I’m surprised no one has mentioned linux as a far more stable and pleasing alternative to windows. I have a p1620 and never booted into the installed OS (Windows XP Tablet, I believe) — went straight into installing Ubuntu 7.10 via a bootable thumbdrive. All hardware with the exception of on-board microphone is working — including touchscreen, screen rotation (via xrandr), and fingerprint reader (via fprint). I confess I don’t use the suspend and hibernate features, as a sub-60 second boot-up time is acceptable to me.

I’ll be the first to admit that, while Linux has made great strides in becoming accessible to the non-geek crowd, getting it working on new hardware is still not for the faint of heart, unless the process has been ironed out by more experienced pioneers. That said, I would expect readers of this site to be offended at being relegated to the “non-geek crowd.” :) If anyone’s interested, consider starting here, to create a persistent ubuntu install on removable media, so you can always go back to windows if you want:

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2007/09/28/usb-ubuntu-710-gutsy-gibbon-install/

In response to why I chose the Fujitsu T2010, it has incredible battery life, a very powerful screen, and is fast enough for my work needs (I also increased the RAM to a full 4 GB). I had a chance to use the P1610 for a short time, and although the form factor is fantastic, I found it too small to be able to read hundreds of pages of documents and take margin notes, highlight, etc. I also prefer the active digitizer.

I really like the HP 2710 but stayed away from it solely because it does not have buttons you can use to switch pages, as does the T2010. It sounds insignficant, but when reading page after page, a dedicated button is crucial and saves time.

By the way – if Apple does ever come out with a tablet, I will jump on that. My home computers are apple products, and I think that if/when it releases a tablet, it will be the best.

If you have any other questions about how I use a tablet in my practice, please let me know.

@Mike Cane
>>> And is apparently dismissed by a fanboi… But the attorney is correct. Fanboi does FAIL.

What are you, 12? So far you’ve got sk8er-spelling name calling, repetition, and all-caps. Go back to Slashdot?

JK,

You’re exactly right when you say that Apple is good at controlling the end-user experience. They don’t install a lot of junk on their systems and what they do load doesn’t run on startup, so of course “it just works.” Unfortunately, when Microsoft tried to control the Windows environment in the 90′s, they were sued for being anti-competitive. Something about how competitors couldn’t convince people their lousy products were necessary unless they were allowed to have them shoved down our throats.

The result is what we see today where OEM’s are allowed to completely junk up their systems with absolute crap.

Personally, I love taking “clean” Apple environments and “clean” Windows environments and comparing them without all the extras. You’re not comparing Apples and Oranges when you do this. They’re actually quite comparable in speed, performance, and usability.

Maybe it’s time for people to stop holding Microsoft back and actually let them compete again.

You’re right on the money with both points, Mike. I have stated more than once that Apple has a distinct advantage in controlling the entire user experience and it’s not debatable. That is why the Mac experience is pretty bullet-proof as Stan describes in the Gear Diary article you linked to. If something doesn’t work on the Apple side you have one entity to turn to and that system does work, and work well.

Your observation that not enough marketing is done to spread the Tablet technology to the real world is spot on too. As you pointed out I have been using Tablets and preaching about them for years and years and nearly every day I still hear from someone who sees me using one who wants to know what the heck it is. It is a sad state of affairs for sure.

>>>Truthfully, I am shocked that more people haven’t jumped on the tablet bandwagon.

It is such a different paradigm and does some things so differently that people need to be *educated*. So far, hardly anyone but technoids knows it exists.

MS should spend some coin and do, I don’t know, TV infomercials? Long-form vids placed on popular video services (YouTube, Veoh, etc)?

jk has touted it for a few years now. I’m still not sure I can use it.

The writer brings up a valid concern:

>>>But the thought lingered: I could never rely on the Tablet during a hearing or trial, or any situation where I was in front of a judge.

And is apparently dismissed by a fanboi:

>>>The author’s pejorative comments about Windows are typical but not universally accepted. If you know what you’re doing, you can use Vista and OneNote in such a way as to make the crash rate extremely low…

But the attorney is correct. Fanboi does FAIL.

See:
http://mikecane2008.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/quote-stan-lau-at-gear-diary/

Jack, just curious how you ended up with the 2010 as opposed to the hp 2710 or the fuji 1610/20? And whether you had tried the others before deciding on the 2010. I’m deciding between the 3 models myself and am interested in real world thoughts or comparisons.

I am also an attorney, and I have been using a tablet pc as a regular part of my routine since the HP (compaq) TC 1000. Since then, I progressed to the 1100, the Motion Computing LE 1700, the Lenovo X60, and I am now using a Fujitsu T2010 (which I highly recommend).

The tablet pc has been a fantastic resource and has totally revolutionized my practice. First of all, when it comes to storing and reading documents, in my opinion nothing compares. I have thousands of documents on my tablet that have handwritten edits. Also, I have stopped using a legal pad and now, my notes are always within reach. I used to use Journal exclusively, but I recently started using One Note for the first time.

I have also used the tablet in court to have documents and notes at my hands for immediate retrieval. When standing at a podium with a tablet, noone can even tell you are using a computer. However, when I present an argument I still bring in critical paper documents just in case there is a software failure.

Truthfully, I am shocked that more people haven’t jumped on the tablet bandwagon. But if you are an attorney (or anyone who wants to have a more versatile computer), the tablet is a great way to go.

theres a reason your Vista machines are unstable & none of mine are… we all have the same OS, but not the same drivers/software.

The analogy to automotives is apt. I wonder if those only capable of driving automatic would complain that a standard transmission is “unstable”?

…and then get sort of defensive about it?

I am primarily a Mac user, but finally purchased a Fujitsu P1510 and, later a P1620 convertible for the tablet function. I use it for taking notes at meetings and, more recently, for giving presentations at professional meetings. I have 1 GB RAM and Vista installed. I have rarely experienced any freezes or crashes. It is perfect for my purposes. I certainly wouldn’t want to experience a freeze or crash during an important presentation in front of several hundred people, but I’ve learned to trust this particular tablet with Vista.

I’ve had more critical moment sputters, stutters, and crashes with XP than on Vista, but Vista, for whatever reason, drops recognizing a CF card so much, I can’t use it actively, and can only back up to it when I have time to try three or four times, drops wifi, and can’t load some drivers at all (and totally lost the ability to ink on Office documents).

I certainly don’t see the problems my wife has with her Apples as a better swap for me, as I really rely on handwriting recognition.

I’m sure these problems are entirely unique to me as a result of my ignorance of operating systems, the same way my ignorance of automotive repair has left me on the side of the road with a blown water pump or whatever.

Sorry guys, but I’ve been using a Fujitsu T4020 for two years now on XP Tablet 2005 and have never experience frequent Windows crashes. I’m a trainer and technical writer by trade, so while not taking my Tablet into courtrooms or whatever, I’m still not having the problems you speak of.

My system seems fairly stable.

Wouldn’t a supersized Advantage like machine be wonderful though. Instant on, instant off, store all your notes, use for communication. Sure it wouldn’t replace a powerful machine, but would be so much more useful for simply that instant on standpoint.
I would love to see a slate, thinner than the Stylisics, but just as big screen (writing surface) wise. But with Windows Mobile behind it.

If I had to pegg bad experience/stability on anything its all the fun-bloatware that manufactures oh so often decide to fill up computers with. Luckly the u810 I have is very light on that, almost nil. And my m1300, I did a
fresh install myself.

But personally Vista has been all green flags in the house of me :) No problems at all for about three months (thats when I got my first vista tablet, the u810)