7. Test Results In Detail

In a test of mobile products, ergonomics come before performance. So, a machine with less performance - like the HP tablet PC - still has a shot at a top ranking.

Slate and convertible devices have to undergo the same testing procedure, since they both fall into the category of tablet PCs. The designs are comparable, even if they show big differences in hardware. HP and Paceblade rely on Transmeta CPUs, while the rest remain faithful to Intel. The devices from Toshiba and Paceblade come with a 12.1" TFT display, while the others are equipped with 10.4" screens. Nor do they all offer wireless interfaces: except for Fujitsu and Paceblade, all candidates have W-LAN modules; the Toshiba machine alone also has Bluetooth.

There is a wide variety of expansion options, too. While HP automatically includes a detachable keyboard and Paceblade an IrDA keyboard, the IrDA keyboard on the Fujitsu must be bought separately. Viewsonic offers an optional USB keyboard. The also optional docking station from Viewsonic only allows portrait mode, as the bracket cannot be turned. In the docking stations from Fujitsu and HP, the tablet PC can be operated without problems in both portrait and landscape formats.

One thing all that candidates have in common, except for the Paceblade model: system performance is good enough for all Office applications, so it is suitable for everyday use. Only the Pacebook is so clearly undersized that even pictures often freeze while loading in Windows when the windows are moved.