Acer TravelMate C100
The Acer TravelMate C100 denotes a careful approach by the Taiwanese firm towards pen computing. Though it incorporates a touchscreen and Microsoft's upcoming Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, underneath it all, it's a normal ultraportable notebook. Acer claims that this design offers users the best of both worlds, but in reality there are a few tradeoffs. For example, the weight could be lowered if the keyboard were detachable. The screen is just 10.4 inches wide, instead of the more usual 12.1 inches, and features a swivel that invites a greater risk of mechanical failure down the road.
Adequate Power
|
Tablet PCs |
It's not the fastest ultraportable around--notebooks such as the IBM ThinkPad X30, Dell Latitude C400 offer 1GHz or faster CPUs--but it should handle office, email and Internet software with no drama. However, don't expect any speed in gaming or video and 3D rendering.
Where it offers less is in the LCD display, where a smaller 10.1-inch unit is used instead of the more common 12.1-inch screen. This size reduction aids in pen-based usage, by making it easier to cradle in one's arms, and by lowering battery power consumption.
No Speed Demon
Our standard MobileMark 2002 benchmarks failed to run due to an installation problem, so we could not test the rated battery life of 3 hours. But from experience with other ultralights, it is safe to say that a rating of 3 hours is highly possible, given the use of a low voltage CPU and the small 10.1-inch screen. A three-hour battery life is slightly above average for a notebook.
As a tablet computer, the C100 performed well. The innovative swiveling hinge made it easy to unlatch, rotate and fold the display over the keyboard, LCD-side facing out. Two spring-loaded catches on either side of the screen's base hold the display in place. The engineering is clever, and while Acer states that the swivel design has been tested for durability, it still presents a potential structural weakness. But when used in either notebook or tablet position, the screen felt securely held in place; nothing rattled. Useful shortcut buttons along the edge of the screen allow the screen orientation to be rotated from portrait to landscape mode.
The hardened, glassy surface the LCD made it easy to run a stylus across, and it felt durable too. Forget about the spongy touchscreens you may have come across on PDAs or public terminals--the new active technology in Tablet PC devices is much more responsive and therefore pleasant to use.
A Safe Approach
Acer's approach to tablet computing contrasts with the likes of ViewSonic, which is going to sell a pure, keyboardless slate, the ViewSonic PC V1100 as will Fujitsu. HP's device may have a keyboard, but will use a power-sipping Transmeta Crusoe chip instead of an Intel Pentium.
Acer's conservative approach will appeal primarily to notebook users willing to overlook a few compromises for a taste of pen-based computing. Firms needing to pilot tablet applications, but requiring backward compatibility will also be interested in the C100.
Acer Travemate C100
Company: Acer Australia
Price: AU$4499, $4999 with Office XP SBE
Distributor: Selected resellers
Phone: 1300 366 567
