Windows 8

Any article that refers to "fondleslabs" is a good article.

--
Tim Wescott 
Wescott Design Services 

Surely this is no surprise?!

I was "laid up" for a while and pulled an older Tablet PC out thinking it would be more convenient to use "in bed" for long periods of time than a laptop.

It was -- for reading various research papers and marking them up with a stylus, sketching data relationships, etc.

But, I can't see how it could be useful for much else! If I needed to "write" anything, sure I could drag out a wireless keyboard. But, doesn't that leave me with a "two piece laptop"??

I'll (eventually) install eReaders for each of the various document formats I have, here. Then, install larger drives in each and treat the tablets as a "Library-in-a-Slab".

If "Microsoft" is the answer, then you're asking the wrong question!

The two things I want a tablet PC for are for reading stuff, and to use as a serial terminal when I'm out and about.

So far this hasn't motivated me to buy...

--
Tim Wescott 
Wescott Design Services 

I don't understand the serial terminal? How is this any better than a small laptop? Or, do you expect to use an "onscreen" keyboard? (I had looked at a tiny netbook as a serial terminal but it was just

*too* small. Perhaps if I had tiny hands...)

Mine are a fair bit larger than an iPad (and heavier). But, the stylus is really handy for writing annotations, drawing sketches, etc. in marking up documents. Much more natural than a desktop with mouse.

I'm just not sure I want to invest in huge disks for this purpose (currently, my document library is available on NAS... not portable).

For small amounts of typing it is possible to use a touch screen.

I wouldn't want to type a long document on one though.

ASUS do a slick hybrid with a modest SSD and detachable keyboard.

I like it. In as much as the hardware is very nice and well engineered Windows 8 like all even numbered MickeySoft offerings is crap.

Unless you like cubist Picasso on a bad acid trip Windows 8 is a PITA.

--
Regards, 
Martin Brown

One of the $79 Chinese wonders makes a good bedside browser. Gains access a lot faster than breaking open Windows.

"These *are* the Droids you're looking for. Move along, move along."

Cheers, James Arthur

My particular use case involves sitting next to a model airplane, grabbing something out of my tool box or pocket, and having a conversation with the processor.

It could be done with a lap top, but that would be another several pounds to lug around.

--
Tim Wescott 
Wescott Design Services 

Well, John, everyone knows that Win8 sucks. Except for those who don't know.

OK. So, you're not really "saying much" (in that conversation with the processor). An on-screen keyboard would be acceptable.

When I'm using a serial terminal, it's usually to troubleshoot a headless server that won't boot. So, a bit more involved (and "anxious").

You need an HP48. :) 9600 bps max and no flow control lines, but a set of 3 AAAs lasts a couple of years. As a bonus, it also does math.

for the info (tip: the connector on the calculator is 2 mm, not 0.1") and for a terminal emulator.

In these modern times, it seems like you would be able to plug a USB- to-serial converter into a USB OTG port on your handy Android phone and do it that way, but I don't know if anyone has made this work.

Matt Roberds

Couldn't you also drag out an old PDA with built in serial "sync" I/F (though wonky connector)? Hmmm... that may be worth exploring...