Tablet PC Purchasing Guide:
Recommendations for Fourth Quarter 2007-2008

Some Intel-based notebooks are Tablet PCs - in other words, they support Windows Vista and/or they support Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, which is a pen-based superset of Windows XP. Information Systems & Computing (ISC) sees Tablet PCs as an emerging technology; providers that have previously considered or deployed pen-based computing devices should strongly consider evaluating these devices.

Tablet PCs tend to weigh between three and five pounds and have 12.1-inch screens. In performance, they tend to be relatively close to last year's desktop recommendations, but contain fewer features. Examples of such notebooks are the Dell Latitude XT, the Lenovo ThinkPad X61 Tablet, the Hewlett-Packard Compaq tc4400, and the Toshiba Portégé M700.

Footnotes:

1. A more detailed University-centric perspective on AMD and Intel processors is available from ISC's Processor Guide.


2. Toshiba and Gateway (among others) both make Tablet PCs with 14-inch displays. ISC believes that heavy users of Tablet PC-specific functionality are better served by smaller, lighter 12.1-inch models.


3. Windows Vista (Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions) is supported and recommended for new Tablet PCs, though it is not currently compatible with all University applications. ISC does not recommend, but will support Home Premium. Home Premium is missing important networking and security features, such as domain-based authentication, that are essential to many Schools and Centers in the University. ISC does not and will not support Home Basic. Home Basic is missing many important networking, maintenance, and security features that are critical to many Schools and Centers at the University. See the University's main Windows Vista page for more information and advice.

   Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Service Pack 2 is supported. Service Pack 2 was a major update for many Tablet PC-specific components of the operating system.

4. Estimated prices for these Tablet PCs include three-year service plans from the manufacturers, which ISC strongly recommends. Note that the three year warranty is an extra cost for some Tablet PCs and that this cost is reflected in the estimated price.
   
   Pricing is generated using the online configurators available from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, and Toshiba and is for general reference only. Support providers will often be able to generate more competitive pricing using various means, such as purchasing components (RAM, etc.) seperately and taking advantage of vendor bundles and rebates.
   
   Media slices, port replicators, and docking stations are not included in this pricing - they can be expected to add to the estimated price in these amounts:
   • Media slices; $100 - $200
   • Port replicators; $150 - $200
   • Docking stations; $450 - $550

These specifications are sometimes revised in mid-quarter when major changes in configurations from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, and Toshiba become generally available. When this happens,the revision date is highlighted in red.

Other than some differences in peripherals, support for laptop computers is generally little different than for desktop computers.

Tablet PC manufacturers that ISC has had good experience with include Lenovo and Toshiba.

If your school or center is considering a Tablet PC purchase, ISC strongly recommends a consultation to weigh pros and cons in today's rapidly changing environment (contact John Mulhern III in ISC, mulhernj@isc.upenn.edu; 573-3567).

Tablet PC change history

Desktop Recommendations