Originally posted by Hoarach
The only thing I am kinda worried about with tablet is the screen getting really scratched up with the pen.
I am really just trying to get ideas on tablet as I am not truly sold on the idea but just looking.
If I dont go tablet I am looking at this one from ibuypower...
http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/Store/Configurator.aspx?mid=188&c=1193811
While I dont have much knowledge on ibuypower...I have looked at reviews and they say it is a good laptop with high end guts in it.
I've used a Tablet PC outside of seeing a display in a store, but I would imagine they make plastic film screen protectors for them like they do with PDAs to help save the screen. When looking at a laptop, I'd recommend getting a name brand one where you know if it needs to be serviced, you won't have that hard of a time find someone that can. Also finding accessories and replacement batteries for more popular brands and models makes the headaches a lot less. So though the ibuypower one may have the better specs, 2 years down the line when you need that new battery, good luck finding one at least locally.
As for the Gateways and the Vista, get as much ram as you can afford, 2gb minimum. Ram is pretty cheap right now so if they are jacking you for ram prices on gateway, order some up from newegg or elsewhere. 2gb ddr2 can run less than $50 now.
I've always been a Toshiba laptop fan, some Dell's are good. Never really experienced Gateways other than ones 10 years ago. Consumer reports rates Toshiba #2 in number of repairs, behind Mac. But again, since a lot of batteries are very proprietary depending on models and brand, get something name brand.