[HOWTO]: Purchase a Tablet PC
Posted by: Layne on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 12:32 PM
 
Congratulations on your decision to purchase a Tablet PC. Now if you only knew what to do next then you’d feel more at ease. You are not alone. The most difficult task a new user faces is figuring out which tablet is the best one for their particular needs. In fact, I'm asked almost daily in email to help someone choose the best Tablet PC. Sadly there is no easy answer but there are a few suggestions that might make purchasing a Tablet PC more enjoyable.

Determine your initial budget
Calculate how much you can afford to spend on a Tablet PC by determining how much money you will earn by using it. Anyone who is tied to a desktop can simply calculate the increased number of productive hours on a computer – in which their own data is present. Multiply the number of hours over a one year period by your wage. This is your base figure. Don’t worry about determining an exact number because you’ll find more uses and the number of hours on the Tablet PC will increase as you become more proficient.

Add the cost of savings
Add to your initial budget the money you will save by using a Tablet PC. Students save time keeping notes more organized. Teachers can write lesson plans. Doctors can keep better patient records. The list is huge so let your imagination go and have fun thinking of all of the creative things you can do with a Tablet PC.

Scratch and Sniff
Now it is time to sit down and compare your budget to prices of models. Prices for a good base Tablet PC start around $1,300. Newer models cost several hundred more.

Don’t be cheap
As much as you might think you are saving money by being cheap it will turn out to be more expensive in the long run. It’s better to save your money and purchase a decent unit than impulsively purchase junk. Also, consider financing options in order to purchase a newer model with more features.

Determine the Tablet PC’s primary task
It’s inevitable that the number of tasks you want to use the machine for will increase over time. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Write out a list of jobs you think you will need for the tablet. Software is available for numerous types of jobs. Tablet PCs are great for keeping someone organized. For example, students will save time transcribing notes, executives will keep on schedule, and teachers will have all of their lesson plans at their fingertips.

Note: If you are stuck at this stage then proceed to the next questions and come back to this idea later. You may also want to go to the Google search engine and type in the phrase “Reasons Tablet PC.” You’ll enjoy reading the publications and they might give you some food for thought on how you can better use a Tablet PC.

Software
The number of software applications designed for your industry is increasing. Check out www.tabletpcpost.com for the latest applications and downloading of trial versions. Click on the different category links so that you can see what is available.

Do you need a CDRW built into the Tablet PC?
Tablet PCs come in two varieties; slates and convertibles. A slate is a pure tablet but it will not have a CDROM built into it. In contrast, a convertible may work in a notebook mode and then ‘convert’ to a slate mode. Many convertibles have a CDRW built into it. Look at specifications and determine if a particular slate model may have an optional docking station or detachable keyboard.

Note: If you only occasionally need a CDROM and have a home network in which a desktop has a CDROM then consider sharing the CDROM. The Tablet PC can use the shared device and install software using it.

Weight
When looking at different models, focus on the weight of them. If you picture yourself standing and carrying the unit then you'll want something light.

Determine the amount of RAM
A minimum configuration for any new computer is 256 MB of RAM. This is a minimum and most people who use their machine and rely on it for more than a few hours a day will know that the more RAM in the box, then the happier the computing experience. Simply stated, get as much RAM as possible.

Hard Disks
I’ve used Tablet PCs with 20 GB and 60 GB hard drives. I’d recommend that you calculate the size of the applications and data and multiply this by three. This should give you room for growth. USB 2.0 devices easily attach to the Tablet and therefore you may want to consider options for temporary access to stored data.

Other configuration options
Besides plenty of RAM and hard drive space, a few other recommendations are to buy extra pens. Check out the Cross pens. In addition, you will want a nice carrying bag to protect your investment.

Where do you buy?
Find your favorite local reseller and start with them. If they do not carry your model then search online for reputable companies. Start with authorized locations first. Compare service and warranty and not just price. Consider the following questions: Are there live representatives available to discuss your purchase? Is technical support available online, via email, via an 800 number? Is there a reasonable return policy?

Note: Many people love eBay. I’m not one of them. So, don’t expect me to say anything positive about it. However, if you feel compelled to search on eBay then by all means do so at your own risk. It’s your money. As a final thought, if the price looks too good to be true then it probably is a disaster in waiting.

Ask questions
Now that you’ve narrowed down your choices then it’s time to start asking other users of the model. There are several wonderful sites for reading thoughts of owners of particular models: www.tabletpctalk.com and www.tabletpcbuzz.com are the two largest sites. And, of course, don’t forget that www.tabletquestions.com has a growing number of helpful members.

Good luck and let us know which one you've decided to purchase.
 
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