HP tm2t, or what, if so, where?

[Mike M.]

I'm looking for a Tablet PC to be the main computer for schoolwork for a 4th grader that will last a few years. This means able to write on it for taking notes and composing papers and compatible with MS office. I'm thinking that the only machines that can do this have active digitizers and running MS XP/Tablet (old), Vista (yuk), or Win 7.
I was planning to buy a HP tm2t, but HP says (on line anyway) that I'll need to wait a month for it- I don't want to wait that long (impatient, I know), and I saw comments somewhere that a new HP might be coming out soon.

I would like to stay around $1,000 or less. I've bought through ebay before with good results, But I'd rather not unless it is a seller with a stellar reputation. I've seen them advertised for less than at HP, but it seems like some of the price difference is needing to purchase trial software later and not really a deal in the end.

Do people think 2 GB RAM is enough for a few years, or would you go to 4 or more?
If not the tm2t, what other suggestions and why? Do people prefer Wacom screens or N-Trig?

It seems most posts on the HP section have to do with maintaining and upgrading 1100's. I've tinkered in the past and enjoyed it somewhat, (with a first generation NEC VersaLitePad) and would like to push the limit on "making my own" from scratch/by upgrading- but in the short run I want one that works, rather than frantically trying to fix something so I can get to doing what I need to do.

Thanks for the help. Please don't be surprised if you run across me trying to get opinions on other sites as well.

[docg]

Try and look at the specs of a good HP TC1100 1.2 gig processor that can have 2 gb on board. (a docking station can be a good desktop bonus, and also the attachable keyboard is available for these units.) I use mine and I'm a teacher/tutor - I use xp tablet pc sp3 professional (it could be upgraded to win7)and my tc1100 with 1.1 gig processor is fine along with only 1.5 gig ram and a 120gb hard drive. If all you are really doing is school work and not gaming the product will work out just fine. Get the student experience pack with ink art and several power toys and it should be enough for a student. Many college students use it as a take along to class. About fix up units- you don't have to- you can find tc1100s refurbished and ready to go from ebay. You can get one for well within price range other than that I'd look at a motion computer.

[Mike M.]

As I said, I have had the experience of buying an early model and "making it work", but I guess the TC1100 is a second generation and I know it is revered as the ultimate form factor with everyone wishing HP would put out another in the same form but higher powered. I guess I've been expecting at some point the OEMs would listen enough to put out a really popular product that would be a "standby" for the typical student, rather than everybody always on the edge of their seat hoping for something that came out and was what they wanted, and that the MS software would improve and not need 3rd party software to optimize handwriting recognition, etc.

There is a reseller that has a lot of 6 that "boot to BIOS" for about $475. I guess I would need to buy Win 7 to load onto it and I would have multiple ones to upgrade/steal parts from, but I don't know if loading the OS is fraught with difficulty or straight-forward.

I'm sure there is discussion on other threads about how easy/hard it is to upgrade from Win XP to Win 7 (off hand I think I've read it is pretty cumbersome), so maybe a machine that needs an OS is a good idea. But does Win 7 run well on the TC1100? (Again, I'm sure there is a thread for that). Is Win 7 better with hand writing recognition than XP, do you still need additional software like PenRite?

As far as how powerful a CPU and how much RAM, I don't plan on "being a gamer", but it seems that just surfing the web requires more and more power- so many sites have a bazillion links on them with streaming information, etc. (Of course, currently I have nothing with more than 512 MG RAM so I limp along no matter what- though it was adequate not that long ago).

As we all know, it seems that if somebody was interested in making money they could put out something that could dominate the market- look at the HP Slate 500- the main problem is you can't find where to buy one, duh!

[TabletRon]

As we all know, it seems that if somebody was interested in making money they could put out something that could dominate the market- look at the HP Slate 500- the main problem is you can't find where to buy one, duh!


You can get the Slate 500 here.
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=HP+Slate+500&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

[Mike M.]

You can get the Slate 500 here.
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=HP+Slate+500&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

Well, I was referring more to the idea that you have to wait months to get one from the manufacturer.
But, while there I saw a listing that I can't really figure out. It was in the midst of the 500 Slates, but it isn't one. What is it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/10-SLATE-PC-TABLET-WIFI-320GB-HP-WINDOWS-7-3G-500-NIB-/300540093690?pt=US_Tablets&hash=item45f995e4fa

[docg]

I'm with ya Mike- you'd think they could get their act together and make a decent product. As far as all the questions- there are people here who have stated that win7 runs fine on the 1100. It is a bit long in the tooth, I realize. I am running the latest version of firefox and so don't feel that hampered even on winxp, but that being said battery life would be and could be a big factor for students. There are also a couple of Fujitsu new tablet pcs that have active digitizers, but then you are talking money so it is a mixed bag.

Concerning power- I can go 3 hours and then I either switch batteries or dock my unit. Wish I could say there is something exactly like the 1100 that was newer thinner faster and longer lasting all with the active digitizer for the price point you desire.

I do like the link that you posted from ebay. Looks like a nice unit, but the seller hasn't sold anything in a while - plus the unit is multi touch so you'd have to make sure to get good palm rejection software, and probably a stylus you wouldn't like to use on it- worth checking reviews under that name of the product, and the problem is there isn't any real name! I'd be a bit nervous though with the seller not having sold anything in a year.

[Michelle Mastin]

I would think that for the longevity of the machine, you'd be best off with a more modern ebay or refurbed convertible. The Lenovo x201t (and previous gen x200t) are built like tanks and with a core 2 duo and 4 GB of RAM, I think you'd get years of use. I'm a big fan of the HP Elitebooks. I picked up a used 2730p for myself, and it is solidly built with specs that will hold for a few years (core 2 duo, 4GB RAM). You may even be able to get a 2740p (the current generation) in your budget. For a fourth grader, you might want to see if you can find something that also has a touchscreen. Kids seem to work really well with the intuitiveness of touch. Both the Lenovo x201t and the HP 2740p have options to have capacitive touch along with the Wacom digitizer. I think the durability of stepping up to a business class machine over the consumer build of the tm2 is definitely worth it when you're considering giving it to a fourth grader.

The HPs come with 1.8" drives, which means they are slower and smaller. If you have a student with any interest in video, or you think they might get into video in the future, you would definitely be better off with the Lenovo, which holds a standard notebook hard drive and will ultimately be upgradeable to a much larger drive. If this is a machine that may be taken to school in the future, the HP is a little slimmer and lighter.

Fujitsu also has affordable options, as they sell their refurbs on ebay. They are bit bulkier than the Lenovo or HP, but have the option to have a built in optical drive.

[Michelle Mastin]

I would think that for the longevity of the machine, you'd be best off with a more modern ebay or refurbed convertible. The Lenovo x201t (and previous gen x200t) are built like tanks and with a core 2 duo and 4 GB of RAM, I think you'd get years of use. I'm a big fan of the HP Elitebooks. I picked up a used 2730p for myself, and it is solidly built with specs that will hold for a few years (core 2 duo, 4GB RAM). You may even be able to get a 2740p (the current generation) in your budget. For a fourth grader, you might want to see if you can find something that also has a touchscreen. Kids seem to work really well with the intuitiveness of touch. Both the Lenovo x201t and the HP 2740p have options to have capacitive touch along with the Wacom digitizer. I think the durability of stepping up to a business class machine over the consumer build of the tm2 is definitely worth it when you're considering giving it to a fourth grader.

The HPs come with 1.8" drives, which means they are slower and smaller. If you have a student with any interest in video, or you think they might get into video in the future, you would definitely be better off with the Lenovo, which holds a standard notebook hard drive and will ultimately be upgradeable to a much larger drive. If this is a machine that may be taken to school in the future, the HP is a little slimmer and lighter.

Fujitsu also has affordable options, as they sell their refurbs on ebay. They are bit bulkier than the Lenovo or HP, but have the option to have a built in optical drive.

[pmatulew]

I'll second what she said.

For a 4th grader? And you want it to last a few years? Don't even mess with a consumer grade machines. Go straight to the business class category.

Whether or not you get a finger touch capable machine will depend on your budget.

Wacom vs. N-trig? Wacom if you have a choice. Because it just works.

Slate or convertible? I have a bias towards convertibles. Slates are very mobile but require a number of accessories to be able to sit down and use them like a "real" computer. Accessories that get forgotten or left behind when you need them most. Convertibles are a little bigger and heavier, but they're self contained like a regular laptop. Nothing to lose or leave behind.