looking for used tablet pc convertible

[docg]

Okay ebay experts

Looking for a cheap and I mean cheap- unit with or without hard drive
Middle school student wants a cool laptop- parent wants student to have tablet so
with or without wifi, but should be connectable through cable to dsl

We are looking for a convertible- not too heavy unit -
Needed is enough ram to run windows xp (prefer unit that has 1 gig)
Looking for Active digitizer!
Student likes pc games (not a necessity for processor speed)
Must be able to run my sql as a client at least
screen size not too big 10-12

So what am I looking for? an acer c111? Fujitsu? gateway?

[Michelle Mastin]

As a current user of an HP 2730p, I like the form factor a lot. The previous model, the 2710p is also a pretty good machine with a dual core processor, plenty of RAM (2GB, can do up to 4GB I think). As you already know the TC1100 series well, I think you'd be happy with the hardware. There are currently a bunch (2710p) from a reseller listed with $250 as the starting bid, and many are closing with no bids. That means you could swoop in last minute and have it for $250. Some others are closing in the low $200s or even under $200.

For durability for a middle school student, I would stick with the business class machines. Lenovo is another good alternative since those things are built like tanks. The x60 tablets seem to go for just over $300 mostly. That would also be a core 2 duo machine with plenty of RAM. I know the HP 2730p is mil spec durable, but you might want to double check on the 2710p.

[pmatulew]

Yup, the 2710 was the first that boasted the milspec numbers. It's very similar to the 2730 minus the touchpad. (The jiggle stick is kind of a love it or hate it thing.) (Always entertaining when you hand it to someone unfamiliar with it and they struggle trying to figure out how to drive it.)

The lid and the base are alloy. The screen is glass. The bezel and the palm deck are plastic unless you count the brushed aluminum inserts. Most of the silver color is paint. The black on the bottom is that rubbery stuff.

Very thin, very solid, no flex. Maybe not the absolute cheapest, but certainly nice equipment for the price.

[digitaldoctors]

Super cheap would be a Toshiba M200 [ebay (http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=toshiba+M200&_sacat=See-All-Categories)].
Nice big screen. SXGA+
Sturdy.

[digitaldoctors]

Middle school student wants a cool laptop- parent wants student to have tablet
What work will be done on this ?
Battery life expectations ?
Viewable outdoors ?
Portable ?
in backpack daily ?
Typing needed ? Most

A good idea is to get a crazy cheap tablet and see if the software and the pen work as a data input method for the student involved.

In 2 weeks you know if the tablet will work.
If not, you can sell the cheap tablet, and get a laptop !

[pmatulew]

M200's aren't a bad option for a starter either. They can usually be had for $100-$150. Way more functionality than you would get in an equivalent priced entertainment slate. I've owned and abused several, including the one I'm still using at home. The unit with the most miles on it had the backlight fail (replaced for $10) and the keyboard went bad (another $15). That's it. Rock solid perfomance. Just under 4 hours on a new battery with the wifi on. XP, Vista, Win7, Linux, whatever floats your boat.

The shell is all alloy except for the Bezel/screen cover which is plastic. The first generation screen covers were prone to cracking. Get a second gen if you can. They're double thickness and can be identified by being more glossy and having notches around the edge for the rubber nubbins.

On the downside the Centrino-M are getting long in the tooth. Gets harder and harder to recommend them as the price of the Core Duo generation continues to fall.

[docg]

Thank you- I'll look into those. My price range was under $100- my theory is that until he can repair a unit why buy new? When I meant cheap I was looking for a unit that the child could lose interest in within 6 months. If I were to purchase an hp 2710 it would be mine? Maybe not I'm happy with the tc1100 as is. (although if they made another one just like it except with better processor and battery life, and still with an active digitizer I'd be so wanting one of those! Come on HP return to something great!)

digitaldoctors- since child has a tc1000 we are safe on the use of the pen. Normal daily use- student is poor typist but adequate Screen doesn't need to be viewable outdoors.

[docg]

Just to update everyone on the convertible search- the main thing we wanted was a better processor so we ended up with an hp tc4200 at 1.7 ghz but only 512 ram ( if anyone has some extra sitting around LOL) Actually, I'm going to encourage him using it as is for the moment. The ebay special was under $100 as I'm usually pretty patient bidder. It came without hard drive but with all the parts around here from my tc1100 upgrades I think we'll manage it. I'm not sure about a stylus so I'm hoping an old tc`1100 unit will work but I'll be scouring for that as well. Thanks for all your input! The tc1000 will be handed down but linux os installed instead! Hoping it will run xp in vm mode, but I'm wondering about that! I need to install a math program on it.