|
|
|
|||
|
This is a hard category since I haven't had the opportunity to try every Tablet PC model. Every one that I've tried, has something good that can be said about it, whether it's the pricing of some of the basic models or the bells and whistles included on others. As I try newer models, I'm sure some of my choices will change, but those listed here will always be special. They're the ones that formed my budding opinions about Tablet PCs and the ones added since are at the top of the list.
HP tx2000 - As you could probably tell from my review, this new HP offering is one of my new favorites, primarily due to the fact that it has an optical drive built in but still keeps the weight manageable. This time, HP listened to users and created a Tablet PC that does almost all of it.
From the touch screen, much-improved inking and low price, the tx1000 is a Tablet that I've recommended often.
Check out the specs and the price, and I think you'll agree that this Tablet PC is more than worthy of being selected as an Editor's Favorite.
The first slate
model I tried was a Motion M1200. I remember how in awe I was at the
It took a few months to get one and by then I'd decided that I'd made much more of it than it was. When I opened the package, that same feeling came back. I was holding the future of computing. Everything about this machine was first class. The size was perfect for me. Large screen, but no additional weight of a keyboard that I would use only occasionally.
Once I plugged it in, I immediately tried the pen and the handwriting recognition. It was smooth and the recognition was very good. The optional docking station made using it with a keyboard and drive simple and efficient.
I ran through the speech training once and went to speech mode. Recognition was amazingly accurate considering that I was using a cheap headset and had only trained it once. It was much more accurate than other Tablet PC that I'd trained longer. I tried both machines again since the recognition engines are the same on all machines. I got the same results. The only thing I can attribute it to is that the internal operation was quieter, allowing for better speech recognition.
I found that I rarely used the keyboard, but the lightweight of the USB keyboard made it simple to keep in the briefcase in case I just had to have it. I think it was more of a crutch than anything else.
The Motion had almost everything I needed onboard - easy to setup wireless, firewire, USB, additional card slots, upgradeable ram. The longer I used it the more I found that I liked and I was still looking for something that could detract from my overall opinion.
In a way, the Motion M1200 wasn't as good as I remembered it to be. It was better.
NOTE: The release of the Motion M1300 with the Centrino technology took the Motion line up another notch. Better speed, better wireless and no loss of battery life, added to all the other things that made the Motion M1200 a first class machine, now make the Motion M1300 the new Editor's favorite machine. The View Anywhere option is great if you use the tablet outside at all, or even in bright indoor lighting.
The Motion M1400 with its viewing angle of 170% and the best built-in mic I've seen yet once again has Motion leading the field in slate models.
|
|||
|
Software (in alphabetical order)
If you need a special dictionary installed on your Tablet PC, then AbletWord Manager is one of the best ways to do so. If you need a medical or legal dictionary, this program makes it easy to import anything from a phrase to a full dictionary for use with the Tablet PC. It can also import dictionaries already in use with Word.
AbletWord Manager supports English as well as several other languages.
Use the new in-place Tablet Input Panel (TIP) [instead of GoBinder's in-place Writing Assistant] and take advantage of the many improvements in the ink recognition system. If you have installed XP SP2, you're ready to go with GoBinder 2005.
This isn't just for students. I've changed a couple of tabs
and have made this my favorite organizer for many different things. It's a
great piece of software that takes full advantage of Tablet PC capabilities.
Take Email-to-Go and your USB flash drive with you wherever you go
How do you keep your email with you at all times, no matter where you go and whose computer you're using?
This works with Outlook Express. Your email is always up-to-date with no more leaving email on the server or synching multiple machines.
Discover a New Dimension in Mobility This is one of those rare programs that almost everyone who’s used it considers a “must have.” Both press and enterprise have praised it emphatically. Mindjet’s MindManager is definitely at the top of the list in mind-mapping software. Now, there’s a way to increase the value of even this ‘almost perfect’ software – install it on a Tablet PC.
No longer is there a need to open a notebook or sit at a
desk when an idea hits. Open the
Although there’s a bit of learning involved, MindManager is fairly easy to setup and use. Mapping allows others to use either right or left brain to recognize a project from conception through completion. MindManager allows personalized menus, and those familiar with Windows XP may recognize some of the enhancements. Those who also use Office XP will be right at home with the menus. MindManager includes not only the creation, layout and editing tools of other programs, but several advanced tools such as conferencing. This allows others to collaborate on a project at the same time. MindManager can be synchronized with Outlook and then exported to other Office applications. If you want to take control of your thoughts anytime, anywhere, then it’s going to be hard to beat the combination of a Tablet PC and Mindjet’s MindManager.
A Tablet PC is
perfect for ebooks and now you can get your favorite magazine subscriptions Reading a magazine through Zinio is exactly like its print counterpart, right down to the advertisements. You'll get the feel of reading a paper magazine as you watch the Tablet PC turn the pages for you with just the touch of the pen.
|
|||
|
Over the years since The Tablet PC was launched, we've found a lot of items that work great with Tablet PCs. Although we don't get to see everything, several that we've reviewed have made the Editor's Favorites list.
6 Outlet Flexity
PowerSquid Surge3000 The Flexity PowerSquid Surge 3000 won the prestigious 2006 Best of Innovations at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas. It's been featured in Popular Mechanics and other publications. This is one product that I'm recommending strongly! See our full review here Features include:
The Boostaroo Revolution is a unique portable pocket amplifier for personal audio devices and laptops. It will quadruple the volume of any player to headphones or speakers up to 300 Ohms and provide 3-D surround-sound imaging. See our review on the Boostaroo Portable Amplifier and Splitter.
DiskOnKey -
Xkey -
Xkey incorporates a powerful
microprocessor, a database, an
Fellowes offers a
large selection of mice, etc., to keep hooked up with a docking station or FoneGear - Every now and then a product comes along that's unlike anything we've seen before. The best part is when these products not only are release, but work as well as promised. FoneGear's Cord Free Headset surpassed all of our expectations.
I wasn't disappointed. The clarity of the unit is excellent for use with phones, but the fact that it works with the Tablet is the reason this device has been picked as an Editor's Favorite. Trying the unit at home, I tested it with a fresh setup of speech recognition on the Motion M1300. After using it with just a couple of the available training sessions and I was amazed at the way it worked with speech recognition. I used it with the TV running at normal volume in the background and the noise-canceling microphone did its job and did it well. The earpiece is very comfortable to use. After just a few minutes, I forgot I had it on. The unit comes with a connection for some cell phones as well, so it definitely serves a dual purpose. It's lightweight enough to leave on when working with my Tablet, even if I leave to do something else. I can easily switch to using speech without having to constantly disconnect and reconnect a wired headset. In my case, having it work with my cell phone is just an added bonus.
Griffin Technologies
- There are two Editor's Favorites from this company. The first is
Parental Control Key
- ControlKey is a new and practical way to protect
children from unsupervised online activity and ensure that parents are able to
effectively govern PC and Internet use at home. ControlKey combines an
attractive, key-like token with sophisticated software technology to ensure
professional-strength protection against unwanted PC use in a way that is easy
for any parent to understand and use. Children's safety online is of prime concern for parents, grandparents and caregivers. Be sure to check out the guidelines suggested for safe computing here. You'll find some astonishing facts about internet use as well as some rules you may want to set up with your children to help keep them safe. Although there's no substitute for supervision, there are times when it isn't possible. The patent-pending ControlKey system simply plugs into the computer's USB port to provide advanced security protection. It works in conjunction with Windows software to provide access only to the user identified with the ControlKey and with the right password. As the key holder, you can program the system to provide as much, or as little, access to individual users as you see fit. When you remove the ControlKey token from the USB port, ControlKey locks down Internet access so that you can easily control when and how long your children are able to use the Internet. When the ControlKey token is plugged into the USB port, you can use all of the computer and the Internet like normal. However, once the ControlKey token is removed, the computer operates in restricted mode (based on guidelines you can customize) and doesn't allow Internet access. That way, you know that if you have the ControlKey with you, your children are not online without your permission. The ControlKey System is based on Griffin Technologies popular SecuriKey® technology and over 10 years of experience in providing computer security solutions to businesses. That brings me to the second product - SecuriKey is a small USB token that, when inserted into your computer's USB port, acts like a key that allows you to access your computer. It's simple to install and simple to use. Installation is wizard driven and takes about 5 minutes. To use SecuriKey, simply insert it into any available USB port on your computer and type in your password. If you need to leave your computer (to go to a meeting or out to lunch), simply remove the SecuriKey token and your system locks until you return. Insert the token and type in your password and you are right back where you left off. No waiting for system reboot, and your system is safe while you're away.
SecuriKey Professional Edition is the right solution for any organization with confidential or proprietary data that is important to the continued success of that organization.
Gyration
- Although I admit I haven't been a big fan of wireless keyboards and mice,
primarily because of the battery use, Gyration's
Compact Keyboard
has changed my mind.
I
love the feel and size of this keyboard. Small enough to be carried along
in a Tablet PC case, it's lightweight enough not to be noticed in the briefcase.
Gyration uses
high-quality scissors style keys for the feel of a full-size quality keyboard
and whisper quiet keying. This keyboard is as small as many portable
keyboards but has the feel and touch of a full-sized keyboard. As it's
wireless, it's a perfect companion for Tablet PCs. 15 additional buttons
across the top of the keyboard provide instant access to searching, browsing,
sound volume, tracks and email. The accompanying Ultra Cordless Optical Mouse lets you pick up your mouse and sit back, relax and use natural hand movements to control the cursor. Whether you choose to use the mouse in the air or on the desktop, it's excellent for surfing or gaming without causing problems with repetitive motion.
Imaginelan
-
Another clever security device, the
LockDown Key
provides a quick and
Norazza - Not sure where to start with the items this company carries. Almost everything is usable with Tablet PCs, from the cases to the card slot and screen cleaners. I'll start with security. What do you or your company do with those outdated CD or DVD backups? Toss them out? Sensitive data can easily be recovered. Break them? They shatter as glass. Norazza has come up with an excellent device for your use. The cost is minimal considering what it does.
Data Destroyer
is the safest and cleanest way to destroy data on CDs and DVDs. It Interesting data from Norazza's website includes info such as 1) Americans bought nearly 8 million paper shredders in 2002. What about the data on optical disks? 2) A single CD holds the equivalent of approximately 80 four-drawer filing cabinets filled with documents. 3) One side of a single DVD disc holds about 560 four-drawer filing cabinets filled with documents, or the capacity of 7 CDs. 4) Identity & data theft are one of the fastest growing crimes, with an estimated 700,000 consumers victimized in 2001. All computers need cleaning eventually. One item that's been overlooked up until now is the card slots. Norazza has again come up with an innovative way to keep slots as clean as the rest of our Tablet.
The Card Slot Cleaning Card cleans and polishes INSIDE the media card slot and
is good for up to 20 cleanings each. Made originally for cameras, these
are indispensable to help keep all our card slots, (Compact Flash, SD/MMC,
Memory Stick, Smart Media and xD Picture Card) protected from rust, dirt and
carbon buildup. Another favorite are the cleaners for use on Tablets and other computers. From anti-static wipes to air dusters and screen cleaners, Norazza has a product that will help keep your Tablet clean. Planon System Solutions has one of the most innovative products I've yet seen. It almost has to be seen and used to be believed. Docu-Pen is a portable scanner that weighs only 2 ounces yet can scan a full page in 4 seconds and store up to 100 pages. It's the perfect add-on for those who want a lightweight scanner. Students and other researchers will find it to be one of those products they won't want to be without. This product is the ideal portable scanner for business executives, lawyers, mortgage brokers, real estate agents, sales people, construction, architects, engineers, accountants, insurance adjusters, government, teachers, students, and more.
Although I generally don't do a lot of scanning, the portability of this makes it something I'll want to carry with me for those times I may need one, like finding a great reference for Tablet PC use in a magazine I'm reading. Plantronics is one of the best-known names in headsets and what I've often recommended to users looking for a suggestion for a headset to use with speech recognition on a Tablet PC. The one that's made the Editor's Favorite list is the the DSP-400. It's foldable for
easy storage and transport and fits easily in a case with a Tablet PC. It
has
It uses lightweight materials for comfort and the QuickAdjust microphone boom allows the user to position the microphone easily. It's only drawback is that it isn't wireless, but regardless, the features it includes makes it perfect for Tablets.
|
|||
sent
directly to your computer by Zinio. You can read them any time, anywhere
and not have to deal with what to do with the magazines when you're finished.
You can save copies on your computer and easily search for keywords when you
want to refer back to an article. Zinio offers a free magazine to try it
for yourself. 
|
2000-2009