I've been thinking lately that I'd like a second computer to use for non development stuff.  Web browsing, email reading, tracking schedules, taking notes, etc.  I've been thinking about getting a tablet PC to fill this role.  I found a bunch of them that I like, but I wanted to try it out to see what the big deal is.  I went to Comp USA to try it out.  What a mess.

Comp USA only had 2 models on display.  It didn't really matter to me because I just wanted to see the OS, not so much the computer.  They were not near the other laptops, which I found odd.  They were tucked in an obscure isle next to the laptop bags.  They looked like they were just thrown there.  Neither was turned on.  I tried turning them on, but there was apparently no power.  I had to find a sales person to help me.  He snaked some power cords all over plugged them in, turned both of them on then walked away.  No sales pitch or anything.  That didn't bother me so much because they typically don't know what they are talking about.

I started playing with the Toshiba.  The pen was pretty cool, but because of the security lock they had on the thing I couldn't actually swivel the monitor and turn it into tablet mode.  I wanted to try the handwriting recognition out and I have heard that One Note is cool.  I launched One Note but all I saw was the serial number entry form.  I couldn't even launch Word.  The only app I could get to run was called Sketchpad.  It warned me about being a trial copy and then ran.  It was cool, I could draw on the screen like I would with a pencil.

The thing is I wasn't impressed, but I don't know if it's because the Comp USA display and service sucked so bad or if it was because Tablet PC wasn't any good.  If all retail vendors are like this, it's no wonder why the Tablet PC hasn't sold as well as it was anticipated to.