Computer Advice

[chii chan]

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As Blackkat alludes to below, the hole on the right side of the computer. Took me a while to figure it out. Very neat.

I can't get the fingerprint thing to work yet (not that I care).
Still trying to figure out the camera (not that I care).

Changing colors? That sounds cool.

I will work on onenote tomorrow if I have a chance after picking out new stuff for my new bathroom in my new city in my new house in my "old' school. 🙂

Let's compare (one)notes soon.

I definitely need to work on flashcards soon as well. I am studying anatomy this quarter.

WOW. How did I miss the hole? I remember seeing it but not connecting that it's where the pen can go! Thanks!!!! 🙂

You have to go into the settings (through the control panel if I remember correctly) in order to register the fingerprint scanner. You basically scan each finger 3 times to register that finger. The ring finger on my left hand is the only one that accesses my bf's computer, and when he sees my tablet, the same will be true for him.

I haven't tried out the camera yet.

Are you referring to flashcards as some specific program on the tablet or just flashcards you've made by hand that you have to study first?

 

[StartingoverVet]

WOW. How did I miss the hole? I remember seeing it but not connecting that it's where the pen can go! Thanks!!!! 🙂

You have to go into the settings (through the control panel if I remember correctly) in order to register the fingerprint scanner. You basically scan each finger 3 times to register that finger. The ring finger on my left hand is the only one that accesses my bf's computer, and when he sees my tablet, the same will be true for him.

I haven't tried out the camera yet.

Are you referring to flashcards as some specific program on the tablet or just flashcards you've made by hand that you have to study first?

My fingerprint driver was bad. 🙁

As for flashcards, gonna search for a program to use with the tablet!

Oh, by the way, I forgot the computer doesn't have an optical drive so now have to buy one to load onenote. Grrrr. I knew there was a reason I should had it pre-loaded.

If you want to exchange any more info maybe we should PM. 😳

 

[Crazy Hippos]

My fingerprint driver was bad. 🙁

As for flashcards, gonna search for a program to use with the tablet!

Oh, by the way, I forgot the computer doesn't have an optical drive so now have to buy one to load onenote. Grrrr. I knew there was a reason I should had it pre-loaded.

If you want to exchange any more info maybe we should PM. 😳

I find your guys' discussions helpful (I'm buying one soon). 🙂
Why do you need an optical drive to run onenote?

 

[StartingoverVet]

Why do you need an optical drive to run onenote?

Only need it to load the program if you bought it on disc (as I stupidly did). Get it preloaded or (As Chii-chan point out to me in a PM) you can download the program from MS directly. I did things the old-fashioned way for a 21st century product. Oh well.

Optical drives are cheaper than re-buying the program so that is what I will get. On the bright side, now I can watch DVDs during lectures (just kidding). 😀

 

[chii chan]

Haha, I actually PMed the answer/solution to that to StartingOver.

The optical drive is basically your CD/DVD drive in your computer. Lenovo tablets do not come with them. Instead, they want you to buy the $200 "Mobile Base" thing that allows the computer to do things like read CDs and DVDs, and I think an option for extended power on battery.

You can actually download the software instead. StartingOver - I gave you the wrong link since I remember it only had OneNote on it. If you are still a student with a valid .edu address, click this one: http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx
If you are not still a student, then there is this option for you: http://www.microsoft.com/office/trial/ (If it doesn't go directly to the home & student tab, click on it.)

Another cool thing I forgot about is the "Live Sharing" option! You can basically open up a shared page with a friend to take notes on. Not sure how easy it will be for vet school, but it's fun to play with! In this one class where we didn't get the .ppt slides, I would type like crazy and my bf would fix my errors and add the things the teacher was saying while the slides were up on the screen.

 

[chii chan]

Only need it to load the program if you bought it on disc (as I stupidly did). Get it preloaded or (As Chii-chan point out to me in a PM) you can download the program from MS directly. I did things the old-fashioned way for a 21st century product. Oh well.

Optical drives are cheaper than re-buying the program so that is what I will get. On the bright side, now I can watch DVDs during lectures (just kidding). 😀

You beat me while I was slowly typing out my response! 😛

http://www.microsoft.com/office/trial/

You can click on the "try" (not buy it now) option that will let you download a version for trial. The trial will expire in 60 days and they, of course, expect you to pay to register it. However, you can register and activate your copy by entering the product registration codes given to you with your CDs if you already have them.

Choose the appropriate download, though! If you don't have the Home & Student version, then download the one that comes with the same programs as your MS CDs. Check the tabs for to determine which programs come with each version.

 

[StartingoverVet]

You beat me while I was slowly typing out my response! 😛

http://www.microsoft.com/office/trial/

You can click on the "try" (not buy it now) option that will let you download a version for trial. The trial will expire in 60 days and they, of course, expect you to pay to register it. However, you can register and activate your copy by entering the product registration codes given to you with your CDs if you already have them.

Choose the appropriate download, though! If you don't have the Home & Student version, then download the one that comes with the same programs as your MS CDs. Check the tabs for to determine which programs come with each version.

Wow, great idea. i will try that! Thanks so much!

Edit: Downloaded the onenote trial and when it asked for key put in the one for my disk, then authenticated it on-line and voila, I have access to the program. Now, trying to figure out how to use it is for another day.

 

[BlacKAT33]

please dont PM each other lol i am reading ur convo for help when i get my tablet. i did get my microsoft home and student preloaded....i think lol i added it when customizing my laptop. i was going to buy an external drive since it doesnt have cd/dvd but when i think about it...i never use it anyway because i havent used it on my current laptop which also doesnt have one.

 

[HopefulAg]

Just a heads up but you can download the Office 2010 Beta version free and use it until August. It works perfectly fine too (it's my Office suite for 7). Includes OneNote.

Then, when you get your student loans, you can buy the real suite. It'll also be cheaper likely since you could get it through the school (assuming it's offered, though I think most schools do software programs like that).

 

[nyanko]

http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx

If you are a current student. They change up what's on there sometimes too.

 

[StartingoverVet]

Then, when you get your student loans, you can buy the real suite. It'll also be cheaper likely since you could get it through the school (assuming it's offered, though I think most schools do software programs like that).

I was going to do that, but since I got mine on e-bay, the MS office Pro was pre-loaded as part of my package.

 

[chii chan]

http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx

If you are a current student. They change up what's on there sometimes too.

I linked that one earlier! 🙂 The other site was if you just needed the programs downloaded because you already owned the CDs. It's a great deal though.

BlackKat - I won't PM then. 🙂 If you added it when you customized your tablet, then it will basically come with the trial versions of whatever you purchased (Home & Student, for example). There will be a CD of the actual version in your box. You'll use the product registration to activate the programs already installed on the computer.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I linked that one earlier! 🙂 The other site was if you just needed the programs downloaded because you already owned the CDs. It's a great deal though.

BlackKat - I won't PM then. 🙂 If you added it when you customized your tablet, then it will basically come with the trial versions of whatever you purchased (Home & Student, for example). There will be a CD of the actual version in your box. You'll use the product registration to activate the programs already installed on the computer.

ok, so sounds like i still dont need a cd drive right? it just activates the full program after i enter the code and i dont need to actually put the cd into the comp?

thanks chii chan!! 😀!

 

[chii chan]

Yup! Totally correct!

 

[StartingoverVet]

😕Ok... I have some questions on using OneNote. Anyone up for the challenge?

😕I am trying to get ready to use this for real for the first time in my class tonight and having some very simple problems. Any help is greatly appreciated.

😕1) I am inserting "screen" shots from my pdfs to take notes on ahead of time. It seems that I can only get what I see on screen. Is there any way to scroll down while you are taking a screen shot. Or am I going about this entirely the wrong way.

😕2) Once I have a screen shot in one note is there anyway to move them around. It seems like there should be but I can't figure it out. Also can't figure out how to put it where i want since i always end up "writing" on the screen instead of positioning the cursor.

😕3) Is there anyway to cut up a screen shot so that you can add stuff in the middle of a page? Or do you always have to work around it?

😕Sorry for all the questions. I tried the tutorial but it seems to assume knowlege that I don't have.

😕😕😕😕

 

[BlacKAT33]

eeek such simple tasks, now im worried about learning it lol sry i wont be able to help until after next week when i can start playing with it myself.

maybe chii chan knows. but if not...i found this

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/onenote/default.aspx

scroll down to the bottom. "Learn. Share. Connect." There are tips and tricks, produce team blog, community, and discussions.

I assume you could post your questions in the discussion board or ask a product person. Even if you get your questions answered, these discussions actually seem like a good place to learn how to do other things or solve other problems.
Discussion: http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.onenote

 

[twelvetigers]

Startingovervet - I don't think screen shots are the answer. How about a program that converts .pdf files to .jpeg files?

http://www.print-driver.com/overview/

 

[rockefellerVT]

I got onenote and all my programs have an option called "print to onenote". Thats what I would do with the slides in order to put them in without print screening them in.

 

[PrimalMU]

There's also a plug-in that will import powerpoint presentations and automatically resize them so they are usable in OneNote. Give me a bit and I'll dig up the name of it...

 

[chii chan]

😕Ok... I have some questions on using OneNote. Anyone up for the challenge?

😕I am trying to get ready to use this for real for the first time in my class tonight and having some very simple problems. Any help is greatly appreciated.

😕1) I am inserting "screen" shots from my pdfs to take notes on ahead of time. It seems that I can only get what I see on screen. Is there any way to scroll down while you are taking a screen shot. Or am I going about this entirely the wrong way.

😕2) Once I have a screen shot in one note is there anyway to move them around. It seems like there should be but I can't figure it out. Also can't figure out how to put it where i want since i always end up "writing" on the screen instead of positioning the cursor.

😕3) Is there anyway to cut up a screen shot so that you can add stuff in the middle of a page? Or do you always have to work around it?

😕Sorry for all the questions. I tried the tutorial but it seems to assume knowlege that I don't have.

😕😕😕

So here is what I do:

1. I don't insert "screen shots". What I do, is literally drag the .pdf, .ppt, .doc, etc. icon from wherever it was located (desktop, my docs, etc.) directly onto whatever OneNote page I am using for that day. It prompts you with three options. I don't remember all of the options, but I always choose the one that says something about a copy of a printout. This will give you every single page or slide as a single picture. Scroll down the OneNote page to see the other printouts.

2. If you click on the cursor instead of the drawing tool (when in tablet mode, it is located in the upper right hand corner, and you may need to select it from the drop down menu/arrow located in the same spot). The cursor will let you drag things around as needed. Select the picture, which will turn it a blackened color and a box should show up that has a 4 arrow looking symbol (like a compass with an arrow pointing north, east, south, and west) somewhere on the left hand side of the picture. Click and drag this box to move the picture.

3. Not sure about this one yet. My best solution right now (since I'm in class currently) is to paste the screen shot (if you are literally pressing the PrtSc button and pasting) is to paste it twice and edit the photo so that it is split down the middle. I've never had to need this option, so I'm not sure, but will try it out later.

Hope any of it helped and I didn't confuse you. Let me know if you need any clarification and when I have more time to type out a response I can proofread, I'll respond back.

Edit: Sorry to not answer sooner, but I was at work earlier. 🙂

 

[StartingoverVet]

Thanks for the replies... i will give them a try later when I have a chance (probably during class when I should be listening instead).

and Chii chan - Absolutely no need to apologize that your response wasn't quick enough. I am just delighted that you are being so helpful (and everyone else too. y'all are great). 😀

 

[StartingoverVet]

So here is what I do:

1. I don't insert "screen shots". What I do, is literally drag the .pdf, .ppt, .doc, etc. icon from wherever it was located (desktop, my docs, etc.) directly onto whatever OneNote page I am using for that day. It prompts you with three options. I don't remember all of the options, but I always choose the one that says something about a copy of a printout. This will give you every single page or slide as a single picture. Scroll down the OneNote page to see the other printouts.

2. If you click on the cursor instead of the drawing tool (when in tablet mode, it is located in the upper right hand corner, and you may need to select it from the drop down menu/arrow located in the same spot). The cursor will let you drag things around as needed. Select the picture, which will turn it a blackened color and a box should show up that has a 4 arrow looking symbol (like a compass with an arrow pointing north, east, south, and west) somewhere on the left hand side of the picture. Click and drag this box to move the picture.

3. Not sure about this one yet. My best solution right now (since I'm in class currently) is to paste the screen shot (if you are literally pressing the PrtSc button and pasting) is to paste it twice and edit the photo so that it is split down the middle. I've never had to need this option, so I'm not sure, but will try it out later.

Hope any of it helped and I didn't confuse you. Let me know if you need any clarification and when I have more time to type out a response I can proofread, I'll respond back.

Edit: Sorry to not answer sooner, but I was at work earlier. 🙂

I want to pull my hair out.

Ok, I tried #1. Dragged the icon into one note page. It only gives me 2 choices:

1) Insert a link to the original file
2) Insert a copy of the file onto the page.

Option 1 is self explanatory and does not apply.
Option 2 copied the picture of the icon into onenote. Now what?
Tried it with pdf and ppt

Now option #2. What do you mean by "when in tablet mode?" DO you do something different. I just fold the screen. I am sure I am missing something. Anyway I couldn't find the cursor tool.

I am getting sad... 🙁

I have decided to go with the old fashioned notebook and pencil and paper today. Will try again tomorrow. (I haven't even set up my e-mail on the tablet.... Still prefer my trusty old desktop for now).

 

[Fookie Kat]

I get mine next week!!! wow, i hope people dont think we're stuck up when they see two friends with x200s next to each other hahaha that would be pretty funny if our whole SDN group had them though.

I'm also getting a x200. lol. May I sit with you two? 😛

 

[BlacKAT33]

I'm also getting a x200. lol. May I sit with you two? 😛

hehehe me, you and startingovervet! at least we'll have more people to learn with!! looks like startingovervet is having some struggles 🙁 im glad i got mine early so i have months to practice and learn everything.

startingovervet- hopefully you figure it out before your class ends!! i know you wanted to use it for this class 🙁 im sure this weekend when you have more free time you'll be able to solve the problems!

 

[StartingoverVet]

Penn should just make the x200 the required computer for everyone in c/o 2014. I am sure I will work out my problems soon enough. This is why I wanted to get it now, to get real-classroom practice.

 

[chii chan]

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner but I am working out the same issues. Just to clarify, are you running windows 7 with toe 64 bit OS? Apparently there is a printer driver issue on any 64 bit os system. I will update you whenIget mine working also.

 

[chii chan]

So I've found 2 possible solutions and it will depend on what solution you wish to take.

Apparently Microsoft is aware that this is a problem for everyone using a 64bit OS. This problem will be alleviated for the 2010 release. Currently, there is a free download for the 2010 version, which is still currently a beta version. However, people have reported no problems with the beta version, and that the "printout" option has worked.

If you can, first try this first workaround, even though it didn't work for me. Go through the control panel and access the programs (add/remove). Do not remove Office, but click change, then repair. Make sure all Office programs are closed. It may take a bit, and you will need to restart when it finishes. If this works for you, then great! However, it might not since it didn't for mine. I'm running Windows 7 Professional 64bit.

Here is the next option, that has worked for many people, but I have not installed it just yet. It is not a Microsoft program!!! It is a code that someone wrote as a workaround for this problem. It has been recently updated for those using Windows 7 64bit OS. Here is the link for the guy who wrote it: http://blogs.msdn.com/david_rasmussen/archive/2009/04/22/onenote-print-driver-a-64-bit-solution.aspx
And here is the link to the download for it: http://xps2onenote.codeplex.com/

And here is the third option if you are not comfortable with the second option, and the first option was a bust: Download 2010 beta from the Microsoft website. This may not be a problem for you, BlackKat, since it sounds like you purchased everything from Lenovo. When I did, my Office comes with a free upgrade to 2010. So for you, it might be a better option to do the 2010 option instead. However, it really is up to preference. http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/en/onenote/default.aspx

An easy way to tell if option 1 or 2 works out for you is to click on the "Insert" option and see if the "File as Printout" option is grayed. ("Insert" is on the same line as "File", "Edit", etc.) If it is grayed, then the workaround failed. Basically, this problem is that the printer driver on 64bit OSes isn't compatible. My non-school computer for next year that I used for physically typing out notes the last 2 years in school was 32-bit Vista, and currently, as of the past 2 weeks, 32-bit Windows 7. I haven't had this problem yet and didn't realize that there was an issue!

As for the other issue of where the cursor is, it's easier to see the options when the computer is not in tablet mode, but in a mode where you can type since more of that upper toolbar is able to fit onto the screen.

One of the cool things about OneNote is that you can customize it so that certain buttons can be easily edited into or out of the toolbar, and you can position the toolbars anywhere on the program. One set of toolbars may include pen colors, or formatting, or writing tools. You can click and drag one of these sets by the "::" looking thing that shows up before the set begins. You can add one so that it is directly below the original top bar, so you have a set of 2 bars, or you can make 3 bars, put one on the left hand side of the program, or on the bottom, and create your own row. I'll upload a picture of everything I'm referring to later.

Sorry for the lengthy reply! I hope one of these solutions works for you. If not, let me know. If there are any other questions/issues, let me know. 🙂

 

[StartingoverVet]

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner but I am working out the same issues. Just to clarify, are you running windows 7 with toe 64 bit OS? Apparently there is a printer driver issue on any 64 bit os system. I will update you whenIget mine working also.

I am actually running Vista Ultimate 64 bit. I think i might try the beta version because the other solutions may/maynot work for Vista and sound like it might be too much for my little primitive brain.

(ps - I had trouble today with the pen driver failing and having to re-install it. That's 2 failed drivers in 3 days. I would be worried but I have so much stuff to do I don't have the time😳)

 

[StartingoverVet]

OneNote Update:

1st props go to Chii chan. Downloading the 2010 beta version helped solve some of my problems. I guess I will be upgrading when that is available.

The print from file option definitely does NOT work in 2007 which makes the program kind of low-value for me.

The problem of finding the cursor to leave "drawing" mode was eventually solved. In 2007, the icon is just an "A", no arrow, and the description would never lead you to think it is a cursor. Much easier to find in 2010 (it has a cursor AND an A).

So I can now insert the files and move them around. U can also move around each slide from a powerpoint individually (which makes a big difference).

Now I just have to learn a few of the more idiosyncratic features but I think I am set to use in classes. Will start tomorrow.

One last question.... I hate the new icon menu format that has been adopted in Office 2007 (but not Onenote2007) and in Office/OneNote 2010. Is there any option to use "traditional" menus? I have been using those menus for decades now and I just like reading rather than interpreting big old pictures that take up too much room.

Anyway, for all those X200 potential users out there, don't worry. I think it will all work out fine. Again, I want to say the handwriting recognition is pretty amazing reading my handwriting so far when I use it. I doubt it would work for note taking as then even I can't read what I wrote.

Final note, I had about 100 updates to do for my computer and it seems like they have stabilized the problems I was having. We will see tomorrow.

Happy days are here again (at least for now).

 

[PrimalMU]

Out of curiosity, I was wondering if anyone has had the chance to try out an HP tm2t tablet? I was pretty dead set on the Lenovo X200, but when you can get the HP for $600 less and still get a nice computer (according to reviews, anyway) I wonder if the X200 is really that much nicer. On paper, I can get a nicer system for about $1000 with the HP, while a comparable Lenovo would be around $1600.

 

[BlacKAT33]

Out of curiosity, I was wondering if anyone has had the chance to try out an HP tm2t tablet? I was pretty dead set on the Lenovo X200, but when you can get the HP for $600 less and still get a nice computer (according to reviews, anyway) I wonder if the X200 is really that much nicer. On paper, I can get a nicer system for about $1000 with the HP, while a comparable Lenovo would be around $1600.

it took me forever to decide between the two!!! here is what i concluded

1) i looked at laptop reviews for 2010, lenovo x200 was ALWAYS rated #1
2) lenovo tablets have been around for a lot longer, i guess they bought it from IBM a while ago (somethign like that lol im not a comp person) but i feel like they have had longer time to "grow" with their design
3) yes, the HP reviews are good. however, i did read the 1 star reviiews to see why....one comment that i kind of agreed with said "do not buy because they still need more time out for reviews" they said it was too new and still needed some upgrades and time to see how they run long term.
4) i wanted the most durable, stable tablet available, especially because i will be biking and i just dont want something that will be super fragile. from what i read, the lenovo always had the best ratings and compliments about durability
5) i know more people who have the x200 and they all love it. not one person said they wouldnt recommend it. i know no one with the HP tablet
6) i wonder how much of the HP tablet is for "show" the outside is very "fashionable" and it was hard to tell if they tried to play the looks up more so people would think it is cool. at least i know that the x200 doesnt need to look showy for people to like it. IMO the x200 is ugly hahaha but at least i know that it is a good computer without looks overshadowing the true quality

7) this was after i bought it, but i just received my extra pen i ordered. this, i can actually compare between the two because I saw the HP tablet in person. the HP pen is just a solid piece of plastic. it is light and doesnt feel like a real pen. The lenovo pen has a bit of weight to it, not super heavy, but it feels like a real pen. it also have a separate tip, like a real pen. and they gave me extra tips. There is also an eraser on the back. i LOVE it. i know it sounds stupid since i only got the pen lol but i really think it is at least worth the cost. i dont knoow how much the HP pens are, but i assume they still like to make profit on them. id be so made if i spent a lot on a stupid piece of plastic.

hopefully my opinions arent too biased, i really had no clue which one i wanted and this is just how i made my decision. i know the HP did get good ratings so im sure it would still be fine. i just figured, if im going to spend a lot of money, i want to know what i am getting and know that it will last for 4 years without problems (hopefully)

edit: here is the site i used to read a TON of reviews and also they rank the tablets each month. http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=1374&news=Top+Tablet+PC+Models

 

[PrimalMU]

it took me forever to decide between the two!!! here is what i concluded

1) i looked at laptop reviews for 2010, lenovo x200 was ALWAYS rated #1
2) lenovo tablets have been around for a lot longer, i guess they bought it from IBM a while ago (somethign like that lol im not a comp person) but i feel like they have had longer time to "grow" with their design
3) yes, the HP reviews are good. however, i did read the 1 star reviiews to see why....one comment that i kind of agreed with said "do not buy because they still need more time out for reviews" they said it was too new and still needed some upgrades and time to see how they run long term.
4) i wanted the most durable, stable tablet available, especially because i will be biking and i just dont want something that will be super fragile. from what i read, the lenovo always had the best ratings and compliments about durability
5) i know more people who have the x200 and they all love it. not one person said they wouldnt recommend it. i know no one with the HP tablet
6) i wonder how much of the HP tablet is for "show" the outside is very "fashionable" and it was hard to tell if they tried to play the looks up more so people would think it is cool. at least i know that the x200 doesnt need to look showy for people to like it. IMO the x200 is ugly hahaha but at least i know that it is a good computer without looks overshadowing the true quality

7) this was after i bought it, but i just received my extra pen i ordered. this, i can actually compare between the two because I saw the HP tablet in person. the HP pen is just a solid piece of plastic. it is light and doesnt feel like a real pen. The lenovo pen has a bit of weight to it, not super heavy, but it feels like a real pen. it also have a separate tip, like a real pen. and they gave me extra tips. There is also an eraser on the back. i LOVE it. i know it sounds stupid since i only got the pen lol but i really think it is at least worth the cost. i dont knoow how much the HP pens are, but i assume they still like to make profit on them. id be so made if i spent a lot on a stupid piece of plastic.

hopefully my opinions arent too biased, i really had no clue which one i wanted and this is just how i made my decision. i know the HP did get good ratings so im sure it would still be fine. i just figured, if im going to spend a lot of money, i want to know what i am getting and know that it will last for 4 years without problems (hopefully)

edit: here is the site i used to read a TON of reviews and also they rank the tablets each month. http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=1374&news=Top+Tablet+PC+Models

Thanks a lot for the reply! I have much the same feelings as you do.

1) Yep, a big bonus. Tabletpcreview.com is a great resource. 😉
2) Yea, Lenovo bought the Thinkpad line from IBM. Thinkpads have been industry leaders forever, and Lenovo hasn't slacked when it comes to quality control, from what I've read.
3) Yes, the tm2t is new, but it is also an evolution of HP's previous generation of tablets.
4) No doubt the Thinkpad is the king in this area. However, what I really liked about the HP is they ditched the plastic case for a brushed aluminum one. Dunno how that translates to durability, but it's gotta be better than their previous laptops.
7) That's really good to know. I hate cheap pens, so I'd no doubt hate the cheap stylus that comes with the HP, haha.

 

[chii chan]

Out of curiosity, I was wondering if anyone has had the chance to try out an HP tm2t tablet? I was pretty dead set on the Lenovo X200, but when you can get the HP for $600 less and still get a nice computer (according to reviews, anyway) I wonder if the X200 is really that much nicer. On paper, I can get a nicer system for about $1000 with the HP, while a comparable Lenovo would be around $1600.

It's really your personal preference. I had a bad previous experience with HP and their customer service, which didn't help their case. The seller for me on the x200 was really the durability of the computer (I'm careful, but this thing is going across the pond), and the customization options. I wanted something I could customize to my liking. So I upgraded the processor, added more RAM, etc. I don't remember how much you could, or if you could customize the HP, but Lenovo let you customize almost everything including the display type, card reader, wireless card, etc. So many options! I created something that I would like and that would last me for the 4 years. Yes, money is a huge factor in these decisions. However, for me, I wouldn't have chosen a different computer. The Lenovo was also lighter than the Toshiba and some other brand I was looking at, which just gave more pluses to Lenovo.

OneNote Update:

1st props go to Chii chan. Downloading the 2010 beta version helped solve some of my problems. I guess I will be upgrading when that is available.

The print from file option definitely does NOT work in 2007 which makes the program kind of low-value for me.

The problem of finding the cursor to leave "drawing" mode was eventually solved. In 2007, the icon is just an "A", no arrow, and the description would never lead you to think it is a cursor. Much easier to find in 2010 (it has a cursor AND an A).

So I can now insert the files and move them around. U can also move around each slide from a powerpoint individually (which makes a big difference).

One last question.... I hate the new icon menu format that has been adopted in Office 2007 (but not Onenote2007) and in Office/OneNote 2010. Is there any option to use "traditional" menus? I have been using those menus for decades now and I just like reading rather than interpreting big old pictures that take up too much room.

Again, I want to say the handwriting recognition is pretty amazing reading my handwriting so far when I use it.

Thanks! 🙂 And it's not so much that print from file doesn't work for 2007. It just doesn't work for anyone running any 64bit OS (XP, Vista, or Windows 7). If you have a 32bit OS, there is no need worry because there won't be an issue! The printer driver for OneNote basically doesn't work for 64bit OSes.

Glad you found the cursor! I was getting ready to do a PrtSc and put arrows with explanations to what everything is.

Did you figure out how to move the toolbars? My explanation of what it looks like was wrong before. I'm usually not looking at or referring to the actual program when I type out my explanations, oops. Each toolbar starts with 4 vertical dots, not "::". I was close. You can actually put "File, Edit, View, etc." in a different part on your OneNote application! Just put your cursor over the 4 dots and the 4 arrow looking cursor shows up (similar to moving pictures within OneNote). Click and drag it to wherever you want it to appear. You can also customize the toolbar to have the things you need on it. On the Formatting toolbar, I always uncheck bold, underline, italics since I know the shortcuts for them, and add in the justification buttons.You can also customize it to add in drawing tools (give you arrows, axes, squares, circles, etc.). Or if you really want, create your own. 🙂

And the writing recognition is pretty amazing. I'm not too messy, but not typefont either. I went through the 50+ sentences/letters on the handwriting recognition, and it has made an awesome difference. I rarely have to fix things now.

I'm not sure about your Word/Excel question just yet. It took me a little bit to get used to, but have found it more functional. Change is hard. I'll look and see, and get back to you with an answer of yes or no.

 

[BlacKAT33]

Thanks a lot for the reply! I have much the same feelings as you do.

7) That's really good to know. I hate cheap pens, so I'd no doubt hate the cheap stylus that comes with the HP, haha.

i dont know why i doubted myself lol but just for kicks i looked up a picture of the HP stylus and it looked similar to the lenovo (eraser and pointy tip). I thought i saw the tm2t in person, but now im not so sure. i know i keep confusing the tm2t with the txtz or w/e the other thing is lol But w/e i saw definitely was what i first described. either they put a cheap replacement stylus out or maybe i just cant find the right picture online of it lol. But if you have a Microcenter store (or that other comp store on the west coast) they should have an HP out on display!

I didn't find a lenovo tablet on display anywhere 🙁 but i did look at a ton of the thinkpad models since they have a similar keyboard and i tried out the pointy mouse button thing lol. omg i probably sound like such a ****** talking baby language with computers hahaha but i dont remember what that pointer thing was called 😳

 

[PrimalMU]

Haha, I call the mouse pointer thingy either a nubbin or a pencil eraser. 😉

You know, one of the things I love about Lenovo is that their upgrades are very reasonably priced. It costs $76 to upgrade to 4 GB of RAM... I checked Newegg and it would cost over $100 to upgrade the RAM myself (which is usually much, MUCH cheaper than having the manufacturer upgrade it with most other laptop makers).

 

[cowgirla]

My old laptop was a IBM Thinkpad (from before they merged with lenovo.)

I got it summer of 2005, and have to say, I was very disappointed with the lifespan of the laptop. Hard drive crashed after the first year, they replaced that becaues I had an extended warranty. Had to buy a new power cord and a new battery by the end of year two. Upgraded the memory because it kept getting slower and slower. Fan got louder and louder, and laptop kept over heating to the point of burning my legs through my jeans, and it was only 3 years old at that point. Constant problems starting up, "blue screens" appearing daily, etc. I am NOT hard on my computers. I rarely took that one outside the house. Always carried it in a nice big case, never dropped, etc. Always had antivirus stuff, made sure to go through periodically checking for spyware, adware, and other things that may have wormed their way in. Nothing. Wiped the whole hard drive, to see if that was the problem, and nope, it was just the computer itself starting to fall apart. My father does computers for a living, and he couldn't even keep it going.
So needless to say, 2009 I got a new laptop, and it's an HP with an i7 processor. If I could find a used tablet somewhere, I'd consider that, but refuse to go spend a lot of money on one. Like someone said, the HP tablets are too new, so I guess thats why I can't find a used one.

 

[BlacKAT33]

Haha, I call the mouse pointer thingy either a nubbin or a pencil eraser. 😉

You know, one of the things I love about Lenovo is that their upgrades are very reasonably priced. It costs $76 to upgrade to 4 GB of RAM... I checked Newegg and it would cost over $100 to upgrade the RAM myself (which is usually much, MUCH cheaper than having the manufacturer upgrade it with most other laptop makers).

this is true!! When i tried to customize the HP laptop it was SO expensive, even the 3 yr warrenty was ridiculous ($319 for the basic) and i was contemplating only getting the 1 yr. Then when i went to customize the lenovo, their warrenty was a lot cheaper!! since i ended up going with the lenovo i did get the 3 yr warrenty. There are multiple options for the 3 yr warrenty for lenovo but only one of them is more expensive than the HP, and that is the premium package. Their basic ones are $119 and $279.

So i just configured the HP laptop with all of the upgrades (possible) that i got on my lenovo, the total price went up to $1859. And that still doesnt include the 8 cell battery (not an option), and the processor: 1.86GHz, 6MB L2, 1066MHz (not an option). My lenovo one was around 2k but of course this is with a lot of upgrades, like what i just mentioned. It is also the multitouch screen.

I will admit, my parents did pay for it as a vet school present. However, I do have enough money saved to pay for it on my own and I would have spent the extra $250 to get the lenovo with the better upgrades.


cowgirla- wow that is the first time i have heard of an x200 breaking down fast! i wonder if this is a rare thing?? As i was looking up about the stylus, i have heard that the side button on the lenovo stylus breaks really easily (bummer) but that is the only complaint ive heard about the laptop itself. But like i said before, I do like HP's! my undergrad comp was an HP and i loved it. im sure their tablets are great too, i just didn't want to risk it since it is new and there was only a little bit of price difference once i configured all the upgrades

 

[cowgirla]

cowgirla- wow that is the first time i have heard of an x200 breaking down fast! i wonder if this is a rare thing?? As i was looking up about the stylus, i have heard that the side button on the lenovo stylus breaks really easily (bummer) but that is the only complaint ive heard about the laptop itself. But like i said before, I do like HP's! my undergrad comp was an HP and i loved it. im sure their tablets are great too, i just didn't want to risk it since it is new and there was only a little bit of price difference once i configured all the upgrades

Sorry, should have specified better, it wasn't an x200, just a regular old thinkpad laptop. I just meant that I'm hesitant to pour all that money into the same brand, when I really wasn't happy with the old one. My cousin had a T43 laptop, had to get a new one after 4 years. My father's thinkpad only lasted 5 years as well.
My old thinkpad was a $1400 one, upgraded and well cared for, and I still barely got four years out of it. When I'm paying that much, I expect a lot longer than 4 years.

So I wouldn't go spend $1800 on a tablet unless I could be sure it would last a very very long time. If I could find a decent used one for a couple hundred, I'd consider it.

 

[PrimalMU]

I REALLY wish Apple would come out with a proper tablet. My 1st gen Macbook is still going strong after 4 years, and will be my "at home" computer during vet school (while my tablet will be used for class).

 

[BlacKAT33]

I REALLY wish Apple would come out with a proper tablet. My 1st gen Macbook is still going strong after 4 years, and will be my "at home" computer during vet school (while my tablet will be used for class).

ah yes! stupid ipad lol

 

[StartingoverVet]

Sorry, should have specified better, it wasn't an x200, just a regular old thinkpad laptop. I just meant that I'm hesitant to pour all that money into the same brand, when I really wasn't happy with the old one. My cousin had a T43 laptop, had to get a new one after 4 years. My father's thinkpad only lasted 5 years as well.
My old thinkpad was a $1400 one, upgraded and well cared for, and I still barely got four years out of it. When I'm paying that much, I expect a lot longer than 4 years.

So I wouldn't go spend $1800 on a tablet unless I could be sure it would last a very very long time. If I could find a decent used one for a couple hundred, I'd consider it.

Wow, you are a hard girl to please. I can't remember a computer that I have kept more than 5 years or so, especially laptops. I'm hoping mine makes it through school. That's it.

 

[cowgirla]

Wow, you are a hard girl to please. I can't remember a computer that I have kept more than 5 years or so, especially laptops. I'm hoping mine makes it through school. That's it.

Well, I dont except them to run like new....I do expect to be able to turn them on and open Word or the internet in less than a half hour, without getting third degree burns in the process. I like to check my email without getting an evil blue screen. I like when the battery lasts long enough to carry the laptop across a small room. I like the when the power adapters dont shoot sparks across the room when you plug them in. If it lacks all basic functionality after 4 years, it wasn't worth spending almost $1500 on.

My brother's got a Gateway that's still going strong after 6 years.
Two of my friends have HPs that are 6 and 7 years old, still running well.
Our Toshibas at work are 5 years old, and run great. My mother's is 4 years old. It was a cheap model, so it's slow, but no problems with it.

I don't know a single IBM that I can say that about! Maybe they're better now that they merged with Lenovo, but I dunno. Until the evidence speaks otherwise, I cant justify spending almost 2K on a tablet from them.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I like the when the power adapters dont shoot sparks across the room when you plug them in.

😱😱 you've had some crazy experiences!!


As long as mine lasts me 4 years without problems i will be happy. I have a netbook for all my basic comp needs. I just want this for studying and school but after that i wont really need anything as advanced as a tablet. But tpad40s is still going strong, so hopefully mine will last for a long time, especially with all those upgrades i put in!! lol will keep you updated after 4 yrs!! haha

 

[Tiktaalik]

ah yes! stupid ipad lol

I'm totes gonna go for it, I think.

Multitasking gets enabled in the fall, app support (I've already found a great note-taking app, handwriting recognition apps are only a matter of time) is mounting, you can buy a stylus for it, it docks to a keyboard, built in mic, long battery life, and they're going to do some kind of feature reveal this summer that might really boost it even more (although they could just be boosting the iPhone b/c they're announcing the 4G hardware refresh, I think the delay of OS4's release for the iPad is suspicious - what else are they adding?). Plus, I already have a decent laptop that can act as an organizational home base.

Talk me down, kids.

 

[cowgirla]

I'm totes gonna go for it, I think.

Multitasking gets enabled in the fall, app support (I've already found a great note-taking app, handwriting recognition apps are only a matter of time) is mounting, you can buy a stylus for it, it docks to a keyboard, built in mic, long battery life, and they're going to do some kind of feature reveal this summer that might really boost it even more (although they could just be boosting the iPhone b/c they're announcing the 4G hardware refresh, I think the delay of OS4's release for the iPad is suspicious - what else are they adding?). Plus, I already have a decent laptop that can act as an organizational home base.

Talk me down, kids.

Sorry, no talking down here. Tell me more! How would it work-- you take notes on it and then sync it with your regular laptop?
I really haven't looked into the iPad too much. I thought they were supposed tobe more of a kindle/reading device thing? Are these current features, or things down the road, to be able to use it for note taking?

 

[BlacKAT33]

I'm totes gonna go for it, I think.

Multitasking gets enabled in the fall, app support (I've already found a great note-taking app, handwriting recognition apps are only a matter of time) is mounting, you can buy a stylus for it, it docks to a keyboard, built in mic, long battery life, and they're going to do some kind of feature reveal this summer that might really boost it even more (although they could just be boosting the iPhone b/c they're announcing the 4G hardware refresh, I think the delay of OS4's release for the iPad is suspicious - what else are they adding?). Plus, I already have a decent laptop that can act as an organizational home base.

Talk me down, kids.

oo the multitasking is a great upgrade!! that was the one thing that turned me off the most. i cant wait til the fall to get a new comp tho. i need to time work it since i suck with comps haha

i am looking forward to the new generation ipad or some other product that is more computer like than iphone like

 

[twelvetigers]

It doesn't even have usb! Give me a break! <--allcaps

 

[Tiktaalik]

Sorry, no talking down here. Tell me more! How would it work-- you take notes on it and then sync it with your regular laptop?
I really haven't looked into the iPad too much. I thought they were supposed tobe more of a kindle/reading device thing? Are these current features, or things down the road, to be able to use it for note taking?

There's already a notetaking app - top free app in the store, and I bet that more are on the way. It has an ebook reader, but that's not really the core of the product, and frankly, I think they're a little unenthusiastic about it. It's supposed to be a device somewhere between a phone and a laptop, basically a mobile digital clipboard/media center.

My workflow would probably be (record audio/take notes in lecture) -> (Back up to laptop at end of day for storage) -> (Keep written notes on pad so I can use them, move audio notes to phone so I can listen). It would basically be like the iPad is my "notebook", the laptop my "desk".

And @tt, what would you plug into said USB? Only things I plug into USB are my camera (iPad has adapter) and my iPhone (wouldn't really make sense). My portable hard drives and printer are all networked.

Edit: Oh carp I am totally talking myself into this.

 

[Tiktaalik]

This is me right now: http://www.theonion.com/video/report-most-college-males-admit-to-regularly-getti,14386/

 

[chii chan]

Well, I dont except them to run like new....I do expect to be able to turn them on and open Word or the internet in less than a half hour, without getting third degree burns in the process. I like to check my email without getting an evil blue screen. I like when the battery lasts long enough to carry the laptop across a small room. I like the when the power adapters dont shoot sparks across the room when you plug them in. If it lacks all basic functionality after 4 years, it wasn't worth spending almost $1500 on.

My brother's got a Gateway that's still going strong after 6 years.
Two of my friends have HPs that are 6 and 7 years old, still running well.
Our Toshibas at work are 5 years old, and run great. My mother's is 4 years old. It was a cheap model, so it's slow, but no problems with it.

I don't know a single IBM that I can say that about! Maybe they're better now that they merged with Lenovo, but I dunno. Until the evidence speaks otherwise, I cant justify spending almost 2K on a tablet from them.

I'm impressed with your Gateway story. Mine was a total piece of garbage, and so was my dads.

I want my computer to last me 4 years. If it doesn't, then not a biggie, if it does, fantastic! Sony has treated me well - the only one to treat me well so far. Had a desktop for 7 years. It was still running great, but needed an upgrade since there wasn't enough memory, harddrive space, etc. It was 7 years old, though. We'll see how my VAIO laptop and the new Lenovo treats me. 🙂