Toshiba M200 Tablet PC Review (Part 2)
Christopher Rath
2006-02-05
Introduction

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Toshiba M200
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In September 2004 (16 months ago, as I write) I purchased a Toshiba M200
Tablet PC. This review is intended to provide my perspective on the
usability of the M200 and my satisfaction with the Tablet PC.
Overall Comments
This is the first laptop I've used that had a very high resolution
display. The M200 comes with a SXGA (1400x1050 pixel) screen, and now that
I've become accustomed to that resolution I would be very reluctant to
return to plain a XGA (1024x768) screen. SXGA screens are available on
most Dell models, so this isn't unique to the M200; however, HP and
Lenovo/IBM TabletPCs are only available with plain XGA panels and so I would
not consider buying one of those Tablet PC models.
I do not regret my purchase of the M200, and later this year when the
M200 is two years old and I will replace it, I will look to acquire another
Tablet PC. The Tablet PC functionality comes in handy in three
situations:
- When I have a need to use my laptop in a confined space---like
sitting on an airplane. In my current job, I fly 50 weeks a year.
As long as I have a first class, business class, or United Airlines
Economy Plus seat I can use the laptop in its traditional mode.
About 10% of the time I end with a seat that doesn't meet those
criteria.
- When reviewing MS Word or PowerPoint documents for others I receive
very positive feedback when I mark-up the document by writing on it
using the Tablet PC ink feature. This positive feedback has
caused me to use the M200 in this situation much more often that I
expected to use it.
- When I want to use my laptop without drawing undue attention to
myself I find that using the M200 in Tablet PC mode is much less
conspicuous than using it in traditional laptop mode. Although
those seated immediately beside me notice that I am using a Tablet PC,
the rest of the room sees me writing with a pen and paper. The
fact that the others in the room do not hear the clickity-clack of my
typing also contributes to the stealth of the Tablet PC.
The M200 Hardware
All of my previous 6+ years of laptop use has been with Dell Latitude
laptops. I have made limited use of Apple and Compaq (pre-HP)
hardware, and so any comparative comments are with Dell Latitude C and
D class models.
Positives (i.e., where the M200 is better than a Dell):
- the external DVD/CD-RW drive contains its own rechargeable battery
and this significantly extends the M200's battery life when making heavy
use of a CD or DVD
- the only other M200 features that are better than the Dell's are
Tablet PC-specific features
Negatives (i.e., where the M200 is worse than a Dell):
- the letters are wearing off my keyboard and Toshiba views this as
"normal wear and tear"; Dell considers this a fault with their product
and will replace the keyboard when this happens
- dust is collecting behind the plastic panel of the M200's display;
this makes the screen hard to read in certain lighting conditions.
After 11 months I had Toshiba come and clean the dust from behind the
plastic panel, and I will soon have to have it cleaned again
- the non-standard keyboard layout is still an annoyance; even after
adjusting to it. Toshiba should bite the bullet and change to a
standard MS Windows layout
- like Dell, Toshiba has pre-programmed function keys that access
certain functions (like changing screen resolution, locking the screen,
adjusting screen brightness, etc.); however, Toshiba's implementation is
less than desirable: Toshiba's [Fn] (function) key is located just left
of the spacebar, and as a result I periodically end up accidentally
invoking the change screen resolution function (which causes me to lose
my desktop icon placement); also, when the screen brightness control is
changed it alters the brightness setting for both the battery and
powered profiles (instead of only changing the appropriate profile, as
the Dell does)
Related Articles On This Website
I have
written several other related articles that may be of interest to readers of this
article:
©Copyright 2006, Christopher Rath
Telephone: 613-824-4584
Address: 1371 Major Rd., Ottawa, ON, Canada K1E 1H3
Last updated:
2015/02/14 @ 21:33:56 (
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