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Tablet: Convertible vs. Slate

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Preston-

Are you still loving your X61. Please give us an update. I am getting really close to buying a tablet and would like to know! I'm sure others would too. Thanks!
 
Hi Beave,

We don't sell or recommend that particular model (see below.) Also, we generally don't sell individual units of the Lenovo - we do it only for larger purchases like county governments of departments. We MAY start selling the X61 later this quarter (?) depending on some other issues developing independently, but for now we've found that purchasing direct from Lenovo is best because most resellers don't "stock" the unit/build we recommend... :-(

The unit you referenced has a good price but also a couple of disadvantages. First, configuring a new one virtually identical would run about $1,999 direct through Lenovo. A bit less if you can use the Realtor® discount that Lenovo honors, so you'd save $450 - $650-ish. The reason we don't recommend this particular model is mainly for the screen. The Lenovo MultiView + MultiTouch screen is an approx. $100 upgrade but it is inferior in typical appraiser-type outdoor lighting conditions IMHO. I have had multiple examples of both screen types and much prefer the "standard" SuperView screen. It is superior in outdoor lighting and also higher resolution. I also much prefer the direct bonding technology which gives it a "hard glass" type surface vs. the more common, "mushy film" found on other tablets except Motions...

The second thing I don't like is the built-in Wireless broadband. I have that, too in some examples. it works well, but having it built-in restricts you to THAT carrier. if that is not your carrier of choice, too bad. if it is, you'd better not change... The add-in (via PCMCIA slot) "aircard" is not as sexy, but way more flexible. Maybe it is just me, but in MY area, Verizon is not the best carrier for wireless broadband. I am NOT knocking Verizon here - I have it and it works well, but for us right now, another carrier is far better - faster and less expensive. No, I don't like the add-on aspect of an aircard, but I do like the flexibility to change when I want to. Of course, with a built-in wireless broadband if I want to change, I CAN still pop in an aircard, but I have to disable some stuff and then remember that I paid extra to be limited, LOL. not a big deal, but after having both set-ups, I simply prefer the add-in card...

Of lesser importance is the small, slow HDD and no BlueTooth - and some other little things - nothing MAJOR. It looks like this outlet unit is a "one up" so it may even be gone by now. I realize that the price looks good, but I submit that a different model (new) is not THAT much more and the additional functionality of getting the right options will more than offset the lower price of the "wrong" unit. I just quickly priced a new X61 with SV screen and no built-in wireless card and it ran out to be about $1,684, about $342 more than the outlet unit - probably less with Realtor® discount.

That said, the unit at that link would certainly work OK... I have an X60 with that screen and built-in Verizon wireless broadband, etc. It just has a little more "muscle"... I thought it was absolutely great until I got an X61 and tried the SuperView screen. Yes, I make a big deal out of the screen, but to me, that is a big issue. The MV+MT screen is an indoor/outdoor type screen and works well in indirect sun as you might find common while inspecting. I just find that the lower priced SV screen is better in direct sun and I like the hard surface aspect.

I certainly would not poke fun at you if you got that machine but heck, I'd sell MY X60 for not much more than that, LOL. Let me know if I can be of further help. Sorry I rambled, but somehow I think you all knew I would, LOL.
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No problem, Beave... Glad to help. Note that the SuperView screen is new to the X61. The X60's has the MutiView+MultiTouch screen.

Unless you were to use a BlueTooth DISTO or use your cell phone for your wireless broadband connection, you may not have a need for the BlueTooth option. I use it from time to time and those with BlueTooth DISTO's obviously do. YMMV, but if ordering one, I always get it. if it is not on an "outlet" type already and you don't think you'll use it, no big deal... ;-)

Hope this helps!
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couple of points:

first, on the bluetooth-

what I like about the bluetooth on my sony is that I have a bluetooth keyboard/numberpad/mouse combo (REALLY expensive, but worth it if you ever need to do typing in the field, and don't want to get stuck carrying around dongles for other wireless keyboards, or having to plug and unplug wires while in the field-mine is the DiNovo Bluetooth media set).

Works well, 'cept for the mouse flaking out on connecting sometimes. Even works well without installing the logitech software, though you'll lose out on features.

Next-at least with my sony, which was an at&t branded product for the internal wireless setup, all I had to do was call them and they unlocked the feature for me, no questions asked. Never had at&t's service (actually, it was still cingular when I first bought my laptop) and went with another provider.

I think the bigger deal now would be whether it's an evdo, edge, or other tech...but again, that could be solved with a dongle/usb key, or pc card adapter. Either way, when they're connected expect to lose a ton of battery life versus when they're off.

I routinely get 8-9 hours of battery life on my laptop-unless I make extensive use of wireless, which takes it down to around 4-5 hours at best.

If you had a slate form factor with built in bluetooth, then you could use the slate format on site, then just activate the bluetooth keyboard when you get back to your vehicle to type-or just get a small bluetooth keyboard and keep it in your briefcase when in the homeowner's dwelling.

My sony is none of the above, being a small subnotebook with a built in keyboard and dvd burner. At only 3 pounds and roughly the size of a sheet of notebook paper, though, and just over an inch thick, it competes with the other genre's pretty well. The biggest selling point for me though was the battery life-the longer the better. You can certainly supplement that with a spare battery or car charger, or inverter, but personally I'll go for the longest life in a laptop's battery setup I can afford.
 
Has anyone field tested any of the slates in a cold weather environment? Take the LE1700, the lowest operating temp is +5 celsius which is 41 degrees. I'm in northeast Indiana and todays temps are below zero, I can't see spending a couple of grand if I only use it part of the year. Anyone using the Itronix or Hammerhead products?
 
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