Tablet PC for ART: Which one? Help!

[kk10]

I am a college student pursuing a Graphic Design major.
Besides creating images like logos, I also love to do sketches, paintings, and cartoons.

I'm looking for a reliable machine to increase my art productivity (while on the go and in class). I would like it to have an excellent display and pen sensitivity (for detailed art), enough power to run art programs (photoshop, illustrator, and sketchbook), and enough battery life to last through a day of art and classes.

Besides art, I would like to use this Tablet PC for basic computer functions, like wordprocessing and websurfing. So connection to the internet is a must. (Also for art reference.)

I am new to the world of Tablet PCs, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. If something I wrote below doesn't make sense/sounds stupid/unrealistic, please let me know. Like I said, I'm new to this, and I'm sure there are people with more experience and better suggestions.



1. What is your budget?
Around $1500, give or take. If possible, cheaper is better.

2. Would you consider purchasing used/refurbished?
I'd prefer new,
unless there's some really awesome used/refurbished that someone would like to suggest.

3. Do you prefer a Slate, Convertible or Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC)?
Convertible, for easy typing.

4. What size Tablet PC would you prefer?
12"ish. I need it to be portable, but easy to draw on.

5. Which country do you intent to purchase from?
USA

6. Do you have any preferences to brand loyalty or dislikes?
I like Wacom. I've used an Intuos3 for years.
Other than that, I'm game for whatever is best.
What Tablet PC brands are best for art?

7. How many hours battery life do you require?
+6 hours would be good.
It must be able to survive a day of classes, or hours of intense art. (Like when I get one of those crazy art urges. Maybe you know what I mean...) Granted, it probably won't be open/used the entire time in class, but still. Longer is better.

8. What will be the primary usage scenario of this tablet?
Art. Art! ART!
After that, basic notetaking, word processing, and internet (like email, youtube, facebook, google, etc).

9. Do you have an OS preference?
I understand Windows.
I've used up to Windows Vista, but can learn Windows7.

10. What software and tasks do you intend to run?
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.
Sketchbook
Microsoft Word
Firefox
iTunes for music?

10. Do you intend on playing Games?
No.
At the most, flash games like Bejeweled.


Screen Specifics

1. What resolution do you prefer?
WXGA - 1280x768, I think?
I don't know much about this. Enough for really detailed colored art.

2. Do you require the screen to be readable in sunlight?
It would be nice/preferred, but not necessary.
I can survive without. I will mostly use this indoors. (Don't want to expose my new baby to the elements, lol)

3. Do you prefer your display to be glossy or matte?
Whatever is best for art and drawing?
I don't know.

4. Do you require Touch?
Not needed.

5. Do you require a Pen?
YES. Absolutely.
Wacom digitizer, pressure sensitive.


Component Specifics

1. What size Hard Drive and Memory do you require?
I don't know much about this. But I think I need a lot.

Enough memory to power art programs like Sketchbook, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator. I want this thing to work smoothly, with no lag.

Enough storage to keep pictures, documents, and a few big files like psd. I have an external harddrive that I'll use to save most of the things I create on my Tablet PC.

2. Do you require an Optical (CD/DVD) Drive to be built in?
I don't think so. But USB ports are awesome.
Can you install Adobe programs without the CD?

3. Do you require ability to add a second Battery or Hard Drive (Modular Bay technology)?
I don't know?


Misc

1. Other non specific items ~
I know that no Tablet PC will ever compare to a Wacom Cintiq, but I am looking for something portable. So if you could avoid telling me to buy a Cintiq, I'd appreciate it.

2. Additional requests ~
1. It would be awesome if I could fit it in a carrying case with a strap. Any suggestions?
2. It would also be awesome if there are screen protector options that fit. (Good sheets, hard cover, etc?)
3. Customizable buttons (at least 1 or 2) around the screen.
4. Rounded corners > Square corners
5. Able to withstand humid weather and a tiny drizzle (I hope to avoid this, but you never know).
6. Aesthetically pleasing/nice design is a plus, though not absolutely needed.


To sum it all up...
I'm looking for a Tablet PC primarily for art, secondarily for basic word processing and internet.
The qualities that are most important to me are:
1. Screen/Display Quality
2. Ability to run art programs
3. Battery Life
Required:
1. USB Ports
2. Wireless internet
3. Wacom pen digitizer and pressure sensitivity
4. Customizable buttons around screen


Thanks everyone!!!
Any suggestions or help is appreciated!

[TadakoXIII]

I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you but I do hope someone answers soon because an answer would be a God send for all of us Tablet Noobs out there. Even if my requirements would be slightly different from this one, it would at least gauge us a little on the right direction. And I do have to say, this little questionnaire thing makes it easier.

I'm kinda sad no one's replied to this thread. :'D If no one does, I guess we'll just have to do a lot of extensive research..

[John Hill]

Most artists that I know (I am not one but a lot of my customers are) prefer a slate tablet with an XGA or SXGA display because of the 4:3 ratio whereas most newer tables offer 15:9 (WXGA). If you buy a used one, the Motion LE1700 with an SXGA display will run you around $700 and you can get a convertible keyboard for it when you need to type. Battery life will be about 3 hours depending on the battery that comes with it since this will be a used/refurbished unit. Also, you can get an Extended Battery which clips onto the back, adds about 1 pound but doubles the battery life.

If you definitely want a convertible, the Lenovo X201T is a good choice. If you get a model with an 8-cell battery you can get 5 hours battery life but there aren't any tablets that realistically will get you more than that. violajack just did a great review of the X201 here. You will be pretty close to your budget amount or a little over.

I would stay away from any tablet with larger than a 12" display because the additional weight will make it uncomfortable to use.

The next best option would be the HP 2740 which is a little thinner/lighter and more rounded but not as good battery. Other specs and capabilities are about the same. You might find a used Lenovo X200 or HP 2710/2730 at a reasonable price but I don't have a source for you.

Did you read through the posts in the Artist forum?

Best of luck!

[kk10]

TadakoXIII - I got the questionaire from the Tablet PC Review forum. They're very nice there, though only one person has consistently replied to me.
I know what you mean... The reason why I posted this thread was because it was so hard to find Art Tablet PC threads with good answers on them (even after lurking for about 2 months...)

John - Finally an answer-- Thank you so much!
I'm pretty sure I want a convertible, 12" or smaller. 5 hours battery life would be awesome, but I could probably make do with 3 (my current laptop dies in about 1 hour, which isn't great for those 3 hour art classes...)

I don't know much about HP. Actually, my first experience with a tablet PC was last year on my friend's small HP Touchsmart, which I didn't love... I think that might have been back when they weren't pressure sensitive, though. I know that HP printers are good, but what about HP computers? Thinner and lighter is definitely better, but I'm concerned about battery life, too.

I noticed that you didn't mention Fujitsu. Would you mind explaining why?

Thanks!

[John Hill]

The TouchSmart is not active digitizer technology which you definitely want for art. Why not Fujitsu? they make great devices but because most models have a DVD built in they are bulkier than the HP and Lenovo. You might see this as an advantage because the DVD is removable and you can put a second battery in its place for the longer battery life you desire.

[kk10]

For the ones without DVD drives, what should I do when I need to install software?

Speaking of battery life, I recently heard something about the different types of Intel CPU's. Something about normal-voltage and low-voltage? Do you know anything about that and it's effect on processing power?