Before you buy an Ipad 2...consider the EP121 Windows 7 Tablet...

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Before you buy an Ipad 2...consider the EP121 Windows 7 Tablet...

burtz

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#80091 26-Mar-2011 12:16

I don't want to start a flame war with you loyal Ipad supporters, and I have an Iphone 4. But here goes....

I was after a tablet and after looking at all the options I ordered and received this week the new Asus Ep121. It's a tablet with a fast processor, 64Gb SSD and 4 gigs of ram. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium and has 2 USB slots, a front facing webcam and a mini HDMI out.

The killer part is that is not only multitouch but comes with a Wacom digitizer pen for input. Having used this thing over the last week I am well impressed with the ability to run Office 2010 Professional, IE9 and play any kind of movies and songs a windows PC can.

I don't work for Asus, not trying to sell you one, just thought you might want to consider this if you need Windows type functionality.

Flame suit on....

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#452027 26-Mar-2011 12:32

Hi, I guess with an i5 onboard, one needs to ask about battery life.

Cheers
Cyril

burtz

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#452029 26-Mar-2011 12:34

Yep, no where near the 10 hours of an Ipad 2, it gets about 3 hours...

billgates

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#452031 26-Mar-2011 12:40

where did you order this from btw? I was searching for it last week in NZ and no one seems to sell one here.

Do whatever you want to do man.

CYaBro

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#452034 26-Mar-2011 12:49

How is it for writing notes, say like during a meeting, and then converting your handwriting into an editable document?

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billgates

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#452041 26-Mar-2011 13:06

CYaBro: How is it for writing notes, say like during a meeting, and then converting your handwriting into an editable document?

I have seen plenty of videos on youtube for this and it comes with the software pre-installed that automatically converts your writing into an editable document in real time. Perfect for meetings etc with onenote application.

Do whatever you want to do man.

burtz

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#452042 26-Mar-2011 13:06

billgates: where did you order this from btw? I was searching for it last week in NZ and no one seems to sell one here.

I had to order it directly from Amazon USA, at the time they wouldn't ship directly to NZ but I was able to use a NZ credit card to order and send it to a US reshipper who forwarded it. Apparently Amazon changed their policy and now will ship the Ep121 to NZ.

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burtz

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#452043 26-Mar-2011 13:11

CYaBro: How is it for writing notes, say like during a meeting, and then converting your handwriting into an editable document?

It is excellent for notetaking, with onenote, converting on the fly to handwriting is probably best, I tried converting after and it was not a good conversion, probably my handwriting though...either that or just save your notes as handwritten in onenote.

NonprayingMantis

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#452057 26-Mar-2011 14:00

how does it compare pricewise?

burtz

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#452068 26-Mar-2011 14:28

NonprayingMantis: how does it compare pricewise?

Mine was $1099 USD ($1450 NZD) + shipping, then $289 NZ GST at the border. So a bit more expensive then an Ipad 2 64GB and Wifi.

chiefie

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#452087 26-Mar-2011 15:30

Battery life is the problem... rather have iPad2 for longer battery life, all other things that I need a PC for, can be used when on my laptop...

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burtz

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#452130 26-Mar-2011 17:55

chiefie: Battery life is the problem... rather have iPad2 for longer battery life, all other things that I need a PC for, can be used when on my laptop...

Yep two things to carry then, your portable laptop, and your portable ipad, and chargers....

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chiefie

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#452133 26-Mar-2011 18:00

burtz: Yep two things to carry then, your portable laptop, and your portable ipad, and chargers....

Not really, I don't really carry my laptop around when I don't need the powerhouse with wherever I go. I will bring it when I need to be operating them in prolong period, but all other time, I'd be consuming the web and without the need for processing grunt. Lighter on me and lighter on life. There isn't anything that urgently need to be worked on, that can't be waited ;-)

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steve98

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#452322 27-Mar-2011 10:55

If you buy a tablet based on specs, you're doing it all wrong. With a tablet it's all about the software. Windows 7 is ok for a desktop / laptop, but it's not designed for a tablet at all. You may have higher specs but your experience is going to be far poorer than a device running iOS.

khull

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#452981 28-Mar-2011 22:59

no contest really - when a Macbook Air can last me 7 hours and the iPad for 10 hours. for people like me, the cost is no issue for anything new and shiny from apple.

Edwood

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#537627 26-Oct-2011 10:29

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.

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