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View Full Version : What I wish there was in a Tablet PC


hatface
February 20th, 2009, 07:11 PM
Okay, I'd like to preface that this is a bit of a rant because it has been bothering me just a tad.


I'm fairly computer savvy, tech is my other love, pretty much right up there with art. I've perused tablet PCs before because I would love to be able to take my digital sketching with me conveniently. I'd like to be just as able to work on a digital painting in a cafe as a pen and paper sketchbook. But let's face it, tablet PCs just fall terribly short of what most artists would want to be able to do, to have, while working digitally.

My largest issues center around sensitivity, screen resolution, and size.

Now, I wouldn't have the issues with the typical 256 levels of pressure presented in most tablet PCs if tilt sensitivity was present, but in all my research I have not found one tablet PC at the generic sensitivity level that gives the user this ability. I know the modbook is out there... but I do not want an apple, and I don't want that particular price tag.

Next, screen resolution and size. The largest tablet PCs that were available came in 14 inch flavors. You can still find them, but tracking down the SXGA+ resolution is difficult because they don't make modern tablets of this size.

I know that this is the way tablet PCs are because they just are not aimed at artists. They're aimed at the business niche, they don't do well at promoting creativity or work flow. Is is just me, or do you think the industry is missing an entire audience that they could make serious bank on? I don't want an ultra mobile 13.1'' laptop and below. I have no problems porting around my 15.4'' laptop in a backpack. It's convenient enough and has decent battery life and a screen large enough that I can work on it when I decide to lug around my wacom tablet.

If I had my perfect tablet pc, I would want a 15.4'' screen, at least WSXGA resolution, 512 levels of pressure WITH tilt sensitivity, and a cpu/videocard combo that could support large 2d files, or even working inside of Zbrush. The larger digitizers of that pressure exist, take a look at the previously mentioned modbook. The modbook pro, if it encompasses all macbook pro sizes, would suggest there's a 17'' digitizer out there somewhere.

A screen that views well in indoor/outdoor situations would be a good idea too, thinking about it.

Am I alone in these pipe dreams guys, or are there other artists around here that feel the same way?

Not Pink
February 21st, 2009, 08:31 PM
My largest issues center around sensitivity, screen resolution, and size.

Now, I wouldn't have the issues with the typical 256 levels of pressure presented in most tablet PCs if tilt sensitivity was present, but in all my research I have not found one tablet PC at the generic sensitivity level that gives the user this ability. I know the modbook is out there... but I do not want an apple, and I don't want that particular price tag.

Next, screen resolution and size. The largest tablet PCs that were available came in 14 inch flavors. You can still find them, but tracking down the SXGA+ resolution is difficult because they don't make modern tablets of this size.

I know that this is the way tablet PCs are because they just are not aimed at artists. They're aimed at the business niche, they don't do well at promoting creativity or work flow. Is is just me, or do you think the industry is missing an entire audience that they could make serious bank on? I don't want an ultra mobile 13.1'' laptop and below. I have no problems porting around my 15.4'' laptop in a backpack. It's convenient enough and has decent battery life and a screen large enough that I can work on it when I decide to lug around my wacom tablet.

If I had my perfect tablet pc, I would want a 15.4'' screen, at least WSXGA resolution, 512 levels of pressure WITH tilt sensitivity, and a cpu/videocard combo that could support large 2d files, or even working inside of Zbrush. The larger digitizers of that pressure exist, take a look at the previously mentioned modbook. The modbook pro, if it encompasses all macbook pro sizes, would suggest there's a 17'' digitizer out there somewhere.

A screen that views well in indoor/outdoor situations would be a good idea too, thinking about it.

Am I alone in these pipe dreams guys, or are there other artists around here that feel the same way?

what you want sounds like a 15.4" XPS or alienware to be able to run all that stuff, which is running into modbook price territory anyway, and you dont have to use a mac on a mac, it runs windows now to.

I can run Zbrush on my tx2117cl, but only when using a 64bit operating system, and even then I have some problems in pressure sensitivity.

and theres a 20" digitizer out there already, wacom's cintiq. wacom is the tech that's in most tablet PC's out there anyway.

The biggest problem with tablet pc's or any laptop really, is the 3 main points of balance which are affordability, portability, and usability.
with the tech out there, we could strap a 20" cinitq on any 20" laptop capable of running what you want to run, but that takes out affordability and portability. right now, the one I see best for running all this is the HP 2730p, problem is is that it still has the limit of the 21.1" screen and still a not-quite up to par processor.

I've been sketching out ideal designs for tablet pc's and other stuff, but until I get that call from a computer company to work for them, they stay in my sketchbook... waiting for the never-coming day where they're fabricated into thousands of units.

hatface
February 22nd, 2009, 02:20 PM
Oh, I know the main wishes are pipe dreams. In reality, if it's something that handles a 2D program with a bit of finesse, I'm happy. Hell, you can do tiny paintings on a DS. ::shrug:: I'll still lust after more screen real estate.

LightCastsShadows
February 22nd, 2009, 03:03 PM
Is tilt sensitivity that important? I chose buying a Portage M200 over an Intuos3, and I don't regret it ( I have used the Intuos3, but I just couldn't get used to drawing where I'm not looking).

I personally don't think there's anything wrong with using Tablet PC's for art. In my case, they help with my workflow. If your entire workflow is based around tilt sensitivity, however, then I guess Tablet PC's aren't for you ;).

hatface
February 22nd, 2009, 06:10 PM
once upon a time, i really didn't give much of a hoot about the tilt because i hadn't encountered any brushes that used it, nor tried incorporating it into my brushes.. but now i can honestly say i would miss it.

that said, it could be interesting as a restriction of a medium to be presented the lack of tilt and needing to figure out how to make a picture the way i want it anyways.

i work on cintiqs as well as wacom tablets. i'm not so far removed from my tablet though that it has started to feel alien to me. the cintiqs i have access to only because i'm schoolin' right now, so all things considered, purchasing a mid level tablet pc is still a hell of a lot cheaper than a cintiq at the moment. added plus of not being stuck in a room or a lab as i work. not in the market at the moment, i just get curious about whether or not the offerings are changing and i peek at tablet pcs ever so often.