Hi there everyone!
I've been lurking around t
Hi there everyone!
I've been lurking around this forum for a long time now, and I think I've finally decided to really seriously consider buying a tablet. However, I need some advice... I've read a lot of the student threads and I still have a few questions I'm curious about:
I'm a Computer Science student at the University of Washington. I've seen threads about law school, med school, etc.. but I've haven't seen anything about what CS/CE majors think about using their tablets in class. I've been drawing a lot of circuit diagrams for my digital design class lately, as well as writing a lot of logic equation things for my discrete math class and my philosophy class... I figure a tablet would be great for referring to old diagrams/truth tables/etc.. Are there any CS/CE majors out there who can share their experience with tablets?
I'm especially interested in buying a tablet that is lightweight and has a smallish footprint to make carrying to class easier. That being said, what kind of lightweight tablets are there which are somewhat powerful enough to satisfy some *light* compiler work? I know it wont be a super fast compiler compared to a desktop system, but it would be nice to do some on-the-fly compiling to demonstrate/test some code, etc.. I already have a DTR notebook at home which I absolutely dread to carry around, so I can do any intensive programming work there or in my department's computer labs. Of course, this isn't the primary reason I'm interested in a tablet, it's mainly for the ability to take technical notes and look things up during lecture.
So in summary, I have two main questions:
1) Any CSE majors out there who would be willing to share their experiences with a tablet pc?
2) What experiences do people have running light compiler work on their tablet pc?
Thanks everyone! If any of my questions were answered in a previous thread, I apologize.. I've run searches but I can't seem to find answers to my questions. Maybe I'm not using the right keywords :S. Again, thanks to everyone for their help! This forum has been a great resource so far!
-Brian
Brian, if you are at UW in Seatle, then you are at a place where tablets are used in the compsci classes. The Classroom Presenter software is developed there and used in some classes by the profs. I'd take a journey to their lab and see what they are using, which might really give you an idea of the minimum hardware you need for your coursework.
I've been using the M200 for almost 2 yrs now, working toward my CS degree. I use it in ALL my classes, and to me the convertible is the best option since I do a lot of programming beside writing, and a handy keyboard in always ready. Of course I would love to if the M200 can be even more lighter. I didn't go with the TC1100 because I need a powerful tablet, mine's is 2 GHz, 2 GIG Ram since I do a lot of Visual Studio as well as SolidWorks.
Kenny.
Thanks for the responses guys! I looked up which tablets my department uses in their "Tablet Lab", all I could come up with was "Compaq Tablet PC". I'll ask around to see what else I can dig up.
I've been considering the M200 vs the TC1100.. The TC1100 is lighter at 3-4lbs, but the M200 is (according to specs I've found) around 4.4lbs. I wonder if that'll really make that much of a difference. The M200 is certainly much more powerful, but the TC1100's form factor is really attractive. It'd be great if I had an opportunity to try them out in person.
Again, thanks for the responses guys. Any other input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all!
Hi shockx,
I have both the M200 and TC1100. When I have relatively little expectation of really needing a keyboard (coding) I carry the TC1100 (~3.1 pounds) without the keyboard. The rest of the time I carry the M200 (~4.4 pounds).
If I am doing lectures (standing / walking) I like the TC1100. When doing any kind of development I use the M200 and here, the compelling difference is the screen real estate. (1400x1050 vs 1024x768) This is much more important to me than a second or two difference in compile times.
Now with respect to weight - when I attach the keyboard to the TC1100 it weighs in at around 4.1 pounds. Add the portfolio case that goes with it and you are pretty much at the same weight as the M200. At that point the dimensions are very similar.
As much as I really like the TC1100, if I were in your shoes I'd be leaning towards the M200.
Ewww the UW im sorry....
only kidding I may be there next year, but Spokane has certainly formed a place in my heart... Spokane >>>>> Seattle
(all the over signs mean really really really over)
Computer Science Student(Senior) w/ a minor in Web Design at Radford Unversity. I went w/ out a semi tricked out gateway S-7200C, I don't really trust hp/compaq due to all the computers I've serviced for them, I work at the tech support center at my school. The gateway may not have have the best support from what I'm hearing but they are decently priced most of the convertibles at most other plaes run around 2000 starting, the full tablets run around the same. If you plan to code on them I definitely plan on a convertible. I ran and got a graphics card and a pentium processor because of my minor in Web Design I figured my photoshop/web development software would need more of an "umph". But if your on a budge I might lean toward grabbing a celeron with whomever you get and just getting extra ram in it (celeron+ 1 gig)- celerons battery consumption isn't as great as pentium but you get what you pay for. Anyway that's my 2cents ..though this will be my first tablet(convertible).
Don't get a Celeron, you won't be happy with performance (from what I've heard). As a CE student, I use my R15 in many classes, but if you don't need the optical drive (I do because it is my primary computer) go with the M200. I'm happy with the Pentium M 1.6GHz. I don't know how much of a benefit you'd get from a faster processor, I think your money might be better spent on RAM. Any P-M processor should be able to handle any compiling work you throw at it.
for your purposes, I can recommend the HP TC4200 it is powerful, very good display, good keyboard, Solid quality and the price is right!
Thanks a bunch for the feedback everyone! It has helped me tremendously in narrowing down my choices.
I'm currently leaning towards a M200... It seems to be the best combination of power and screen resolution (which is a big draw for me, more space to see code really helps me out) in a light form factor.
However, thanks to an unexpected financial situation (what college student doesnt have these??? lol..) I'll have to wait for my next paycheck and a bit to save up enough money for the M200. But I'll keep my options open until then!
In terms of longevity, the M200 probably won't be phased out in the near future and replaced with a brand spanking new model right?
Again, thanks everyone!
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