OT; Tablets

[Bob Rasmussen]

Richard's post prompts me to write what I promised to write: a report on 
the HP Slate 500, which I finally received last week (I ordered it in 
October!).

QUICK SUMMARY

This is a *Windows 7 Pro* tablet. That's a very important point. It will 
run any Windows application. Anzio runs on it just fine. The on-screen 
keyboard is kind of clumsy. It will work with a wired or Bluetooth 
external keyboard. It has no cellular modem, but does have WiFi.

EVOLUTION

This unit is clearly evolved from the Windows TabletPC platform. Because 
Windows 7 has all the TabletPC (TPC) software included, a special version 
of Windows is not needed.

It's also evolved from earlier HP dual-mode touch devices, meaning 
TabletPCs that can be activated by finger or by stylus. That's important 
also. Much of Windows' user interface is still too small, and requres a 
stylus to hit the control points accurately.

So if you started with a recent HP touch TPC, removed the keyboard and the 
optical drive; replaced the disk with a solid state drive, and put in a 
new and improved battery, you'd get this unit.

COMPARED TO THE iPAD

* It doesn't have:
   - GPS
   - Compass
   - Cellmodem
   - Accelerometers (tilt sensors) (except one for screen rotation)
   - As big a screen
      
* It ADDS:
   + An Intel Atom processor
   + A USB port, and all the connectivity that goes with that
   + A stylus, and stylus input capability
   + An included docking station, with 2 more USB ports, HDMI out, 
     and additional 1/8" headset jack
   + An SD card slot
   + Front and rear cameras
   + An on-screen keyboard with ALL the PC keys

* Things I have tried, with success:
   * A Bluetooth keyboard
   * A USB thumb drive
   * A USB CD/DVD drive (loaded software, played a DVD movie)
   * An external 2TB disk drive
   * Installing a printer driver and printing, all wirelessly
   * Signing a document on-screen.

BOTTOM LINE FOR TERMINAL EMULATION

* Connects well over WiFi
* To connect over cellular, a hotspot or tethering connection would be 
required
* All operations are possible
* Popup keyboard has what you need, but it gets in the way. An interesting 
compromise is to use the unit in portrait orienttion, with the onscreen 
keyboard docked at the bottom of the screen.

There are several user reviews available online, including at HP.COM. I 
have intentionally not mentioned some things that are mentioned there.

I hope to post a video review soon. I'll let you know.

IN SUMMARY

It's a nice unit that cuts new ground. It's targetted differently than the 
iPad, and it has some serious potential for use in business applications.

Regards,
....Bob Rasmussen,   President,   Rasmussen Software, Inc.

personal e-mail: ras at anzio.com
 company e-mail: rsi at anzio.com
          voice: (US) 503-624-0360 (9:00-6:00 Pacific Time)
            fax: (US) 503-624-0760
            web: http://www.anzio.com
 street address: Rasmussen Software, Inc.
                 10240 SW Nimbus, Suite L9
                 Portland, OR  97223  USA