Trying out a TabletPC

My fiancee and I were going to REI this last Saturday and there was a Circuit City right next door so we decided to drop in and see if they had a TablePC that we could play with.  They did have a Toshiba convertable model, but we couldn't play with it, at least not as a TabletPC.  The stylus was missing and when we asked an employee if they had one he kind of shrugged and said that they had lost it.

As we were leaving the shopping area we noticed a CompUSA so we decided to stop by there and see if they had one.  They had the same model.. and the same problem.  I looked around on the web and it turns out that earlier on that very day at that store there was a TabletPC Demo Day.  Yet a few hours later and the employees are unhelpful and look confused at the fact that I would want to try a TabletPC.

What do I have to do? Wait for Apple to come out with a similar product to get treated like a customer?  I'm sure the Demo Day thing was great, but when can I walk in to a computer store and have the sales people put a TabletPC in my hands and tell me "Here try this out I'm not going to say another word it speaks for itself."

I've been able to go into loads of stores and play with them.

If they've lost their pen, someone should tell them that most models come with an extra pen UNDER the battery.

in canada i have yet to see ( in person) a tablet or media centre ANYWHERE

MS don't run the stores though, if MS had stores then i'm sure you would have the most perfect experience... but bestbuy and compusa ar elike most stores, they hire 16 year olds who don't want to be there

You're in luck Jamie, Velocity is coming to Toronto, Canada July 11-13. TabletPC's will be there!

Microsoft partners around the world are preparing for Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference—three days packed with knowledge, opportunities, and excitement. From overall marketing and business strategies to leadership and specific customer solutions, the information gained at Worldwide Partner Conference is sure to provide you with the foundation and velocity for success in 2004 and beyond.

i just got a new laptop so it will be a while be for i can get a tablet.. but id love to check one out. i can draw ( reasonably) especially cartoons, and ive tried a Wacom but you got to look over here - while your hand is over there - if you no what i mean

tablet pcs sound cool

jamie wrote:

in canada i have yet to see ( in person) a tablet or media centre ANYWHERE

Jamie, without knowing where in Canada you are it's a bit hard to point you in the right direction...

But, I used to live in Toronto, and every big-box electronics store had at least one. I now live in a much smaller market area, and several of the big-box electronic stores still do (Future Shop, Best Buy type things).

I'd say "call around", but I'd hate for you to be on hold for ages.