Comments on: Review: Asus R1F Tablet

By: PJ Magalhães

PJ Magalhães — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:30:05 +0000

I am in the same boat as Nasha, but thanks all the same for the article.

If you ever get a chance to compare it with a friend’s Modbook that would be sweet to hear about!

By: Travis King

Travis King — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:18:16 +0000

@Nasha

Perhaps I’ll have to write another article just looking at Photoshop/Illustrator

By “motoring” and “lagging” I meant that if I was scribbling very fast the actual output would be a tiny bit behind in displaying. Nothing extreme, but certainly noticeable.

@Jesi

I imagine that some of your local electric stores should stock them. There is a newer model out, the R1E, that comes with a faster processor.

@John & Aaron

Thanks for the great info!

Also, sorry about the spelling error in my tag line. I don’t mean to say that I am the embodiment of freelance web design

By: Nasha

Nasha — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:37:30 +0000

I was hoping more details on using tablet pc/notebook with Photoshop or Illustrator, or even Flash (for graphic designer that is). Can you perhaps explain more on what do you mean by “motoring” and “lagging”? I am searching for a notebook that can do vector easily.

Thanks

By: John

John — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:40:12 +0000

With regard to electronic signatures, Bill Clinton signed a law back in 2000 that gives electronic signatures or signatures transmitted electronically the same weight as pen and paper. Several states including Georgia passed legislation backing up the Federal legislation as well. This is how you can click to accept an agreement for a mortgage online or fax an agreement without having to have an original with blue ink mailed in addition to faxing. The law does not address specific technology (e.g. digital certificates), nor the authenticity of a signature, and leaves it up to the parties conducting commerce to determine what is valid. If you’re collecting signatures on a tablet pc using a stylus there would be little to dispute since a handwriting expert could validate the signature (think Wal-Mart’s credit card machines). For those that are really concerned with the legality of electronic signatures, I would recommend including a clause in your paper contract stating what the two parties agre to be bound to electronically. I’ve dealt with clients where we exchange digital certificate thumbprints for validation of communication, while others agree that anything authorized in email is binding. You then save copies of of the emails if a dispute arises, then reference the paper contract.

By: Jesi

Jesi — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:35:32 +0000

Where do you buy one of these? Looks awesome.

By: Chads Cartoons

Chads Cartoons — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:52:41 +0000

I’m really looking into buying one of these. However, my eye has also been on the new Macbook Pro. So… i’m still not sure still what i want!!

By: Mark Abucayon

Mark Abucayon — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:17:29 +0000

Wow I wish I have a machine like that, I think that is very expensive gehh when can I buy like that. lol.. great post and great machine. Thanks for sharing.

By: Timmermann

Timmermann — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:48:52 +0000

Looks very nice. But i don’t think i need the additional functionality of a tablet. A regular laptop does all the job.

By: Aaron J. Walker

Aaron J. Walker — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:06:04 +0000

Welcome to the tabletscape Travis!

I’m now on my second tablet and couldn’t be happier. I did all the illustration for my first book on my tablet. Illustrators will love it.

The best part is you truly have the best of both worlds. Need the keyboard? There it is. Want to draw or mark up documents? There it is.

Rotating the screen is so easy to go from keyboard to digital ink. I usually use it in cramped quarters but there is nothing like sitting on the couch or lying in bed - computing to my hearts content in portrait mode with the pen. And friends have gotten used to my handwritten e-mails (never to clients though) since my handwriting is a little better than chicken scratch.

There are other alternatives to the standard TIP on a tablet but it is good to get started. Eventually you’ll want something more advanced but the TIP will cover 90% of your needs just starting.

Office is great for the pen but I am surprised as much as Microsoft champions tablets, it isn’t more integrated :s. You can do a lot in Office with the pen, I just thought it would be even more. Hopefully they’ll get it right in Office 14.

OneNote rocks and you’ll find you actually may use Journal more.

The only thing I don’t get is the lack of total support in Outlook. That goes to my above statement about not understanding why the signature software from Microsoft isn’t more “pen aware” as it is in Word and OneNote. You really should be able to directly write an appointment, contact, note or task using the pen in Outlook without having to use the TIP as you can in Word or OneNote.

@Renee, HP just came out with a very budget conscious tablet that retails below $1,000. It is aimed at students so you should check those back to school sales. I’ve seen it on sale here and there for as low as $899.99.

Otherwise, I got my tablets used (hello eBay) with both being below $800 so anyone can try without breaking the bank. It won’t be the latest model, but at least you get to start with a farily decent tablet and not feel guilty.

By: Renee

Renee — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:47:27 +0000

This is a fantastic article. My freelancing has picked up and it’s time for a new laptop — so naturally I’ve been curious about tablets, but no of my friends really knew anything about them. This article touched on all key points I’d been wondering about and I even learned a few things. (I had no idea it started to recognize your writing — that’s so cool!) I laughed at the part about “chickens would be embarrassed to associate with my handwriting”. Too funny.

Well done!