Eric Mack On-Line

I can't stand it. My Tecra M4 Tablet PC is so loud that it is unusable in a conference room or classroom. And, it's getting progressively worse. I don't dare turn it on in public places.  My only option is to set the CPU to the lowest setting so that the fan will come on less frequently. Unfortunately, when the fan does come on, everyone in the room knows.

For the record, here are links to two recordings to document show just how loud my Tecra M4 Tablet is:

December 22, 2005 - Tecra M4 Fan Noise Demonstration

February 19, 2006 - Tecra M4 Fan Noise Demonstration

As I've stated before, I like the M4 for its wide-screen and computing power. There are just a few problems that prevent me from loving it: (Fan Noise, Dust under screen, High pitch squeal, and a problem with my SD Card reader.) Again, I'm sure that these could all be fixed in just a few days, however, given the reports from other Toshiba Tablet PC users who've sent their units in for repair, it could be a very long and frustrating time before I see my tablet again. For that reason, I will try to wait a while longer.  

I know, from experience, that if this were an IBM ThinkPad, I could get the problem resolved in 72 hours or less. I would call IBM, they would ship a box and pick up the unit the next day, two days later I would have a working laptop back. Apparently, according to my colleagues, this is not the way it works with Toshiba.

As you know, I like to blog about my "challenges," but this is not a challenge I'm up to.

Well, my posts on the merits of high resolution desktop displays as a productivity tool (See here and here.) have generated quite a bit of discussion. The bottom line, if you work on a computer at a desk, get the largest high resolution display that a) your video card will support, b) your desk will hold, and c) your wallet can withstand.

Continue Reading "Consensus: bigger display, get more done" »

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to speak with Michael Linenberger using Skype. We talked about Tablet PCs as a productivity tool. It was a great discussion. Today, I opened my mail and found that Michael had just sent me his latest book, Total Workday Control, to review.

Last year I purchased Michael's previous book, Seize the workday -- all about the using the Tablet PC to increase productivity. It was worth every dollar I paid for it. I use many of the tips I learned from Michael each day. (In fact, Tracy Hooten and I talk about some of them in our podcasts on the paperless challenge.)

In Total Workday Control, Michael focuses on using Microsoft Outlook as a tool. Although I'm not a heavy Outlook user, I enjoy seeing what others are doing with various tools. I see that my buddy, Marc Orchant has written the forward. I know this book's going to be good.

This week, we conclude the paperless challenge discussion by answering your questions. In case you missed the previous segments, here are links to part one, two, and three.  [Update: 2/15/2006 9:30 AM:  I've fixed the link to point to part four.]

Listen in as I discuss my 8-week paperless challenge with my guest, Tablet PC MVP, Tracy Hooten, of The Student Tablet PC blog. This podcast covers the various aspects of the paperless challenge, its inspiration, how we prepared for it, the tools and methodologies used and the lessons we learned. Most important, we answer the many paperless challenge questions posted to our blogs or sent to us by email over the last several months.

Continue Reading "Paperless Challenge Podcast, Part Four" »

Yesterday's post on the ultimate display for mind mapping has already generated considerable discussion, both on and off the blog. Special thanks to my friends in the blogsphere for getting the word out.

I'm presently exploring whether (or not) the extra screen area a 30" display running at 2048x1536 represents a substantial productivity gain over a 24" display at its native 1920x1200 resolution for mind mapping with MindManager. (Assume, for a moment, that price is not an issue.)

Continue Reading "24" vs 30" Display for Mind Mapping" »

Fellow Tablet PC blogger, James Kendrick, has put together a great video demo of his Tablet PC and how he's using it. It's useful (and much appreciated) efforts like this that remind me that I need to spend a little more time sharing links to blogs I enjoy. Nice work, James!

Are you using a very high-resolution (greater than 1280 x1024) monitor with your Toshiba Tecra M4 (or other) Tablet PC? If so, I'd like to hear from you. You see, I'm planning to purchase a very high resolution monitor for mind mapping use and I've been researching various options. The productivity benefits of using multiple displays are significant. At one time, back in the CRT days, I had 5 CRT's on my desk and it was great.

The challenge is finding and selecting an LCD monitor that matches the Tablet PC output at its native resolution. Any mismatch and the monitor will likely shrink or stretch the video, resulting in a blurry image. Further, according to the tech notes I've been reading many Tablet PC video cards will not put out the full range of display resolutions to the external port. That's why I'd like to hear from anyone who's currently using (or thinking about using) a Tablet PC with an external monitor at 1280x1024 or higher.

Continue Reading "The best external monitor for Tablet PC Mind Mapping" »

This week, we continue the paperless challenge discussion by answering your questions. In case you missed the previous segments, here are links to part one and two.

Listen in as I discuss my 8-week paperless challenge with my guest, Tablet PC MVP, Tracy Hooten, of The Student Tablet PC blog. This podcast covers the various aspects of the paperless challenge, its inspiration, how we prepared for it, the tools and methodologies used and the lessons we learned. Most important, we answer the many paperless challenge questions posted to our blogs or sent to us by email over the last several months.

Continue Reading "Paperless Challenge Podcast, Part Three" »

In May of 1997, I joined a small group of advisors at David Allen's home, in Ojai, for a "Meeting under the Oaks." There, under the beautiful Oak trees in David and Kathryn's front yard, we reviewed the history of David's business and his ideas, dreams and business plan for the new company - "The David Allen Company." It was an inspiring meeting and I'm both delighted and honored to have been a part of this group and the growth of the organization.

One of the goals that David shared with us, was to write his first book. We discussed the challenges of trying to write a book while building a company; we agreed - some more vocally than others - that the book would be an essential strategic component to get the word out about David's work and to help people.

Continue Reading "Getting Things Done Under The Oaks" »