Upgrading to Windows 8 on two tablet PCs

I've been testing Windows 8 on a few different tablet PCs. Specifically, I installed Windows 8 on the HP Slate 500 and the HP EliteBook 2760p Convertible Tablet PC.

In the case of the Slate 500: this device is really built to support Windows 7. HP does not provide Windows 8 drivers on their website. After installing Windows 8 on the Slate 500, I found that some key features didn't work. For example, the N-Trig pen does not work properly under Windows 8. There are some beta drivers that you can find on the N-Trig website, but these drivers don't support all the functions of the pen. I hunted around for a while and updated a few drivers, but I finally concluded that the HP Slate 500 is better off running Windows 7.

On the EliteBook 2760p Convertible Tablet PC, Windows 8 offers some really nice features and upgrades over Windows 7. In tablet mode, the touch experience is much better than Windows 7. The 2760p is a convertible tablet PC that supports both capacitive touch and an active digitizer pen. I didn't have any problems using touch or the pen. In touch mode, the on-screen keyboard is much easier to use. Overall performance feels great and Windows 8 runs very smoothly on the 2760p. Battery life on Windows 8 is supposed to be better, but I didn't spend too much time measuring that improvement.

Before upgrading to Windows 8, Microsoft recommends that you run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. It scans your current PC to see if it is ready for Windows 8 and then provides a compatibility report and optional steps for you to buy, download, and install Windows 8.

Running Windows 8 Release Preview on the HP Slate 500

I've been running Windows 8 Release Preview on HP Slate 500. I want to thank Cameron Mergel for posting an informative post on his blog about how to install Windows 8 Release Preview on HP Slate 500.

Windows 8 Release Preview (build 8400) was released to the public on May 31, 2012 and it's the last preview build we're going to see because Windows 8 is scheduled to launch this fall.  Windows 8 Release Preview  is set to expire on January 16, 2013, so I have plenty of time to play around with this new OS and to compare it to Windows 7, to iOS, and Android.

Here are my initial impressions:

1. Overall, the performance feels faster compared to Windows 7. 
2. I miss the Windows "Start" button on the lower left corner of the screen. It's tough to give up old habits. You can install third party apps to get this start button (and menu) back, but I've decided to force myself into the computing paradigm that Microsoft has developed.  
3. I like the new on-screen keyboard. On a tablet, you can also split the keyboard so that half the keys are in one corner of the screen and the other half are on the other corner. This allows you to type using your thumbs.
4. I'm not a big fan of the Metro user interface (based on large rectangles that are easy on the fingers, but make overall navigation a bit cumbersome). This is one of the biggest changes that Microsoft has implemented and it's the backbone of the new Microsoft mobile OS called Windows RT. I find it confusing to run Metro on a PC that has a desktop that is based on legacy versions of Windows. You're essentially running two interfaces on the same machine and I think that will confuse some people.
5. I couldn't test most of the Metro apps because the HP Slate doesn't support the right screen resolution to run these apps. Windows 8 requires a resolution of 1366 x 768 to run Metro apps. The HP Slate has a screen resolution of 1024 x 600 (because it has an 8.9" screen).   

I hope that Microsoft will keep the "Start" button in the final version of Windows 8. The lack of a Start button will hinder many computer users who have enough trouble adapting to new software.

Based on my limited experience with a preview release of Windows 8, I'm concluding that you won't want to upgrade to Windows 8 unless your PC was built for it.

You don't need a touch screen to use the touch gestures of Windows 8. Many of the touch gestures will be supported on a mouse trackpad/touchpad, so this is certainly going to kill the future viability of those small "eraser head" mouse pointers found on Lenovo ThinkPads and other laptops.

I'll have more to say as I continue to test Running Windows 8 Release Preview on the HP Slate 500. In the meanwhile, I may also load Windows 8 Release Preview on a different tablet that has higher screen resolution so that I can test those Metro apps.

How many of these tablets can you identify?

Here's a photo that includes all the tablet computers that I had in my office last week. How many can you recognize?

Let's start with the left column:

• Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC (Windows)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 (Android)
• HTC EVO View 4G (Android )
• HP Slate 500 (Windows)

Right column:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (Android)
• Apple iPad (iOS)
• HP TouchPad (webOS)

Did you get all those? I only own 3 of these devices. I'm currently testing all the others. Which 3 do I own?

HP Slate 500 (Windows 7) vs. HP TouchPad (webOS)

The HP Slate 500 runs Microsoft Windows 7.
The HP TouchPad runs HP (formerly Palm) webOS.

The operating system certainly sets these devices apart. Although Windows 7 allows you to run practically any desktop application on the Slate 500, the small screen size may limit your ability to view certain things.

These slate tablets certainly have other features that set them apart and here is a photo showing them side-by-side so that you can compare the thickness of each device. The TouchPad is 0.54" thick (left) while the Slate 500 is 0.58" thick (right).

Other key differences:

• Screen sizes: the Slate 500 has an 8.9" screen while the TouchPad has a 9.7" screen.
• Digitizer: The Slate 500 supports an active pen digitizer that is powered by N-Trig. Plus, it supports capacitive multi-touch gestures. The TouchPad has no pen.
• Expansion: The Slate 500 has an SD card slot. No expansion slots on the TouchPad.
• Power: The Slate 500 requires a proprietary power plug. The TouchPad is powered by a standard micro-USB port.
• Battery life: The Slate 500 will go roughly 4-5 hrs on battery life. The TouchPad will go for 8 hrs.

Here, you'll see that the TouchPad is on the left and the Slate 500 is on the right. If you're mainly using your tablet in portrait mode, then the Slate 500 will have the tendency to cut off portions of most web pages. You'll need to scroll horizontally to view those sections.

I use my Slate 500 all the time. I mainly use it as my digital notepad and I scribble (literally) on it all the time. I also have an iPad at home, but I seem to be using it less these days. Maybe that's part of the reason why I didn't find myself using the TouchPad all the time. I already have a Slate 500 that I can use for web browsing, email, etc. 

In short, these two HP devices are completely different gadgets, even though they're both made by HP. Both have a place in the professional setting. The Slate 500 is a mini PC that can run enterprise-level applications in Windows 7. Is this what you really need? If you're looking for a nice basic tablet that has strong battery life, then you'll want the TouchPad over the Slate 500. It'll be interesting to see what kinds of apps get developed for webOS. Will HP open this operating system up to other hardware manufacturers? Will companies like HTC, Samsung, and LG also create mobile devices running webOS?

HP Tablets, Touch Screens Making Inroads in Health IT

Here's a video from HIMSS 2011 that's featuring the HP Slate 500:

Screen rotation on the HP Slate 500

By default, the HP Slate 500 only goes from 0 to 90 degrees based on the built-in accelerometer. You need to manually use key strokes to get the display to 180 or 270 degrees.

Here's a video I took showing that the HP Slate 500 has the ability to use the built-in accelerometer to rotate its display: 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees:

HP Slate 500 deals: refurbished and open box

If you're interested in picking up an HP Slate 500 that runs Windows 7, consider a refurbished or open box product. You can find these at the HP Business Outlet. You can also get them through retailers like PC Mall. $539 for a Slate 500 that normally retails for $799 isn't bad!

PDair book case for HP Slate 500 tablet PC

The HP Slate 500 is a great little tablet PC, but the OEM case doesn't allow you to hold the tablet up at different angles. I chose to get the PDair book case because this case allows you to hold the slate up at 3 different angles. PDair makes two types of book cases for the HP Slate 500.

I got this case from Amazon: "PDair BX2 Black Leather Case for HP Slate 500 Tablet PC"

The PDair case shipped from Hong Kong. The book case is made of high quality leather and the craftsmanship is very impressive. The case is thicker than the OEM case, but I think it's worth the extra thickness given all the functionality and extra protection it offers. The case is held closed by small magnets.  In many ways, this case reminds me of the Marware C.E.O. Hybrid iPad Case.

Here are some photos of the PDair book case for HP Slate 500 tablet PC:

Fujitsu STYLISTIC Q550 Slate PC: Pre-Order

If you're looking for a slate tablet PC running Windows 7, here's one to consider. Fujitsu introduces the STYLISTIC® Q550 Slate PC, designed from the ground up to meet the rigorous demands of mobile business users.

STYLISTIC® Q550 Slate PC

•     Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 32-bit
•     Bright 10.1" WXGA LED backlit IPS display with wide-viewing angles
•     Capacitive multi-touch and digital pen support for ease-of-use
•     Unique removable quick-swap battery for all day computing
•     Advanced security: integrated SmartCard slot, Fingerprint Sensor, and TPM (select configuration)
•     Extremely light weight starting at approximately 1.7 lbs
•     Battery life up to a standard business work day

Compared to the HP Slate 500, the Fujitsu Q550 is larger and a bit heavier, but it includes a removable battery (which appears to be $129). Plus, the Q550 includes a Fingerprint scanner and a SmartCard slot.  If you don't need these types of features, then the HP Slate 500 is a nice option because it's smaller, thinner, and lighter.  I currently use the Slate 500 but I'm waiting to see how the Q550 will compare to it.

If you're working in a hospital, you may want to consider the addition of a hand strap so that you're less likely to drop the Q550 on the floor. Neither the Fujitsu Q550 or the HP Slate 500 are rugged PCs. If you're looking for a rugged slate PC, wait for the Motion Computing CL900.

Charging an HP Slate 500 tablet PC using an external battery pack

The HP Slate 500 is a great little tablet PC, but the battery is not user-swappable. So, if you run out of power, you need to find a wall outlet unless you use my solution to charge the Slate 500 using an external battery pack. The external battery pack will charge the internal battery on your Slate 500 when you're on the road (or on an airplane).

Here, I have illustrated a way to charge the Slate 500. You'll need the following:

• Tekkeon myPower All Plus MP3750
  
• myPower ALL Female Car Charger Adapter (works with the Tekkeon external battery)
• A portable power inverter (I'm using a 75 Watt inverter here, but a 175 Watt Portable Micro Power Inverter would also work)

Now, once you have all this together, you can plug your HP Slate 30W Power Adapter (QK186AA) into the Power Inverter and you'll have mobile power.

HP Slate 500 tips and tricks

If you have an HP Slate 500 tablet PC running Windows 7, then here are a few tips that can help you.

First, there's a quick and easy way to "right click" when you're using your finger. You can do the "tap and hold," but there's an easier method: a single tap followed by another tap with a different finger while you leave your first finger on the screen. Try it. This "right click" trick works on any Windows 7 touch-screen computer that supports multi-touch gestures.

Second, if you're looking for an additional pen for your HP Slate 500, you can use the Fujitsu Stylus Part #FPCPN36AP. This is a near-identical N-Trig pen that will also work on the HP Slate 500.

Finally, I've found a way to charge the Slate 500 using an external battery back. I'll be posting about that over the next few days so stay tuned!

Reviewing the HP Slate 500 tablet PC

I just received an HP Slate 500 to review. This is a slate tablet PC running Windows 7 and I'm hoping that it will replace one of my old, outdated slate tablets like the Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC (remember those?). If you've been using an iPad but you need a device that runs Microsoft Windows 7, the HP Slate 500 could be a nice option to a slate tablet running iOS or Android.

I'll be posting some of my initial thoughts and comments over the next few days, so stay tuned if you're interested in this topic.

Make sure you don't confuse the HP Slate 500 to the new HP TouchPad running HP webOS (formerly Palm webOS).

• The HP Slate 500 runs Windows 7. 
• The HP TouchPad runs the same operating system found on the Palm Pre. 

If you need a small, light enterprise-level slate tablet running Microsoft Windows 7, there are only a few options that are currently available.

Growing number of slate tablet PCs running Windows 7

Over the past few weeks, I've been thinking about the ways I use my computers and I've concluded that I need to travel with a device running Windows. The iPad simply doesn't do enough for me and I don't think an Android slate would cut it either. I'm a business traveler and I need to run my Windows-based applications. Remote desktop only goes so far.

If you're thinking about getting a slate tablet PC running Windows 7, there are a growing number of options we're going to see later this year. Right now, you can purchase the HP Slate 500 for $799.

Soon, you'll have the option to purchase the Motion CL900 for under $1,000 and Fujitsu will be releasing the STYLISTIC Q550.

There are other slate tablet PCs that have larger screens. Plus, you can still get convertible tablets like the ThinkPad, the HP 2740p, or the Fujitsu LifeBook.

Hands-on with the HP Slate 500 at #HIMSS11

I'm at HIMSS and I'm seeing the HP Slate 500 everywhere throughout the exhibit hall. I've been waiting to get my hands on this device so that I can test it myself. The HP Slate 500 is a complete PC running Windows 7 so you won't need to run a virtual machine if you need to access your electronic health record or hospital-based CPOE system on your tablet.

Starting at 1.5 lb, this slate device has an 8.9" diagonal WSVGA wide-viewing angle touchscreen that is responsive to capacitive touch. Plus, you can use the HP Slate Digital Pen for data input. I prefer the capacitive touch input.

You won't find the Slate 500 in a brick and mortar store like Best Buy or Staples. This product was developed as an enterprise-level device and not a consumer device. The HP TouchPad running webOS will be more widely available and will meet the needs of many consumers and health care professionals who are currently using slate devices like the Apple iPad.

After playing around with the HP Slate 500, I've concluded that this is a really nice device for those who want a very light, portable slate that will run Windows 7. I'm currently using LogMeIn Ignition to access Windows 7 on my Apple iPad, but maybe I'll be in a better position if I'm simply using a Windows 7 slate.

Slate 500, Xoom, TouchPad, PlayBook, or iPad?

We're seeing more slate tablet options this year. I have a number of people asking me, "which one should I get?"

• The HP Slate 500 running Windows 7?
• The Motorola Xoom running Android?
• The HP TouchPad running webOS?
• The BlackBerry PlayBook?
• Or, the Apple iPad?

Until we see the new iPad 2, we can't compare all the specs across these different devices. I've been using an iPad for a while and even though I really like the device, I think it could definitely use a faster processor. 1 GHz is fairly fast, but a dual-core processor is what's needed (and it's probably what we're going to see in the new iPad 2).

I'm definitely a fan of the 9 or 10" screen. Those devices with 7" screens (like the Samsung Galaxy Tab) are nice and pocketable, but they're not going to give you the level of productivity as slates that have a larger screen. This is especially true when you're using the on-screen keyboard for two-hand finger typing. On the other hand, if you're a huge fan of thumb typing, you'll have a better experience using a 7" tablet in portrait mode.

Motion CL900

I can't wait to try the Motion CL900. Some of you might remember the Motion LS800. That was a smaller slate tablet that resembled a smaller LE1600. The LS800 had an 8.4" screen with an active digitizer. No touch. Plus, the LS800 got fairly warm when you were using it.

Now, Motion Computing has introduced the CL900 rugged slate tablet. Times have definitely changed since 2005. Because of the Apple iPad, almost everyone is now comfortable with the slate tablet form factor. Plus, advances in computing technology have led to faster processors that run cooler. I hope Motion will have some CL900 demos at HIMSS11.

Let's briefly compare the Motion CL900 vs. the HP Slate 500:

• The Motion CL900 and the HP Slate 500 are some of the newer slate tablets that run Windows 7.  
• The Motion CL900 is a rugged slate that uses Gorilla Glass. 
• The HP Slate 500 is lighter and smaller at 1.5 lbs compared to the CL900 that weighs 2.1 lbs. 
• The HP Slate 500 has a smaller screen (8.9") compared to the CL900 that has a 10.1" screen. (higher screen resolution on the CL900)
• The CL900 comes with a WWAN option using Gobi.
• Battery life: HP Slate 500 is rated at 5+ hrs. Motion CL900 is rated at 8 hrs.

Is HP experiencing a shortage on the HP Slate 500?

HP has been advertising their "Slate 500" for a few months now, but their website still doesn't seem to indicate that these devices are currently in stock. Instead, it says, "Call for availability."

Did HP underestimate the popularity of this Windows 7 slate tablet PC?

I'm still waiting to get my hands on an HP Slate 500. When will it arrive?

HP Slate 500 vs. HP PalmPad

We know that the HP Slate 500 is running Windows 7. It's a full slate tablet PC.

The rumored HP PalmPad will run HP webOS, so it should have much longer battery life as it competes against the Apple iPad and Android slates like the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Will the PalmPad include an active digitizer for pen-based computing? Will webOS be the only operating system option? (wouldn't it be nice if we could load Android on the device? I'm sure someone will find a way to do that).

I'm so accustomed to using an active digitizer pen for inking and writing notes. Given that the current iPad only accommodates capacitive touch, it's very difficult to accurately use a stylus pen to draw/write/ink on the screen. That's where the HP Slate 500 has a significant advantage. I'm eager to know if the upcoming PalmPad will also include an active digitizer.

The HP Slate 500 runs $799. How much will the HP PalmPad run? $499, $599, or $699? (surely it won't be $799). 

HP Slate 500 for the holidays?

I was hoping to have the HP Slate 500 for the holidays, but now I'm not sure if that's going to happen. It appears like orders for the HP Slate 500 may be delayed a few weeks. If that's the case, then we may all need to wait for the New Year before we can get the Slate. I think the Slate 500 could become my main travel computer if I attach it to a removable keyboard.

I wonder how many people will get the Apple iPad this holiday season. I know that a number of shoppers are eagerly waiting for Apple to release the next version of the iPad (and I'm one of them). I'm also waiting before I buy an Android slate tablet. My Droid X is almost like a tablet given that it has a 4.3" screen. Of course, a 7" screen would be much nicer.

Media slate (e.g., Apple iPad) vs. slate PC (e.g., HP Slate 500)

What's the difference between a media slate vs. a slate PC? A media slate (like an Apple iPad) is built to be a consumer device, not a professional device. However, some people may argue that you can run enterprise-level applications by running a virtual machine on a device like an iPad.

In many ways, the HP Slate 500 looks like a larger version of some of the earlier ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) units. That "origami" UMPC phenomenon that never took off. I admit that I was an early adopter of the UMPC and I purchased a Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC. I still have that 7" touch-screen tablet and I use it for a variety of things. The 7" screen was a bit too small and the lack of an active digitizer made the Q1 Ultra difficult to use for pen-based computing. However, it was nice and small (but it could have been thinner). I wonder what would happen if Microsoft tried to revive the UMPC now that Apple has plowed the road for people to adopt slate tablets. Would a Samsung UMPC sell like hotcakes if it was priced around $500 or 600?

The HP Slate 500 is a very thin device that only weighs 1.5 pounds. It has an 8.9" screen, a 1.86GHz Atom Z560 processor, 2 GB of RAM, and a 64 GB SSD, so it should run Windows 7 adequately. Compared to my Samsung Q1 Ultra, the HP Slate 500 will be much faster. I'm eager to give it a test drive.

Here is link to a video (on SlashGear) featuring Carol Hess-Nickels from HP talking about the differences between a media slate vs. a slate PC and showing you the key features of the HP Slate 500.