Smart move getting a Tablet~! I have used both Toshiba M200 and the Viewsonic V1250 for over a year and both are terrific. They're selling the Toshiba at Costco by the way.
I have replaced the cover assembly on the Toshiba(think plastic screen part)because something fell in between the screen and the base after I closed it. I think it might have been the metal band of a pencil top because it made a round crack in the non-metal black border.
This indented crack proceeded to splinter across the screen and the cover assembly wasn't cheap so maybe this is the time for you to get the extended warranty just so you don't have to pony up cash unexpectedly, say at Spring Break!
I also purchased a new keyboard for the Toshiba because I was messing around with the keycaps and broke some of the black n white thingies that keeps the cap attached and aligned...if there's any way to find out where to get the underparts to the keys (help me out guys with the technical term for that part) I would suggest you stock up. Or just use your pen.
Speaking of the pen,or stylus its the 'single point of failure' because I have misplaced them, lost them, and so I have purchased a WACOM pen I always carry in case the black stylus takes a walk.
They are both much lighter than the laptops I've used (Dell, Compaq etc.)Both run dev environments (compilers) and such exactly like the laptops.
I've used WiFi on both, external USB cd-rom and attached my i-mate sp3 smartphone to both tablets.
I carried the Viewsonic to 6 hotel conventions to take notes, what a pleasure to stand in a crowd and get the info down rather than try to find a counter to type. I don't know for sure but it seems like the Viewsonic screen is clearer and cleaner than the Toshiba and that may be true since Viewsonic builds fab monitors. Be sure to try out different models for screen visibility...neither of my screens are visible (enough) outside but I think that's a computer screen thing, just haven't noticed on my Sony desktop because I don't haul it to the patio.
My first portable was a Kaypro (anyone else ever heard of that??) and wow, when I figure out how to turn back time, I'd do 4 more years of ultracompetitive east coast college happily with a Tablet PC.
Good luck!