large windows/linux (full os) tablets ?

*Jeff* · 02-13-2012, 06:49 PM

I'm looking for a new notebook.
I really like my ipad2's touch screen for casual browsing uses, but I want something a bit larger to browse full size websites. I also would like to have the flexibility to install a real OS, windows and/or linux.

Lenovo has the ThinkPad X220 with a tablet/notebook flippable 12.5" 1366 x 768 screen and running windows 7 default.
Asus has the Eee Slate with a 12.1" 1280x800 screen
Dell has the Inspiron duo 10.1" Widescreen (1366x768) (too small a screen at 10.1" still.); they have a Latitude XT3 with a 13.3" touch screen but it is listed as "unavailable" now.
HP has the EliteBook 2760p 12.1" 1280x800 screen
Fujitsu has LifeBook T900 Tablet PC might be interesting with a 13.3" 1280 x 800 screen but I have no experience with a Fujitsu machine to date.

Anyone have experience / recommendations on these?
Are there some other good options for a "larger" screen tablet with a full OS?

**Kevin** · 02-13-2012, 06:54 PM

As long as it has an x86 or amd64 compatible CPU (which includes the Intel Atom series) in it you can probably install whatever OS you want. It is the ARM based stuff that need special OS ports.

Of course a quick Google search for people writing about how to do so before purchasing one is wise.

*Jeff* · 02-17-2012, 01:40 AM

I suppose with the ipad and the android tables we have the "perfected" 9.7" and 7" tablets which do some things very well, are great on batteries with 6-10 hours of charge, generate no heat, etc.

Now looking at larger "real OS" tablets that are a little bit bigger so I can see full size web pages, click on small webpage icons a bit easier, have a keyboard that is large enough to more easily type on typing vs. two-fingering, have a real file system, and be able to install any program and have a command prompt, the concern becomes how usable are they as a large tablet (being a bit less refined than the ubiquitous 9.7" tablets right now and trying to run a "normal" OS vs. one tailored specifically for a thin device) and what are the costs.

For example, one review of the Asus Eee Slate said that although it's quite fast and not too expensive compared to the others such as the fujitsu/ssd configured, it only has a battery life of around 2 hours.

Then reviews seem to commonly question how usable is windows 7 in touch mode native; alternatively, there are proprietary touch-tablet skins on some of these which I have mixed feelings about (do I want a proprietary skin; I have always disliked when conventional computers manufacturers try and put a skin on top of windows to make it user friendly for example.)

*frankc* · 02-21-2012, 11:09 AM

I've got my eye on the upcoming Asus TF700T which solves some mfg/design probs with the highly-regarded Transformer Prime.

*Jeff* · 05-13-2012, 02:36 AM

The battery life, pricepoint, and high resolution screen look tempting, Maybe I need to give the latest android os and a tablet with an optional keyboard a try.

I still like my ipad2 quite a bit, its stability, exceptional battery life, and fit and finish, but spending what seems like minutes trying to select text and not being able to get it right sometimes is frustrating when the same maneuver on a computer is effortless.

I'm still tempted by the asus eee slate b121 4GB RAM/64GB SSD windows 7 tablet with Bluetooth keyboard so I could have all familiar (and full) programs, a real keyboard when I need one, room to type on the on screen keyboard with a 12" display vs. 10", and a fairly light 2 lb tablet with a somewhat fast dual core cpu with the drawback being its 2-4 hour battery life and price/cpu power.

*Jeff* · 06-12-2012, 04:29 AM

Well, I saw a deal on an asus eee slate b121 64 GB ssd tablet so I grabbed one.
I've been using it today and I have to say so far I'm happy, so far.

It's enough bigger than my ipad that I find viewing web pages much easier, and I have full "normal os" capabilities like uploading files, viewing flash, inserting a usb stick or drive to one of the two usb ports. I have safari, chrome, pale moon, and IE on it, and... real programs that load fairly quickly.

The touch is not quite as good as the ipad - scrolling for example isn't quite as smooth, but it's very close, much much closer than I expected. People had said how horrible windows 7 was for touch, but it's not bad for me. There are some small things, like the keyboard doesn't pop up when I click a text area, I have to hit the keyboard button on the task bar. But the larger size keyboard actually comes out faster for me even with the extra click.

I also find the size/bulk fine for me to use comfortably.

I also find it boots very quickly from powered off and resuming from sleep is as instant as I need.

The one downside is the battery life - with my iPad2 it seems to hover in the 90s as I work, maybe getting to 80% usually. With the eee pad installing a bunch of programs, as advertised, the battery predicted life drops to about 2 hours; about 3 if it's mostly idle browsing around it seems. Workable, but that's probably the biggest downside so far compared to my ipad2.

*frankc* · 06-12-2012, 10:24 AM

I ended up buying an Asus TF300 a few weeks ago. Very satisfied, much nicer than the HP Touchpad I tried, and it syncs nicely with all the Android apps I have on my phone (DroidX). Only downvote is that it's a proprietary power connector/power supply because of different charging voltage than USB, but they're available on ebay.