Slate/Tablet PC

[Boxcar]

This isn't technically related to teaching (pun intended), but it is about computers and whatnot.

Has anyone owned or used a Slate/Tablet PC? I've been playing with the idea of purcheseing one for a couple of years now. What is holding me back is the cost. I'd really like to know how useful they are before I make the investment. Everything I see about them looks amazing, but I want to make sure they are as good as the look. I'd also love a model recommendation if someone has one.

The ones I've been looking at are the Motion Computing LE 1600 and the Motion Computing LE 1700.

[mopar]

Many of my artistic friends who are into web design and drawing own some type of tablet pc. They are amazing little tools. What they have made for me or sent to me is incredible. Not sure the brands that they use, but I know they love them for the more artistic abilities.

[Boxcar]

Thanks for the reply.

I was wondering about how the pen-and-ink worked. If it is good enough to draw with, that means it must work well. I like the idea of being able to write directly on the screen and convert the words to text later.

Would you happen to know if they can install their won software choices using an external CD drive? I'm not clear on whether everything needs to come pre-installed or not. I want to be able to use Office 2003 among other things, but it isn't offered on many of the models I've seen. Some of them do have Office 2007, but I don't really like the newer version.

[mopar]

I'm not exactly sure about installing your own software. I wouldn't see why you couldn't but I've never tried. However, if it has office 2007, I don't think you can downgrade to 2003. Again not exactly sure, but I don't even think you can do that on a desktop.