For students who are looking at getting an Acer,
For students who are looking at getting an Acer, here are some experiences I had on my first day of classes. They might give you a little insight as to how the Acer is for schoolday functionality.
On the bus, I took out my Acer and made templates for my class notes for that day. Even though my bus is an "express" which travels on the interstate highway without frequent stops, I found that the jostling of the bus made it difficult to write well enough to be recognized by the handwriting-to-text software. I also had a hard time double-clicking with the stylus. And, holding the stylus still at one point on the screen to simulate a right-click was impossible. I used my (rigid) Tom Bihn BrainCell bag as a makeshift desk, which worked quite well.
I had to dim the screen a bit to minimize the overhead glare, which was a bit problematic. I also had to manually change the screen configuration alot. Lucky for my forgetful self, I brought my pocket manual, so I was able to look up stuff like that. Sitting at the sides of the classrooms helped eliminate a little glare too.
All of my classrooms had outlets mounted on the desks, and one even had a T1 line (bonus!). I had 4 one hour classes, so the typical 3-3.5 hour battery life would not have cut it. I let my battery run down until the warning signal flashed, and then plugged in. I got almost through 3 hours of class, recharging at 6% battery power remaining and 10 minutes left in the last class. Including bus time, my battery life was nearly 4 hours. that was surprising to me, I thought it would be less. The power cord is a pain to have laying across the table. I would rather charge up when I'm not using my Acer.
I used my sticky notes to write down "to do" type things during class. I noticed that the bottom portion of the sticky notes which are taken in slate mode are not erasable with the "eraser" end of the large EMR stylus.
I could pick up and connect to a signal from one of the campus wireless hubs in one class, but my connection was so poor that I could not actually upload or download any data. I took the Acer to an orientation last week, and carried it around a bit. There are a few places where I can get a good signal and access the internet, etc.. But, they are pretty limited. Even if your campus has a wireless network, don't expect it to work everywhere.
I didn't get alot of people asking questions. I got one comment on how small my Acer was, one asking if it was for class notes, and one actually realized it was a tablet.
Actually the wireless network on ASU is freaking awsome. I am able to connect in 2 of my 4 classes with no problems in speed or connection. You can connect anywhere in the Noble Library, the MU, the art buildings, engineering buildings, the law buildings, other spots that I haven't discovered yet and they're still expanding more wireless enabled spots.
Actually the wireless network on ASU is freaking awsome. I am able to connect in 2 of my 4 classes with no problems in speed or connection. You can connect anywhere in the Noble Library, the MU, the art buildings, engineering buildings, the law buildings, other spots that I haven't discovered yet and they're still expanding more wireless enabled spots.
And in 10 years the first alumni will develop cancer, because pulsed electric smog was not as harmless as everybody thought.....
And in 10 years the first alumni will develop cancer, because pulsed electric smog was not as harmless as everybody thought.....
aww christ..quote:Originally posted by Doehns
And in 10 years the first alumni will develop cancer, because pulsed electric smog was not as harmless as everybody thought.....
aww christ..quote:Originally posted by Doehns
And in 10 years the first alumni will develop cancer, because pulsed electric smog was not as harmless as everybody thought.....
Don't worry about it .... the "microwave soup" from Bluetooth & Wifi will cook us all long before then ....[thumbsup]
Don't worry about it .... the "microwave soup" from Bluetooth & Wifi will cook us all long before then ....[thumbsup]
For some strange reason, I imagine that working with a Tablet PC on a moving bus would work about as well as trying to write with a fountain pen. Just a strange juxtaposition of images of technology.
Not being critical in any way --- that's just the image that came to mind.
WN
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks