Tablet Computers

Ultraportable computers for special uses

Tablet-type notebook computers are useful for medical professionals, social workers, journalists and students who take a lot of notes by hand. These laptops use a special digital pen, converting handwriting into text. Some tablet PCs are more like a digital clipboard that plugs into a base station. Many are convertible tablet notebooks, which can be used either as a regular laptop or in tablet mode, with a screen that rotates and folds down screen-side-up.

Tablet computers are a niche subdivision of ultraportable laptops with appeal to a very specific type of buyer. However, reports say that most users wind up using the tablet features of their computers only on rare occasions. Because of that, most laptop buyers will be better off staying with more conventional -- and usually less expensive -- options.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet (Starting at $1,410) is a tablet version of the well-regarded Lenovo ThinkPad X200. Like its stable mate, it has racked up some impressive reviews, including Editors' Choice designations at PCMag.com, Laptop Magazine and Computer Shopper.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet is a convertible notebook. It can be used as a regular laptop, or its screen can swivel and flip to form a tablet. The fact that the screen can also rotate a full 360 degrees is a plus for left-handed users. The 12.1-inch tablet computer is the successor to the well-regarded Lenovo ThinkPad X61 and introduces some notable changes. One is a switch to the now-ubiquitous widescreen display format. More notable is a drop in weight by almost a half pound, making it one of the lightest convertible tablet laptops around: just 3.5 pounds with its standard four-cell battery, or 3.9 pounds with its optional eight-cell battery (*est. $50). Most reviewers test the X200 Tablet with the eight-cell battery and most -- Laptop Magazine is the notable dissenter -- say that battery life is good to excellent.

Two processors are available. Most reviewers test the X200 Tablet with a 1.86 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (*est. $75). Reports say that performance with that processor is good and that it beats most tablet PCs and ultraportable laptops. That said, Laptop Magazine reports that it's not as swift a performer as the standard Lenovo ThinkPad X200, which sports a faster 2.4 GHz processor. The standard processor now offered is a 1.2 GHz ultra-low-voltage Intel Core 2 Duo. It provides a longer run time between charges than the 1.86 GHz optional processor, but at the expense of an expected performance hit (we've not seen a review of the X200 Tablet with the 1.2 GHz processor, however).

Two LED-backlit screen options are offered. The standard screen requires use of the included stylus pen. The optional MultiTouch screen (*est. $200) adds the ability to use your finger. We've seen no comments on performance when a finger is used (that option was not yet available when most reviews were written), but all say that the X200 Tablet does a great job recognizing pen inputs, and that it writes smoothly and effortlessly on the screen.

Several storage options are offered. The base X200 Tablet comes with a 160 GB, 5,400-rpm standard hard drive. Other sizes and speeds are offered, up to 320 GB and 7,200 rpm. If you want a solid-state drive, 64 GB (*est. $250) and 128 GB (*est. $450) capacities are offered. Unfortunately, there is no optical drive available. The lack of a touchpad is another key weakness.

We also saw a few recommendations for the 12.1-inch HP TouchSmart tx2z (Starting at $900). It earns an Editors' Choice award and an equal rating to the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet at Computer Shopper. It is also one of 12 Best Buy laptops named by Which? magazine, a British consumer affairs magazine similar to ConsumerReports.org. Compared to the X200 Tablet, the TouchSmart tx2z has some notable pluses and minuses. One plus is value, as it offers some features either not offered at all in the X200 Tablet -- such as a DVD burner -- or only as a pricey upgrade, such as the ability to use your finger instead of a stylus.

There are also some noteworthy minuses. For one thing, it is relatively heavy, weighing in at 4.7 pounds. Computer Shopper says that can get heavy in a hurry if you are carrying it in the crook of your arm. "Think of it as more of an on-your-lap tablet than a walking-around tablet," writes Jamie Bsales. The other is the use of AMD processors, which experts say are slower than their Intel counterparts. Computer Shopper tests the TouchSmart tx2z with a 2.4 GHz Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile processor -- the best one offered -- and says performance is about average for a thin and light laptop. Thanks to the inclusion of an ATI Radeon HD graphics processor, graphics performance is decent, though, as Bsales points out, the tx2z isn't a great choice for demanding game play. Battery life with the optional eight-cell battery is a little bit below average.