What Do You Prefer -- A Mini-Tablet or a Pocket PC?

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news_9485.html' target='_blank'>http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news_9485.html</a><br /><br /></div>Akihabara News reported on a new "handheld-sized" prototype Tablet PC with integrated thumbboard being unveiled at IDF Japan last week. Dubbed "Ruby", it weighs in at 450g (15.8oz), uses a Pentium M 600MHz, and has an electrostatic (non-touch-sensitive) digitizer.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20050417-RubyTabletPC.jpg" /><br /><br />Despite the buzz, this unit just doesn't do it for me. In my opinion, it's not small enough to be truly mobile, and not large enough to be truly useful -- I'd much rather have a Pocket PC alongside a full Tablet PC (which, in fact, is my current setup ;)). I'm glad to see the miniaturization, but at the same time I'd just love to see the Pocket PC OS integrate more functionality, as it's a great base for tablet-style applications. What do you think?

[Matilda444]

I've got a Sony TR5 and UG71. I find the TR5 managable, but the UG71 is just not big enough to actually get work done. While the UG71 is very portable for Monkey Business, my iPAQ 4705 will take care of that while being even more portable.

[hamishmacdonald]

Blyeech!

They took the worst parts of the PDA and the laptop and combined them, while leaving out the strengths of each. An engineering marvel.

[foebea]

If you add a video card, and make the keyboard a slider (so it can be hidden) then I would get one. The only thing I would do on a mini tablet would be gaming. Also it has to have wifi, bluetooth, usb 2.0.

I would buy the nVidia x800 Pocket in a heartbeat.

[Scarpad]

Why can't they realize that storage is the cheif thing we want. Archos is coming out with the AV700 it's got a 7inch Widescreen screen and 40 or 100GB storage. It's nice and thin and the screen is very useful. Why can't we have a device with a built in Hard Drive and a Nice Screen.

[rlobrecht]

I'm in the same boat as Janek, I prefer a Tablet PC and a Pocket PC. Plus this thing is ugly. I realize its a prototype, and hopefully that's the whole problem, but this thing has all the stylings of an industrial meter.

[bcries]

Does anybody else ever wonder why MSN Messenger for PPC has none of the ink functionality provided in the Tablet (and now the desktop) versions?

Microsoft has the technology. It would be perfect for Windows Mobile. Why why why?

[BUMP THAT]

Akihabara News reported on a new "handheld-sized" prototype Tablet PC with integrated thumbboard being unveiled at IDF Japan last week. Dubbed "Ruby", it weighs in at 450g (15.8oz), uses a Pentium M 600MHz, and has an electrostatic (non-touch-sensitive) digitizer.

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20050417-RubyTabletPC.jpg

Despite the buzz, this unit just doesn't do it for me. In my opinion, it's not small enough to be truly mobile, and not large enough to be truly useful -- I'd much rather have a Pocket PC alongside a full Tablet PC (which, in fact, is my current setup ;)). I'm glad to see the miniaturization, but at the same time I'd just love to see the Pocket PC OS integrate more functionality, as it's a great base for tablet-style applications. What do you think?


I would prefer your setup, and have a more functional PPC. :)

[Pdaholic]

The keyboard on this thing would not be easy to use. The long screen would make it top heavy, and it would be a balancing act trying to use the keyboard.

Now, if this were a clamshell model, it would probably work a little better.

[Perry Reed]

I know I've mentioned this before... I'd like to see a mini-Tablet, running XP, but with the Pocket PC GUI on top of it (or a similar GUI, tailored to the small screen). This would be the best of both worlds -- compatibility with the millions of XP applications, but able to use the small screen well, at least with those applications designed to use the new GUI.

The way I see it working is much like XP Media Center Edition, where you have the secondary "10 foot" GUI in place for the new applications that use it, but still have the "regular" XP GUI in place for those that don't. I think that Microsoft ought expand that notion into a "Pocket" GUI for the mini-tablets, and in fact, could take it in other directions as well. Another one may be a simplified (and safer) version of the GUI for kids. Or perhaps a "game" GUI that looks and works like the Xbox GUI for games.

There are many possibilities.

[arebelspy]

While I don't care for thiis device, I do have my Sony U70 with me wherever I go, and i can't imagine going back to a PPC/Tablet PC setup again. Syncronizing files? Why do that when you can have all of them with you all the time?

-arebelspy

[JGUI]

Yes, I spend my time in a few research projects of new GUI.
it covers one-hand operating, voice commands recognizing, text-to-speech engine (with much more louder voices than typicall PDA sounds), motion recognizing (both bye special sensor and typical built-in camera)
and others.

The one example of some GUI concept: it is MY|TODAY|SCREEN
I just realized lately:
www.jgui.net/mytodayscreen/

Few years ago I made XPPC GUI for older PDAs.

I hope I will do more with GUI this year.

[Kowalski]

you cant combine small size of pda and usability of notebook.
pda should be as small as possible, so that the device will fit your pocket easily
and the notebook should be small so that you can carry everywhere you go and big enough to have a full sized keyboard for touch typing.
i find 12" notebooks have the best balancer between size and usability. my asus s5 has a full sized keyboard so i can touch type on it and very small so that i can take the device everywhere. i like sony tr series but they have crampled keyboards. i also like thinkpad x40

[dochall]

Yes, I spend my time in a few research projects of new GUI.
it covers one-hand operating

Wahey....I bet there's a whole raft of websites going to thank you for that one. :devilboy:

I currently use a 4700 and a Tosh 3500 Tablet PC. I can't say I would give up either one of them for the P50 and certainly not both. They both have distinct uses and the overlap between them is actually very little.

The only change I'm currently looking at is replace the Tosh with a pure slate rather than a covertible. I'm now a total convert to Tablet PCs. Oh and I'm sure I will replace the 4700 with a magneto machine when they eventually come out.

[lapchinj]

Despite the buzz, this unit just doesn't do it for me. In my opinion, it's not small enough to be truly mobile, and not large enough to be truly useful -- I'd much rather have a Pocket PC alongside a full Tablet PC (which, in fact, is my current setup ;))....
It's not for me either mainly for the same reasons you mention. My current setup is a laptop and a iPAQ (couple of them, BT and wireless - real sweet). The tablet was always out of my pricerange. The laptop works better for me when running Visual Studio and SQL Server on the road or by a client.

Jeff-

[gt24]

Why is it, when I look at the picture, do I think the following...

"All that engineering innovation, all that money, all that time... all so that the developer can play minesweeper!?!? I can play minesweeper just FINE on my Axim X30... :)"

Then again, I'm quite silly, and I like minesweeper... :)

[powder2000]

I don't see much wrong with this type of idea. The one thing I do see is that no matter what, if you are going for a market that replaces the desktop with a mini windows machine, I would think that it would need to have a screen aspect similar to all other desktops. Whether I'm running remote desktop or excell, I want the view to be at least square if not landscape. This seems to be the most important factor to me.

[ctitanic]

Despite the buzz, this unit just doesn't do it for me. In my opinion, it's not small enough to be truly mobile, and not large enough to be truly useful -- I'd much rather have a Pocket PC alongside a full Tablet PC (which, in fact, is my current setup ;)). I'm glad to see the miniaturization, but at the same time I'd just love to see the Pocket PC OS integrate more functionality, as it's a great base for tablet-style applications. What do you think?

I agree, in my case the best setup is a Pocket PC alongside with a Laptop.

[kkelley]

I can see that this type of device would be useful in a data acquisition / entry role, but not necessarily handheld entry.

It is larger than a PPC, presumably easier to read from 2-3 ft away, has a keyboard so I don't need a stylus and the form factor (while I would rather have landscape or square like was mentioned previously) is appropriate for use in a vehicle or cab where space is limited. I don't remember from the article, but I would hope this device has a screen similar to a PPCs so that it is at least semi-readable outdoors.

For today to today use though, I would prefer a tablet with a PPC.

[beq]

i also like thinkpad x40

I love my X40 and its acclaimed keyboard (though I admit the T43 keyboard still feels nicer and sturdier). I also like its balance of usability and portability.

Currently I carry the 12" ultraportable laptop + PDA2k/MDA3 Phone Edition + BlueSpoon headset. I guess it could be argued the laptop is a bit on the small side and the PDA phone a bit on the bulky side.

Speaking of which I'm typing this on the laptop now and the battery's at 6% so I better post this now. Connecting via the PDA2k as a GPRS Bluetooth modem (because the VPN server is broken where I'm at right now, which is required for Internet access via the Wi-Fi hotspot).

[Wyzard]

I think I'll be sticking to my OQO thanks. On a design point of view, this thing is nowhere near the OQO.

[marcm]

I prefer my combination of the Thinkpad T41 and Axim X30 over a tablet THAT small or even just over any tablet. I like the ability to have a full size keyboard, and the T41 is small enough to bring with you. (especially with the Targus backpack with a notebook slot :wink:) I would like to see Windows Mobile continue to grow as an OS. Having a PDA wouldn't be as fun if it ran the same OS as my other computer IMO.

[Anthony3000]

I never thought there would be anything bigger than my toshiba e830. :wink:

[hewlpac]

There should be an instant -on machine that has a 10" screen and light.

The cost should not be the excessive prices charged for PDA's and the like...

[IpaqMan2]

I admit the device is a little on the big side, but defenitly doable for me. In regards to the main post I find the opposite true... That the PPC OS is still just too limited to function outside very specific uses. I mean I love my PPC, but would trade it in for this Tablet device. I find it to be much more portable than current table devices which is a big plus, bigger screen than current PPCs which for me is another plus, and the ultimate..it runs real Windows... which means anything I can use in the real business world I can now carry with me.

[IpaqMan2]

Why can't they realize that storage is the cheif thing we want. Archos is coming out with the AV700 it's got a 7inch Widescreen screen and 40 or 100GB storage. It's nice and thin and the screen is very useful. Why can't we have a device with a built in Hard Drive and a Nice Screen.

Amen to this.
This is what I have been saying for over a year or more at least. I would love to see a minitiure hdd intergrated into a PPCs, but you'd be surprise as to just how many people who visit this website is against the idea.

[Jonathon Watkins]

I'd much rather have a Pocket PC alongside a full Tablet PC (which, in fact, is my current setup ;)).

I agree, in my case the best setup is a Pocket PC alongside with a Laptop.


Snap. A laptop and PPC cover everything for me very nicely.

[PBennett]

Does anybody else ever wonder why MSN Messenger for PPC has none of the ink functionality provided in the Tablet (and now the desktop) versions?

Microsoft has the technology. It would be perfect for Windows Mobile. Why why why?

I think they already did (only better). It was called a Newton 0X :devilboy:

[Don't Panic!]

That's what this prototype reminds me of. A Newton on Steroids. :crazyeyes:

[johnm]

I'm no fan of that particular prototype but I think I could be convinced to convert to something similar. The combination of laptop and PPC is just not ideal for me anymore. Don't get me wrong I love my 4700 and use it hours a day every day, its just after 5 years and 4 PocketPcs I'm getting tired of the limitations. The limited file compatibility, limited browser support, lack of good text to speech applications, no built in hard drive etc.

I think a mini tablet about the size of this unit minus the keyboard would be ideal. If the thumboard were to pull out all the better. You could always use a folding bluetooth keyboard when you needed full size. Of course some OS / shell mods would be in order to make it more usable on a screen that size. Oh and instant on would be nice.

[lsbeller]

IMO, the strength of the TabletPC is INK - both in handwriting recognition and subsequent conversion to text and in keeping your handwriting just the way it is in programs like MS Journal and Onenote. I don't think you need the thumbboard. Maybe it's just me, but I still write faster than I thumbboard and the TabletPC recognition is about 99% perfect in its recognition for me.

For me, a minitablet should be pure slate, all screen, about the same size as a classic or executive size day planner but extremely thin. I could then carry it in a nice leather portfolio and take it most anywhere. Of course, it should have BT and USB so I could connect a keyboard and a mouse if I a wanted to.

I imagine something that looks a little like the iMate Jam at about 4 or 5 times that size.

[beq]

What's weird for me, my particular handwriting is really bad (both in speed and legibility). When I was in class I was actually forced to use a notebook so I can type the lecture notes because whenever I handwrite the notes I always fall behind (not finished before the lecturer goes on to the next slide).

I used to be much better at handwriting in childhood, not sure what happened. When I write, often characters don't get written down right like I want it (ex. an "a" is written where the loop is not fully closed) then I have to spend time retracing it slowly, stuff like that...

That said, I do handwrite faster than typing on the Pocket PC simply because I can't touch type on it...

[karen]

Boy, this form factor would be a great thing for my current project - one where technology is in the field. The client is currently evaluating both PPCs and tablet/laptop forms.

PPC screens are too small, in reality, for someone who is trying to see a diagram and enter some values while standing in a construction hole.

And a laptop is way too combersome for that.

Tablets seem to be the best fit, but they are still a bit too big and heavy.

So I think a mini-tablet or larger PDA are the real solution.

[Pete Wilson]

I think an updated Newton is ideal in many ways. I find my Pocket PC too small for browsing, or practical spreadsheeting compared to the Newton. A 800x600 screen in that form factor as a full tablet PC would also be great for clinical use - as long as it fit in a lab coat pocket.

[ctmagnus]

I find my Pocket PC too small for browsing, or practical spreadsheeting compared to the Newton.

I find that a 60%-65% zoom works nicely in PlanMaker and even better in Pocket Excel.

[Jason Lee]

Man, make on of these i can play World of Warcraft on and i'm there.. :mrgreen:

[Steve Jordan]

you cant combine small size of pda and usability of notebook.

(Hmm... how come my quotes don't format properly anymore?)

Oh, yass, you can.

Processors and memory have come far enough that a PPC-sized computer can (and does) run a full version of Windows Whatever, and run full versions of any application and their full-version documents. Add either a detachable keyboard or, better yet, speech-to-text capability (now being built into a new Samsung cell phone) and you have your notebook capability. Add a detachable tablet-sized screen and you have digital ink capability.

PPCs are great for mobile organizing, but they can be a LOT more than that... they can be your full computer! The sooner the industry realizes that, the sooner we can start carrying our entire digital world with us, and use it according to what peripherals we decide to carry with us.

[abarry]

Bill Gates just announced that MS is toying with the idea of an ultra portable tablet PC. Read about it at:

http://tabletpcs.engadget.com/entry/1234000830041475/

and

http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/341/C3978/

[LyubinVadim]

I've recently purchased new Lenovo ThinkPad X41 Tablet 1866 Pentium M 758 1.5 GHz LV Centrino RAM : 512 MB HD : 60 GB Gigabit Ether 18663RU here (http://search.stores.ebay.com/Costupdate_tablet-pc_Laptops-Notebooks_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfcdZ2QQfciZ4QQfclZ4QQfcpgZ20QQfhpgZ21QQfromZR10QQfsnZCostupdateQQfsooZ2QQfsopZ2QQftsZ2QQrefidZstoreQQsacatZ51148QQsaselZ3743435QQsbrsrtZdQQsofpZ0)
on costupdate store on eBay. I’m enjoying it. I find it convenient. And it has a lot of possibilities.
http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/pict/320014291502_0.jpg :mrgreen: