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

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!

For 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 ® Coreâ„¢ 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 ®, MultiMediaCardâ„¢, Secure Digitalâ„¢, xD Picture Card, Mini Secure Digitalâ„¢, RS-MultiMediaCardâ„¢)
• 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 Technologyâ„¢
• 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, 1280×768, 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!