Averatec C3500 convertible notebook

Pros: Inexpensive, bright clean display, fast cd writer (comes with Roxio), Great first tablet.. On spec it compares favorably to the Toshiba at $500 more.

Cons: Notorious AMD heat. Weak Batter. Built-in mike is hopeless, pen features could be more configurable. Included case is almost funny, pen/tablet interface takes some getting used to.

Summary: I paid 1099, with rebate, at Circuit City. I upgraded memory (not from retailer) and added a SanDisk 6-in-1 PC Card memory reader. I've been bulding and buying PCs for over a decade. For a do-over I'd buy the cheapest mail order. I have had NO QUALITY ISSUES.

DO: Download and install latest drivers from Averatec. DO: Upgrade memory, 2 512K PC2700 SODIMMs CAS2.5 or better -- these can be had at a discount via mail order or Frys and such. Then Do: Expand video memory to 64K in the BIOS. DO: Windows Update (NOT optional hardware updates!) DO: Download powertoys, experience pack, and TewakUI and Spyware Beta from Microsoft.

You'll want Office 2003 -- I had a copy already. DO: Office update.

I'm enjoying it, haveing a lot of fun learning new features. For a first tablet don't confuse frustrations with learning the new pen-computing with the product itself.