I think the topic says it all. I'm looking at d

imgod2u · 04-13-2003, 02:26 PM

I think the topic says it all. I'm looking at different TabletPC's and I don't think I see any of them that has a built-in optical drive. This is quite perplexing. I understand that normally, ultra-light notebooks don't have optical drives but I've always found this to be a huge drawback, especially when you want to want DVD's.

welwyngc · 04-13-2003, 02:46 PM

No, not yet, as far as i know.

It may be that the next generation (with Centrino) may offer an intergrated OD.

imgod2u · 04-17-2003, 06:10 PM

I hoped so, but Acer's announcement of the C110 didn't seem to hopeful. It uses the exact same chasis as its predecessor (with the same small 10.4" screen) and no optical drive. I hope later editions of TabletPC's will be more significantly changed from their predecessors.

Big Lar · 04-18-2003, 02:11 AM

I for one hope they DON'T change the design too much. I'd like to see the market widen, but I want the small, ultralight model to still be there. For me, the form factor is key to the Tablet experience. I use my TC1000 in slate mode most of the time. Small and light is extremely important when you are holding the thing.

Doug_K · 04-18-2003, 04:02 AM

I'd be interested in finding out how many of you are intertested in internal optical drives for Tablets. Our company designs small optical burners but have had no luck in speaking with the manufacturers about building them in directly- without adding to their bulk of course.
Doug

welwyngc · 04-18-2003, 04:17 AM

quote:Originally posted by Doug_K

'...I'd be interested in finding out how many of you are intertested in internal optical drives for Tablets....

I really would like a tablet with a built in OD. One drawback is weight of course.

I noticed that the new Sony centrino with an OD is around 4.75 lbs which is OK with me - if they added tablet capabilities to this (Z1?) I would like that

jstigall · 04-18-2003, 04:51 AM

I would kill for a tablet that is <3 pounds and has a slot loading dvd/cd-burner or maybe even a dvd burner in it. That would rock.

sumfunny · 04-18-2003, 06:30 AM

Since tablets are ment to be mobile just grab it flip it a round and type wouldn't cd's possible get too bubmped around my first cd-rw was so delicate that nudging the case would create costers, so I dont see od in tablets anytime soon. I hope acer puts the type of external drive like they have on the travlemate 350 series where there is no need for external power and it runs off some proprietry connection.

imgod2u · 04-20-2003, 03:52 PM

Well, the majority of the reason I want an optical drive would be to watch DVD's on the TabletPC without having to connect an external drive. With a bluetooth headphone set, it could be a very convenient one-the-go DVD device. I mean, I know I can rip the movie beforehand, but that's not really convenient.