I've been using the C300 as a standard laptop for the most part, but I swivel the screen around when needed to do handwriting or sketching. Compared to first-generation tablets, the C300 is a bit heavy at 6.5 pounds, probably too heavy for many people, but I found the device's size and weight to be acceptable.

Battery life is fantastic, even with the single battery my system contains. I was able to obtain 4 to 5 hours of battery life per charge, depending on the wireless and screen settings, and Acer says an optional second battery--which would fill the modular bay that the optical drive currently uses--would extend battery life to 8.5 hours. And like Acer's smaller C100 tablet, the C300 features a gently curved, ergonomic keyboard, something I'd like to see on more laptops. The keyboard is nicely laid out, and I adapted to it quickly.

Acer throws in a few interesting features as well. Bluetooth is optional, but I'll reserve judgment on that technology for a while yet. And Acer provides a nice 4-in-1 media card reader that plugs into the PC card bay for compatibility with Memory Stick, MultiMediaCard (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), and SmartMedia cards, a nice touch for PDA and digital camera users.

I do have a few quibbles. Unlike Acer's smaller tablet, the C300 doesn't feature screen latches, and the screen seems to want to swivel on its own while in laptop mode (it locks down when used as a slate). In slate mode, the microphone and PC card slot are on the bottom of the device, which can be problematic: The microphone is useless in this position, and if you need to use a PC card, it sticks out awkwardly. Both of these options should be moved to the far side of the screen, at the top, where they would be more usable. You can optionally set up the Tablet PC's screen orientation such that the microphone and PC card slot would be at the top; but you shouldn't have to do this manually.

Overall, however, the C300 is a great laptop, which I couldn't say about first-generation Tablet PC devices. If this machine represents the future of the Tablet PC, and I think it does, this platform has a great future. Kudos to Acer for getting it right: Combined with the right options and the XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 update, the C300 has it all.

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how much is this? Sam Macdonald -May 28, 2004 How much for this stuff??? wahid erwan -June 24, 2004 none of your buisness noyb -January 31, 2006 i want to buy this laptop ,and i ma going to pay by wy credit card thomas -May 18, 2006 I WANT TO PURCHASE acerTravelMate C300.laptop,PLEASE LET ME KOW THE RATE,DEALER'S&SERVICE CENTRE address. Sayed Ahmed -August 11, 2006 I want to Sayed Ahmed -August 11, 2006 Interested in gathering some infos about this computer... I found a second hand one and wondering if it's ok ... as a laptop and a computer I use in home and outdoor... Catrinici -July 29, 2007 Your Comments (required): Name (required): -July 29, 2007 Don't purchase this tablet pc. At first this was a great laptop. I love it so much and convince 2 of my friends who was looking for a laptop to get this Acer C300 series Tablet PC for its features and great value. But you get what you paid for. 2 of my friends tablet started to make a very loud crackling noise at the hinge area whenever you open/close the laptop screen merely after just 6 months of regular usage from the date of purchase. Mine was about 9 months. So, I called Acer and send my laptop for a fix, so does my 2 other friends. Less than a week, I got my tablet fixed... wasn't too happy because of that experience. Nonetheless... After another less than 1 year of usage, there it goes again the annoyingly loud crackling noise from the hinge. But since this time because of the warranty has expired, since it was only 1 year, I could not have my tablet fixed anymore. I called Acer and hoping they would fixed it just for this problem because it was absolutely a design flaw, there was no help from Acer. After another couple of months of usage, the hinge broke off and the lcd screen are now totally separated from its base. 2 of my other friends also had it broken almost around the same time, just a couple months different. To fix it, cost about $450 as Acer quoted for me. I decided to leave it because the computer itself has no more value anymore and it's not worth it to fix it. Now, 3 of us are left with broken tablet pc that are useless. Cost us about $2000 and its only less than 2 years. That's terrible... a laptop with such value should at least last 3 years at minimum. So, my suggestion is to look at other brands for a great and reliable pc. Read users' reviews before making a decision to invest your money into it. Victor -January 14, 2008 I have this laptop and mine to broke at the hinges!! Good laptop though:) Hawk -February 8, 2008 lousy tabley pc Name (required): -July 7, 2008 lousy tabley pc Name (required): -July 7, 2008 i have Acer TM C300.and i want to sale it.if anyone introsted please contact on my id> dhoel007@hotmail.com <.i,m leaving in hk. immy -August 7, 2008 Your Comments (required): Name (required): -March 7, 2009 Got this laptop for 4 years now with no problems that werent too hard to fix myself,the power connector and hinge. lost the pen, and cant locate another, any ideas for a close or exact replacement? Name -August 25, 2009 I totaly disagree, i think that this laptop which i am using right now and have been for about 5 years now,is an awesome laptop for as long as i have had it. The only issues i have had with it was that my screen would go black whe trying to re-adjust the screen, but that was easily fixed on my own. This has been a great laptop for me, i have used it for plenty of things like gaming, work/school surfing the web and downloading. And of course the tablet part as well. Missyxoxo -January 28, 2010 READER COMMENTS: We want to hear what you have to say about this article!     Acceptable Use Policy Your Comments (required): Your email is only used if our editors need to contact you. It is not used or stored for any other purpose, nor posted with your comments. Enter the text from the image below Please refresh the page if you have trouble reading this text.