Interesting: Tablet PC for $249

[tvarad]

Anyone have experience with the Hitachi HPW-600ETM-R Tablet PC? Better description and pic here. There's not much info about experiences on the Web perhaps because it is a business model. Looks like it would make a nifty travel companion. It retails for over $1000.

 

[Ryan]

Sob - no Windows XP......

 

[dp004i]

My $50 Ipaq 3635 will kick its ass any day

 

[Souka]

<< Sob - no Windows XP...... >>



Actually it's Handheld PC Pro Edition, Version 3.0, so it's like a NT version of CE....allowing for securities to be used.

Far as use? I've used a couple of tablets, usually the LCD quality is fair at best, so in bright light it's useless. Also, some have poor touch-screens so even using them can be diffictult.

No personal expiiece with this brand.

 

[KokomoGST]

I know this is an "out there" question... but has anyone tried using a TabletPC for dataloggin/engine management in their cars?

 

[Othersider]

Anyone know about using an 802.11b PCMCIA in these? Hell, even a regular ethernet could be useful. And 1 USB = full size keyboard!

 

[Alphacow]

Think this could run wintv usb or some similar tv card?

 

[TheDuk]

doubtful unless they came out with WinCE drivers.

I recently got an epod. While I can't vouch for the quality of this tablet, these things are great to have around the house if you've got a wireless network going.

 

[talonts]

<< I know this is an "out there" question... but has anyone tried using a TabletPC for dataloggin/engine management in their cars? >>



Not a tablet, but I use various Librettos to datalog my car with a custom datalogger and software. I've used a Lib50 and 110, either work fine. I can even change some values in the AF tables with the software - TMO datalogger - Lasers, Talons, and Eclipses only

 

[Jes]

Hey The Duke....

I see Audreys, I-opener, Iphone, Ipaq and you mention ePOD.
Whick internet appliance is the easiest to hack for basic (Multiple email) and gives the most vs. Price?

 

[TheDuk]

I can only speak from experience, and the only one of those that i have used/have, is the epod. I love it. When I'm not using it, it's a great digital picture frame. Otherwise, I can wirelessly terminal server into my main machine and have the whole power of my desktop in a small tablet anywhere in the apt (whether it's doing something in bed before i go to sleep, or doing some surfing on the can instead of reading all of those free magazines i get...)

I had looked at all of the different i-net appliances, and this one seemed most ideal for my uses...i can't speak for everyone.

It would be perfect if it ran a full-blown OS like 98 or xp, but wince does what it needs to, and for what it can't, i just use terminal server.

 

[CanOWorms]

Is the ePod faster or have better hardware than this?

Where would you get software for this tablet?

 

[TheDuk]

Look for yourself: epod specs. Main difference here is that it's the ePod has a MIPS cpu as opposed to a RISC processor in the Hitachi. ePod has a larger screen (8.2" vs 7.5" -- and despite what the website says, the ePod can do 16bit graphics).

ePod has all the inputs/outputs of the Hitachi, but it also has a mic input (in addition to the built-in one). ePod doesn't have the monitor output (which the Hitachi appears to have) nor does it have a built-in modem (you'd have to use a PCMCIA modem).

ePod only has 16meg internal unless you hack it to 32. It appears to be easier to upgrade the Hitachi to 32.

The ePod battery is NiMH while the Hitachi is Li-ion.

For installing apps, you either use a null modem cable (a serial cable with 2 wires swapped) and Microsoft's free ActiveSync software (similar to the Hotsync software from Palm) and that installs the apps. Or you can put the cabs onto a CompactFlash card (use a CompactFlash reader on your PC) and then double click the cab on the ePod (or Hitachi)....the cab auto installs all files to the correct location and creates the shortcut(s). Very simple.

I have no experience with the Hitachi, so I can't compare them, but I do know that there is a large and active ePod community, if support is something that you're looking for.

After reviewing everything, i'd probably stay with my ePod. An internal modem isn't worth the lost screen real-estate (.7" is noticeable with the sizes we're talking about). The only thing I wish was different about the ePod was that it had a Li-ion battery...

Hope that helps anyone that was wondering...

BTW: ePods are pretty hard to find now. You can find them occasionally on the fs/ft forum here (that's how i got mine) or maybe on the Linux Hacker I-Appliance board. I doubt you'll find any new ones around anymore.

 

[Souka]

<< Anyone know about using an 802.11b PCMCIA in these? Hell, even a regular ethernet could be useful. And 1 USB = full size keyboard! >>



Yep....long as there's drivers for the OS it's running....standard PCMCIA slot.

 

[superflysocal]

What about 3com Audrey or Compaq Ipaq? I see these on ebay for about $100. How are they different? Can I use wireless networking with these devices? I have a Compaq USB wireless adapter that supposedly support Win CE and Compaq wireless router and DSL.

 

[olouie]

just ordered me one of these to try out on the wireless network...

will let you guys know how it turns out.

 

[CanOWorms]

I was doing some searching and it looks like the processor SH4 is not supported in many Windows CE programs and that the programs for the old version of the processor, the SH3, don't always work on the SH4. The websites may be old though... Anyone know where you can download 3rd party programs that will work with it or if you can use different operating systems on it?

 

[may]

probably it is hard to get a different OS. The only hope may be linux and then most likely you lose the functionality of touchscreen and it becomes useless...

 

[mpguy]

so i was looking for a good driver/support site for this by hitachi and it is discontinued and no real support left out there. i really was wondering if this is a flash rom and if possible to change the os. linux was mentioned and i don't think ppc supports this processor, but i really don't know. i have an ipaq but the realestate is so small. i think this might be a really good addition to a wireless network even as is. i wish it were 100 bucks less thou. also the vga and 32meg make it really attractive over the epod for me at least. also does anyone know where prices will be falling for other tablet pcs as microsh*t is turning it's eye to that market and i saw an article on ibm's future offereings on a hybrid tablet/pda yesterday on www.news.com.

thoughts suggestions?
thx

 

[DealSpree]

These Portable things with Terminal Server are great, i have an epod with terminal server, and wireless network, it works great, and i can do anything i can do on the server!

 

[kof]

At $250 for a refurb even this is a good price. A little research on google show they were going for $500 and up recently, and some are being sold for $1300.

 

[mpguy]

sorry didn't mean to post again

 

[edmeister]

Reply to TheDuk..

How did you get your ePods to work as a digital picture frame? I have one hacked to v2.04 and I use it for a GPS display in my car and to do my homework on. Wife uses it for her recipes too, but it would really kick butt if I could also have it display photos when not in use...

Let me know what software you are using on it to display photos.. Does it do slideshows?

Thanks.

 

[ouzome]

Considering a lot of us bought epods over a year ago, and for $200, I don't think this is a very good deal. The epods have quickly become out of date, with no support for the processor or operating system. Same goes for the Hitatchi, but your're paying 250 and in 2002! I would save your money for one of the powerful tablets next year.

 

[TheDuk]

I don't remember the software off hand right now, but there's a great free image viewer for wince that i've used.....pictures look great in it. No slideshow though....I've been looking for a good viewer app that has slideshow...

for slideshows, I can termserv into my server and just have an ACDSee slideshow session going....only drawback is that images aren't as good when viewed through term serv..


Someone else mentioned the VGA connection as being the reason they wanted the Hitachi.....I think the VGA connection is relatively useless....This is truly meant to be a portable deviece....why bother hooking it up to a monitor....only reason i could think is if you had a slideshow on there that you wanted to use for a presentation with a projector....

As for the ePod being useless and outdated...like I said, to each his own....I love my ePod and I would get it again if I had the option to or not....It's really whether you have a place in your life for something like it....I do. For what I like to do with it, it's not outdated at all.