Microsoft offers a number of free add-on programs ... called PowerToys ... for various editions of Windows, including a set for Tablet PCs. Given my success with dual monitors earlier this week, Eric asked me to try out the Extended Desktop for Tablet PC powertoy (a 2.23MB download), which is described as follows:
If you like using an extended desktop with your Tablet PC, then this utility is for you. The Extended Desktop for Tablet PC allows you to use the tablet pen to access the portion of the extended desktop that displays on an external monitor. This PowerToy will create a window on your Tablet PC that shows a duplicate image of the desktop on the external monitor. You can then manipulate the objects on the extended desktop within this window.
I installed it on my Tablet PC, and after using it for a few minutes, have decided that it doesn't live up to what it seems to promise, and have removed it. Here's how it works, and what I experienced:
- Unreliable Refresh. The Extended Desktop is a window that opens on your Tablet screen (rather than the external monitor), and is supposed to show a mirror image of what it on the external monitor. Even though I played with the refresh settings, I could not get the Extended Desktop window to reliably show what was on the external monitor. For example, I dragged MindManager across to the external monitor, and it did not display on the Extended Desktop window until I manually forced a refresh.
- Doesn't Give That Much More Space. Look again at the image above. The MindManager map has been set to the exact size of the Tablet screen, without clicking Maximize. I've then dragged it across. Sure, there is some additional screen real-estate on the Philips monitor, but not a huge amount. This is because the Tablet supports such a great native resolution, and my Philips 20" is only 200x150 pixels larger. I really buy into the idea that larger screens aid productivity, but I don't think you'll get much of a productivity boost unless you go for a much larger screen, such as the Dell 24" which goes up to 1920x1200. In this situation, though ... I'm not convinced.
- Ink Quality is Stink. When writing in the Extended Window on the Tablet screen, for example in Sticky Notes, the ink quality is very low. I tried to write the same sentence under dual conditions ... firstly in the Extended Window when Sticky Notes was on the external monitor, and secondly with Sticky Notes directly on the Tablet screen. See the image below for the difference. Writing directly on the Tablet PC screen was VASTLY superior.
- Ink Doesn't Always Work. With a MindManager map on the external monitor, I was able to select an item via the Extended Desktop, but was unable to (a) modify it via the pen, or (b) create a new sub-item or branch. The ink gestures didn't work.
Caption: A print-screen of both monitors, with the Tablet PC on the left (at 1400x1050) and a Philips 20" on the right (at 1600x1200). MindManager has been dragged to the Philips monitor, but has not refreshed correctly in the Extended Desktop window on the Tablet screen. Click for a larger version (172KB).
Caption: The first "This is an attempt to write" was written on the Extended Desktop window with Sticky Notes on the external monitor. Quality is very poor. The second "This is an attempt to write" was written directly into Sticky Notes when it was on the Tablet screen.
Conclusion: When I need to ink, I'll drag the window back to the Tablet PC screen.
I might also add the problems I am having with Extended Desktop. It keeps hiding off screen and I am unable to drag it back. I've tried and tried for two hours to drag it back. I NEVER EVEN PUT IT OVER THERE EITHER!!! Its not on the second monitor. Its just off to the left side of the primary monitor....at least thats the position the cursor goes to when I right click then hit "move"....I can't get it to move back and its annoying me to great extent HAHAHA. If anyone knows how to fix this email me mindayoakum@yahoo.com
Posted by: Minda | October 02, 2007 at 08:45 AM