Another problem that I've encountered applies to every Tablet PC and legacy-free notebook PC, all of which lack traditional serial and parallel ports. One key application for which I purchased the Tablet PC requires input from an external GPS receiver. To connect the GPS receiver, I purchased a Prolific Technology USB PDA Adapter (branded as Belkin), which solved the problem after I addressed some configuration concerns. (For more information about how to configure the adapter, see my Mobile & Wireless UPDATE tip "Use a USB-Serial Adapter Cable," InstantDoc ID 39083.)
I've run into similar problems with the lack of a parallel port. In my home office, I can use network printers and the M1200's built-in 802.11b wireless network card to do all my printing. However, on a recent trip, I anticipated the need to do some printing on local printers and brought along a Belkin USB Parallel Printer Adapter. As of this writing, however, I haven't been able to get the adapter to work.
Finally, like many IT professionals, I'm guilty of a prejudice: Never buy version 1.0 of anything. I made an exception in this case because the device's usefulness justified the risk and because I had a unique opportunity to purchase the M1200 below list price. Motion Computing has since upgraded the M1200 processor speed from 866MHz to 933MHz and has introduced a model with a 1GHz processor that uses Intel's Centrino chipset. Although Motion Computing was the first to introduce such a unit, most other Tablet PC vendors have since announced Centrino-based models. Had I waited, it's possible I might have gotten longer battery life than the 2 to 3 hours I get from the M1200 (the company claims that the Centrino-based Motion M1300 offers 30 percent faster performance while increasing battery life by 15 percent). For my purposes, however, the 866MHz processor has been fast enough for every application I've tried to run, and I run the unit on AC power whenever I can.
Since I started carrying the M1200, I've used my PDAs less and less. I still carry a Palm VIIx wireless handheld device when traveling—it offers simple text-only email and news, supports nationwide wireless coverage, and includes some unique aviation functions. My NEC Solutions' MobilePro 770 handheld PC, which I've carried for the past 4 years, is now gathering dust—it was light (about 1 pound) and ran for more than 6 hours on a battery charge, but it couldn't run off-the-shelf Windows applications.
For those who use a Tablet PC outdoors, Fujitsu has introduced an indoor and outdoor display option for its Stylistic ST4000 Tablet PC. TacTronix, a company specializing in making electronic devices for military and industrial use, has developed an aftermarket display treatment for the M1200 and M1300 devices that, while not as effective as the reflective technology that Fujitsu offers, approximately doubles the apparent display brightness while improving the viewing angle.
Is a Tablet PC in Your Future?
Although I haven't started using a Tablet PC all the time (e.g., I still access email on my desktop PC), I find myself using the M1200 more and more and using my other systems less. What does this mean to you and your organization? Based on my experience during the past few months, I'm hesitant to generalize. Tablet PCs remain expensive, with list prices in the $1500 to $2000 range (more if you include optional hardware and essential applications such as Microsoft Office XP), but prices continue to drop as second-generation Tablet PCs begin to emerge. In my opinion, the additional marginal cost is justified for workers who truly need a mobile computer but not for office workers who perform most of their work at their desks. However, for many workers who—like me—take one or two long business-related trips each year, a Tablet PC offers advantages over traditional desktop and notebook PCs. Less money will buy a desktop PC with equivalent CPU speed, memory, and disk capacity, but it's not portable. And although traditional notebook PCs are portable, they're typically not well suited for desktop use. Tablet PC users can usually do away with carrying PDAs, which eliminates both direct costs and support costs associated with having a separate mobile device.
As the saying goes, "your mileage may vary." However, I'm satisfied that I made a good decision purchasing the M1200, and I'm prepared to tell other IT professionals that Tablet PCs are a technology you simply can't afford to ignore.
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