PrototypeNM1
07-16-2010, 01:44 AM
I've had my TX2 for a year now, and it has treated me good well for the past year, but unfortunately it is not quite fitting to my needs and an opportunity has come to get a replacement.
The largest problems I have with this TX2 is the heat and noise it generates. I primarily use it to take notes in class, and I've shut the thing done more than a couple times out of concern that it was becoming disruptive, even with my customized minimum power settings in place. With that, I also need the computer's battery to last as long as possible. The TX2 has only ever lasted me around 2 hours regardless of the power settings, less if I'm streaming video. I'd like something that can run long, or has a hot-swap battery feature.
Having an eraser is very important as well as pressure sensitivity for all programs it applies to, but this basically means that I just don't want anything to do with an N-trig tablet pc.
To a lesser degree I use various 3d modeling software packages, but I intend to have a nicer desktop that I will remote-connect to for any larger number crunching. But in this case I do need a faster network card, but I'm guessing my options here are very similar across the board, and a future updated cellphone might serve as a hub while away from home.
As I'm not looking for this to be as much a power machine, I intend to keep it for as long a period of time as possible. I have also been dabbling with various distributions of Linux, and from what I hear, some companies are better than others at providing support.
And, just a nice little feature, would be if I could easily use the laptop outside on a sunny day. And touch is nice and convenient while browsing the internet or documents, but not well enough integrated into many programs to go out of the way for.
So, what I have been looking at recently are Motion Computing's J3500, Lenovo's X201, and HP's TM2.
J3500: I like the slate design, and ability to add a bluetooth keyboard, the latter function specifically being useful as it can detach when I just need to bring the slate around for note taking and lying beside the slate when I'm working with photo-editing programs. However, I'm not exactly sure how "mountable" the bluetooth keyboard is, as there's very little information on it that I could find, and could use additional insight into this area. The largest problem I have seen with this is that apparently it has lackluster battery life, though the hot-swap feature slightly removes this inconvenience. Additionally, the high price is not desirable and I would like to see an HDMI out for it (there is a DVI-I output). However, of the 3, this laptop seems to be the most durable, and as my goal is to keep it as long as possible, it seems to be the best fit.
X201: From what I hear, this is all-around a good laptop. It seems to have good network capability, a bright screen, albeit easy to smudge. Apparently the speakers are a poor build, and there's no HDMI out, which is increasingly an important selling point for me. My largest concern, however, is that some reviews mention a buildup of heat, which is what I'm attempting to get away from to begin with. However, a good battery life could easily make up for that.
TM2: I'm interested in this laptop primarily because it seems to be of a better build than the TX2 with a good battery life and cool temperatures, but experience with faulty drivers and slow responses to them push me away, especially since various reviews noted this problem. Also, apparently the glossy screen glares badly, which negates the ability to use it outdoors. I know I can get this for a better price than the above options, and the output seems to be superior from this machine than the above two options.
Any information that could help in my buying decision is much obliged, as well as any other suggestions that might fit my needs better.
The largest problems I have with this TX2 is the heat and noise it generates. I primarily use it to take notes in class, and I've shut the thing done more than a couple times out of concern that it was becoming disruptive, even with my customized minimum power settings in place. With that, I also need the computer's battery to last as long as possible. The TX2 has only ever lasted me around 2 hours regardless of the power settings, less if I'm streaming video. I'd like something that can run long, or has a hot-swap battery feature.
Having an eraser is very important as well as pressure sensitivity for all programs it applies to, but this basically means that I just don't want anything to do with an N-trig tablet pc.
To a lesser degree I use various 3d modeling software packages, but I intend to have a nicer desktop that I will remote-connect to for any larger number crunching. But in this case I do need a faster network card, but I'm guessing my options here are very similar across the board, and a future updated cellphone might serve as a hub while away from home.
As I'm not looking for this to be as much a power machine, I intend to keep it for as long a period of time as possible. I have also been dabbling with various distributions of Linux, and from what I hear, some companies are better than others at providing support.
And, just a nice little feature, would be if I could easily use the laptop outside on a sunny day. And touch is nice and convenient while browsing the internet or documents, but not well enough integrated into many programs to go out of the way for.
So, what I have been looking at recently are Motion Computing's J3500, Lenovo's X201, and HP's TM2.
J3500: I like the slate design, and ability to add a bluetooth keyboard, the latter function specifically being useful as it can detach when I just need to bring the slate around for note taking and lying beside the slate when I'm working with photo-editing programs. However, I'm not exactly sure how "mountable" the bluetooth keyboard is, as there's very little information on it that I could find, and could use additional insight into this area. The largest problem I have seen with this is that apparently it has lackluster battery life, though the hot-swap feature slightly removes this inconvenience. Additionally, the high price is not desirable and I would like to see an HDMI out for it (there is a DVI-I output). However, of the 3, this laptop seems to be the most durable, and as my goal is to keep it as long as possible, it seems to be the best fit.
X201: From what I hear, this is all-around a good laptop. It seems to have good network capability, a bright screen, albeit easy to smudge. Apparently the speakers are a poor build, and there's no HDMI out, which is increasingly an important selling point for me. My largest concern, however, is that some reviews mention a buildup of heat, which is what I'm attempting to get away from to begin with. However, a good battery life could easily make up for that.
TM2: I'm interested in this laptop primarily because it seems to be of a better build than the TX2 with a good battery life and cool temperatures, but experience with faulty drivers and slow responses to them push me away, especially since various reviews noted this problem. Also, apparently the glossy screen glares badly, which negates the ability to use it outdoors. I know I can get this for a better price than the above options, and the output seems to be superior from this machine than the above two options.
Any information that could help in my buying decision is much obliged, as well as any other suggestions that might fit my needs better.