Travel Technology - Switching from a netbook to a tablet PC

I've had a netbook for about 9 months now. While I do think it's a neat little machine, I've found that I haven't used it a lot. My primary laptop is a Lenovo T61p and even though it's a big machine, I just can't see myself travelling without it. The only time that I really use the netbook is when I go out to dinner by myself when I'm travelling; I bring the netbook because it takes up less space on the table, and I can get caught up on work / email while eating.

So in short, I just don't have many real compelling needs that are driving me to a netbook. I often find myself wondering what the real point of having my netbook is.

However last week I was at a conference for work where I was moving between sessions and breakouts all day long for the entire week. I didn't carry my laptop with me and thought that it might have been nice to have my netbook, but even then it wouldn't have too convenient because some of my sessions were in auditorium style seating that are not ideal for a laptop on my lap. What I found myself wishing that I had was a touch screen device larger than my phone but smaller than my laptop. Then I had a "duh" moment and realized that's where the tablet PC fits in.

So, over the weekend I went out and bought a tablet to kick its tires, thinking that I would return it if I didn't like it. I got an HP TouchSmart TX2. I'm 3 days in, and I must say that I'm finding it way more convenient than a netbook. Netbooks are nice, obviously the weight is great for ultra mobility, but it's still the same form factor as a laptop. But for me, the real advantage of a tablet is that it's a *different* form factor than a laptop and it enables you (me anyway) to work effectively in different situations. Even roaming around the house with it, I'm finding it way more convenient to flip it to portrait orientation while I'm sitting on the couch watching TV. And I've gotta say, the Tablet PC tools in Windows 7 RTM are very cool :)

So bottom line is that I think, for me, having a tablet as a second PC makes way more sense than a netbook and I think I'll be kicking the netbook to the curb. Has anyone else discovered this?

I had a tablet for a couple of years (Lenovo). My experience was that after the cool factor wore off, I ended up using the tablet for only one application -- giving presentations and being able to ink up the page during the talk. That's a pretty strong use, and I still keep the tablet around for those uses. But I've moved away from it these days and back to a more heavy-duty laptop with a larger screen, faster CPU, etc. It was just too slow (optimized for long battery life, so slower hard drive, slower CPU) for heavy lifting.

But as long as you're enjoying yours, try "crayon physics" -- it's a really fun game that benefits from having a tablet. Also, artrage is a pretty nifty drawing/painting program that really works well with a tablet. And, of course, PDFAnnotator, if you ever have to review papers.

I'm resurrecting this to see if there is any other feedback on how y'all use your tablet PCs.

With the current Thinkpad sale, I considering upgrading my X60s and am looking at either the X200 or the X200 tablet. My primary reason for looking at a tablet is because it would make it easier to mark up the large PowerPoint report and presentation files we generate and send corrections to our admin dept. (when not traveling, I home office.)

It is just cumbersome to have to mark up and FAX or scan changes in dozens of graphs and charts (I edit the text myself) or inserting comments in the doc and emailing it back - and I always find myself thinking "there's gotta be a better way."

Downside as I see it would be the additional weight.

Any pros/cons from experience with your tablet PCs?