TabletPC

=__Tablet PC__=



Intro
A Tablet PC is a portable computer that is shaped like a tablet or like a regular notebook but with the ability to flip the screen from notebook mode or tablet mode to provide a better writing surface. The screens on the Tablets are touch sensitive, which allows operations to be performed without a keyboard or a mouse, but with a stylus. You can use the pen directly on the screen just as you would a mouse to do things like select, drag, and open files; or in place of a keyboard to handwrite notes and communication. Unlike a touch screen, the Tablet PC screen only receives information from a special pen. It will not take information from a fingerprint or a shirt sleeve, so you can rest your wrist on the screen and write naturally.

Users
By interacting directly with the screen, rather than with a mouse and keyboard, the PC becomes more comfortable and easy to use. There is no need to find a flat space surface to use your PC, nor does a vertical screen become a dividing wall between you and the person whom you are meeting. What's more, a Tablet PC can even be used while standing up, which is perfect for professionals on the go, such as doctors, foremen, and sales managers. Entrepreneurs as well as students and educators can use tablet PCs for presentations of slide shows, charts, graphs, and powerpoints.

Technology Features

 * Entering Data - The user can input information in the tablet using the stylus or fingertip, instead of using a traditional keyboard and mouse. This is beneficial for people who can write faster than they type. Users may be able to input data faster on the tablet PC than on the keyboard because the user does not have to draw the complete letter on the tablet PC for it to understand what you are trying to enter. It can be used for artists who like to draw on the computer but want the sensitivity and coordination of their hand with a pencil (stylus). In addition to its functionality, It can also be used to make quick notes and to draw charts; The technology of a tablet PC is ideal for a every profession.
 * Security - Can be very secure because users can lock the tablet PC with their unique handwritten signature. It can also provide security to other things besides the data in the tablet PC itself, they are being used in Airports to boost security. "Providing effective security and responding to emergencies and threats to public safety at airports requires maintaining accurate maps, aerial photography, and evacuations plans."( [|M-Travel] )
 * Recognition of Handwriting - Current handwriting recognition technology employed by tablet PCs focuses more on generic times recognition, rather than letter recognition. Each block of handwriting is compared to a dictionary of words. The word with the closest spelling to its primary guess of the written word is chosen, often with a list of alternatives presented to the user. On words in the dictionary, this method is more accurate than letter recognition. However, this becomes a problem for words that are not in the computer's dictionary, such as, web addresses, new slang terms, and proper names. Handwriting recognition software often presents a letter recognizer option to better enable precise input. ( [|Wikipedia] ).

Types of Tablet PCs
A number of manufacturers produce __[|Tablet PC models]__ that differ in size, processing speed, design, etc. to meet anyone's need. Three different styles of Tablet PCs are available:

The **convertible model Tablet PC** has an attached keyboard and looks much like a conventional laptop PC. But you can also rotate the screen 180 degrees and lay it flat over the keyboard for a more comfortable reading and writing experience.

The **slate model Tablet PC** is designed to be slim and ultra-light without the weight and size of a permanent keyboard. Some models come with a detachable keyboard, and all include innovative docking solutions that offer access to a full-size monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The **rugged model Tablet PC** is a tough mobile computer with an industrial-strength shell and shock-mounted hard drive. Rugged models are ideal for people who use their PC in a construction zone, while on patrol, in military situations, or simply for those who need something ultra durable.

Growth

 * A 78% of growth expected of Tablet PCs in schools.
 * The tablet PC market is still experiencing slow but steady growth in vertical applications. Tablet PCs will not start becoming mainstream computing devices until 2007.

Advantages ( [|Wikipedia] )

 * Cheaper application management - where no applications are held on the device. This assumes that the Tablet PC has no memory or removable memory.
 * More natural form of input — sketching and handwriting are a much more familiar form of input than a keyboard and mouse, especially for people who are new to computers.
 * Gesture recognition— gestures (moving the stylus in special patterns over the screen) are powerful ways to increase efficiency. Many applications, or the operating system itself, can be programmed to respond in different ways to certain gestures created by the pen.
 * Note-taking — taking handwritten notes and drawing diagrams at a class or conference increases productivity and retention of information. The notes can also be searched automatically if handwriting recognition is implemented.
 * Accessibility — those who are physically unable to type can utilize the additional features of a tablet PC to be able to interact with the electronic world.
 * Digital Art — tablets are often necessary for professional digital artist work. For many, mouse movement is too jerky to be used as a precision tool.
 * Portability — slate tablets and hybrids without keyboards are very slim and light compared to typical laptops and can easily be tucked under the arm like a book.
 * Horizontal orientation — most tablet PCs do not interrupt line of sight since they lie flat on the table or in one's arms. This allows for better interaction in business meetings and conferences and also makes it easy for digital artists who wish to draw on a horizontal medium.
 * Provides a platform where many can share the same document or form(- approve on it as it is be passed around) as opposed to tracing approval by one, emailing this approval with the form to the next as in workflow. If you find an interesting article, you no longer email the link - but take the Tablet PC to those interested and show it.

Disadvantages ( [|Wikipedia] )
There are various operating systems in use on devices marketed as tablets. Note that most tablet PC software is targeted particularly for the Microsoft Tablet PC API, and will not run on devices without Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Care should be taken when researching a tablet system or any device or software that claims to be designed for tablet PCs, as the phrase does not guarantee compatibility. Applications developed for the tablet PC cater to the form factor and functionality available on the platform. Many forms of applications incorporate a pen-friendly user interface and/or the ability to handwrite directly in the document or interface.
 * Higher cost — convertible tablet PCs cost roughly $300 more than their non-tablet counterparts as of 2005. This premium is expected to fall to as low as $75 by 2007. However, some models are intentionally priced at the same point or lower than equivalent notebooks without tablet functionality.
 * Screen size — the size of tablet PC screens currently peaks at 14.1 inches. However, some models make up for this with very high resolution (a higher pixel density per unit area).
 * Digitizer issues — some tablet digitizers cannot keep up if the user writes or draws too quickly, reducing the fluidity of the lines the computer captures. In addition, the signal from the pen may become distorted near the edges of the screen.
 * Input speed — maximum handwriting speed can be significantly slower than maximum typing speed, which can be as high as 50-150 words per minute.
 * Screen damage risk - Because Tablet PC's are handled more than conventional laptops yet built on the frames of conventional notebooks, and because their screens also serve as input devices, many Tablet PC's run a higher risk of screen damage. PDAs carry some of the same risk.
 * No Built in Optical Drive in most Tablet PC's — That is because Tablet PC's are handheld and so they have to have a small mass
 * Less power than conventional laptops - there are no desktop-replacement Tablets available, though this is not usually necessary given that Tablet PCs are usually carried around and mobility is therefore very important.
 * Applications (** [|Answers.com] )

[|Tabletpc2.com] [|Zdnet.com] [|Microsoft.com]
 * __Related Links__

__Videos about Tablet PCs__

[|Tablet Pc Demo]**