Acer Aspire 1810 Tablets Thread

This is true for business tablets.

The focus in consumer tablets is shifting towards media fruition.

Buying now a tablet for recreational/personal use without a HDMI port is a big mistake.

 

The ideal tabletPC is the Microsoft Courier. The part that gets me is that the hardware technology already exists to make such a product. The software development however is a daunting task. Nothing like that has ever been attempted before.

The reason I am against touch screens on desktops is because it really doesn't provide a substantial advantage over a keyboard and mouse. The ideal distance and placement for monitors dictates that they be placed at eye level. Having to reach up from your keyboard to touch the screen just doesn't make sense.

Having LCD imbeded on your desk doesn't exactly do wonders for ergonomics. There are glasses desks that allow you to mount LCD screens behind the workspace. I found to immediate problems. First you have to crane your neck downward to read it. Hold that position for an hour and then you'll probably need to see a doctor.

Second, it kills off your already precious deskspace. If you are like me, deskspace is a premium, hence the under the table keyboard and mouse drawer, elevated monitor stands and shelves. I can't imagine having to carve out a rectangle for one or two LCD monitors.

Higher resolution does make details look better. But it doesn't provide you with any more "real estate" than a slightly lower resolution screen. The human eyes can only take in so much at a time. If anything, programs should make it FAR easier to zoom in and out.

People hardly even stream HD content from normal 12" laptops. I don't see that trend changing when you add a tablet to a 12" laptop.

Maybe I'm missing something. When was the last time you saw HD content being played on a 12"? Heck, when was the last time HD content was being streamed from a 12"?

 

Why do you stick with HD?

HDMI gives you the opportunity to stream all media content, audio and video, easily on other TVs or monitors: Pictures, HD, DVD, divx, flash content, ecc. With DVI or even VGA it's not easy or practical at all.

I'm going to carry my tablet to my parents house and show the pictures of my last vacation on their LCD TV. Then with my friends I'll stream high quality video and audio from Netflix or local files.

HDMI simplifies everything and is the SCART port of the present and future.

Having HDMI on a docking station doesn't make sense for consumer tablets.

 

No doubt HD is the future. I have problems with stuffing it on a tablet though. Especially considering today's technology.


Display port is the future, not HDMI. Not only is it smaller, but it is cheaper (royalty free), more bandwidth, and allows multiple monitor connections.

This is why HDMI should be relegated to a dock. You aren't buying a 12" laptop. You are buying a 12" tabletPC that is a tabletPC first, laptop second.

Reading some of these responses makes me wonder, how many of the users here have tabletPCs as their primary machine?

 

Ohh please not another dock! You sound like a Dell employee salesperson. I have 2 docks sitting in my closet from years ago, that all they did was make my desk feel smaller cause they take up too much space.

Please, speak for yourself about not having HDMI, I hope the manufacturers don't read your comments on this topic. While, you had some great input in the past, here your truly miss the boat by generalizing what others do by using words such as "rarely".

While, I agree that the tablets goal is mobility, ultimately one has to come home or end up in some else's home. HDMI, is just too convenient and user friendly, without having to connect several cables to achieve even lower level HD. The beauty of it is that the audio is bundled in with the video in one simple cable.

And, yes I do have a desktop and a laptop. I do not have a tablet. But, one of the 1st things I will do is fire it up to load my LCD screen. So your 'rarely' theory goes out the window.

Btw, a dock can fool one into treating a notebook into "desktop replacement" which is one of the reasons that I shelved it, along with hogging up real estate on my desk. Thus, i've concluded that a dock for me is counterproductive.

I will never for forget when I had my first product that had HDMI, I said finally! HD (audio & video) all in one cable. I've loved it ever since. So please, if you promote NO HDMI, let it be known that's just how you feel.

+1

 

I think you're confusing what the Tablet PC is and what people want the Tablet PC to be. Why are you so focused on defining the role of the Tablet PC to everyone when clearly your definition of its use is not what suites the people in this thread.

Everyone is just use to the convenience and utility of their consumer laptops, docks and display ports are practically exclusive to the Business Tablet world. This 'You're buying a tablet not a laptop' is nonsense, no one is buying anything unless it suites their needs and there are plenty of people that will only buy a tablet if it does both.

 

I completely agree with surfasb on the Courier part, and the fact that software isn't here yet simply shows the lack of creativity of developers.

Having a dual screen set up is the best of both worlds, the one laying down should interact with objects like surface intends to. And about neck pain from looking down, the last time I checked artists drawing on paper, school children writing in their notebooks, people writing on their tablet didn't complain about it. Heck I bet all of you remmember the days when you had to look at your qwerty keyboard to be able to type.

And about hdmi , the only reason you might be against it being on the laptop is about it occupying the space of something else. Well in that case, whatever that something else is , the producers who want to make as much money as possible out of their product decided that hdmi would appeal to more people over what else that something might be.
IMO docking stations can't be mentioned for a tablet at this price range.

It all started from a typewriter, keyboard and mouse was next, touch is evolving , and the final one should be direct though control.
The only problem with touch screens is that you need to watch it, to solve that ms surface opted for object interaction, another thing would be for the screen to also act like a braile machine.

 

Ok back to the main topic



CAN'T .......WAIT......ANY.....LONGER

 

Incase you forget what rarely means, it means seldom and not at regular intervals. If I walk through a College dorm hall and count the number of laptops to students, I'll probably have a 1:1 ratio.

If I count the number of laptops connected by HDMI to an external display, I'll be surprised to hit double digits. That would constitute as "seldom".

No doubt HDMI cables are useful. Are the necessary on a TabletPC? Probably not. Having an HDMI out on a PC requires different specs compared to, say, BluRay player. For one, the chipset needs to support it. And that means a beefed up chipset solution that supports not only 1080p and 8 channel audio, DTS and Dolby, but also HD Content Management (DRM FTL.)

Now cramp that into a TabletPC that not only needs to run properly when open as a laptop, but must be properly cooled when the massive heat source known as your LCD screen must be folded on top of the computer body.

I just don't see the point of buying a tabletPC if the selling point is you are going to fold it close and attach it to an external display with external keyboard and external mouse.

TabletPC have the advantage over standard laptops in that they can be used without support from a standing posture. You potentially lose out on that advantage when you start adding more heat, more weight and more bulk to the package. This is why 13" tablets are rare (seldom, not at regular intervals in case you have forgotten.)

I've been using tabletPCs everyday for about two years now. The HP tx1000/2000, HPtx2 are consumer tabletPCs with strong media function. The biggest knock isn't their hardware capabilities. In fact, their touchscreens and digitizers are great.

The biggest hardware criticisms against them are probably heat, bulk, heat and then maybe bulk. They run incredibly hot and folding the screen on them only makes it worse.

In my experience, what makes one tabletPC stand out over the other is SOFTWARE. Software will always define the role of tabletPCs.

Take the old Palm Pilots for example. It faced many contenders that looked better (WinMobo) or had better hardware (Newton). Yet Palm pilots continue to own all contenders. Why? Because of its intuitive interface that was designed with touchscreens in mind.

The Palm Treo was also a good example. It dominated the smartphone market at a time when the smartphone market didn't even exist. It was large, bulky, and didn't even have color. Yet it become popular because of its software.

Apple's iPhone. Again, a case where software defined the role of the product, and not hardware. Its intuitive interface was again designed with the touchscreen in mind.

No doubt the ultimate laptop will be combine both a tablet with a laptop. But that isn't going to happen unless we lower our standards, which isn't happening. It is a design that is fraught with compromise. Thicker than a comparable 12" laptop. It's chipset solutions are limited. Don't have the functionality or space of a discrete tablet, nor the assortment of pens. Yet it must be light and thin enough to be held in one arm.

Further diluting this design to stack up against comparable laptops that will continually outclass it only further hurts the market.

Think of the amount of good TabletPCs out there. There are a couple of models I like. The HP tx2, the HP 2730p and the Dell XT2.

There are plenty of good 12" laptops out there. Even ones with HDMI.

 

I live in a small dorm room, i have one laptop and 24inch lcd screen as it says in my signature. I will buy the 1820pt one way or another, I will use it as my main computer since I will be selling my current laptop. I love this acer tablet, mainly because of its huuge bang for buck ratio.

I am a rare case in my dorm , only 1 other person has the same setup, but that is mainly because we are all on a tight scholarship budget. it's just that in my case I know how not to spend 1200$ on a 15 inch toshiba with only gma4500, hence my love for this tablet.

I wanted to say this since the beggining of this thread, This acer tablet is a PEOPLE's tablet, think the success of volkswagen "old" beetle and you get the image.

EDIT: Just to clarify since I made the mistake of not doing so. the 1200$ toshiba was a particular case: A girl from the dorm came to me for advise about buying a laptop, I told her to wait 1 week for the release of the 13inch timeline which she could buy for arround 800$ worth in yen at that time, next day she went to the first electronic shop she could find , talked to the first salesmen she chould find, and came back with the mentioned 1200$ non tablet toshiba that weighed arround 4-5 kg I think.

This acer tablet is not going to be over 1k anywhere. In germany it's for 599 euro on amazon, the packard bell duplicate with the su2300 is selling in carrefour paris for 499 euro. As with the case of 1410 which sold for 399$ in the usa and over 400 euro for the same model anywhere in europe , I don't see this tablet selling for anywhere over 800$ in the USA.

 

A 1K tablet isn't a "people's tablet."

The Tx1000/2000 sold for $800.

 

Thank God some pc manufactures disagree with you. At the end of the day thats what matters: what the manufactures think their customers want.

We want HDMI! lol.

 

A well, not that I'm trying to convince any1( yes I AM) , but anyway.

Merry Christmas folks.

Cya l8er

 

Is the juice on this really 1k (USD)? Can't find much info on price.

 

The HP TX2 touchsmart is a bulky hot nightmare with terrible performance because of the heat. The weight at 5 pounds didn't make it any better.

I want a decent processor for the multi-touch functions I may or may not use. I wouldn't mind a ion so that video runs a little better. I could do away with a dvd drive to cut down on the thickness of the tablet. I want good view angles, and I want a tablet that doesn't run hot so I can hold it naturally in my hand when I ink. I want wacom pen, and I want a capacitive touch screen.

If the manufacturers know what I want, please point me to this model.

 

There really isn't much info. I'm just guessing like everyone else.

 

The 1820ptz is selling for ~$910 AUD in Australia. That translates to ~$800 USD. So that would put it in direct competition with the HP tx2. The 1420p with the SU2300 will be closer to $700.

Edit: Scratch that I was looking at the wrong model (1810tz). The correct model is selling for 1400, translating to ~1200USD. So quite expensive if you look at direct exchange (1810tz sells for $580 USD). We'll have to see what it costs (their were early articles where Acer said that the tablet would cost ~$700 at the cheapest).

 

This explains a lot: you are a student.

A lot of tablets enthusiasts I know (working singles or dads with family) prefer HDMI to VGA.

 

The 1820PTZ is selling for S$1298 here in Singapore, which is ~US$923. However, the computer prices here are inflated for some reason. For example, let's take the Acer Timeline 3810TZ. It's on amazon for US$599. A similarly speced 3810TZ here in Singapore (2gb vs 3gb, BT vs no BT, "free DVDRW") costs S$1098 (US$780). Even if you take into account the "free DVDRW" (which can't be worth more than US$60), there's a big price diff (~20% more in Singapore). If you apply this formula to the 1820PTZ pricing, you should see it in the US for around US$769.

Anyway, to me, a notebook/tablet/whatever not having some sort of digital video output in this day and age is simply unacceptable and a real deal breaker. Any resolution above 1280x1024 looks terrible when driven with VGA.

But what choices are there? DVI, HDMI and Displayport. DVI is obviously the most compatible among most LCD monitors you would typically find today but very few HDTVs (if any) have DVI inputs. HDMI is more compact than DVI, carries audio and is found basically on all HDTVs and most of the newer mid-range and above LCD monitors. Furthermore you can get a HDMI->DVI converter (which from what i've read works better than DVI->HDMI converters). Displayport is the new kid on the block but how many devices do you have which feature this connector? My desktop is hooked up to my Dell 2408wfp using DP because ATI's Eyefinity tech requires that one display has to be DP when using 3 or more displays at once (something to do with DP not requiring it's own clock generator or something like that). My Studio XPS 16 comes with vga, hdmi and DP but that's probably a rarity. The only digital out my X200 has is DP and it's only on the dock, which I don't bring around with me. That's it.

So having used all 3 technologies, I would still go for HDMI + VGA if I could only have two ports, for compatibility sake. Of course DP + HDMI + VGA is even better since you can run 2 external digital monitors. It'll probably be even more awesome in the future when ATI's mobile 5000 series GPUs with Eyefinity find their way into notebooks and you can do a 3 monitor setup (internal + HDMI + DP).

Just my $0.02.

 

A student huh?

Just cause I mention a dorm hall in my post.
I'll leave it be.

Yet you go to a tablet enthusiast site like GottaBeMobile and when you mention HDMI v VGA the verdict will be VGA. Cause there aren't any HDMI projectors lying around. And there aren't tons of monitors with HDMI lying around either. Heck, we still got plenty of Pent 4 desktops. HDMI ports are the last thing in our minds.

 

Hello, I've been lurking in this thread for some time, gathering info on these tablets. Although I told myself that i'll be more patient and wait for more reviews - I just couldn't I preordered AS1820PT / 11.6" HD WXGA CB TOUCH / SU7300 C2D / 4500MHD / 4GB DDR3 / 1x320GB / W7HP64 for 650eu. The site says it'll be available on 8th of January (release date for eastern europe, so it seems). The site also lists preinstalled software - Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader™, Cyberlink PowerDVD, Google Toolbar, McAfee Internet Security Suite (with 60days free virus updates), Microsoft Windows Live Essentials, Microsoft Works 9.0, Office Home a Student 2007 Trial. This screams for fresh reinstall right out of box.

 

So you are not a student, OK sorry, and of course you are entitled of your opinion.

Anyway my original point still stand, in consumer products you want HDMI, and the replies in this thread seems to agree with this.

 

Gateway re-branded 1420P headed to US

 

http://www.sysnet.sk/pocitace/nakup/116373/notebooky/acer-as1820pt-734g32n/

 

Hmm.. that SKU comes with a 1024x600 res screen instead of the 1366x768 that seems quite standard on 11.6" and 12" netbook/CULV notebooks.

 

Actually I think it's a mistake on their part. Several other sites in my country list this notebook and I believe all others have 1366x768 listed as the resolution. Also, if you google WXGA, 1024x600 isn't among the listed resolutions. Also supporting my suspicion - ACER 1820PT TechSpecs lists WXGA and WSVGA (1024 x 600) as a possible resolutions.

edit
Just got a call from the shop, confirming 8th of Jan. as the date this notebook will be available. Fingers crossed. (forgot to ask them about screen res tho)

 

@Denosha

I think this device has a great potential mainly the price tag!

I would like to know whats about the ability to edit .pdf files?

How does the work with .pdf file, such as editing and adding notes, works?

In what way does the screen size, in this case 11.6 inches, limits the work?

Thank u in advance

 

Editing PDFs is highly depended on the software's ability to work with the OS, which is generally device independent.

Unless they royally suck at writing drivers (unlikely since they don't write their own), editing PDFs will be just like any other tabletPC out there.

 

Unfortunately i don't have Adobe Acrobat Professional installed on the Acer so i really won't be able to tell you anything about pdf editing.

As for the screen size, i think it really depends on what you're used to, both in terms of physical screen size (and by extension, pixel pitch) as well as resolution. For me I'm used to big high resolution screens and/or multi-monitor set-ups (2x24" + 1x19" on my home desktop and a 17" in extended desktop mode with my X200 at the office) as well as tiny pixel pitch displays (1400x1050 on the old 14.1" Dell D610 and 1920x1080 on my current 16" Dell SXPS 16). So personally the screen on the Acer is ok for me in terms of pixel pitch but lacking in terms of resolution and physical size. I'd obviously much rather do my serious work on my other machines rather than on the Acer. The Acer is just nice for simple tasks and web surfing though (which is what i got it for). YMMV though.

 

Just use the "pdf xchange viewer" - its free and is just as good as the adobe-version (maybe even better).

Tobi

 

Thanks for ur helpful answers

Okay, this could be my first tablet (netvertible, however u would like to call it), which means I have no experience about writing and working with a touchscreen based device (except my smartphone).

Can u share ur experience and tell how working a touchscreen based device is like?

Yeah, as mentioned could u use xchange viewer and test it ?

I mean for me as an student pdf editing would be the major task, so I would like to know how it operates

I know that work with such an device wont be like working at ur office, I got an 26 inches Flatscreen (So I know what u are talking about), but I think with buying such an device u know that working isnt as comfortable as it is with a big screen.
In return u have a leight and small device and this is a big advantage if u want to carry the device with u every day

Is the screen kinda "washed out"?

Nonetheless thank u for ur n1 review (great pictures and movies), could u just record some more movies, about the interaction of os and touchscreen?

Thank u

Happy New Year to all of u

 

He has made a great review for us you can look at here. http://forums.vr-zone.com/notebooks-netbooks/521303-acer-aspire-1820ptz-convertible-tablet-first-impressions-mini-review.html

 

Yeah, I have read it already, but I want precise information ))

 

I think it'll be quite hard for me to relate my pdf working experience on the tablet since I have never worked with pdf editing before to begin with (short of exporting a few files from photoshop as pdfs). Anyway, as others have already mentioned, this is quite dependent on the software used and probably not so much on the device itself.

The screen is kinda washed out but calibration seems to help.

I might record more movies in the future if I find anything new/interesting to report but since my semi-long year-end holiday is over, I doubt I will have the time or energy to do so any time soon. Sorry man.

 

Good Morning,

i´m also interested in more information about adding notes to a pdf. I think this is also what impreZzA is interested in.

If there´s no program that can do the job just take a screenshot, place it into the Wnindows Journal/Paint/whatever and try whether the screen is capable of recognising notes that are not (much) bigger than the document´s text itself. If each letter has to be as big as half of the screen(and this is all that´s shown in most reviews of touchscreen devices), the device is useless (for me).

Thank your very much!

 

@Denosha

Did the box contain any protective notebook sleeve? Or is that something I'm gonna have to buy separately.

 

Nope, it doesn't come with a sleeve unless you count the thin foamy "bag" that the notebook was packed in. But the machine did come with a notebook bag (although it's oversized and obviously not meant for 11.6" notebooks).

 

HP TM2 is a culv tablet

 

Beat me to it!

If the battery is good and it's still an ntrig digitizer we might actually have an alternative for once.

 

Acer seems to be loosing this train...

Looking forward for CES to begin!

 

HP TM2 Tablet as listed at eCost.com @ $1009.
A simple finger stroke on the 12.1" diagonal screen delivers quick and easy access to information, entertainment, and social networks. This tablet PC is also "multitouch" you can use more than one finger (e.g., index and thumb) at the same time. In addition, this model lets you view and edit photos with MediaSmart, which supplies an awesome digital media experience.

Specifications:
• Processor: 1.30GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300
• Display: 12.1" MultiTouch
• RAM: 4096MB DDR3
• Hard Drive: 320GB 7200rpm Single Spindle
• Operating System: Windows 7 Premium 64bit
• Video Card: Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Card Reader: 5-1 Reader
• Wireless Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n
• Other Device: Media Smart interface WebCam with integrated microphone Input Device: Chicklet Keyboard / Multigesture clickpad
• Security: HP Biometric Fingerprint sensor
• Design: Aluminum Laser Etching
• Battery: 6 cell

 

Lenovo has a couple of interesting tablets coming out. http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/lenovo-busts-out-ideacentre-a300-ideapad-s10-3t-and-plenty-of-o/1#c24440403 and this hybrid http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/04/lenovo-ideapad-u1-hybrid-laptop-by-day-unhinged-tablet-by-nigh/

The netbook is interesting because its capactive touch. However, it doesn't mention if there is a stylus. I mean how can there not be a stylus? I'm really hoping there is a option for it and they just failed to mention it. Talk about dropping the ball if they did.

Update* I checked Lenovo's site and there was a little blurb about the netbook tablet that says use it to take notes. Sounds like it does have a pen so this could be a winner for me. Light, thin, netbook size, capacitive touch, pen. Going to wait for the CES videos on it.

 

@Denosha: Any chance of getting an answer? Thank you!

 

Jump back to the post before his last one. He's given you an answer.

Denosha thanks again for all the time you took with us and the videos on your Acer.

 

Sorry but in my opinion he didn´t realise what impreza and i am talking about and therefore the given answer isn´t suitable.... or maybe i´m wrong but still the answer isn´t satisfying for me and therefore i still hope for more detailed info or a screenshot of some notes.

@Denosha: You would do me a great favour by posting your experience/a screenshot of some notes

 

Lenovo also announced this 3.8-pound IdeaPad U1 Hybrid, a 11.6-inch laptop/tablet with a removable? multitouch screen.

 

Look who it is

ULV C2D and ATI graphics starting at $949. Up to 9 hours of battery life. Available on the 17th.

 

BEAT ME TO IT AGAIN.

Ok , ACER has just lost the train.

This has got to be the most gourgeous tablet ever made, make the ati graph switchable with the intel gma4500 + add an 8 cell bat option like on the tx2 and we have a winner. Only concern would be to get the digitizer to work with photoshop if it turns out to be n-trig based

 

Good questions! They have been using N-Trig in the older versions. But they did change to Intel so hopefully they really listened to feedback and dumped N-Trig.

I need to hear the weight, if it gets hot like the Tx2 did and what kind of digitizer. I rather have Wacom but I could probably live with N-Trig. I can't live with a hot tablet and a heavy one.

Battery life for a tablet. Insane!

Even if it ends up nothing being the fit for me, HP really did a sweet revamp.

Being that its available this month makes it even more tempting. I'm going to wait and see what other surprising pop up and give Steve Jobs one chance to sell me on his tablet. LOL!