What is a Tablet PC?
A Tablet PC is a PC or, more appropriately, a portable PC. It has been modified at both the hardware and software levels, however, to differentiate it from other PCs. Hardware Tablet PCs are ultra-mobile laptop computers with convertible screens that can be used in normal laptop mode, or flipped around and used like a tablet, with stylus and on-screen keyboard input. A second hardware design, simply called a tablet, uses a docking station to provide keyboard and mouse access; when away from the desk, the tablet is used with the stylus and on-screen keyboard only. Tablet PC devices will be made by a variety of PC makers. See my Tablet PC Preview in Tech Showcases for a look at some hardware designs, including the Acer TM100 Tablet PC I used to write this review. Software Tablet PCs ship with a special version of Windows XP called Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. This XP version is available only with Tablet PCs, and is based on Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 (SP1). In addition to t
A Tablet PC is a cross between a notebook PC and a personal digital assistant (PDA). It’s a flat-panel portable PC in the form of a slate. A user inputs data either by tapping the screen with a stylus, or using the stylus to write directly on to the screen. The tablet PC can wirelessly connect to the Internet and other PCs and is intended to provide the power of a notebook in hand-held form. The tablet PC comes loaded with a special edition of Windows XP Professional and can run nearly all XP-compatible applications, including applications designed for the tablet PC. The tablet PC can also utilize a docking station for use with a monitor, keyboard, mouse, LAN or WAN, and other peripheral devices. The main feature of the tablet PC is portability. Weighing in between 2-3 pounds (.9-1.3kg) the tablet PC can be used as a kind of souped-up PDA or trimmed-down notebook, depending on your point of view. The tablet PC hopes to fill a niche market for executives on the go who spend their days r
– A Tablet PC is a PC that has a touch screen. Most of the Tablet PCs will not have built-in keyboards however users will be able to plug in keyboards if they want to. The main method of input is handwriting recognition similar to Transcriber on the Pocket PC. Also, the Tablet PC is unique in it’s support for ink notes as well.
Tablet PCs are mobile PCs with something extra: a screen that you can write on or interact with by using a tablet pen instead of a standard keyboard and mouse. When you write on the screen, you can convert your handwriting to typed text or leave it as ink. Advancements in Windows Vista have made Tablet PCs even easier to use, with improved handwriting recognition features, ink recognition for more languages, and other features. Slate Tablet PCs Slate Tablet PCs have no lid or keyboard, which makes them slim and lighter in weight compared to most convertible Tablet PCs. You can hold a slate Tablet PC in one hand and write on the screen with the other hand—like a clipboard. If you want to use an external keyboard and mouse, you simply attach them to the Tablet PC. A slate Tablet PC can rest easily in the crook of your arm while you write so that you can take notes, fill out forms, or read and write an e-mail with ease while on the go, sitting in a meeting or class, or relaxing on your co
