Axiotron updates Modbook- Mac Tablet

The only Mac Tablet just got updated as Axiotron has announced a brand spanking new model for 2009.  The new Modbook is a MacBook that Axiotron modifies to add tablet functionality with a pen digitizer.  The new features that Axiotron is touting today:

• Better system performance, tighter integration of tablet functions with OS X
• Improved power usage, especially in standby
• Full Bluetooth performance enabling wireless keyboard usage
• Lighter 5.3 pound weight
• Improved display and writing surface
• Enhanced GPS capability
• Better shielding preventing pen interference
• Autodesk Sketchbook Express 2009

The new Modbook starts at $2,249 so a Mac Tablet will still cost you a bundle but it's the only game in town if you need one.

HP introduces first multi-touch consumer Tablet PC: TouchSmart TX2

HP is pushing the consumer notebook envelope with the introduction today of the TouchSmart TX2 convertible Tablet PC.  The TX2 is a refresh of the tx2500 notebook with one big consumer innovation- the first capacitive multi-touch digitizer screen on a consumer notebook.  The TX2 is similar to the tx2500 in that it also has a dual digitizer utilizing touch as well as the pen-controlled Tablet PC functions.  The capacitive digitizer is similar to that used in the iPhone and HP is looking to bring multi-touch in a notebook to market now rather than wait for Windows 7.  The most impressive part of the TX2 offering is the starting price of just $1199.  That's a capacitive multi-touch screen and an active digitizer for just $1199!

The TouchSmart TX2 has a 12-inch screen that swivels from notebook to slate mode just like its predecessor and HP is still putting the AMD Turion dual core processor inside.  The TX2 can be configured with a myriad of processor, memory and hard drive options and can also be built with a LightScribe optical drive.  The specs of the TX2 are impressive:

• Processor:  AMD Turion X2 Dual-core processor, 2.0 GHz - 2.4 GHz
• Memory: up to 8 GB
• Video:  ATI Radeon HD 3200
• Hard drive:  160/ 250/ 320/ 400/ 500 GB (5400 rpm)
• Webcam
• Optical drive:  DVD R/RW double-layer or LightScribe
• Display:  12.1-inch 1280X800, integrated touch-screen, convertible display (LED backlit)
• Network:  Gigabit Ethernet
• Wireless: 802.11 b/g, 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth, 802.11 a/b/g/n, 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluethooth
• Audio:  Altec Lansing
• Pointing device:  touch-screen multi-touch (N-Trig digitizer), digital ink pen
• ExpressCard/34 slot
• Ports: 3 USB, VGA, RJ-11, RJ-45, 2 Headphone out, mic, expansion port, IR, pen silo
• Dimensions:  12.05"x8.82"x1.23" (with 4-cell battery)
• Weight: 4.33 lbs.
• Power: 4-cell, 6-cell, 8-cell battery, 65W adapter

HP is putting their fancy imprint finish on consumer notebooks these days and the TX2 is no exception.  HP has put a black understated imprint on the TouchSmart TX2:

The fancy multi-touch interface doesn't do much for you without software to take advantage of it and HP is introducing the MediaSmart application that is designed for multi-touch from the ground up.  You will be able to do all the normal multimedia functions such as play video, audio, photos and watch YouTube all by touch with that special touch-screen.  HP is also announcing a partnership with MTV Networks meaning you will be able to watch prime time TV on demand from all the MTV channels such as MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and CMT.  All of this is designed to be just a (multi)touch away.

When asked about other software that will take advantage of the multi-touch features HP told us something we didn't know.  Most web browsers, and they mentioned Internet Explorer specifically, will already support multi-touch natively.  You can double-finger scroll, pinch and zoom, rotate, etc. right out of the box.  They also told us something we had not heard before that most Office 2007 applications already support multi-touch right now.  This was news to us and it means you'll be able to take advantage of multi-touch right out of the box with the TX2.  No waiting for Windows 7 for you.

The TouchSmart TX2 is available for order now and will be shipping by the end of November.  HP will be rolling out the TX2 globally over the next two months so customers anywhere will be able to buy one by January.

Windows 7 running on Motion LS800 slate

Rob Bushway has installed Windows 7 on an old Motion LS800 slate Tablet PC to see how well the next generation Windows will run on hobbled older hardware.  I must say it is impressive how well it appears to run and Rob seemed surprised as well.  It looks like Windows 7 does a better job at handling a very low resolution display (800x600) like that on the LS800 which is good news for netbooks.  Rob shot a video of the Motion running Win 7 so take a look and see for yourself.

Fujitsu P1630- refresh at a price

The Fujitsu P16xx series has been a great Tablet PC series, I should know I bought both the P1610 and the P1620.  Fujitsu must be needing higher sales numbers as they have just announced the latest refresh in the series, the P1630.  This convertible notebook retains the 8.9-inch touch screen but adds a much requested feature, a web cam.

The rest of the P1630 seems pretty unchanged from the predecessor with a 1.2 GHz ULV processor under the hood although there is an accelerometer no doubt to auto-rotate the screen.  I won't be buying one of these little beauties though as they command a base price of $2,179.  Ouch, that's top dollar in today's market.  There is a 64 GB SSD option but I am afraid to imagine what that will cost.

(via Gizmodo)

Dell Latitude XT capacitive digitizers still don't work right

Dell made a big splash late last year when it introduced the first Tablet PC with a capacitive digitizer like that used in the iPhone.  The 12-inch screen has both the capacitive and an active digitizer provided by N-Trig to give dual capability to the XT.  Well, it would have but the capacitive touch wasn't fully enabled at launch and it was a few months before Dell supplied the software to enable the full capability of the N-Trig.  Unfortunately it seems that users are having a bunch of trouble with the N-Trig setup and Rob Bushway of GottaBeMobile has had enough.  Rob was one of the earliest champions of the Dell XT and spent a fortune of his own money to get his hands on one.  That makes his recent tirade about the Dell XT particularly poignant as he has had enough.

Dell and N-Trig: These problems need to be addressed ASAP and there needs to be some public dialogue between Dell, N-Trig, and your users about what is going on and when we can expect resolution. Dell customers: I encourage you to contact customer support and let your voices be heard. Until these issues are addressed and fixed, I cannot recommend to anyone that they purchase the Latitude XT Tablet PC.  We always felt that Dell was putting too high a financial premium on this technology. 

That high premium makes this situation totally unforgivable for those who shelled out the big bucks for something that is less than desirable.

PDF Annotator 2 on sale: 51% off today

I consider PDF Annotator a "must-have" app if you work with PDFs and own a Tablet PC. That's an arguable opinion of course, but take it for a 30-day test-drive and see what you think. If you already have tested the software but held off on a purchase, today is your lucky day. GottaBeMobile shares news that the software is reduced 51% in price today through BitsDuJour. That means you can snag a PDF Annotator 2 license for $34.95 today instead of the standard $69.95 price.

This original version was packed with productivity, but version 2 adds even more functionality such as text search, a snapshot tool, and a bookmark manager.

Vassar using Tablet PCs in the field

Tablet PCs are absolutely perfect for working in the field and it's always great to see examples of the benefits they provide.  Vassar College has been using Tablets for field work since 2004 and they have produced video of the technology in action.  The video is extremely well done and I must admit I grew nostalgic once I saw all those tc1100s in use.  Very well done, Vassar folks!  It's worth mentioning that Vassar got into using Tablets in the first place due to a grant provided by HP, according to the Vassar video.  Thanks to Meg Stewart of Vassar for letting us know about this program.  You rock, Meg!

Outlining in ink with a Tablet PC

I hate outlining.  There, I feel better having said that, but I hate the writing process without outlining even more than I hate doing them.  The recent conversation about pen and paper making for better thinkers ties directly into the process I use for writing articles.  The outline is critical for getting a jump on writing an article and I find them better and easier to do on the Tablet PC.  Using ink on the slate is a much more natural process for doing a good outline.  This article covers how I do them using the pen and slate.

Paper and pencil better for the brain than software? Tablet PC is too.

BoingBoing points to an interesting PhD dissertation that looks at the theory that computer-related tools, software and the like, interfere with the brain's natural ability to learn and solve problems.  The author contends that simple pen and paper help with these creative tasks and that software actually impedes them as they steal the subject's focus.  I think there is a lot to be said for this and it feeds into one of the main benefits I have gotten from using Tablet PCs in my work for so long.

Using the Tablet PC in ink mode on the slate to me is just like using pen and paper.  I have noted previously that I find this stimulates my creative process and it's something I do even today for writing projects in particular.  I find that using the pen on the slate does in fact keep the tool from getting in the way of the process and it's pretty cool to see academia catching onto this phenomenon.  You tablet users know what I'm talking about I'll bet.  How does the Tablet PC help you?

jkOnTheRun video- HP EliteBook 2730p Tablet PC

The HP 2710p has been my favorite mobile computer and Tablet PC of choice for a while and when HP told me about their refreshed model, the 2730p, I was happy to hear about it.  I have been using the evaluation 2730p for a few weeks and it has been a wonderful mobile PC and and even better Tablet PC.  HP addressed virtually every major niggling thing I didn't like about the 2710p and in this video I show how they made a great Tablet PC even better.  This is a unique opportunity to see the 2730p side-by-side with the 2710p and get a look for yourself how the new model has changed.  You also get a chance to see the slice battery in use and the slim dock with integrated 7mm optical drive.  I know, I know the video is a bit long but that was the only way to get all the great things you see at one time.  The extended battery/ docking solution is the best I have ever used in practice and you'll get a chance to see for yourself.  Enjoy the show.