TabletPC and note-taking progs

BP-TheGuy88 · 03-16-2006, 09:07 PM

Laptops are essential in college it seems. I just want to know how popular are TabletPCs? The reason I ask is because I know that TabletPCs have the touch-screen with the pen that adds more features than what you would get in a laptop. I only ask, because I'm wondering if a TabletPC would be better for note-taking in a class. I figured that with the pen and touch-screen you might be able to simply draw somethings out in case you couldn't do it on the keyboard or mouse.

My other question is in regards to note-taking programs. Are there any out there? If so which ones are good? I'm thinking of something that would allow you to put in math formulas or graphs if you needed to while still giving you the ease of typing your notes as well. Does something like this exist for laptops or TabletPC?

sl88 · 03-16-2006, 09:27 PM

one of the schools i got into requires all students to buy this one tablet laptop. it's by gateway, but i forget what model exactly, sorry

if i end up going there, i'll of course have to buy this model, but if i didn't have to, it's not a function i see myself using. ask yourself if it's a feature that would really help your studies + organization in college before you go out and buy one

garrr! · 03-16-2006, 09:31 PM

I take notes on paper in a notebook, not on my computer.

UB-Vinny77 · 03-16-2006, 11:25 PM

Latex or Microsoft onenote are both good

GyroidFanatic · 03-17-2006, 02:20 AM

Onenote (included in Microsoft Office) and GoBinder are the top two note taking programs as far as Tablet PCs go

Quote:

I only ask, because I'm wondering if a TabletPC would be better for note-taking in a class. I figured that with the pen and touch-screen you might be able to simply draw somethings out in case you couldn't do it on the keyboard or mouse.

Let me tell you -- doing math homework is so much easier on my tablet than having to waste all that paper (and balance it all in my small workspace), or trying to come up with a way to type it all on a computer.

michuncle · 03-17-2006, 10:23 AM

What you need is Xthink's MathJournal:

http://www.xthink.com/

This program is designed for Tablet PCs. The program can create graphs from math equations...and much more.

Some people use LaTeX for creating math equations on their computers or regular laptops. LaTeX (http://www.latex-project.org/) is really a typesetting program for the Math community. What LaTeX does not do is give you the solution to your math problems like MathJournal does. By this, I mean, open up MathJournal on your Tablet PC, write down your math problem and tap on your "solution" button.

A great source of information for students is:

http://www.studenttabletpc.com/

BP-TheGuy88 · 03-17-2006, 11:47 AM

Wow this is really good stuff. I'm in school right now so I'll check it out when I get home. It's good to know there are programs like these available.

Being that there is a big advantage to using a TabletPC because of programs like this my other question is whether it makes sense to have a Laptop as well to do other things like games or whatever else you might want to have.

I mean I'm not neccesarily in a state where I can buy a bunch of hi-tech gadgets but I'll probably be taking my desktop with me if not I'll be getting a laptop before I go off to college, but I might just get the TabletPC to go with either the Desktop/Laptop.

Also what companies make good TabletPCs? If note taking becomes that simple with a TabletPC I'll probably end up getting one but I need to know where to look for one. And if anyone knows, is the TabletPC different from what Microsoft just released "Oragami"?

apumic · 03-17-2006, 12:04 PM

My suggestion would be to really look at what you need.
As others have said, a tablet pc might be useful if your taking a lot of math courses, however I find it more effective to simply use paper in a notebook in classes where I need to write more graphical notes or otherwise difficult to type things such as complex math equations.
On the other hand, one of my upper division writing intensives last semester required me to type as many as 5-10 pages of single-space, 10pt font notes in a 90-minute period! I can tell you that within a couple of days of that class, not a single person was trying to hand-write their notes!
Basically, just take a look at what your proposed major will be and look up the kinds of classes you'll be taking.
What is your proposed major, btw?

chucknorrisrules · 03-17-2006, 12:09 PM

engineering

michuncle · 03-17-2006, 02:52 PM

Re: gaming

Some of the more powerful Tablets will allow you to play games (Toshiba M400/R15). You’ll need to order them with upgraded graphic cards which bump up their price. As a rule, it’s cheaper to have a desktop computer for games. And desktops are easier and cheaper to upgrade.

Re: brands

Toshiba: M200/M400/R15
Lenovo (formerly IBM) X41 Tablet PC
Gateway: CX200

Acer and Fujitsu also make good Tablets as well.

Getting to play with one is the big problem. Best Buy should have the Gateway and the Toshibas.

Re: Student Tabletpc site

Three students run the site: Two are engineering students (UT-Austin and The Colorado School of Mines) and the third student is a linguistics major (UC-Berkeley). The site has excellent forums on Tablet use and has a lot of Tablet PC and Tablet software links…

Re: Origami

Microsoft just announced these devices at CEBIT (Hanover, Germany) last week. They’re a bit larger than a PSP with 7” screens with both digital ink and touch sensitive input enabled. They have a slide out keyboard. They should hit the market next month. It’s hard to say how useful these devices will be until people can actually play with them. They will likely sell for $700 or more which puts them too close to entry level laptops. I’d wait to see how really useful these devices will be.

BP-TheGuy88 · 03-17-2006, 09:51 PM

I'm looking to do business not sure which kind but maybe management or finance. I might take a lot of math classes on the side too because I just like working with numbers. I'm really looking to get away from paper and pen when it comes to class notes.

BTW what's the cost for your average TabletPC?

michuncle · 03-17-2006, 10:53 PM

Prices usually run from $1000-$2000 depending on how they're configured. Tablets are cheaper than they were a few years ago, but still more expensive than your average Dell...

Then again, the usefullness of being able to take notes in your own handwritting (and being able to search through them on a Tablet) is worthwhile.

BP-TheGuy88 · 06-16-2006, 10:51 PM

Rather than just start a new thread I decided to bring back this old thread I started a while back. My question now regarding TabletPCs is do they come with CD/DVD drives? I'm looking around some of the models and they don't seem to make any mention of them, even the ones that have the laptop look where the screens can be turned around.

Also, at this point what would you guys recommend to get? The more I think about it the less sense it makes to have a laptop and a TabletPC seeing as the TabletPC seems to have almost all, if not all, the functions of a laptop. That brings me to my other question, what are some things that the TabletPC doesn't have that the laptop does, and vice versa?

anovice · 06-17-2006, 08:13 AM

Re: optical drives

Some do some don't. But for the ones that don't you can't get an external drive for when you need it. Most of the smaller, more portable(more desirable) ones don't as they're trying to save weight and space. The larger "convertible" tablets with full keyboards do but they're pretty bulky and kind of contradict the purpose of a tablet because they're the size of an average laptop.

I love the X41 but it's been out quite a while and I would expect some type of upgrade soon. I love the concept of Motion Computing's tablet PCs but they're pretty expensive. I think Gateway's is WAY to big for me. I looked into Electrovaya's tablets but was concerned about support. Toshiba's new Tecra M7 looks interesting but 14"... I'd prefer 12". So from whats being offered right now in the market, I'd go with Motion (LE1600 or even the LS800 if you want super portable)if I were making the choice.

BP-TheGuy88 · 06-17-2006, 10:44 AM

Although I'm curious about the hybrids. Do the slates on the hybrids always stand up slanted the way I've seen in a bunch of pictures or are they adjustable? The reason I ask is that sometimes the angle of the screen needs to be adjusted on laptops depending on the position you're in and I wouldn't want a hybrid that doesn't let you adjust the screen. So far though I think I'm looking for a converible since I want a laptop and a convertible is the best of both worlds basically.

The Motion LS800 is a slate so scratch that. I was thinking about getting an external optical drive but I'm not sure how expensive that would be. It'd certainly be a better option since I might be able to carry it when I know I'll need it, saving me the extra weight most of the time. Plus in this day and age most people are using thumbdrives so that should easily plug in.

I was looking at this TabletPC from Toshiba because it did have the optical drive but it sounds like it's heavy. The price of it also throws me off a bit because all the other TabletPCs I've seen are much more expensive than that. Here's what I'm referring to: http://reviews.cnet.com/Toshiba_Sate...0.html?tag=sub

I've also run into this page which compares the specs on different TabletPCs.
http://www.tabletpc2.com/Compare.htm