Typing on X200/201 (and future) tablets

The tablets are starting to become more appealing to me because of potentially easier and more organized note taking, and good screens by Thinkpad standards. My main concern looking at pictures of 16:10 X-series models is the short palmrest. With my T400 I rest my wrist close to the edge. If my move my hands to even .5in in it becomes difficult to type the second from lowest row (Z-M). The X200/201 look like they're shorter by more than .5in. Is this something you get used to or is it better to pass on this line for someone who also does a fair amount of typing?

Fwiw, my hands are ~7.5in long (from end of middle finger to base of the hand).

I'd really appreciate it if anyone could post the depth of the X200/X201 palmrest from the keyboard to where it falls off.

Also the edge of palmrest in tablet models is much sharper (but doesn't look ridiculous) than non-tablet Thinkpads. Is it comfortable to have the hand or wrist against this edge?

TIA.

 

Looks to be about 2.7 inches for my X200. I have smaller hands and the bottom of my palms rest about midway between the keyboard and edge so this isn't a problem for me.

 

me too, however, X201 keyboard is not quite different from thinkpad T series.
T series has more hand supported place that help user to be comfortable. in real, if you use X201 everyday, you feel good with its keyboard like me. especially, thinkpad x201/x201t is so small that you can bring it to anywhere.

 

Do you really find tablets that useful? I'm typing on keyboard faster than I'm writing by my own hand... Personally, I can't see any reason for tablet apart from drawing.

 

I like tablet mode because I can write down equations. I can't write them down not even close at that speed if I am using something like LaTeX, or even worse, any regular equation input like the one in MS Word.

The two (or three) things where tablet writing can still improve is the lag time (it's not an instantaneous), often it registers the motion even when the stylus is away from the surface (this can possibly be changed through drivers? I'd like to know if yes.) and you mess up your screen if you put your hand on it.

But if I want to make sketch or something for a presentation, it works beautifully.

 

I've never used a tablet, but typing equations is a big hassle. I use pen/pencil/paper for notes because of that and also because teacher's notes aren't always neatly outlined. Maybe around summer (after the X220 is released and depressed current model prices) I'll pick up an X200 tablet to try out. There are still some other big disadvantages for me in the screen size and resolution.

 

The biggest advantage to a Tablet is the ability to write, you use your mind differently when you write. Writing unlocks a very creative side that typing can't duplicate. Also in most situations taking notes by writing is less distracting then typing. That is why I switched to the HP Slate 500 as my work machine. I gave up my X200T for a pure tablet that is small and light.

I use a Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse when docked, but running from meeting to meeting I use my pen....

Lab study proof-of-concept for handwriting vs typing input for learning algebra equation-solving - Pslc

Using Different Parts of your Brain | Productivity501

 

To OP: for ergonomics' sake, you should probably try to type without resting your palms on the "palmrest" - it's better for wrists in the long term

Regarding the tablet's "sharp" edge, it's not an issue - it doesn't dig into your wrists like that of the MBP, and it's really not much different from a regular X201.

 

Hmm... I've never thought about equations (as I'm not studying math/physics/chemistry...). That maybe the point.

 

Not just equations, but anything that isn't alphanumeric is much easier by pen based input. I'm constantly in meetings where a concept is much easier to capture via a graph or chart than trying to spell the whole thing out. I don't have a tablet (still too expensive), so I'm stuck with pen and paper for now...but then the question is how do I keep track and organize all of these paper notes (go through a legal pads worth a week usually).

 

I wish you hadn't said that! I find myself resting my palms/ wrist on the palmrest all the time. I tried to type without doing so, and it was a disaster!!!!! It's so very uncomfortable