TC1100 or M1400

[gct]

Hi,

I'm interested in getting a new tablet PC and I believe it's down to two models: the HP TC1100 and the Motion M1400. Here is what I'm interested in doing(in order of importance) with a tablet if/when I get one:

1. Read PDFs/eBooks
2. Surf the web (probably wirelessly)
3. Play with inking/drawing
4. Write docs/read email,etc.
5. Multimedia: play videos/music/photos

I sort of flip/flop between which one I'm interested in...my concerns are:

1. If I'm reading PDF/ebooks, is a 12.1 vs. 10.4 a big difference? I haven't seen a side by side comparison, nor have I seen either one in person. It seems like the screen size would make a difference in this case.
2. Performance-wise. 1GHz vs. 1.1GHz...that much of a difference?
3. Weight. I know that both are in the low 3's lbs for weight. Is the m1400 that much heavier than the TC1100? Noticable?
4. Vista. Either run Vista better than the other (assuming memory/hd/processor rougly equiv).? What are the minimum specs for Vista to be usable on either?


Thanks in advance,

Rich

[bmhome1]

I have both a M1300 maxed out and recently 1Gz TC1100 with 1.5GB RAM and 7200rpm drive. Both run Vista equally well (maxed RAM and 7200 drive critical).

I now prefer the 1100 for general use you describe, the smaller size easier held, the smaller screen/higher res effect a pleasure in-use, but particularly for two other significant reasons: the 1100 has a fan and stays cool indefinitely, the 1300-1400 have none and rapidly heatup pushed and underclock severely to cool down automatically without warning. The second reason is that batteries, docks, etc for 1100's still are easily found on eBay at good prices, while supplies for 1300-1400 are drying up fast.

1.0 or 1.1 matters little, Pentium M only and later series the better. The L2 cache doubled to 2MB on late models. 1.2 supposedly ran hot and fan louder as trade-off. But my 1.0 1MB L2 1100 runs Vista great.

[gct]

Thanks for the comments..

I now prefer the 1100 for general use you describe, the smaller size easier held, the smaller screen/higher res effect a pleasure in-use,
<div align="right">Originally posted by bmhome1 - Feb 11 2008 : 9:04:16 PM</div id="right">

Do you find the smaller screen of the 1100 an issue when viewing PDFs(i.e. how does the same PDF look on the 1100 vs the M1300? Better? Worse? Have to scroll around more? )

Also, any specific accesories you'd say are a "must have" (keyboard, docking station, case, different stylus, etc.)?

[bmhome1]

Both are 1064x720 so the 10.6 just looks sharper, although icons and text in XP are rather small for older eyes. In Vista, the 10.6 screen rocks for 1064x720 rendering.

A good, solid deal shouldn't be missing the keyboard, stylus or COA AND restore disks. Not included signals off-lease cast-offs. Extra battery is best, check for DC907A Google search for OEM HP originals for around $100.

Check other threads for the multi-battery charger deal I linked to and the $4 neoprene case ideal for 1100.

[brain21]

I was just wondering the same thing, and for the same reasons! You can get a used TC1100 on eBay for less than the price of one of those new eBook readers. Granted, it's heavier, etc. but it does so much more.

OK, I personally like the TC1100's smaller screen... More "book-like" for reading pdfs.

The cooling factor of the TC1100 vs the M1300 or M1400 is a big deal for me. How loud is the fan on the TC1100 though?

I know that the TC1100 is 3.1lbs w/o keyboard and the M1300 (which is actually what I'm looking at vs the M1400) is 3.3 lbs as far as I can tell.

Both use Wacom digitizers, correct? This is big for me.

The TC1100 has a smaller screen, but the area around the screen is bigger. So which of the 2 (TC1100 in slate mode) is actually easier to handle? Think of sitting up in bed or on a plane reading an eBook on the thing.

What's the battery life comparison between the two (this is another big one)?

Any other pros & cons that I might not be thinking of that might be useful for me to know? Maybe one has better buttons on the slate, or one has better response from the Wacom digitizer or something? One is easier to read in daylight (like sitting on my porch)?

Do they both have the same video card, or is one Intel and one nVidia or something?

Thanks so much for the help!

Brain21

[bmhome1]

I find the 1100 with wide-view screen option ideal bedside, lap companion for several reasons: the 160 degree view makes portrait mode as pleasure instead of eye strain non-wide view lcd's impose. To get a feel, turn a laptop screen vertically and notice how narrow the view angle tolerance becomes and how severe.

The 1100 jog dial on right in portrait mode is ideal scrolling long documents, along with portrait mode better rendering vertical documents to begin with.

With quality pdf reader (Foxit freeware best at any price) documents launch scaled to fit unless choosing otherwise.

The 1100 fan isn't too bothersome, its whoosh rather than buzzing. I prefer handling cooler chassis than tolerating rising temperatures.

In general, I find the 10.6" screen the pinnacle of slate tablet formfactor, it's demise strictly economics not design.

[brain21]

Didn't even think of the viewing angle issue!

Great information everyone! Thanks!

[WNewquay]

I have both TC1100 and M1400.

I find that the smaller TC1100 is a nicer size when working in close quarters.

The M1400 seems better when working under bright light or indirect sunlight.

Both seem equal to me with respect to the viewing angle issue.

Personally I prefer the cleaner look of the TC1100 with the buttons on the side of the machine rather than on the bezel.

I don't mind the gentle whirring / whoosh of the TC1100 fan. I like the absolute quiet of the M1400. But I prefer the cooler touch of the TC1100.

So which one do I use most often? It depends - If I am sure that the lighting will not be hostile, then I will take the TC1100.

If I need to be able to view the screen at any distance beyond reading distance for a pocket book, then I will take the M1400.

If I want to create the least impact (draw the least attention) from others, I take the TC1100.

Both run Vista well when you have enough memory. Greater than 1.5 gig is good. 2 gigs is better and easier to do with the M1400.

I hope some of that is useful.