I've found that I'm once again craving a tablet PC.  My current laptop (Sager) is huge, hot, and getting old.  It's time for a smaller more portable notebook.  I really like the concept of a slate, but my recent vacation to Lake Michigan made me realize I really need a convertible.  If I could have pounded out some code while riding in the car I would have had more time to spend at the lake with my family. 

After doing some research I am leaning towards the Toshiba Tecra M7.  I've read reviews and figured out a configuration I'm happy with.  The problem I have is that I've never actually played much with a convertible, or specifically with a Toshiba convertible.
So what would you do?  I'm a little nervous about spending over $2k for a laptop that may not live up to my expectations.  Why aren't these tables in the retail stores?  I read a lot of people that are very happy with their tablet, yet apparently the big box stores don't think they can make money by stocking them.  What's the deal? 

Any ideas how I can try out a Tecra M7?