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Asus EEE PC T101MT second review: things are getting better
Remember my first hands on preview of the ASUS T101MT convertible netbook tablet? ASUS sure does as they were not pleased with my findings so they’ve send me another sample, this one being just like the one that you’ll be able to buy from stores in a few weeks. I won’t make a new review, or hands on video, but I’ll highlight the differences from the product I’ve handled a few weeks ago and this final version.
The big question you all have in your minds is whether the screen is good. Well, I’m happy to report that the new unit has no problems with the touch input. It’s as precise as you can expect from a resistive screen (meaning a little push is always necessary but it’s not an effort at all). I couldn’t detect any problems with the edges of the screen at all.
This is how you know it's a convertible tablet
A nice addition to the second model is a new small piece of software that allows you to select the input method for handwriting: pen of finger. This option calibrates the screen for one of the two touch methods and the end results is quite nice (remember that selecting pen input won’t allow you to use your fingers for handwriting). Of course there’s the same lag between the moment you finish writing a word and the moment it’s being converted to text (2 or 3 seconds), but the Atom CPU is the one to blame for that.
The chiclet keyboard is very good
The flash CPU occupancy stays high also in this model I’ve reviewed but overall performance in Windows 7 Home Premium (apparently the T101MT will ship with it) is better, but don’t expect miracles as the poor CPU has to run mode processes needed for the touch interface.
It works well also as a netbook
Also I can confirm that this model ships with Bluetooth, unlike the early sample I’ve previewed. Also as many of you have asked me about palm detection I can certify that EEE PC T101MT has also this function, so you’ll be able to write down your thoughts just like you do on a piece of paper. That makes it on par with the Lenovo S10-3t which I hope to review in a few days/weeks and compare it with the ASUS T101MT, it’s main competitor on market today. Below there’s a short hands on video of T101MT with the same sample I have, done by Mike.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY: The ASUS EEE PC T101MT just arrived on Amazon.
John (Ionut Popa in Romanian) is the Editor in Chief at AllTouchTablet.com. He studied Computer Science and worked in IT press since 2002. He’s now involved in his own projects. My Google+ Profile, Twitter
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I’m sorry, what exactly does ‘palm detection’ mean, what are the uses of that function.. Please enlighten me.
Steven, when you write on a sheet of paper you usually rest your palm on the sheet while you draw with the pen. If you do that on a touchscreen it means you’re touching it twice. For most touchscreens that’s confusing (is like using two fingers on your laptop trackpad that’s not multitouch enabled).
The T101MT can detect your palm (a large contact surface) and eliminate that point of contact taking into consideration just the finger/stylus that’s making contact with the screen surface.
Would it be possible for you to do some OneNote testing? very curious as to how the inking handles in that app.
As an aside, not sure if this would assist with the 101mt – http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6025&forum=30
Describes how to improve the touchscreen response for inking in the gigabyte t1028 (taken from info on doing it for an modified asus 1000h)
Alright… it’s April, and I’m ready to buy it.
Already did all the research, and found that W7 will work with all my major needs… I will happily buy this, and forever part with my netbook and my tablet.
Where can I buy?
(None of that 160GB mess… I want the biggest and the baddest :p)
Rash, I believe you’ll have to wait a few days or maybe weeks till the higher spec T101MT will show up in stores. I’ll update ATT when that happens, so you might want to check our site from time to time.
So when can i expect this to reach stores, and which major US stores would carry this product? >.<
Safina, the T101MT will be available this month on Amazon for sure and probably best buy, newegg and the major retailers.
Thx for the updated review.
Few questions:
1. Can I easily change the HD to SSD?
2. Can I install a 3G module? Where can I buy it?
Best regards
Chris
Is the pen pressure sensitive – that is, does it sense how hard you’re pressing like a Wacom pen? I’d like to use something like this for drawing and sketching, but you really need more than one pressure level to do that well.
Bonjour peut-on connecter l’asus Eee pc t101mt avec un téléphone portable pour utiliser la connexion du téléphone sans rien payer de plus voila merci au revoir
“.. there’s the same lag between the moment you finish writing a word and the moment it’s being converted to text (2 or 3 seconds), but the Atom CPU is the one to blame for that.”
If that is the case, how come my cell phone doesn’t suffer from this, even though its CPU is alot lower specifications than that of the ATOM? Or the old newton, for that matter.
Barmen, your smartphone doesn’t run Windows 7. The Atom CPU is not enough to handle Windows 7 fluently. If you’ve played with netbooks enough you know what I’m talking about.
This is where the delay comes from.
Is the pen pressure sensitive – that is, does it sense how hard you’re pressing like a Wacom pen? I’d like to use something like this for drawing and sketching, but you really need more than one pressure level to do that well.
It is important how ease to do the writing. Is it pressure sensitive enough? Or similar to a electrical mag. type? How hard is the surface? Is the screen has glass hard surface like cell phone’s?
fjc36, the screen surface is not hard at all, it’s just like the one on an LCD screen without the glossy filter. Accuracy is not the strongest point of T101MT tough…
hey, i did just bought an asus eeepc T101MT in a shop but i have some problems with touch input, like in your first review at the edges of the screen
could it be fixed by some tricks or should i return it?
except that annoying thing, for the moment it’s just PERFECT
thanks
Kajan, I’ve just tested a few days ago the Acer 1825PT with capacitive screen and multitouch. It has the same problem at the very edge of the screen (very small zone, but it’s there).
As I’ve read more about this issue it turns out that all touch screens have problems at the edges of the screen. If yours is too bad, just go for the warranty and if they replace your tablet you might get one that’s a little bit better.
I want to remind you that the second T101MT tested by me worked waaaaay better, so you might just have been unlucky. Let me know if I can help you further.
Thanks John, so the screen is not super heavy duty, it is soft. I am worrying the pen might damage the screen through pressure writing.
I have to experience a sample before put out greens from my wallet.
Also, I may be need to wait for the next generation CPU of ATOM 475 to have a more promising response from Window 7. Perhaps the embedded window 7 (variation from window CE) will not a solution for me.
cheers,
oki, i returned to the shop for an exchange and now it’s just perfect
I don’t know a lot about the competitors of this model but it’s just amazing
I always dreamed about something that could able me to surf on the net, make some website programming, watch videos, read pdf, all that easily.
And it’s just THE THING i needed.
I couldn’t wait; I got the T101MT from Amazon! I haven’t had a chance to test it much, but I do plan on upgrading to Home Premium. I was wondering, though, should I install 32-bit or 64-bit? If 64 bit, will that affect its memory capacity? It can normally handle 2 gigs of RAM, could it take 4 under 64-bit?
Guy, you need 64 bit windows if you have 4 GB RAM of more. For 2GB go for 32 bit windows.
As I recall, the T101MT can only work with 2 GB RAM, so there’s no chance in the future you will add two more gigs of RAM.
Yeah, I was just dreaming about the 4 gigs of RAM. Since Windows 7 Home Premium comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, would there be any benefit to installing the 64-bit version on the T101MT?
my feeling is that 64 bit software eats up a little bit more RAM for drivers and programs, so you better stick with the 32 bit version
Nice review. This answered a lot of my questions. Unfortunately, the only important question is left unanswered: are there linux drivers for everything on this device? Previous Eees shipped with linux versions, so we were guaranteed that everything had functioning drivers… but I doubt *buntu will work out of the box on this guy. Have you tried any linuxes on this yet?
John, unfortunately I believe you are right. In the ASUS website there’s no mention of Linux drivers, just Windows and DOS – asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=xK9O0XZhFswxrTrn
I haven’t tried installed Linux on the T101MT, and now I can’t (I had to give it back). Sorry I can’t help
hallo
I bought this T1010MT some days ago…and I am not able to use the touchscreen…after all the startup installation..there is the window for setup he touchscreen with the cross on the up on the links…i have to touch and regulate…but it does not work..it is like the screen does not work…and it does not fell nothing when i touch…
i searched a lot on internet but i did not find a solution…
i use windows 7 such as a OS…so some of them hav any answer or help???
Sorry for my english…i hope you understood
Kind regards
Nicola
nicola, surely there’s a problem with your item. Just return it and get one that’s working.
What you experience is not normal behavior…
hello,
I just wandering if i can use this computer on school.
I would like to know if the handwriting is fast enough while i use MS OneNote.
Something else is if it comfortable to write an essay with the pen.
Ophir, you won’t be able to write as you do on paper. Mainly because of the slow ATOM CPU. Get something like the Acer 1825 PT and you’ll be just fine (I’ve tested it) – http://www.alltouchtablet.com/articles/acer-1825ptz-gets-a-review-3280/
Thank you about the advice.
I would like to know if the handwriting would show on the screen after 2-3 seconds because i can handle it.
The acer 1825ptz is on stores? because i cant find it in my country.
I think that’s the delay you should expect from the Atom, 2-3 seconds.
Unfortunatelly the 1825PT is not in US right now, but you can try getting it from Amazon.co.uk. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003N19DI8?ie=UTF8&tag=alltoutab-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B003N19DI8
Actually handwriting on the t101 works quite well. I use it for taking notes. I’ve certainly not encountered any 2-3 sec delay
you may find this thread of interest Ophir
forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=87584
Thx for the review. I have a small problem. my manual button for express gate does not work. it did at the initial loading. now an error comes saying “open event failed”…is it related to my inability to manualy do express gate
Kasthuri, try and speak with an Asus representative (they have some contact info on their site). They may be able to tell you if it’s a hardware or software problem and advise on whether to return it or not.
Dear John,
I reformated and the problem solved itself. i think the problem is the new vga driver whicb comes as an update from microsoft….
Pretty strange, as usually all drivers that come through Windows Update are checked extensively…
T101MT and Linux Ubuntu
youtube.com/watch?v=zzT9V4qBD7s
John,
I found the culprit after a painstaking research. it is the avast free antivirus. everytime i install it the portrait/touchgate button stop working. not with avira.
so thanks to you (since your last comment about the updates made me look beyond) and take care
Kasthuri
can i install primavera software on this tablet?
John ,
I ve bought this unit but I m not able to write a word just like you ve tested on your video. What is the main reason for that. Is it the Windows 7 Starter edition.? Should I buy the Home premium to able to use it just like you ve used it on your video.
Thanks
Willy, what happens exactly when you try and handwrite?
Hi, this is a great review. I noticed that the main problem with the sluggishness of the tablet comes from the operating system. Is it possible to run this tablet in an older OS like windows XP tablet edition?)
Kc, it all boils down to drivers. If you can find them you can run pretty much any OS you like on the ASUS T101MT. And, as a side note, the sluggishness comes from the ATOM CPU, not the OS.
Atom’s don’t have enough power, that’s the truth.
hi, great review:)
i’m just wondering, is t101mt good enough for photoshopping? because if i bought it, i’ll use it mainly for digital painting..
*sorry for the bad english*
thx!
dana, if you’re patient it’s good enough, but it’s slow and everything you’ll do takes a considerable period of time
hi, where i can find touch screen driver for win7 or win xp?
thnx
hi,
1. How’s the overall system performance for example web surfing via firefox?
2. Can i watch hd videos on it?
3. Is it good to sell my 1005HA and buy this one?
Alireza, browsing and overall system performance are the same as with any netbook with similar specs. which means slightly sluggish.
HD videos are a no go unfortunatelly. Maybe 720p with the new Adobe Flash installed, the one that uses the VGA card for decoding, but I don’t have the T101MT anymore to test that.
is it possible to buy a 3g module for this netbook, perhaps one that has both wifi and 3g capabilities? we are looking to utilize the touch screen feature in the field with our tradesmen when they update jobs, order stock, complete jobs and then get customers to sign for it. the only problem is there needs to be constant 3g connectivity for the software to receive updates on stock items, job assignments and cancelations. everything else about this netbook is ideal for our needs.
cheers
H
I don’t know about such an option, but you can always get an USB dongle for 3G/4G access, or use a MiFi router, if you really need 3G.
If you want the internal version then all you have to do is try and see if there’s a micro PCI Express slot available, and get a modem for that, but you’ll have to open the case to install it…
Hello, does asus currently produce a tablet pc, similar to this, but equipped with the new Intel D500 series processor and NVIDIA graphics? if not, does anyone know of a company who does and around or under $500?
Eddy, I’m sure Asus doesn’t do any tablet that resembles your specs. And I believe no one else does. But there’s the Dell Inspiron Duo that’s pretty close for what you want: http://amzn.to/gwvTvF
Take a look and let me know what you think.
i’ve considered the Dell Duo before and from reviews i’ve read, the short battery life is reason enough to forget about it. didn’t make much sense getting a tablet pc if it’ll only last a few hours of battery charge. another one I was looking at was the lenovo ideapad but the short battery life made me throw that idea out the window as well. at this point, should i completely abandon the search for a tablet pc that’s fast and has good battery life and just get a regular netbook until one is produced? if i decide to get the ASUS EEE PC t101mt, would i have to upgrade to 2GB RAM and OS to win7 Home premium to make it worth it? however, that would bring me close to $600 price-wise. any advice?
Unfortunately a good tablet PC powered by Windows doesn’t get near your 500 $ price requirement. There is the HP TM2 which is blazing fast compared to the Atom CPUs found in the T101mt, Leonovo S10-3t and the Dell Inspiron Duo, but it costs around 900$.
Oh, and most Windows tablet PCs won’t last close to the 10 hours of the iPad. Maybe you get 5-6 hours of use without heavy loads, but that’s it.