Want a tablet notebook advice please?

[UB3R]

Did a forum search but the last thread about this seems quite old.

Right, as I have discussed in an earlier thread I have decided to salary sacrifice a notebook for work. This is what I want from the notebook/tablet:

• Not too flimsy - it will get used every day so don’t want the hinge wearing out.
• Grunt – if possible this could replace my home PC as its due for an upgrade so I might as well use it for games at home as well (so best CPU and Video I can get within reason)
• Portable – I go out on site a bit and would like the tablet to sit on my lap whilst I draft site comments or to hold on my arm when I take hand notes walking around the site.
• Dual Display – I will have a 19” LCD at work and home that I will plug the laptop into for dual display. I will keep emails, calendar, etc on the notebook screen whilst working on the 19” with my CAD and DTM programs. Would also be cool for some of the newer games now that support dual monitors.

So the main points are that it has a good CPU and video card (do they have directx10 cards in them yet?) but also is a tablet because I don’t intend to use the keyboard all that much, I will use a wireless keyboard and mouse and will flip the screen around when it is sitting up at my desk (will look more or less like a monitor when I am using it).

Any advice would be great, also where the hell I buy a tablet, I have been to all the McRetailers around the place and cant find anyone who stocks tablets…

Cheers,

[UB3R]

anyone?...

[protecon]

Toshiba M range?
I use a M200 for work - never had any major issues with it and it's small, light and relatively sturdy.

[UnIsUx]

I have an Acer C310 tablet that has been used extensively every day for the last 11 months. (Uni stuff, watching vids, gaming (Civ 4, Wh 40K + Dark crusade, WoW)

If you plan on carrying it around alot making notes, I would find the lightest model you can.

Acer tech support were great when my space bar became 'noisy' from overuse. The keyboard was replaced by the nearest service centre with no questions asked.

I don't think you will have a problem running dual displays with any of the tablets available.

My tablet was purchased from ebay as a factory refurbished model as I had the same problem trying to source one from a bricks and mortar shop.

My advice is when you get the tablet, throw another gig of RAM in straight away as the tablet specific functions can chew up a fair amount. Also buy a second pen to keep in your bag for when you misplace the original.

For more info on the current crop of tablets head to tabletpcreview.com tabletpcbuzz.com or