Other than Motion, are there any new slates comi

[rockut111]

Other than Motion, are there any new slates coming out? HP pulled theirs.

[Jaymz]

I don't know of any official releases. But I would look at companies that have put out some convertibles as of late. I don't know enough to predict accuractly, but I sure wouldn't be suprised to see Toshiba have a go at the slate world after all these convertibles.

I think the thing is the money is probably in the convertible, maybe not true on this board but that is because the "more hardcore" tableteers are going to be on this board, and they are more likely to use slates. But Jow Blow is more likely to be attracted to the convertible model. I would have a feeling this, and the amazing products motion is already putting out (would be a long term commitment competing with them) is what deters the big companies from doing so.

[unknownman_007]

I would love to see a few new slates come out, although it doesn't look like there will be anything new for sometime, unless a official release convinces me otherwise!

[Sagan]

Electrovaya recently upgraded their slates. They are looking very good, what with the battery life and all.

[GenghisKhent]

It appears to me that the new slates are not using the 10.x" screen form factor. The choice is either 8.x" or 12.1". Is that because the 10.x" is too in between, that is, too small a screen for those worried about that, but too large for those who focus more on the form factor? Thoughts?

[Steve S]

I think that your implication is correct; 10.4" is just caught in the middle between two competing screen size trends and is simply becoming irrelevant.

On the one hand, some users (and Microsoft) appear to be rethinking the tablet form factor and concluding that tablets will meet with greater acceptance if they are smaller, a la Motion LS800.

On the other hand, I think there is an unconscious user desire to see a tablet that has a "sheet-of-paper" sized screen, which would be 13.9". However, growing size, weight, power and expense make this problematic. The general market may not like the results at 14.1"... So tablets in this direction may plateau at 12.1" (or so).

In either case, I see 10.4" getting left in the cold, unless the folks that make outdoor reflective screens hold their ground and refuse to upsize at an affordable cost...

[GenghisKhent]

Thanks. Now I need only resolve my quandry between the 8.4" screen of the LS 800 and the 12.1" screen of the LE 1600. I know there is a thread on that in the Motion forum. I just need to make up my mind, which is hard when you can't look at them, which would solve the issue pretty fast. Oh well.

[Steve S]

My honest recommendation? Go 12.1". The sheet-of-paper paradigm is more significant than you might imagine, and I believe that many tablet applications are implicitly sized with that in mind...!

[GenghisKhent]

The only concern I have about the 12.1" screen is the form factor of holding it while using it; the weight is not a concern. I am comfortable writing on an 8.5" x 11" pad, but this "pad" will be a bit larger (see below) as well as heavier. Thoughts about the ease of holding it while writing?

Also, while only Motion has a slate with an 8.x" screen, for now anyway, there are several manufacturers, and form factors, to choose from:

Motion LE 1600 11.65" x 9.45"
Fujitsu ST5000 12.77" x 8.66"
Sahara i215 11.53" x 8.66"

All are very reputable manufacturers, though Motion seems to get the highest marks. Thoughts?

Also, the Motion has a more squarish form factor than the Fujitsu, whereas the Sahara gives you the best of both worlds height and width wise, which makes me wonder if there is enough side room to hold it, assuming this is really a concern at all. Again, thoughts?

Sorry for all the questions. I am venturing into unknown (for me) territory and, given the inability to actually view these units in action, all I can do is ask the experts.

[Steve S]

<<The only concern I have about the 12.1" screen is the form factor of holding it while using it...>>

...I suggest that you do a practical exercise. Take a largish pad of paper (back it with a book if you prefer), cradle it on your forearm, walk around and write on it. Then take an LS800-sized book, fold a piece of paper over the cover, hold it in whatever natural way you prefer, walk around and write on that.

Which one did you prefer? That would answer a fundamental question, yes?

<<there are several manufacturers, and form factors>>

...Yes, but that's a second level of refinement. You're still stuck on the fundamentals. For myself, I prefer the Fujitsu; the offset screen gives you someplace to rest your palm as you write on the lower third of the screen. I think that's an important (and overlooked) issue...

<<Motion seems to get the highest marks...>>

...Motion gets very high marks; there's no denying that they make very good tablets...

<<...if there is enough side room to hold it, assuming this is really a concern at all...?>>

...In my opinion, it's not a significant concern. The Fujitsu has one of the narrowest bezels, side-to-side. It's never once caused me concern while holding or writing.