Compaq TC1100 Tablet PC

5 Responses to “Compaq TC1100 Tablet PC”

1. Don Hilton says:

   March 31, 2010 at 3:21 am

   I have been using pen-based input since Windows 3.11 for Pen Computing, mostly to avoid wracking my hands, wrists, and fingers with typing.

   I have also used a variety of the latest generation of tablets. All of them have their strong points, but what I like best about the Compaq is that it runs in silence. Except for the fan popping on every once in a while, you don’t even know there’s a computer behind the screen. Also, the feel of the pen on the glass is very nice; like writing with an expensive ceramic-ball pen.

   The image on the screen is crystal clear. Even a bifocalled ancient geezer like me has no distress sitting in a chair, tablet in lap, and working the afternoon away. The battery really does last 3 and a half to 4 hours, depending on what you’re doing.

   The machine is quick and powerful enough for most needs, but it is not a gamer. My advice is to buy as much memory as you can afford. Be aware that punctuation-intensive tasks like huge bibliographies or lengthy coding can get pretty frustrating with a pen. Doing lots of spreadsheet input can be a drag, too.

   For you first timers, it’ll take a small practice getting used to using the pen to the best advantage, but most folks are smart enough to figure things out on their own. I find the pen relaxing to use.

   The 1100 will use a passive (no battery) or active (battery) pen. I find the passive pen less sensitive to my gentle touch, but less likely to glitch out. The active pen gives quicker response, but it can go nutsy on me, especially when the hard to find quadruple-A battery starts to die.

   I suggest disabling the pen’s button.

   It is a fantastic machine to haul to the library, or to use in meeting, not only because it’s light and simple to carry, but because there is no keyboard clatter. Be warned, it will attract attention.

   I have the dock, and use both an external and the attached, small, but adequate keyboard. Really though, the machine only shines when used as it’s designed to be used; with a pen, as a tablet. 98% of the time I use it with no keyboard at all.

   I’ve tried a variety of cases and covers, but don’t like any of them since they detract from the immediate nature of the pen interface. Plus, the 1100 is so pretty that I despise to cover it up.

   It’s a blast – like Star Trek.
   
   It is the Etch-a-Sketch I dreamed of when I was 10 years ancient!
   Rating: 4 / 5

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2. J. Turner says:

   March 31, 2010 at 3:29 am

   The last time I tried the tablet PC, I nearly bought one. As an early adopter, I really like the thought, but I just couldn’t justify the expense. I spent some time with it and it was certainly clean concept. Unfortunately, I couldn’t justify the cost. Why not just scan you handwritten notes in?

   One year later, I have bought one and I like it. HP makes the lightest convertible tablet pc available. The Tablet PC is now reaching critical mass for usefulness. The Tablet PC XP OS (free upgrade from Microsoft) has better handwriting recognition, and more features.

   The tablet PC makes a excellent e-book reader. You can buy and download books from Amazon nearly instantly. I was able to download several books for reading during a Thanksgiving trip. Unlike the PC version of Microsoft Reader, you can highlight and annotate with the pen.

   Next, a client emailed me a contract in a Word document. Using ink annotation, I “signed” it in blue ink, then printed it out to a PDF file and emailed it back to my client. I didn’t print out the contract, sign it, file it, scan it, and then fax it like I usually do. I like the productivity boost.

   Additionally, I installed most of the tools I use on my server, and using remote desktop I’m not chained to a desk anymore if I want to compile code. I can roam around the house.

   This tablet also has build in wireless. You can now get free wireless access in a lot of public libraries, and you can buy internet access at Starbucks.

   If you take lots of handwritten notes, the tablet PC is for you, especially in a classroom setting. But, you will certainly be answering lots of questions, as it does attract a honest amount of attention.

   The original Compaq TC1000 tablet was slow, sparkly, and hard to justify. The TC1100 is much improved. The processor is quick enough to keep up with my scribbles. Applications load quickly, and the screen is sparkle free.

   I would highly recommend if you have the business requirement for a Tablet PC.
   
   Rating: 4 / 5

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3. Anonymous says:

   March 31, 2010 at 4:24 am

   I have been using the tablet for a month or so. It is a nicely
   designed machine, both as tablet as well as standard laptop (i.e., with keyboard). Wireless and bluetooth were surprisingly simple to configure (nice to access the web through bluetooth phone while on the road).
   The main flaw I can find is in the keyboard — nice but very very delicate. I am already at the third one. Have to admit that HP tech support has been *brilliant* in providing quick replacements.
   Rating: 4 / 5

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4. Vance Jochim says:

   March 31, 2010 at 5:35 am

   I am in the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq and we ordered 10 of these tablets to use for an anti-corruption agency in the Iraqi government. I also ordered the rather expensive docking stations, BUT DID NOT RECKON TO read the fine print in the online ordering system that said there was NO CD OR DVD unit. So, I have 10 boat anchors here in Baghdad until I can find the “multibay” Cd dvd unit that inserts into an empty drawer of the docking station. If you don’t get the docking station, you will need to buy an external, USB connected cd / DVD unit – about $180. The manual is simplistic so it takes awhile to figure out all the hidden features. For instance, I couldn’t find any usb ports on the tablet. Finally saw another fellow and he had opened this flip open “door” that hid the ports – mine was hard to open, so I thought it was for adding memory and never tried to force it. No, I didn’t see anything in the tiny manual that showed it. Now, after waiting over 2 weeks to get just one multibay cd dvd unit, I could finally load software. And, the tablet does NOT COME with even an eval copy of Microsoft Office, so you have no Word, etc. until you load new software. Same goes for antivirus software – there is no starter or eval copies. They provide a Zinio document reader which is a service to subscribe to digital magazines like Business Week. I subscribed, and could never download the content, so canceled. Try downloading a free magazine and make sure that works before you subscribe to anything. Next, the provided stylus, or pressure pen is proprietary and you have to use it to write on the slate surface. Thus if you lose it, you can only use the keyboard. So get 1-2 extra pressure pens. The docking station is complex, so look at pics on the hp website so you know it is more than a bar at the back with ports. It has an articulating arm to hold the tablet in the air at adjustable angles for writing. It has that one multibay port (and no floppy drive is provided either, so you would have to get a floppy multibay optional drive that only works in the docking station if you needed one).
   
   Make sure you get 512mb – some places sell ones with 256k, and upgrade it even more. And, since speed is about 1 gz, it may be too slow for games or heavy graphic applications. Read all the details on hps site since amazon doesn’t provide them. But, I found it much simpler to order stuff form Amazon than HP – they really don’t want to deal with small customers and won’t ship to apo addresses – Amazon does. But, this small computer, without the detachable keyboard, weighs just 3 pounds, and is worth the work to get it running.
   Rating: 4 / 5

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5. Jean F. Saintfleur says:

   March 31, 2010 at 7:16 am

   I have used the tc1100 for a while. It is a nice tablet.
   
   Using in tablet mode the unit gets warm under your palm.
   
   Hand holding id very hard without blocking the vents that dissipate the heat.The small keyboard is lousy
   Rating: 4 / 5

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