There are more improvements in the pipeline, too.

Can't speak to the HP 2730 as I have never handled one. Perhaps another forum member will comment...

[kevman1983]

hey Steve, thanks for the reply. I think I will just go with the HP 2730p, my friend has one and i know it to be very reliable. I think for me the Dell is just too risky still, with the inking and touch not being perfect.

[Wejtu]

I just got my DELL XT2...so far, loving it. The handwriting recognition is just superb...

[Steve S]

<<...I just got my DELL XT2...so far, loving it...>>

Wej: Glad to hear it. I've always been pretty pleased with my XT2 and it's really a shame that Dell got off to such a rocky start with the XT. The XT2 sort of got slimed because the XT had such problems with the early software when actually it was quite a bit better. Since the introduction, N-trig has continued to improve their digitizer software so that today almost all of the early problems have been reasonably resolved. The current digitizer software, Version 3.118, provide excellent touch performance, but the pen is somewhat less solid than it originally was... (Apparently, all of life is a trade!)

Given the build quality, the XT2 really deserves more respect than it has gotten historically...