Notes on the Tablet PC
Thursday, 15 May 2003
Posted by austin in: Technology, comments closed
Back in February, I got the Compaq TC1000 Tablet PC. Aside from the initial problem I had with HP/Compaq support, I’ve liked the machine. It’s a good first generation, but it’s still not a perfect platform.
I chose the TC1000 over other versions available in Canada for several reasons. The Compaq is significantly (CDN $900) cheaper than either the Toshiba or Acer versions for similar feature-sets. With a 15% discount available at the time that I purchased it, this was an even better deal. Additionally, it was the Tablet PC form-factor I desired: a “convertible.”
All versions of the TC1000 are equipped with a Transmeta Crusoe 1GHz processor; 10.4” 1024×768 XGA display; 256Mb or 512Mb RAM; a 30Gb, 40Gb, or 60Gb HDD; and a one or three year warranty. All versions can be expanded to 768Mb RAM. As with all laptops, the more RAM present, the more effect on the battery life, but note that the Crusoe requires 24Mb of RAM for its Code Morphing, so more RAM will result in better performance in Windows. All versions except the cheapest come with a mini-PCI 802.11b card. It also has standard VGA, ethernet (RJ45), modem (RJ11), and audio (headphones, microphone, and headset) connectors. For expansion, it has two USB 2.0 ports, a CompactFlash slot, and a PC Card slot. Just for reference, I have the TC1000/470045-149 (30Gb, 256Mb, 802.11b).
