Tablet PC or PowerBook?, Apr 7

I am in the market for a new portable computer for doing work when I'm out-and-about, and it has come down to the Toshiba Portege M200 Tablet PC or the Apple PowerBook 15". In terms of out-and-about work, it is primarily email, blogging, the delivery of workshops and seminars, and giving presentations. Here's my thinking on the choice, but keep in mind that my main computer in the office is an Apple Mac.

Eric Mack has been trying to convince me that I should buy a Tablet:

• ... so that I can leverage visual communication mind maps, using Mindjet MindManager. But I can already do that on paper, and I love paper and my Parker pen.


• ... so that I can take notes in meetings using Microsoft OneNote, and have everything with me wherever I am. However, I think I get great effectiveness of understanding in using paper in meetings to take notes, and then re-interpreting them into a more structured form when I'm back in the office.


• I will have difficulty synchronizing the files that I use on my desktop Mac with the Tablet, mainly because MindManager and OneNote don't work there. Also, I would have to stop using Apple iWork (Pages for word processing, and Keynote for presentations), because of the continued translation between two disparate formats.

In terms of the PowerBook:

• It will give me a familiar environment when I'm out-and-about. I was solely a Windows user for 12 years, but switched about 2 years ago due to the ongoing security and vulnerability problems with Windows. I lost confidence in that platform, and don't really want to go back.


• It will seamlessly synchronize with my desktop Mac, enabling me to work on documents and presentations in iWork on both platforms.


• One is finally available ... after having to wait for almost 6 weeks for Apple New Zealand to get its act together. Such a time lag from order to delivery is totally unacceptable.


• The PowerBook is over US$1000 cheaper to purchase and kit out, in comparison with the Toshiba M200. That's a significant figure, but if the M200 is clearly superior in terms of the effectiveness benefits I will derive, I'll spend it.

I have pretty much decided that I will go for the PowerBook today, and re-evaluate Tablets in 18 months ... once Longhorn for the Tablet, OneNote 2006 (with better support for OneNote Shared Sessions across the Internet and through disparate firewalls), and Office 2006 have all shipped from Microsoft, and once Toshiba has introduced a more up-to-date edition of their Tablet PC.

Have you recently made a choice between these two platforms? Which way did you go, and why?

UPDATE (April 13): Decision made ... I took the PowerBook. Thanks to those who shared their thoughts here and on Eric Mack's site.

Comments

[Michael Hyatt]

As you know, I have made the same journey. Initially, the Tablet PC was a delight to use. But then, like all Windows systems, it started bogging down with a bloated registry and annoying "bugs" that just wouldn't go away.

In addition, the technology is just too conspicuous. I couldn't walk into a room with my Tablet PC without becoming the center of attention and people getting side-tracked from the business at hand. This made me very uncomfortable.

I've gone low-tech for meetings and love it. I carry a Moleskin notebook and write down everything. I put a "star" symbol next to those things I need to follow-up on. When I get back to my desk, I quickly transfer these to Entourage. My workflow is simple, unobtrusive, and 100% reliable.

And, I absolutely love my PowerBook 15". In my humble opinion (sorry, Eric), you're making the right choice.

[Robert]

If you've lost faith in Microsoft and are looking for a budget option, the Helium 2100 looks promising -- though atm they are only accepting bulk orders:

http://www.elementcomputer.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=33

Linux has a host of applications for presentations, email, and mobile productivity. Everything you need right there for under $1,000.

[Michael Sampson]

Michael, thanks for the comparative analysis, particularly the cultural problems with having a Tablet. I can't find the Moleskin here in New Zealand, but it's on my list for New York for June.

Robert, thanks for your thoughts. I don't want a Linux box--let alone 24 of them--but thanks for the link.

[Glen Barnes]

Don't switch back!

I switched about 2 years ago to a 12" Powerbook and haven't looked back. The hardware is simply stunning. No small bits to break off, everything built in. The power supply is great to travel to with (the plugs are small and easily swapable).

And of course the software is what you know and Just Works(tm). I recommend downloading KisMac with your laptop for hotspot finding, etc. As far as the tablet PC goes who needs it? Pen and paper are the new PDA. Tablet PC's are for specific line of business applications.

I've been supporting some windows boxes over the last few weeks for friends, setting up Wireless networks, patching, etc and the amount of frustration with it all just reconfirms that macs are better machines.

[Peter de Haas]

Michael, you know I am not very objective in this discussion :-)

I am using a Toshiba M 200 now for almost 1,5 years and it's really a great and very versitile device.

When I look at the pro's and con's compared to 'standard laptops' it is the better choice if you ask me.

To start with the con's
- Screensize is smaller compared to a lot of laptops
- It doesn't have a build in DVD / CD

Pro's
- The M 200 performs as a normal laptop
- Battery life is very good; I can do 2 to 3 1 hour meetings without recharging
- Build in Wireless works great
- It's not big or heavy and therefor really a good tools to carry around to meetings / client visits.
- IT HAS INK !

For the INK part. You really have to get used to the Tablet functions and therefor have to give it some time.
You say you like using paper and your Parker Pen, well I haven't used my Mont Blanc for ages :-).
The tablet features give you the opportunity to write comments in Office documents, highlight text, etc without having to print document first. Using pen features in for example Word is great when reviewing large documents, making notes, etc.

One killer app you should seriously look into in OneNote. I think this is one of the most underestimated productivity apps. SUre you can make notes by typing and writing. But you can also :
- Import PPT's and make notes along the side
- Use it for desk research with for example the screenclipping feature. This allows you to 'cut and paste' fragments of the active applications on your screen (Webbrowser, word document, etc) and it puts the clipping in OneNote, including a link to the original location. This saves me hours compared to other methods I've used in the past.

-- well this is long enough for a comment. Try it and you'll like it.

[Robert]

Who says there's 23 too many of a good thing?

Seriously, I use a G4 15" and have only found two applications where I need to run Microsoft Virtual PC to interoperate with Eric: PCAnywhere and MindManager. VPC runs about like an old PIII, but given that PCAnywhere isn't exactly spritely I am still able to do the remote managmeent I need. For MindManager, I use it to review others documents. Something about the kinesthetic experience of doing mind maps on paper unlocks my right brain in a way that mouse clicks can't. So, that's how I get along in a PC-centric organization. Versus a tablet, I really can't say -- though personally I doubt a computer exists yet that could recognize *my* handwriting. :)

[Kent]

A while back we bought a PowerBook and a Tosh tablet to test exactly this, and handed them out to a couple of staff members. Their experiences were interesting, but what it came down to is that the tablet user made most use of the Tosh in its' conventional laptop mode.

It appears that unless you're prepared to re-think the way you work - as Peter has obviously done - the tablet spends most of its time being used like a conventional small form factor notebook. The staff member concerned said she mostly used the tablet mode to show off to people in meetings!

Which, IMHO, sums up the debate. Lots of meetings and lots of notes = tablets are a great idea. Occasional meetings = no great advantage to having a tablet, as it spends most of its time behaving like a regular laptop.

BTW, moleskin notebooks are available in Wellington, as I recall. Want me to get you a couple?

[Ian Betteridge]

I faced this choice at the start of last year, when I was replacing my elderly iBook. I'm very much a mixed Mac/PC user, as I'm a technology journalist and like to keep up with both platforms. At the time, the idea of the Tablet intrigued me, and, as I've always liked small laptops, I went for an Acer C111 rather than a 15 or 12in PowerBook.

I don't regret it at all. The Tablet's been great for me, as I take a lot of notes and it's almost the perfect "notebook" when used in conjunction with OneNote. I also use both FranklinCovey's PlanPlus for Windows (one of the most ink-aware applications around, and a much underrated piece of software), and MindManager for making plans for features.

However, in all depends on how you work. If you're the kind of person that takes a lot of notes on your computer then the tablet PC will probably work well for you. If on the er hand use a laptop much more likely is a desktop machine, then the sheer ease of use of the PowerBook is likely to make it much better option.

[Michael Sampson]

The new PowerBook is going great ... I've made the right decision based on the need profile I have at the moment. I would still love to get a Tablet, and as Peter says, use OneNote, particularly the Shared Sessions feature therein. Oh well, that will have to wait for a while. Again, thanks for you each for your comments. I much appreciate it.

[Eric Mack]

I look forward to seeing your new PowerBook when you come to play in the Digital Sandbox. By that time, I'll have my Tablet and we can compare notes.

I've made a wrap-up post on my blog:
http://www.ericmackonline.com/ica/blogs/emonline.nsf/dx/tablet-pc-too-disruptive

Best regards,

Eric

[Art]

I am struggling at the same thing just like you guys.

It's a big trade-offs in terms of benefits that each has to offer.

Apple should just have made a Mac Tablet and then this won't be an issue!

[Michael Sampson]

Art,
What are the Tablet specific things that you want to do? And how frequently do you anticipate using them? And what's your work style like ... are you at the same desk for most of the day, or out-and-about frequently? It may be that a Wacom tablet panel connected to a Mac PowerBook would work just as well for you.

As you may know, I have both the PowerBook and the Tablet, and yes, they both deliver different value. If you forced me to give one back, however, it would be the Tablet. Others may choose differently.