TabletPC

[littlejohn]

I'm the proud owner of a Motion Computing TabletPC. If anybody has any questions about TabletPCs, or if you have one too, please join in.

I've only used it for about a week now, and my preliminary verdict is a mixed bag. Drawing directly is really cool (I've never tried a Cintiq). I've never been able to draw on my Wacom, but the Tablet is a pretty cool sketchbook. And being able to sketch away from my desk is also really nice. In addition, there's something great about the form factor and general interface. And I don't miss the keyboard too much (except for typing long posts); the handwriting recognition isn't too bad.

But the downsides aren't insignificant. Laptop screens are basically unusable in bright light, so until transreflective screens become more common (I hear), painting outdoors (except in deep shade) is basicaly off. Also, I haven't calibrated it yet, but the color dynamics aren't great. The built-in tablet does not support tilt, and I reall miss the flat brushes. Finally, not having keyboard shortcuts is kind of a pain, but can be mitigated with the configurable buttons (I have one set to "space" and the other to "alt") and some decent gesture software (if you haven't tried it, check out StrokeIt (http://www.tcbmi.com/strokeit/)). And then there's the price; but I needed a replacement for my old and busted laptop and I've been pinching some pennies.

So, as a sketchbook, it's been pretty revolutionary to me; but I haven't been able to complete a finished painting, given its shortcomings and my schedule. That's all for now. I'll try and post some sample images. Here are two baby pictures:

http://www.davidhendee.com/images/tablet_02.jpg http://www.davidhendee.com/images/tablet_01.jpg

[Jason Manley]

I WANT ONE!

lol...but I think Im going to end up going with one of the new little sony laptops with the top end monitor. ( laptops come with three different monitor qualities..x s and ux i believe.) Does the Tablet pc also have different screen choices for quality? Im wondering of the dot pitch is different depending on the brand as well.


I already picked up one of those little 6x8 wacoms for travel. I want to build a little clamp to hold them together while I am painting on the go.

if i can find one with good color and sharpness IM IN!


that looks like fun though...truly does. I could probably freak some people out down at the coffee shop. lol


j

[cucaracha]

looks rather expensive :)

how much is it?

[littlejohn]

Jason Manley: All the TabletPCs out now come with 1024 x 768 screens in either 10" or 12" formats. I believe the UXGA panels you're talking about are 1600 x 1200. Sweet! I don't know about dot pitch when it comes to LCDs; I didn't think that came into play. But I know the Sonys are among the brightest LCDs. So there's definitely a trade-off there.

cucaracha: As for price, TabletePCs are usually around 20% more than a regular laptop. (Ouch!) You can see the prices for the Motion tablets on their web site (http://www.motioncomputing.com).

The web site that got me hooked is TabletPC Buzz (http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com). They have a nice forum over there. One thing to realize is that not all TabletPCs use Wacom digitizers, as this list (http://www.wacom.com/tabletpc/oem.cfm) shows.

[Feng]

I've been looking into this Tablet PC thing as well.

I've played around w/ the Wacom Cintiq before. However, the Cintiq is just a monitor. You still need to haul around your computer. It also requires a power source (making it not very portable). It's much easier to just carry a labtop w/ a USB wacom pad (which doesn't require any additional power source).

I've been eyeing the Toshiba Portege 3500
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/pc/pc_tabletPcDetail.jsp?comm=CS . Has anyone here tried this thing out? Which Sony model are you looking at Jason?

My main question is the sensitivity/resolution of the table surface itself. The standard wacom intuos2 has a very high resolution (double that of the Cintiq i believe). I can't seem to find any info on the resolution for the tablet PCs.

-feng

[Jason Manley]

thanks for the info.

I will see if i can find a link to the sony I was looking at.


the tablet pc is NOWHERE near as sensitive as the wacom...though I do think you could potentially get used to it. The issue I had when i tried one of them (compaq?) ...the brush response seemed to lag...however i did not try it in painter.

i did see that image quality was different on each one of the tablet pcs that i looked at. I did not find out which has the BEST monitor artwise...as in RICH COLOR...GOOD CONTRAST...and full range of temperature and saturation.


I might go look again...as I really want one badly. If I could have painter PORTABLE..Id be doing somersaults of joy!


jason

[littlejohn]

Yeah, the TabletPC is definitely not as sensitive as an Intuos. I believe it only supports 256 levels of pressure sensitivity, and its resolution is less too, as I understand. The pen lag is a little annoying. I understnad it's a little worse than a Cintiq's. But since I've only been painting digitally for around a year, I don't think I'm as capable a judge as some.

Specific information about Wacom technology in TabletPCs can be found on their components web site (http://www.wacom-components.com/english/index.asp), though I still can't find any details on resolution; they even say the technology supports 1024 levels and tilt, which I know it doesn't.

The Toshiba is nice if you are looking for a convertible unit. It's the only convertible that has the 12" screen, which I like for getting more arm into sketching. The HP/Compaq model doesn't use a Wacom digitizer (and isn't pressure sensitive), though it is one of the nicer designs. I thought the Fujitsu also looked pretty nice, though I never got a chance to try it. And the new NEC is attractive at only 2.5 lbs. The Acer seems to be generally held in lower regard.

As for calibration, I'm debating getting the ColorVision (http://www.colorvision.com) LCD Spyder calibrator. Does anyone have any experience calibrating an LCD display? I'm wondering how much I can improve the accuracy given the difference in color I see based simply on viewing angle.

[fletchgirl]

i could be wrong, but the screen sounds like a giant game boy screen... i never could see to well on those... you can print from it, right? or, how do you get your images off the screen (all the sudden i feel like zoolander.. "the files are IN the computer?!?!?!" :) )

[Tedsuo]

I played with one of those once. The person who had it didn't have PS or Painter, just this wanker Sketchbook software (no offense to Gabe if he's still lurking about here). Still, it was pretty fun!

I think I'm going to wait to get one though. Honestly, my brief interaction made me think they need to go through a generation or two of refinement before they will become useful for anything other that sketching (and that's an expensive skechbook!). I'm hoping an increase in cash flow will coincide nicely with a high rez, more sensitive tablet being released.

That, and it started to burn a hole through my pants after about 15 minutes :)

[KayCustomz]

I sure wish I had $$$$$$$$$$$$$$