What I’m taking to Redmond and why

I go through Tablet PCs like water. I’m currently using two Tablet PCs and they each have their strengths and weaknesses. I’m using a Lenovo X60 SXGA Tablet PC on evaluation from Lenovo, and a Fujitsu P1610 Tablet PC. In prepping for my trip MVP trip to Redmond tomorrow, I had some choices to make about what unit to bring along.

As far as 12″ convertible Tablet PCs go, I have thoroughly enjoyed using the X60. It is super fast, has a superb resolution, and the overall experience has been overwhelmingly positive. If I were to buy a 12″ convertible, the x60 would be at the top of list for sure.  Having used the SXGA and also using units with touch, I think I might opt for a touch version next time. I frequently find myself trying to touch the screen.

Last week, though, I started experiencing an issue with the screen that a few others have seen – the lower 1/3 of the screen will intermittmently start flaking out. With a press of the casing though, it clears up. Not a big deal, but I don’t want to have to deal with a flaked out screen during a week that I also have to get some major work done on some clients websites. We also have a lot of bus time and, like my experiences at CES, being as portable as possible is very important during weeks like this. In comes the P1610.

Just this past week, I turned the X60 off and began using my P1610 full time, and although I notice some speed differences between the X60 and P1610, the portability and book-like feel of the device just screams “personal”. You’d expect some differences between a 1.83 ghz, Core Duo 2gb 7200 rpm machine and a 1.2 ghz, Core Solo 1gb ram, 4200 rpm machine, but to be honest, I have not been dissatisfied at all with the performance of the p1610. I’m actually pretty happy with the performance.

Being a touch based tablet pc, too, it is a great device to have when walking conference halls, sitting on buses, etc. Flip that baby in to portrait mode with my verizon card, and I can easily whip out a post, check my email, etc with minimal impact. That’s why I’m so excited to see the Q2 UMPC and its integrated wireless and split keyboard. For my needs, the P1610 and possibily the Q2 are perfect UMPC devices.

For those of you wondering, I have not upgraded the p1610 to Vista yet. I could, but I really need an XP machine for the support work I do in my other full-time job and to help address XP questions in our forums. So being able to work in both environments is a plus for me. In addition, I’ve been waiting for my all my Fujitsu Vista upgrade stuff from Modus and Fujitsu, which has not arrived yet ( which is another story in and of itself). 

So I’m taking the P1610 with me to Redmond because it offers me the most in portability and provides a very decent performing experience. The trade off between speed and portability is well worth it for how I work and the applications that I’m now using.

What else am I packing? I’m traveling very light this trip:

• a WaterField sleeve case that I’ve been using for about 2 years
• an OGIO Metroid backpack
• p1610 with extended battery and standard battery, ac adapter,
• Verizon EVDO card
• my zune and charging cable
• Bose QC3 headphones and charger
• a USB based mouse
• my 1 month old Motorola Q SmartPhone and charging / sync cable
• a paperbased MoleSkin notebook
• David Allen’s Getting Things Done book