Hardware Isaac on 06 Mar 2007 12:30 pm
Data-Backed Slate v. Convertible Thoughts
My post this morning actually made me curious, so I went and did a little research. All data in the table is based on each manufacturer’s own web site. My minimum requirements were a 12″ screen with an active digitizer (not just a touchscreen). This table is probably not comprehensive.
Slates versus ThinkPad X60
| Device | Processor | Battery Life | Weight | Dimensions |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X60 |
Core Duo L2500 | 7.5 hrs | 3.8 lbs. | 10.8″x9.6″ x1.1-1.3″ |
| Motion LE1600 | Pentium M LV 778 |
3 hrs. | 3.13 lbs. | 11.65″x9.64″ x0.74-0.87″ |
| Motion LE1600 (extended battery) |
Pentium M LV 778 |
“full day” | 4.19 lbs. | unknown |
| Electrovaya Scribbler SC3100 |
Pentium M LV (778?) |
9 hrs. | 3.5 lbs. | 11.96″x9.16″ x0.75″ |
| Fujitsu ST5112 | Core Duo U2500 | 6 hrs. | 3.5 lbs. | 12.77″x8.66″ x0.82-0.88″ |
| Fujitsu ST5112 (extended battery) |
Core Duo U2500 | 9 hrs. | 3.9 lbs. | 13.15″x8.66″ x0.82-0.88″ |
| Sahara i215 | Pentium M LV 758 |
3.5 hrs. | 3.1 lbs. | 11.53″x8.66″ x0.94″ |
| Sahara i440D | Core Duo L2500 | unknown | 3.3 lbs. | 11.81″x9.45″ x0.98″ |
| Sahara Slate PC Pen Tablet |
Transmeta Crusoe |
4.5 hrs. | 3.1 lbs. | 11.53″x8.66″ x0.94″ |
My Thoughts
So, I stand by my thoughts that I can’t see a significant advantage to any of the slates—some are a bit lighter, which matters, but the trade-off is in battery life (important) and processing power (less so). The Fujitsu slates and the Sahara i440D are probably the most tempting.
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2 Responses to “Data-Backed Slate v. Convertible Thoughts”
on 06 Mar 2007 at 7:17 pm
1.ryan said …
I’ve had the same urge, since while teaching I mostly use my tc4200 as a tab. I only keyboard at home during data entry, or when I have papers to write. I wonder how much weight would be saved if Lenovo dropped the keyboard and made a slate. The slates just aren’t powerful enough for me to replace my only computer.
I’m considering picking up a used LS800 or at least demoing one to use strictly for teaching and saving the tc4200 for more demanding tasks.
But this is just wishful thinking, 2 pcs on a teacher’s salary, ya, that’s funny!
on 06 Mar 2007 at 8:56 pm
2.Isaac said …
The LS800 didn’t make my requirements because of the smaller screen… it intrigues me, but I don’t think it would be usable in the same way I use my X41.
I definitely have more flexibility from having a desktop provided by my school (eMac; I turned down their offer of a laptop since I’m using my personal tablet), my X41, an iBook G4, an iMac G4 (currently not quite functional), and a desktop PC… plus some assorted boxes that aren’t really daily-productivity-use like those I just listed (e.g. the OpenBSD box that serves as my firewall router).