Ask the internet: Tablet PC edition

[asterroc]

Dear Internet,

In October I am going to be applying for an equipment grant to buy a tablet PC for classroom use. Said tablet must run on Windows (XP Pro preferred), and required software is listed below (that is, those softwares that will require purchase).

• MS Office 2007 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)


• MS Outlook


• MS Frontpage (yeah, I know, take it up with my IT)


• Camtasia


• Adobe/Macromedia Flash


• Typical tablet softwarez

I will need sufficient RAM-power to run Camtasia in record mode during Powerpoint presentations, and I really want a surplus, not just barely enough. So my question for M. Internet, is manifold.

1. What are the minimum specs for a tablet PC that can do what I want?


2. What are the maximum specs out there now, as of October (when I'll be submitting the grant), and as of December (when I'd be getting the money)?


3. What is the cost of such systems?


4. What's the best brand or specific model of tablets? I'm looking for reliability, good customer support, and sturdy (as I'll be lugging it to school and back daily).


5. What else am I forgetting to ask?

Thanks for any advice you might give this poor confused prof.

Sincerely,

Zandperl

Comments

[allandaros.livejournal.com]

I have nothing but good words* for my Gateway C-140X. Intel Core2 Duo (both at 1.5 GHz), 1 GB RAM, and happy tablet-y goodness. It's a bit heavy, but very durable and sturdy. Haven't had any customer support issues (haven't needed to contact them in the year I've had it). This cost about $1,500 and I would not hesitate in recommending it.

As for minimum specs, what you are describing (aside from Camtasia, which I don't know) is WELL within the tolerance limits of even the most basic computers being sold these days.

*excepting, of course, issues with Windows Vista. The C-140 comes with Vista or XP Pro; I went with Vista because I listened to etaoin_shrdlu. But that's a separate issue :) )

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Camtasia is a screencasting program. If you're unfamiliar with the concept, it's like a video screen capture, that records everything on the screen plus audio input. It's very RAM intensive. The purpose is so that I can record my PowerPoint presentations in real time and let students watch them again later.

[sirroxton.livejournal.com]

Any Core2 Duo laptop with 2GB of RAM will meet your performance spec. I'm hesitant to give more detailed recommendations because it's not a topic I've researched much. I will say that if you can get enough grant money, the Latitude XT is one of the nicest tablets on the market. It's about $600 more than other offerings, but it's got a very well-engineered interface and it has a capacitive screen like the iPhone (as opposed to resistive screens), which means you get a clearer screen, better accuracy, and you won't have to push down.

I've read that you should get XP, because the slick Vista interface with its smaller buttons isn't very tablet-friendly. I think that's the reason Dell downgrades your configuration to XP by default.

I've heard good things about the Lenovo Thinkpad X300 too.

[marquiswildbill.livejournal.com]

My rheumy uses HP tablets, which he says are great except for his incompetence with them (mainly stylus issues). I advised him to go out and buy a good stylus and then configure it with that, and he seems much happier. I could ask for specific model info if you want. He owes me a favor after I grabbed a few articles for him.
Does it have to be Camtasia? I think their are alternatives. Maybe even less RAM intensive ones out there.