here's a summary of how i used my tablet pc last year. many expected uses, along with numerous unexpected ones. overall i'm pleased, i wouldn't want to go back to my laptop sans pen. probably why i actually bought two (there's a testimonial huh?)
there are just things you can do with a pen that are more natural -- than with a mouse, keyboard, or whatever. each device excels in it's own way. when it comes to sketches, handwriting - the pen rocks. in a way it feels like it's freeing my laptop from it's more traditional or rigid cartesian form (though things are generally more organized or and orderly that way).
while the mouse or touchpad breaks the general monotony, adding more spatial information, you just can't sketch or take notes in the same way you can with a pen.
here's my list of how i've used my tablet this year...
took business, personal, and community meeting notes, in a natural manner -- not "hiding" behind a laptop.
brainstormed, sketched out ideas graphically. caught the attention of a cute girl on the plane sitting behind me -- curious about my involvement with burningman.
added sketches of conceptual ideas to meeting notes, and published the entire session on the web. looked up a few key words in my handwritten notes.
edited GPS maps for black rock city (MapEdit), and camp layout diagram (in Visio). things you could do with a mouse/touchpad, but feel more fluid with a pen.
sketched out t-shirt designs using adobe illustrator, including elements unique to a pen interface.
watched a movie, or attempted too, with the screen flipped around - the speakers were facing the other way and not very powerful -- not conducive for a good movie experience. this really requires headphones or external speakers. then it'd be great.
sent a small sketch over email (simple image attachment). also, added an arrow to highlight a feature on an image i was trying to point out.
generated truetype font from handwriting in minutes rather than weeks. no scanning individual letters (like my first set from handwriting, which took quite some time to complete). The pen (EMR) fonts are clean and sharp looking, while the scanned fonts have a lot more depth and character -- but both are cool!
i can sign electronic documents/faxes, entirely over email. haven't actually needed that yet. nice to know the option is there.
watched a video on the plane while still having enough room for drinks and dinner. just propped it up in slate mode. (with the acer c113, it's rubber port covers made it grip the tray, and quite stable). i had not realized until the food arrived, just how convenient this feature would be! i was able to dine and continue watching my movie, have more drinks. the c113 is great for travel, perfect size.
had to pry my tablet pc away from my colleagues - who wanted to keep it for themselves.
in short -- i used the tablet in both predictable, and unexpected ways, and i really like having the pen. i'm still faster with the keyboard for text entry. AND i did have some trouble with software that didn't like the different product code of the tablet version of windows (just one though). other than that, it's great.