So I've been looking around for a tablet and so
So I've been looking around for a tablet and so far the Acer seems like my best bet to get what I'm looking for, unless I decide to wait for a 2nd generation tablet. Just to get a good idea of what to expect if I do get one, what are some problems that you all have had with the Acer, or things that bug you about them now that you have used it for awhile?
1) Screens blanking out in the middle of use
2) Latches breaking frequently
3) Poor build quality (the screen has actually started to become detached from the casing and it pushes down with pressure applied).
I wish I had purchased the toshiba or maybe the HP, but I'm stuck until I get a new one! :)
do your self a favor...wait for second generation..or get ANYTHING else but first generation Acer...had one..lousy performance, 24 bit color in landscape, 16 bit in portrait, only 256 of NON EXPANDABLE RAM, tech support is 'iffy' at best...useless at worst... this applies to the 102 and 104 series.
In my humble opinion...which is seldome humble... the best convertible tablet is the Toshiba..the best pure slate..considering weight and manufacture is NEC...Best new company with slate is the Motion.. and for sort of 'twix and tween' of convertible and slate is the HP TC1000...I had the Acer and forced company to take back. used a Motion and was sort of pleased and now have had compaq for 2 months. no problems at all but it is probably the slowest of the group, but then I was looking for portability not speed...
good luck to you
i have no complaints save for the fact that the screen is a bit loose (i.e., were it not for the side stabilizers, the screen would be far too unstable). other than that, i can say:
1) the non-expandability of the ram 'problem' is grossly overrated;
2) as is the 24-bit vs. 16 bit in landscape vs. portrait mode (who really cares? are you watching video/playing games in portrait mode? if so, why?!?!?)
3) i have yet to have any real issues with the latches (it isn't any problem so long as you don't treat your machine like sh*t and remember to switch it back and forth when you switch the screen);
4) my experience with both tech support and the sales staff has been anything but sub-par
5) you WILL NOT find a better deal, price wise, anywhere right now for a tablet than on this machine. plus, if you go with toshiba you're taking on 1 1/2 extra pounds and a sub-par display (not to mention a REAL heat generator... trust me, had one, sent it back). if you are not sold on a slate, and you must buy now, then this IS the one to buy. however, given how close you are to the 2nd gen., and given that most are likely to use centrino chips (my only regret... despite great battery life now, i would have killed for centrino-rated bat. life!), you might do well to at least wait and see what comes out. if you see nothing that peaks your interest, you can always find a c102i for a good price - and in a few months, they'll be even cheaper than they are now.
in short, don't worry about the horror stories. if you understand you are buying a machine designed for portability and not performance, you WON'T be disappointed.
A few counter points:
1. The screen blanking is resolved with the latest drivers and bios.
2. Several people have had latches break, but most others seem to be ok. Knowing that this is not a strong point on the machine, just don't treat it too roughly.
3. The screen hinge mechanism is wobbly, but the only time this would be a problem would be when you are on "laptop mode" - in which case, how often do you actually move the screen around? In tablet mode, the screen latches securely to the base.
4. Ragarding a screen coming loose from the case, the person above is the only person I recall this happening to. I have been following various forums since the last week in October, when I got my machine.
5. The screen color depth in portrait (only 16-bit) is an issue primarily to those that want to use Painter, which requires 24-bit, or video-watchers. I happen to like Painter, so I care about this, but most people would not.
6. Regarding 256M RAM, I would greatly prefer to have more, but I have not found the machine unbearable by any means. Keep in mind that these machines are not desktop replacements, and with that expectation, I think even with 256 you can survive reasonably well. I use graphics programs regularly, Journal (XP Tablet Edition's note taking app), Outlook, Office, and some development tools as my primary applications, to give you are reference point. If you are primarily an Office and Journal user, I would not be concerned with the memory. If you want to do a lot (or heavy duty) graphics work, or a lot of development, you are unlikely to be happy with the Acer; for that matter, with the light-weight processers on the tablet pc's, you aren't likely to be too happy with any of them!
So, I would agree with folks above that say hold off until round 2 (the mid-summer releases) if you are not in hurry. On the other hand, if you want one now, there quite a few deals to be had, especially on the Acer. The Toshiba, by comparison, is in short supply and is larger. I really appreciate the fact that the Acer is so small. I can carry it around to meetings and use it on my lap without it being at all intrusive.
Best of wishes with you decision.
David
If only that were true...quote:1. The screen blanking is resolved with the latest drivers and bios.
It really depends on your needs. I have to have a convertable as I don't have a home desktop as a primary system that I would dock a slate at .
I need a laptop; a slate as a primary system is absurd without a docking station (unless you stand around all day)
I have the Compaq, Fujitsu, and the Acer.
For me The Acer is by far the best. Why?
Because it's the only convertable that's light and small and has the Intel ULV chip (something I want that the Toshiba doesn't have)
As far as the problems. I had the screen blanking but it seems to have pretty much gone away. The latch hasn't broke YET but even if it does I will put up with the repair as I need this thing.
I don't need more than 256MB and I really like the small Wacom pen that's built in.
As a matter of fact, I like just about every single thing about it.
The screen is bright with good viewing angle and color depth. It runs cool. It is small. It has lot's of programable buttons. It's comfortable both in laptop and tablet mode.
Yet it's not all that popular.
no accounting for taste.
P.s. they're cheap as hell now.
I have had mine for about a month now. I use it at work frequently to take notes and the handwriting recognition aint half bad. No problems with anything..yet. I purchased a docking station from COMPUSA for $80 and now I can hook up my parallel printer and my sync my pocket pc with a serial cable. The size is simply awesome. I started taking it to meetings and no one even notices that it is a computer. I run Office XP. I installed the tablet pack and I'm really liking it. The only negative I have is that teh screen is really hard to read under office lighting. Anyone know a utility to adjust the contrast?
[8D]
"If only that were true..."
I've had zero display problems since using the latest driver. I think they even list that as one of the items resolved by the release. Are you certain you have the latest? Others have reported success with it as well...
D.
I continue to use my Acer over 8 hours a day in and out of patient room writing/typing my notes as I go. I have had NO problems in 4 months of use. The screen, latche, supports are all is good working order. I love the size and portability. For the money, there isn't a better laptop/tablet pc combo out there. Glenda
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