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Thursday, December 28, 2006

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Who says Tablet PC's aren't getting reasonably priced?

- Dennis Rice

Okay, I picked up this in my email, and just had to pass it along.  Please note that we get nothing from a post like this other than hoping someone takes advantage of the deal!

Convertible Notebook CX210SFor many years I have been saying that when Tablet PC's became comparably priced with regular notebooks, the adoption rate would climb.  I know -- it's not exactly rocket science.  When I saw this promo for a new Gateway CX210s Tablet PC for only $899, I realized that the time had come.  Now I know this is not the top of the line, screaming demon bursting with tons of memory computer we would all like to see for this same amount, but get over it and look at what you are getting!  Tablet PC's are still premium priced for premium models (but so are notebook computers), but this is a way to get into a Tablet PC without breaking the old bank account!  It also includes a Windows Vista upgrade, OneNote, and Microsoft Works.  Check out the specs:

Specifications:

  • Intel® Core™ Duo processor T2050 (1.60 GHz, 533MHz FSB, 2MB L2)3
  • Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition2
  • Microsoft® Works 8.5
  • $200 instant savings (reflected in price, limited time promotion)
  • 512MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2-256MB modules)
  • 80GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive4
  • 7-in-1 media card reader (Memory Stick®, Memory Stick Pro®, MultiMediaCard™, Secure Digital™, xD Picture Card, Mini Secure Digital™, RS-MultiMediaCard™)
  • Modular 24x/10x/24x CDRW and 8x DVD-ROM combo drive
  • Notebook Value Service Plan -- 1 year parts/labor/no on-site/1 year technical support5
  • (1) Type II PC card slot
  • (3) USB 2.0, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), VGA
  • 14.0" WXGA TFT Active Matrix (1280 x 768 max. resolution) with rotating hinge for tablet functionality
  • Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
  • Full-size keyboard and EZ Pad® pointing device
  • Gateway executive stylus pen w/ Continuous Sensing Technology™
  • Integrated sound and stereo speakers, headphone/speaker jack, and microphone jacks
  • Primary 8-cell lithium-ion battery with AC pack and 1 yr. limited battery warranty5
  • Integrated V.92 56K modem
  • Integrated Intel® 10/100/1000 Ethernet adapter
  • Six months America Online® Internet access6
  • Integrated Intel® 802.11a/b/g wireless networking card
  • Adobe® Acrobat Reader® 7.0 and Google Toolbar
  • Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet (SP2) Backup CD
  • No Security Subscription Selected
  • Answers by Gateway Per Incident support card
  • Microsoft® One Note, Microsoft® Experience Pack and Microsoft® Education Pack

I have owned a Gateway M280 Tablet PC for a while now, and have to say the Vista experience is pretty darn good.  With this updated model, I would expect the same.  14 inch widescreen, 1280x768, DVD, etc. -- all for under $1,000.

If you've been on the fence on a tablet puchase and on a tight budget -- I say go for it!



Thursday, December 28, 2006 7:16:23 AM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)
And it does say Vista Premium Ready rather than just capable. Can't be bad!
We just need deals like this in the UK now.
Thursday, December 28, 2006 7:56:04 AM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)
Dennis,

How easy is it to set up Vista on the Gateway. I'm currently using a CX2610 with 2GB of Ram. I have the RC1 disk of Vista that I can install. Was it a difficult install and finding drivers that worked.

Thank you,
Ken siegel
Ken Siegel
Thursday, December 28, 2006 9:43:02 AM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)
Ken,
My experience installing Vista on the M280 was pretty good with RC1, but even better in the RTM release. The drivers avialble in the native install get better with each subsequent release.

In RTM, the default drivers provided with the installation disk got 90% of everything right. The first step after any Vista install is to run Windows update as well, which completed the installation of all drivers in the M280 if I remember correctly. I can't speak for how current all drivers are in RC1 right now, but if you follow it up with WIndows Update quickly, you should be in pretty good shape (although i still recommend stongly getting the RTM version).

I need to note here that I practially never do an inplace upgrade though. Too many messy possibilities (if in fact Vista will even let you do an upgrade).

Good luck!
Thursday, December 28, 2006 11:26:25 AM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)
I'd like to see anyone hold that thing in the crook of their arm and scribble for very long.
It weighs too much (for me) & weight appears to be missing from the tech specs..
jpfx
Thursday, December 28, 2006 12:31:47 PM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)
Well, it certainly is not the most mobile tablet out there, but all tablet users do not need to carry it around a lot. Here is what I found on weight:

Weight with:
Modular Bay Battery and Primary Battery Cover-6.17 pounds
With Standard 8-Cell Lithium Ion Battery and CD-ROM-6.84 pounds
With High-Capacity 12-Cell Lithium Ion Battery and CD-ROM-7.22 pounds
With Standard 8-Cell Lithium Ion and Modular Bay Batteries-7.08 pounds
With High-capacity 12-Cell Lithium Ion and Modular Bay Batteries-7.45 pounds

The main point on this post is to show how you can get into a tablet at this price point now!
Thursday, December 28, 2006 4:23:35 PM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)
Dennis,

Microsoft sent me the RC1 disk, but I have not goten the RTM disk. Is it worth trying the RC1 or just wait until I can buy a retail version.

Ken
Ken siegel
Thursday, December 28, 2006 6:54:44 PM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)
KIen,

I do not believe RTM was sent out, it was an MSDN download only. It was a better experience, but with updates drivers on Windows Update it will probably be okay with RC1, although you will not be getting the latest code optimized for speed, etc. You may also have less ability to do an update if I remember correctly and have to do a clean install.

Your call my friend, but if you are eager to experience Vista, it wouold be worth it to me, but I live on the bleeding edge all the time! :)
Comments are closed.


       





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