Edwood: I used to use the HP TX2, but some dork stole it, and I've been tabletless for 6 months or so...
I need to buy a new tablet, preferably a slate (or slate-convertible), and I need to be able to use it outside, and to handwrite notes on it... Seems like the EP121 is the machine for me.
Pity I can't walk down the road and buy one!
Questions for you guys who have gone to the trouble of getting one...
[1] - Outside use ok?
I need to use the tablet outside - ie the EP121 screen ok in this environment? Do i need to buy an anti-glare thing as well?
[2] - Power issues with USA
Presumably, when I buy it from AMazon, I get shipped a US power supply. How do I get around the US / NZ power incompatibility issue/s ? Do I need to buy an adapter at the same time?
[3] - Final words of advise?
Anything else I should know or consider before taking the plunge and giving Amazon my credit card details?
EDITS:
- I just had another thought - looks like I might need to buy a spare battery for it. (Assuming my in-car usb charger wont do anything)
- I've also just spent the last hour trying to work out how to get an Amazon retailer to ship to me... looks like i'll have to figure out the re-shipping thing too. :(.
Thanks kindly!
Ed.
Sorry for the delayed post and I have replied to your PM, but I can post here too so anyone who is considering an Ep121 gets some benefit.
To answer in order:
1. I don't use it a lot outside, but the screen is fairly bright, careful if you go for anti-glare because it will probably effect the touch and pen interface, lot's of info here: http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/ep121-slate/
2. Power won't be a problem as the adapter brick is 110/240 and has a detachable US cable and you can just use an NZ one.
3. I use the Ep121 as my day to day work PC I plug it into a usb port replicator (this one http://www.pctronix.co.nz/product_info.php?products_id=27726) and just use it like a desktop, if I want to take notes I just disconnect and carry it around, the hand writing recognition is awesome and means I don't retype anything using Onenote or Ms Word 2010. I have just come back from a 2 week, 5 country IT study tour and the Ep121 was great - light and good for travel and note taking.
4. You can't replace the battery or use a spare, so a cigarette lighter to power converter might be best in the car. The guys on the tablet review forum recommend an external battery brick but you have to get the right adapter tip as the ep121 has a very non-standard one - however I think they are available now.
Other things that are useful:
- I have a USB to ethernet adapter for fast transfers as the Ep121 has no ethernet port.
- I also have a USB to VGA adaptor, the first one didn't work with the Ep121 but the second one I got does and has the the same drivers as the USB port replicator. (it's at work and I can't remember the model just now)
- I use a wired mouse directly into the Ep121 in desktop mode, wireless or connecting to the port replicator was a little laggy - no problems for ports as the Ep121 has 2 USB ports, like a real computer should, ahem, Ipad...
Good luck with your fast shipment Ed - anything else you need to know just ask...
