need help on buying a x61 tablet

[xmod]

Hi, everyone

I am buying a x61 tablet for my father. There are a few things I need some suggestions from you guys.

1) what's the difference between SuperView WVA SXGA+ TFT and MultiView + MultiTouch WVA XGA TFT? The latter is on sale at 75 dollars more than the first one.

2) Are tablet features integrated in Vista business already? Which OS do you guys suggest? The XP Tablet PC Edition is 15 dollars more than vista business.

3) My father prefers a chinese version OS, is this possible by phone order?

4) Is the basic warranty valid internationally? He is being relocated to china division of his company.

Thanks

[gpvillamil]

1) The Superview SXGA+ is higher resolution (1400 x 1050) but only works with the digitizer pen. The Multiview + Multitouch XGA is lower resolution (1024 x 768) but works with both the pen and with touch, so you can press controls on screen with your finger, etc.

FWIW the Multitouch drivers are quite complex, and seem to have compatibility problems with the advanced Wacom drivers.

However, I have the Multitouch screen and am happy with it.

2) Tablet features are included in Vista. Are somewhat better than the ones in XP (eg. eraser on the digitizer pen works to erase handwriting input).

3) Not sure. However, Chinese language input is supported on English versions of the OS. (I am doing this myself now.) Handwriting recognition for Chinese characters is excellent.

4) Not sure. However, I had a US-purchased machine serviced in Japan (under warranty), with no problems.

[xmod]

I just found out I couldn't get a chinese version OS by phone order either.

I've never used a tablet. What program do you use for writing notes? Office Word and save as picture?

How is the chinese character recognition in XP? or rather it is a feature in Office?

Thanks

[gpvillamil]

For taking notes, either Microsoft Journal (included) or Microsoft OneNote 2007 (costs $).

Both of these let you handwrite anywhere on the page, and do handwriting recognition in the background, so you can search handwritten text. (You also have the option to convert all the handwriting into regular text.)

Using Journal or OneNote is by FAR the best way to take notes on a tablet. It is rather unwieldy to handwrite into the input panel, and from there into Word.

Chinese character input is part of Windows XP.

[ryengineer]

4. International warranty service (IWS) depends on the 4 letter machine type:

International warranty service (IWS).

Before buying any machine make sure it is IWS eligible, beforehand.

Also you would need to provide POP (Proof of Purchase) in China in order to get IWS repair:

China: Customers requiring International Warranty Service in China may be asked to provide one of the following in order to obtain IWS warranty repair service; proof of company identification (company letter, email, business card, company badge with photo ID), proof of purchase (purchase receipt, official order, delivery note, sales memo, or invoice), and/or proof of travel (passport with valid Visa to or from country where product was purchased, or other travel documents).