07-18-2003, 07:00 PM
|
|
Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
|
|
Transmeta powers first sub-$800 Tablet PC
 "Taiwanese monitor maker TDV Vision has announced what it claims are the first sub-$800 Tablet PC, the Visionary V800XPT. The new machine is powered by an 800MHz Transmeta Crusoe TM5800 processor, so naturally Transmeta is jumping up and down, and shouting about the design win. Unsurprisingly, Transmeta doesn't mention that TDV Vision is also offering a 1.2GHz version of the Tablet, the VS1200XP, based on VIA's recently announced Antaur mobile processor.
The V800XPT sports 8.4in LCD panel, while its superiors sibling has a 14in display. There's a 30GB hard drive in there and 128MB of DDR SDRAM. The V800XPT also contains a 640x480 digicam and a four-in-one memory card reader, so it's clear TDV Vision is pitching the machine at consumers rather than the business audience Tablets are typically designed for."
Tablet PCs continue to interest me, but not enough to go out and buy one - yet. But at this price, it's pretty tempting. I'm in the process of laptop shopping, but I'm finding it very hard to make up my mind - so many choices! I've decided that I wasn't something with a decent amount of power, which rules out most Tablet PCs - especially because having a 2nd battery installed is also a requirement that I have. This laptop caught my interest. :mrgreen:
|
| |
|
|
|
07-18-2003, 07:27 PM
|
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,998
|
|
You'd definitely have no problems getting spotted in a crowd with that laptop eh?
Regarding tablet PC's, I'm in a similar boat. They're just not there yet. I think the idea is great, it just needs some refinement. I had a chance to test out a Compaq TC1000 for a couple weeks. Being able to surf wirelessly via WiFi at home was the greatest selling point to me, but it was so pig slow when VPN's into my Exchange account, I couldn't see it as a viable option...yet.
It's definitely version 1.0 right now. But the concepts are very good. I really liked the Windows Journal and could see myself using that a lot. Plus Office 11 (or is it Office 2003 now?) should unlock a lot of the potential for the tablet.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-18-2003, 07:30 PM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 111
|
|
That tablet caught my eye too - not much more cash than a high end pocket pc and with a full version of XP to boot ... More and more I'm thinking that it might be smart to have a smartphone for my contacts, appointments and email etc, and a tablet for commuting, since there's such a limit to the work I can accomplish with a Pocket PC (graphics, web design, etc...).
That Vodoo laptop looks extreme! Though feature for feature, some of the Toshiba models are pretty comparable - I like the 5200 series if you don't have to lug them anywhere: 60GB HD, a gorgeous 15" UXGA screen, DVD-Writer, subwoofer and a remote control!
|
| |
|
|
|
07-18-2003, 08:07 PM
|
|
Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,264
|
|
Where is that drool icon! I finally broke down this year and bought my first laptop because I really needed to be able to do things mobily that my PPC could not do. I love using the laptop in the house to surf wirelessly wherever I am too! But, I don't carry my laptop every day, because it is a bit much. They don't show total dimensions on the model with the 8.4 inch screen, but if the bezel is not too big, it could potentiall be the size of a half sheet of paper and less than an inch thick. Definitely not pocketable, but then it would be able to do so much more. Might be just the middle ground I need. I know it won't run all my applications fast, but at least it will run them!
|
| |
|
|
|
07-18-2003, 08:08 PM
|
|
Philosopher
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 593
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by rubberdemon
More and more I'm thinking that it might be smart to have a smartphone for my contacts, appointments and email etc, and a tablet for commuting, since there's such a limit to the work I can accomplish with a Pocket PC
|
Agreed. Depending on battery life of this new Tablet PC (I'm hazy about an 8 inch screen) I have always thought a Tablet PC/smartphone combo would be most intelligent.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-18-2003, 08:26 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 118
|
|
I see some appeal to the smaller Tablet PC. With a stand, external USB TV tuner, and nice "small" speakers, I have a complete portable "mini-system" that can: Play Media Files, TV, cycle though my pictures in screen saver mode while music is playing, and be aesthetic enough to sit in the living room, yet portable enough to fit in my backpack for presentations.
I have ruled out the $1500.00 Tablets simply because they're overpriced. My magic number is $700.00.
Any other thoughts for a solution would also be welcome!
-Steve
|
| |
|
|
|
07-18-2003, 08:28 PM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 19
|
|
Jason, is it me or is this one overpriced laptop. It looks cool and has Centrino processor but over $3k? that's way too much.
Alex
|
| |
|
|
|
07-18-2003, 08:49 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 129
|
|
i have the compaq tc1000 which has the transmeta 1.0ghz processor with 512mb ram...and it's slow as heck. what a bummer
|
| |
|
|
|
07-18-2003, 08:55 PM
|
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,998
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by dbrahms
i have the compaq tc1000 which has the transmeta 1.0ghz processor with 512mb ram...and it's slow as heck. what a bummer
|
I totally agree. I badly wanted to like this unit. I pretty much had my boss convinced to purchase it for me. But after trying to operate with it for a couple weeks, I just couldn't recommend it. I'm waiting for the next jump in these. I'm hoping I can jump on board then.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-18-2003, 08:57 PM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 416
|
|
Re: Transmeta powers first sub-$800 Tablet PC
I'm sorry, this is way OT, but it's friday, I've got an hour left to work, and my head is spinning and my left ear is deaf for some reason today.... :?
so I'm a little wacky..
When I first read this sentence
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
I've decided that I wasn't something with a decent amount of power, which rules out most Tablet PCs
|
I thought you were saying that you didn't have enough strength to handle most tablet PCs... :lol:
again, sorry! 
__________________
"And then she understood the devilish cunning of the enemies' plan. By mixing a little truth with it they had made their lie far stronger."-C.S. Lewis
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
