I'm trying to decide whether it'd be worth it or not for me to buy a tablet PC (in addition to my fairly new desktop PC). I would like to know others' experiences in using them. I'm a university student studying psychology.

Pros:

I can take notes in class and have them instantly converted into digital documents, which I can then print out and carry around more easily than say, a notebook. (I wouldn't have time or focus enough to type my notes after classes.)
I would have a second computer for doing schoolwork on, one with which I could remove distractions from while I try to study. Distractions that exist on my desktop: Games, Instant Messengers, web browser with bookmarked sites that tend to be more intersting than school work, etc.
Removing distractions also is made easier by the portability of the tablet PC. I could carry it to the library, the student union building, the study lounge, etc. to work, eliminating the distractions of the internet and my dorm room fully.

Cons:
Mainly the cost. Its around $1500 for a good tablet PC, and its only been since last October that I bought my desktop. I'm not sure that the Pros give me enough reason to justify spending this on a second computer.

I bought it for the same reason. Turns out, though, that I never look at my notes after I take them, so there's no going over them after class :)

It also turns out that it's easier/faster for me to type than write with the stylus.

One good thing about having a laptop in class is that you can surf the web during boring periods.

One good thing about having a tablet PC is that you can draw pictures in a separate window during boring periods.

And one final good thing about having a tablet PC: kids in class think you're totally cool because you can turn your screen to show people stuff :)

(Oh, and the prices are coming down a bit. You can get a Toshiba R-20 (120 gig HD) for about $1350, I think...They don't even sell the R-15 that I bought brand new last fall. Planned obsolescence sucks ;)

never hard ofve a tablet pc?????? but if it dose what you say it dose then look for one but at a cheper prices dorm

I have a laptop, my next one might be a Tablet PC, but they will have to lower the price a bunch.

Suggestions:

Take your time making this large purchase.
See if you can try one out for a time.
Go to Amazon-they might have some customer reviews
You can get a laptop for a pretty low price-you could try that first. It really depends on what you use your computer for
Look at the repair costs and extended warranty cost. How reliable is a tablet-if you are like me, the 10 days to repair a laptop can seem like an eternity unless you have another computer you can use.
Spend a lot of time at the store asking questions
Go to Cnet for reviews, this is a great site. http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-3121_7-0.html?tag=dffl3_1&sa=1101502
Then, shop online until you find the lowest price, including shipping for the unit you choose.
If you are in school or need it at work, you can't beat a laptop. I can go for coffee where there are hotspots if I really need to focus by getting out of the house. Panera Bread company is free. Barnes and Noble charges now, Boo. They lost a customer.
If money is tight-wait until the impulse leaves. You will not regret waiting. There is always another 0% offer out there.
I love my HP Pavilion-but there are lots of good laptop brands. I can burn cd's and dvd's. It has an Athlon64, has wireless built-in (very ADD friendly-I can work anywhere!), a 15.4" screen-you need a larger carrying case. It is also heavier than small units. But I need the larger screen for my vision.

I would not go back to a desktop-I am an informal learner and sit on the couch to do most of my work. I work at a desk when I really need to focus:p :p on something like writing my thesis, or my curriculum.

RADekker-the internet shopping maven
I also teach Consumer Education, this is an occupational hazard, but I love it!

I forgot, you can learn more about the software by clicking your mouse and your heels togther and say 3 times...There's no place like microsoft,
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/default.mspx

I don't like monopolies, but the website is awesome.

Before you spend the money, make sure you do a reality check on whether you're *really* going to make use of the tablet screen for writing notes or sketches. For those who value hand-drawn sketches it can be invaluable. I've rarely seen Tablet owners actually take routine handwritten notes on the things, though. Unless typing is difficult for you, the keyboard will likely be faster, and a laptop will be just fine.

Thanks for the input guys. Maybe I will consider just getting a laptop, but of course I'll wait a bit to see if I change my mind :)

Have you seen the Mac with Widescreen? $1100. OMG!

So I had decided to get a laptop (cheaper), and the initial impulse is wearing off a bit... Still I think it'd be a good idea, but I realized that the tablet WILL be needed, since I'm a psychology major and there are often diagrams and statistics that I'd have to write in.

Too expensive??? Check out these tablets for under 600$ I'm currently selling my lenovo t40 to get one.

(convertible, tablet, touchscreen) -3500 >1ghz, >256 mb, >30gb, Less than 12in screen (http://search-completed.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=pf&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&fstype=1&satitle=%28convertible%2C%20tablet%2C%20touchscree n%29%20-3500&sacat=51148%26catref%3DC6%26curcat%3Dtrue&a14=-24&a26444=26556&a12=26563&a25710=26576&a26446=42197&a10244=-24&alist=a14%2Ca26092%2Ca26444%2Ca12%2Ca25710%2Ca2644 6%2Ca10244&pfmode=1&reqtype=1&gcs=1505&pfid=1811&pf_query=%28convertible%2C%20tablet%2C%20touchscre en%29%20-3500&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=37923&fis=2&sabdlo=&sabdhi=&price=1&saprclo=400&saprchi=550&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D2)

(convertible, tablet, touchscreen) -3500 >1ghz, >256 mb, >30gb, 12-12.9in screen (http://search-completed.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=pf&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&fstype=1&satitle=%28convertible%2C%20tablet%2C%20touchscree n%29%20-3500&sacat=51148%26catref%3DC6%26curcat%3Dtrue&a14=-24&a26444=26556&a12=26563&a25710=26576&a26446=42198&a10244=-24&alist=a14%2Ca26092%2Ca26444%2Ca12%2Ca25710%2Ca2644 6%2Ca10244&pfmode=1&reqtype=1&gcs=1505&pfid=1811&pf_query=%28convertible%2C%20tablet%2C%20touchscre en%29%20-3500&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=37923&fis=2&sabdlo=&sabdhi=&price=1&saprclo=400&saprchi=550&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D2)

These include:

Toshiba Portege 3505 or m200
Averatec c3500
Hp compaq tc1100 or tc1000
HP compaq tc4200
Lifebook
Acer C110

I'm a current college student that takes Concerta who actually makes use of a tablet pc. I'm a tech type person to begin with so I wanted to see if a tablet would help just like your wondering. When I first started using the tablet, it was a little aqward writing things, but after a week things became more fluid. Also getting to know OneNote, the program I use for notetaking, more thoroughly, I was able to do things quicker such as change pen colors and erase things. When thinking about buying a tablet, really consider what type of material you will be working with in class, as other posters have said. For me, I'm a Computer Engineering major, so I love the ability to take notes in physics, electrical engineering, and calculus. All of my notes are color coded when needed, plus they can be printed if ever needed.

Things to think about, which may keep you from getting a tablet:


Having access to the internet on a tablet can be a huge distraction, you need to have self control to just never open a browser.
Make sure you find a tablet that has a quiet fan, if your tablet has a loud fan, people in class will be looking at you whenever things are silent.
Make sure you have a good backup plan if your without your tablet for whatever reason. I keep a folder full of lined paper if ever needed, along with pens and pencils.
Besides these slight concerns, you really should try to invest in the best tablet you can get. I know when my dad first got one, it was a single processor centreno with a gig of ram. Sometimes there was pen lag because the cpu was too loaded. I would really suggest getting a tablet with a core duo (two processors) which is what I have in my tablet now. I have not once noticed any pen lag ever. If you have any questions please ask me, as I type this post away on my tablet right now. Hope this helps.



EDIT: Forgot to mention the tablet I use right now, which I would highly recommend buying. It's a Gateway CX210x. That last x can be anything based on your config options if you buy from a retail store. But anything in the 210 series is just so great.

Good post.

If you are on a budget, take a look at the toshiba m200. I've studied second gen tablet pc reviews for two weeks now and this one takes the gold with most editors so far.

I have been using a Tablet PC for a training course I'm developing for work.
The course is on using Tablet PC's with Windows Vista.

Personally, I don't see the benefit of having one unless you are going to hold online meetings and draw diagrams and such for collaboration.
Maybe if your classes require you to do sketches like architecture or you need to draw out molecular models or something...then I could see it.

For note taking? No way! Typing is SO much faster for note taking and much more accurate.

Also, you need to consider that the capabilities of a Tablet PC are usually less than other laptops. Meaning they have slower processors and mediocre graphics than a laptop that cost the same or less. They are also heavier and the stylus or pen you use will likely need to be replaced a couple times during the life of the system--they aren't all that durable and they aren't cheap.

It is cool that you can swivel the screen around and turn it into a flat panel DVD player...but not that cool. If it was me--I'd just get a regular laptop.

First of all if you are a student or teacher you get a discount thru Gateway.... www.gateway.com (http://www.gateway.com) . It is called an Educational Plan . It isnt much helps. I also have seen thte same thing for government too.

I know Gateway has the Educational Plan, because college I attend uses the gateway computers. Check it out.