Best OS for an X200 Tablet

[Harryc]

What is the best OS for an X200 tablet and why? I am looking for the best support for tablet functions.

[Andrew]

Windows 7 seemed to work great on my x200t. The handwriting recognition was superb.

I have since switched to Ubuntu though. I use it primarily for the better appearance for people with low vision and contrast themes. For example, I was extremely disappointed that when I rotated the display in Windows 7 while the screen magnifier was enabled, with inverted colors, the entire top portion of the display would be borked. I would think that a company such as Microsoft wouldn't have such an issue like that.

Nonetheless, the tracking/response with Ubuntu is onpar with Windows 7. There is no handwriting recognition, however. The rotation of the screen required special scripts to be mapped to the tablet buttons. Overall, I like the operation of Ubuntu on a tablet over Windows 7.

For most users though, just go with Windows 7. You can use Onenote (I dislike it as it is a bit too bulky for my tastes), get handwriting recognition, rotation/auto rotate will work flawlessly, and battery life is better. If you feel more adventurous, you can try Ubuntu (or other distros).

[ZaZ]

It would seem you're not a procrastinator Harry. It looks like 7449-9EU comes with XP, which I'm assuming was downgraded from Vista or Windows 7. I use Vista myself because there's on piece of software I uses that does not work in Windows 7. Personally, I don't find Vista all that different than Windows 7. With service pack 2 it runs quite well. I'm not sure about the handwriting stuff. I mainly just mess around in Photoshop and for that, Vista works fine. Make sure you get the older Fujitsu Wacom drivers to get pressure sensitivity.

[Harryc]

Thanks for the replies so far. My research on the web showed the clear winner to be W7. I am not opposed to tweaking a Linux install to make things work, but again my goal is to make as many tablet functions work as possible, and frankly handwriting recognition is important. @FredGarvin, I don't think the tablet's OS was downgraded from W7 or Vista, it actually was ordered with XP Tablet edition. So, if I go with W7 it will be a fresh install from scratch.

[craigmontHunter]

I think that what he was reffering to is the fact that even though it shipped with xp installed, the COA would be for Vista or windows 7, and the downgrade rights were exercised (my t61 came with xp and has a vista COA) - if it is windows 7, you can do a clean install and call microsoft to use the COA key on the bottom to activate (or just slic the install )

[Harryc]

OK I see. It arrives tomorrow so I'll check out the COA. Thanks.

[ZaZ]

Looking through a tabook from '09, it looks like 7449-9EU predates Windows 7 and was downgraded from Vista Business.

[Harryc]

Thanks for the research. That works for me, I have a set of x200 Vista Business Recovery CD's.

[Harryc]

The tablet arrived today. FG you were right on the money. It has a Vista Business COA.

[comps]

@Andrew: try CellWriter (http://risujin.org/cellwriter/, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJAKawhCBBc / http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKmfgqfY-6Q) - a friend of mine uses it on a ... well .. "hacked" Archos tablet .. and it works really well

[ZaZ]

Congrats. I love mine. Did you get the Hydis or Samsung?

[Harryc]

Congrats. I love mine. Did you get the Hydis or Samsung?

It's the Hydis. You were right ... it looks fantastic.

[Harryc]

Make sure you get the older Fujitsu Wacom drivers to get pressure sensitivity.

Do you have a link to them? This is for XP PC Tablet Edition 2005.
Is this it?
http://www.wacom.com/downloads/driver-detail.php?id=178
or this one?
http://www.wacom.com/downloads/driver-detail.php?id=204
or this one?
http://www.wacom.com.sg/node/121358

The choices are numerous. The more I research this the more folks are recommending different drivers. What is the exact model of the Wacom digitizer on the X200? I am seeing names like Bamboo series pen tablets, the Graphire4, Graphire Bluetooth, Graphire3, BizTablet (CTF-220), PenPartner (FT-0203),2004 pen tablets etc.

Currently I am seeing acpi\wacf00c as an unidentified device in Device Manager. It is the Wacom Pen enabled tablet.