Taking The Measure Of New Crop Of Tablet PCs
Acer TravelMate C300
Other than its pivoting hinge, the Acer TravelMate C300 tablet PC looks just like a conventional notebook. Finished in black and gunmetal, the C300 features a full-sized screen and keyboard, so users don't have to compromise ease-of-use for a high-performance notebook. The TravelMate C300 is based on Intel Centrino mobile technology, including a 1.7 GHz Pentium M processor and 512 Mbytes of DDR SDRAM. The RAM is upgradeable to 2 Gbytes. It also features a 60 Gbyte hard drive, though larger capacity drives are available as an option. The TravelMate is preloaded with Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.
The TravelMate C300 has a 14-inch LCD display with a native resolution of 1024 x 768, which is on the small side compared to other full-sized notebook computers but large for a tablet PC. The display has a standard landscape orientation when in notebook mode, and automatically switches to portrait mode when the unit is used as a tablet. Users can manually override the automatic screen rotation feature if desired. A light sensor built into the screen housing measures ambient light, allowing the screen brightness to automatically adjust to the environment in which it's used. The automatic brightness function can also be manually overridden.
The TravelMate C300 combines the mobility and versatility of a notebook computer with the convenience of a tablet, but is powerful enough to be used as a desktop replacement. The Acer EasyPort, a 100-pin I/O port replicator connector, allows easy connection to desktop peripherals, though the Acer EasyPort is required and costs extra. Other features include integrated gigabit-LAN connectivity, Intel PRO/wireless NIC, a 56K modem and Bluetooth connectivity. The TravelMate also has one PC Card slot, a FireWire port, two USB 2.0 ports, VGA output and S-Video output ports. The unit runs for up to seven hours when powered by the standard battery pack, and a second battery provides as much as 13 hours of battery life.
Unlike many tablet PCs the TravelMate C300 has a built-in optical drive. The hot-swappable drive bay is loaded with a combination CDR/DVDR, and the bay can also house an additional hard drive, any type of optical drive or a second battery. The TravelMate C300 measures approximately 12.75 x 1.5 x 11 inches and weighs about 6 pounds. Priced at $1,999, the TravelMate C300 is an excellent value. It costs less than the HP and Toshiba units reviewed by the CRN Test Center, and doesn't need peripherals to be fully functional.
Acer's channel program is open to all resellers. The program provides pre-sales support, access to local Acer personnel, competitive information and an MDF program. Solution providers must provide integration support to end-users. Training is provided over the telephone, via the Web and on-site.
HP Compaq TC1100
At first glance, the HP Compaq TC1100 looks like a tablet PC that converts to a notebook. The TC1100 is a small tablet PC with a thin keyboard attached to the back. A swiveling hinge converts the unit to notebook mode. In this mode, the unit looks like a small flat-panel display mounted on a keyboard platform. This unit is ideal for customers that primarily use tablet PC functionality but could benefit from added notebook functionality and a full-sized keyboard. In tablet mode, the TC1100 is easy to hold while standing or sitting. The keyboard is removable, which helps make the tablet a bit lighter.
Other than its unusual physical appearance, the TC1100 provides the same functionality as more conventional-looking units. The sample unit tested by CRN Test Center engineers came with a 1 GHz Pentium M processor, although faster Pentium M or slower, less expensive Celeron processors are also available. The TC1100 also included 512 Mbytes of memory, though capacity can be upgraded to a maximum of 2 Gbytes if necessary. The unit is highly portable, and measures 10.8 x 8.5 x 1.25 inches with the keyboard attached. The tablet weighs about 4 pounds. HP offers an optional Tablet PC Docking Station that converts this tiny computer into a desktop replacement.
The TC1100 has the smallest screen of all the units tested. The 10.4-inch XGA screen has a native resolution of 1024 x 768. The screen has a hard-tempered, sparkle-free glass covering that protects it from stylus wear and tear, and a 160 degree viewing angle. The TC1100 includes a 40 Gbyte hard drive, 10/100 NIC, 56K modem, one PC Card slot, one SD Media slot, two USB 2.0 ports, Fast Infrared connectivity and Bluetooth. Like the Toshiba unit, this tablet does not include a built-in optical drive due to space limitations. Such a drive has to be used in an optional external MultiBay, which connects to the tablet via USB and will accept various drives including diskette, DVD/CD-RW, DVD, CD-RW and CD.
One minor complaint Test Center engineers had with this particular tablet was the size and placement of the mouse buttons. The tiny buttons are mounted on the bottom edge of the keyboard, making them difficult to maneuver. The tablet also has a touch pointer but no touchpad. Limitations aside, however, this is the smallest convertible tablet PC Test Center engineers have seen, and thus the easiest to travel with. It's also the only tablet tested with a removable keyboard. With optional peripherals added, the TC1100 costs about $2,700. Although the unit is a bit on the expensive side, it's more rugged than the Acer and Toshiba units.
HP's PartnerONE channel program separates partners into three levels. Platinum partners must have 15 HP certified technical consultants on staff or generate $75 million in HP product revenue annually. Gold partners must employ 5 HP certified technical consultants or bring in $10 million in HP product revenue annually. Business Partners don't need to meet quotas, and are simply authorized to sell HP products. Solution providers can qualify for Elite status by meeting additional technical and revenue requirements. Gold and Platinum partners receive additional rebates and MDF, demonstration units, and access to designated HP Partner Business Managers who create joint business plans twice a year. Margins vary based on partner level and deal size. Promotional rebates and sales leads are also provided. Training is provided in person and over the Web.
Toshiba Portg M205-S810
The Toshiba Portg M205-S810 is a tablet PC disguised as ultralight notebook computer. The M205's small size and weight make it an ideal notebook to travel with, and it quickly converts to a tablet for users than need tablet functionality on-the-fly. The unit tested by CRN Test Center engineers was based on an Intel Centrino Mobile 1.5 GHz Pentium M processor, 512 Mbytes of memory and a 60 Gbyte hard drive. Faster CPUs, memory upgrades up to 2 Gbytes and larger hard drives are available as options. The Portg M205-S810 runs Microsoft Windows XP Professional Tablet Edition.
In an effort to keep the Portg M205-S810 as light as possible, Toshiba fitted the unit with a relatively small 12.1-inch display. Fortunately, the display has a relatively high native SXGA+ resolution of 1400 x 1050 pixels . The display is driven by an NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 graphics accelerator with 32 Mbytes of memory.
The M205 is also loaded with connectivity options and peripheral ports, including one PC Card slot, one SD memory card slot, a 10/100 NIC, a V.92 modem, 802.11b/g wireless, two USB 2.0 ports, Fast Infrared, Bluetooth and an external VGA port. Users can expect to see a fully charged battery power the unit for about four and a half hours. Small and light, the Portg M205-S810 measures 11.6 x 1.3 x 9.8 inches and weighs 4.6 pounds. A 240-pin expansion bus connector attaches the unit to Toshiba's optional Tablet Dock, and allows for desktop functionality. One flaw in this otherwise ideal solution is that the tablet does not have a built-in optical drive. Users that need to access CD-ROM data or that must load new software from disc should consider a different unit. But for users that simply need a lightweight convertible tablet without a CD-ROM drive should seriously consider the Portege. Optical drive functionality can also be added using Toshiba's optional external USB 2.0 DVD/CDRW drive. The Portg M205-S810 costs $2,299.
Toshiba's three-tier channel program offers platinum, gold and silver levels based on sales volume. Silver-level partners do not receive MDF or rebates. Gold level partners are required to sell between $100,000 and $250,000 annually in order to receive rebates. Platinum level partners must sell over $250,000 annually and receive rebates, MDF can be applied to print and radio ads, and partners are able to participate in trade shows. Training is provided both in person and over the web, and technical support is available 24 x 7 via the web.