X61t Tablet or X61 for college?

Hello all,

I think I've decided on one of the X61 models for my college notebook next year. However, I'm not certain if I should opt for the X61 tablet or the regular model. By going with the regular model, I'm saving about $300, and getting a regular processor, not a lower voltage one. With the tablet, I get SXGA resolution and the notetaking functionality of a tablet, but at a greater cost and reduced performance.

Does anyone use a tablet for college? How often do you find yourself using the tablet functionality?

Thanks.

 

If you need to read a lot of papers on your laptop, get the Tablet model. It will be much more comfortable when reading 11"x8.5" PDF documents, because you can turn your screen 90 degrees.

 

What will you be studying? People I've talked to say that the tablets come in handy while taking notes especially when they have a lot of diagrams, formulas, etc. they need to note down, as opposed to just text (which is just as easy with a keyboard).

 

I don't know what your major is, but if it's anything engineering related, a tablet will serve you very well. Otherwise, they're a bit silly. Plenty of people type faster than they write, anyway. Handwriting on tablets usually looks even worse than on paper.

 

I have heard the same as zadillo...Depends on what you are taking.

Classes with lots of Symbols, Diagrams, etc. are great with a tablet.

Just text and basic symbols laptop is good enough.

 

I would not buy a tablet for college at all. Period. Don't take your laptop with you to class. It will only be a pain. I know from experience and the experience of my friends. Get a laptop for your dorm/room/whatever and do you work on it when you get back from class. Trust me I've been there and I know other people who have as well. The general consensus on laptops/tablets: don't bring them to class. It doesn't matter what class you're taking. You'll be a lot better off taking your notes on paper.

There are a few exceptions. What I said mostly applies to undergraduates and especially freshman undergraduates. For graduate/first professional students there are some good reasons, but not for the majority of undergrads. I used to think bringing a laptop and keeping everything digital would be cool. It's not. It's a pain and hassle.

 

I agree with xnviews, just pay attention listen and write your notes
I remember there was a guy using a digital camera taking pictures of the white broad, i think that's not a bad idea too

 

Computer Science / IT major. And thanks for the suggestions.

 

10 mins early + light notebook = happy

 

For computer science, I'd recommend a regular notebook. I don't think a tablet would give you much benefit since all code is done through typing. Plus, you'd appreciate the extra real estate resolution from a regular notebook.

 

Performance on the low voltage core duos is quite good unless you have a specific need.

 

I went through 2 years of college using a X31 and never once found a need for a tablet.

 

I'm in a science major and I've found my tablet to be very handy for certain subjects (i.e. organic chem).

 

For computer science. Notebook computer at class is a must since lecturer will be do coding demo in lecture. It is impossible to write with pen. Having tablet function is great too when the class is full of diagrams.

 

hi, I'm a first-year college student and I'm currently owning a regular x61. I didn't want the tablet because in my opinion the screen will die from excessive note taking. Furthermore, note taking on a laptop is not logical. I agree with the people above, typing is faster than writing note. I would save that $300 for warranty extension. Hope this helps.

 

Indeed. These are realities which the X61t can handle better than a mainstream notebook.


rgds.

 

One of the nice things about the tablet version is that you really don't give up much over the standard x61. The speed of the 1.6Ghz cpu is perfect for just about everything one would want. I tried using a notebook with XGA resolution and there just isn't enough screen space, especially if you will be doing any programming; there is no way to easily display an IDE like in Visual Studio. One of the main reasons I even considered the X61 tablet is because it was available with the high res screen. It is a shame Lenovo doesn't offer the standard X61 with the higher res screen. The x300 is Lenovo's only choice for a thin and light non-tablet notebook that also gets very good battery life. Of course the price is way too high but hopefully they will soon be offering versions with standard hard drives.

As far as the tablet version being more expensive, you might check out the Lenovo outlet site. They offer good deals there. There are some for sale on the classifieds here and you can also check your local Craigslist for deals.

 

Suffice to say that a well made ultraportable such as the X61 is already attractive.

With the X61t portability, long battery-life, and the great ease to capture diagrams and handwriting with its active-digitizer screen, it certainly is more enticing.

It is true that typing is faster than writing provided the notebook rests on a surface to avail both hands free for truly fast typing.

A tablet notebook not only has the advantage above but also allows the user the option to cradle it in one arm and write / sketch with the other. This addtional advantage is what the mainstream notebook lacks.

When 2 machines have identical specs, the one with the tablet feature wins (giving the user greater flexibility of use).

The X61(t) will undoubtedly win over more non-ThinkPad users if it incorporates a touchpad and ultra-slim internal optical drive.


rgds.