Product Reviews

Before we kick off any discussion of the ViewSonic, it's worth pointing out that the company sent Computer Buyer an early engineering sample of the device. For this reason, we'll have to cut some slack as preview samples will inevitably show a few rough edges that'll be smoothed out in the final product.

Compared to the Compaq Tablet PC TC1000 also reviewed this month, the ViewSonic is definitely a more sensible and workmanlike device. Rather than a status symbol, this device looks and feels like a machine designed with function in mind.

It's much bigger and heavier than the Compaq, though both are still eminently portable, and will slip easily into a rucksack or briefcase.

Sadly, the ViewSonic's screen isn't up to much. Sure, the Compaq's suffered from reflections - but the V1100's display was almost impossible to work with under our Lab's bright fluorescent lighting. I experimented with holding the machine at different angles in an effort to improve things, but with little success. The screen is also very unevenly lit across its area, with the sides being much brighter than the middle.

To make using the machine easier, the ViewSonic has some buttons around the edge of the screen. These handle common tasks such bringing up the on-screen keyboard or handwriting recognition window. This speeds progress, and Compaq would do to learn from it.

Writing on the screen was comfortable enough, although I tended to press rather hard. When writing on the screen of the ViewSonic, this led to the display distorting around the stylus nib, which is rather disconcerting. A less flimsy screen covering could well be in order.

Subjectively, the ViewSonic's handwriting recognition seems faster than that of the Compaq - giving the whole business of writing text a snappier feel. This impression of speed is borne out by the ViewSonic's performance in our 2D benchmark tests. The V1100 came in over 60% faster than the Compaq, with a score of 466.

The difference can be attributed to the ViewSonic's 800MHz Pentium III, which is much more powerful than the Transmeta of the Compaq. Strangely,

ADVERTISEMENT

though, despite this difference in 2D scores, both the Compaq and Viewsonic manage nearly identical performances in 3DMark 2001. As we've already said in relation to the Compaq though, this is somewhat irrelevant, as neither of these machines are actually designed for gaming.

Beyond its processor, the ViewSonic packs 256MB RAM and a 20GB hard disk. These give enough power and space to both carry out and store bags of work.

The ViewSonic's extra turn of speed brings one drawback, though. The V1100 battery lasted just one and a half hours in testing, compared with over two hours for the Compaq. Again, a few tweaks of the power management options should be able to extend this.

Both the Compaq and ViewSonic are fine examples of what could possibly be a whole new branch of computing's future. Sadly, though, they both share the same problem, and that's a lack of versatility - and, to different degrees, a high price.

Tablet PCs are unashamedly work machines - with 3DMark 2001 scores like these, gaming is a no-no. Video editing is out of the question, and music making would be near impossible. On the flip side of the coin, both machines would shine in a business environment where carrying a notebook might be difficult - order-picking in a warehouse, say, or stock-keeping. This is because Tablet PCs let you work while you walk - something that's impossible with even the lightest and most portable notebook. You can also slouch and work, too.

Both of these PCs are undeniably impressive feats of miniaturisation and clever engineering. To pack this much power into such a small space is worthy of note and congratulation. The handwriting recognition built into Windows XP for Tablet PCs is the best I've ever encountered, too.

As for Microsoft's vision of Tablet PCs being invaluable tools for people who skip between meetings making copious notes, I have my doubts. Successful meetings require eye contact and focus on what's being debated. These machines require too much concentration to let users participate properly in discussion. Even after much practice and familiarity, anyone using a Tablet PC would still be distracted by it to such an extent that they could not give their all in a meeting. There's no getting away from the fact that writing on a notepad is still far more automatic.

Of course, if you want to make a splash and swagger into a meeting like someone straight from a Gillette advert, buy the Compaq. It's one of the most striking, innovative and cleverly designed pieces of kit I've ever seen. Add to this the handy keyboard, and it's clearly more desirable than the ViewSonic. Given the V1100's exorbitant price, the Compaq is a much better buy.