Thinkpads Forum

I'm in the market for a new notebook, and I've really become enamored with the X200t tablet PC. Well, actually it was the X301 that first caught my eye, but it's just not fully-featured enough for me. Too bad, as I really liked the weight and the WXGA+ resolution on a 13.3" display.

Anyway, I'm a Windows applications developer, and I'm trying to determine the X200t's suitability for my needs. As a programmer, I can always make use of additional display resolution, but I've simulated some WXGA screenshots on a 12.1" display, and I'm thinking it could work for me.

I'd appreciate it if others could chime in here with what they use their own X200t for on a regular basis and how well it performs and displays those tasks.

Thanks.

Is there a particular reason you're considering the tablet? Do you need/use tablet features? Do you crave the high quality IPS screen? Or is it just a "why not"?

dr_st wrote:Is there a particular reason you're considering the tablet? Do you need/use tablet features? Do you crave the high quality IPS screen? Or is it just a "why not"?

My biggest need is portability. I need something that will be easy to lug around to trade conventions, seminars, user group meetings, etc. and be usable in the limited space those environments often provide. I hadn't really considered going as small as 12", but the IPS screen is a big draw for me, and I really think I would find the tablet functionality useful for fleshing out rough drafts of object relational models and such, not to mention the notes I typically scratch on paper at the aforementioned events.

If your main concern is portability you may consider the X200s, which is the lightest current X-series and costs around the same as the X200T, which is the heaviest X-series. The LED-backlit, higher resolution screen on the X200s is another bonus.

I seem to be making this point a lot lately, but take it from a current tablet user: unless you have an absolutely clearly defined set of needs that demand tablet functionality it is probably better to try the other options.

I do not use the tablet features nearly as often as I thought I would. Sure, when I first got it the wow factor was nice, and the novelty made it fun for a few months. But in terms of efficiency and overall productivity in the long run I don't find currently implemented tablet features superior, at least for my tasks.

And there are other drawbacks, such as a more wobbly screen that gets dirty very quickly with pen / touch use, heavier weight, the much greater chance of scratches on the screen which really isn't solved very well by screen protectors because of the drawbacks those bring on their own.

IPS is nice, but the viewing angles and color reproduction on plain screens are fine for me, at least. Of course, at this point all of my computers have either IPS or PVA screens, so perhaps long-term use of a TN screen would change my opinion. Another thing to consider: IPS viewing angles make privacy difficult when traveling.

Just my opinions.

I agree with hart22 on all points (well, except the relation between IPS viewing angles and privacy, since horizontal viewing angles of TN screens have long since been adequate).

The weight and bulk of the tablet is a drawback, if you don't use the tablet features that much. I guess the thing is - until you have used a tablet - you don't know how it may affect your habits. You may find yourself using the tablet features a lot or not at all.

+1 for the tablet from me

I own a X60T since almost 2 years now and it _did_ affect my use of notebook computers. Especially the touchscreen is a great plus. It is very annoying to use a notebook without touch now, since I have the habit to quickly tap the screen to press a dialog button instead of navigating there with the trackpoint or even reaching for the mouse.

If you are a heavy Freecell player, it helps there as well. The Vista version of that game combined with touch is really great (as are the other games that come with Vista).


Be advised though: you should spend some money for applications that benefit from tablet input. PDF Annotator for instance is a very nice tool. Onenote is another great example.


So, to summarize: if you go to a tablet, you might find it hard to use anything else after a while.

I have to disagree with hart22 as regards the x200s vs. the x200 tablet. I bought an x200s, then returned it and purchased an x200 tablet, and am extremely happy. I agree about the tablet features not being that useful, although it is nice to turn the screen around to watch movies or to interact with it with the pen - all else equal, I'd rather have the half-pound lighter weight and smaller form factor of the x200s. Unfortunately, all else is not equal. I found the TN screen of the x200s to be terrible - much, much worse than the TN screen of my t41, with terrible viewing angles and uneven backlighting. Conversely, the LED+IPS non-multitouch backlit x200 tablet screen is fantastic - better than any laptop display I've ever seen, including my t42 Flexview (although I would still prefer to buy a new laptop with a UXGA flexview display for the resolution, if one were available). I would be extremely wary of buying a current-generation Thinkpad with a TN display.

This is all great info, but what do you all actually *use* your tablet PC for on a daily basis? What tasks do you find it quite capable of performing with its 12.1" WXGA display format? I'm curious where that line is between fully functional and just not quite enough resolution or desktop real estate.

I personally use it for (i) drafting documents in Microsoft Word, which is fine because I have rearranged word's menus and the windows taskbar both to display vertically on the side of the screen, (ii) watching movies or streaming video, in which case I either rotate the display so that it faces away from the keyboard (like a picture frame) or so that it lays flat on the keyboard, facing upward, (iii) surfing the internet or reading documents for work, either in normal clamshell or in rotated tablet mode, and (iv) annotating/commenting on PDF documents in rotated tablet mode using the stylus. Now that I think about it, the ability to rotate the display and the wide viewing angles make the otherwise low WXGA/12" profile much more useable. I have no problems viewing websites in an 800 pixel wide format.

My X60T is my travel companion. I use it for everything ranging from programming over drawing (great with the pen!) to surfing the net and watching movies.

It is amazing what this little machine is capable of.
Sure, it is not as light as those new "netbooks", but the additional power of the processor makes well up for that.

The 12" screen is no problem at all for me. Most applications I use allow customizing to my needs (hide toolbars, dock windows where I want them etc.).

I love having the ability to draw and write on the screen. Once you get spoiled by a tablet, it's hard to go back to a regular laptop.