The form factor offers a more mobile way to interact with a computer. Tablet PCs are often used where normal notebooks are impractical or unwieldy, or do not provide the needed functionality.
The term "Tablet PC" was coined by Microsoft in a Keynote Address by Bill Gates at the 2001 Comdex conference. The more general term is Pen computer or Pen computing.
Forms
Slates
Slates, which resemble writing slates, are tablet PCs without a dedicated keyboard. Keyboards can usually be attached via a wireless or USB connection.These tablet PCs typically incorporate small (8.4-14.1 inches/21–36 cm) LCD screens and have been popular for quite some time in vertical markets such as health care, education, and field work.
Slate models are often designed with a focus on pure mobility, that is, the less to carry, the better.
Rugged tablet PC models are usually in the slate form factor; without a keyboard, there are fewer moving parts to break.
Convertibles
Convertible notebooks have a base body with an attached keyboard. They more closely resemble modern notebooks/laptops, and are usually heavier and larger than slates.
Typically, the base of a convertible attaches to the display at a single joint called a swivel hinge or rotating hinge. The joint allows the screen to rotate around 180° and fold down on top of the keyboard to provide a flat writing surface. This design, although the most common, creates a physical point of weakness on the notebook.
Some manufacturers, however, have attempted to overcome these weak points. The Panasonic Toughbook 19, for example, is advertised as a more durable convertible notebook. One model by Acer has a sliding design in which the screen slides up from the slate-like position and locks into place to provide the laptop mode.
Convertibles are by far the most popular form factor of tablet PCs, because for people who are unsure about the practicality of using the pen as the primary method of input, the convertibles still offer the keyboard and pointing device of traditional notebooks as a backup plan.
Hybrids
Hybrids, coined by users of the HP/Compaq TC1000 and TC1100 series, share the features of the slate and convertible by using a detachable keyboard which operates in a similar fashion to a convertible when attached.This is not to be confused with slate models that have a detachable keyboard—detachable keyboards for pure slate models do not rotate around to allow the tablet to rest on it like a convertible.
Despite a loyal following of users, the hybrid form factor has not received any recent updates after the TC1100 was discontinued.
History
- Before 1950
- 1888: U.S. Patent granted to Elisha Gray on electronic stylus device for capturing handwriting
- 1915: U.S. Patent on handwriting recognition user interface with a stylus
- 1942: U.S. Patent on touchscreen for handwriting input
- 1945: Vannevar Bush proposes the Memex, a data archiving device including handwriting input, in an essay As We May Think
- 1950s
- Tom Dimond demonstrates electronic tablet with pen for computer input and handwriting recognition
- Early 1960s
- RAND Tablet invented
- Late 1960s
- Alan Kay of Xerox PARC proposed a notebook using pen input called Dynabook: however device is never constructed.
- 1982
- Pencept of Waltham, Massachusetts markets a general-purpose computer terminal using a tablet and handwriting recognition instead of a keyboard and mouse
- Cadre System markets the Inforite point-of-sale terminal using handwriting recognition and a small electronic tablet and pen
- 1985:
- Pencept and CIC both offer PC computers for the consumer market using a tablet and handwriting recognition instead of a keyboard and mouse. Operating system is MS-DOS
- 1989
- The first commercially available tablet-type portable computer was the GRiDPad from GRiD Systems, released in September. Its operating system was based on MS-DOS.
- Wang Laboratories introduces Freestyle. Freestyle was an application that would do a screen capture from an MS-DOS application, and let the user add voice and handwriting annotations. It was a sophisticated predecessor to later note-taking applications for systems like the Tablet PC. The operating system was MS-DOS
- 1991
- The Momenta Pentop was released.
- GO Corp announced a dedicated operating system, called PenPoint OS, featuring control of the operating system desktop via handwritten gesture shapes.
- NCR released model 3125 pen computer running MS-DOS, Penpoint or Pen Windows.
- The Apple Newton entered development; although it ultimately became a PDA, its original concept (which called for a larger screen and greater sketching capabilities) resembled that of a tablet PC.
- 1992
- GO Corp shipped PenPoint and IBM announced IBM 2125 pen computer (the first IBM model named "ThinkPad") in April..
- Microsoft released Windows for Pen Computing.
- 1993
- The first commercialized portable tablet computer systems available to the consumer market were the IBM ThinkPad 750P and 360P introduced in 1993
- AT&T introduced the EO Personal Communicator combining PenPoint with wireless communications.
- 1999
- The "QBE" Tablet PC created by Aqcess Technologies wins Comdex Best of Show..
- 2000
- The "QBE Vivo" Tablet PC created by Aqcess Technologies ties for Comdex Best of Show.
- 2006
- Windows Vista released for general availability. Vista included the functionality of the special Tablet PC edition of Windows XP.
- 2008
- In April 2008, as part of a larger federal court case, the gesture features of the Windows/Tablet PC operating system and hardware were found to infringe on a patent by GO Corp. concerning user interfaces for pen computer operating systems.
System software
Microsoft
The operating system on which most tablet PCs run is Windows XP Tablet PC Edition . Tablet PC Edition is a superset of Windows XP Professional, the difference being tablet functionality, including alternate text input (Tablet PC Input Panel) and basic drivers for support of tablet PC specific hardware. Requirements to install Tablet PC Edition include a tablet digitizer or touchscreen device, and hardware control buttons including a Ctrl-Alt-Delete shortcut button, scrolling buttons, and at least one user-configurable application button.Service Pack 2 for Windows XP includes Tablet PC Edition 2005 and is a free upgrade. This version brought improved handwriting recognition and improved the Input Panel, allowing it to be used in almost every application. The Input Panel was also revised to extend speech recognition services (input and correction) to other applications.
With Windows Vista, the Tablet PC functionality no longer requires a separate edition. Tablet PC support is built into all editions of Windows Vista with the exception of Home Basic and Starter editions. This extends the handwriting recognition, ink collection, and additional input methods to any computer running Vista even if the input device is an external digitizer, a touch screen, or even a regular mouse.
Windows applications
There are quite a lot of 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.
A brief description of the applications included follows:
Experience Pack
- Ink Desktop: an Active Desktop control designed to run in the background and allow the user to write directly on the desktop.
- Snipping Tool: a screen capture application which allows the tablet pen to be used to select a portion of the screen and then annotate it and save as a file or send in an email.
- Ink Art: a painting application developed by Ambient Design originally as ArtRage, licensed to Microsoft for release to Tablet PC users.
- Ink Crossword: a crossword application developed to mirror the experience of a paper crossword puzzle on a tablet PC.
- Media Transfer: a synchronization utility designed to download music, pictures, and videos off of computers in the same network.
Education Pack
- Ink Flash Cards: an application designed to assist memorization by using a flash card approach, enabling the user to handwrite their own flash cards and display them back in a slideshow.
- Equation Writer: a recognition tool specializing in converting handwritten mathematical equations to a computer-generated image for pasting into other documents.
- GoBinder Lite: an organization and note-taking application developed by Agilix Labs.
- Hexic Deluxe: a game with a tablet PC specific gesture enabled for easier use with the tablet
GNU/Linux
Running Linux on tablet PCs is as practical as on conventional notebooks. More recently, tablet PCs may also be configured with Linux pre-installed.One early implementation of a Linux tablet was the ProGear by FrontPath. The ProGear used a Transmeta chip and a resistive digitizer. The ProGear initially came with a version of Slackware Linux, but could later be bought with Windows 98. Because these computers are general purpose IBM PC compatible machines, they can run many different operating systems.
Xorg now supports screen rotation and tablet input through Wacom drivers, and handwriting recognition software from both the Qt-based Qtopia and GTK+-based Internet Tablet OS provide promising free and open source systems for future development.
Another handwriting recognition software for GNU/Linux is CellWriter; a note-taking application for GNU/Linux and FreeBSD is Xournal
However, little mature desktop-oriented software of the sort has arisen, leading many users to rely on on-screen keyboards and alternative text input methods like Dasher.
TabletKiosk currently offers a hybrid digitizer / touch device running SUSE Linux. It is the first device with this feature to support Linux.
Apple
The aftermarketer Axiotron has introduced aftermarket, heavily modified Apple MacBooks called Modbooks, a Mac OS X-based tablet computer. It uses Apple's Inkwell for handwriting and gesture recognition and bundles additional digitization software from Wacom.While Apple Inc. doesn't sanction running their operating system Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware, there are a large number of computer enthusiasts who are running hacked copies of Mac OS X on various x86 architecture PC models, among them Tablet PC computers. To get Mac OS X to talk to the digitizer on Tablet PC systems they use a free open source driver originally written to support serial tablets for which Wacom no longer supplies Mac drivers.
Tablets vs. traditional notebooks
The advantages and disadvantages of tablet PCs are highly subjective measures. What appeals to one user may be exactly what disappoints another. The following are commonly cited opinions of the tablet PC platform:Advantages
- 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.
Disadvantages
- Higher cost — convertible tablet PCs can cost significantly more than their non-tablet counterparts although this premium has been predicted to fall.
- Screen size — the size of tablet PC screens peaks at around 14.1 inches although some models make up for this with higher resolution (pixel density per unit area).
- Input speed — handwriting can be significantly slower than peak typing speeds which can be as high as 50-150 WPM.
- Screen damage risk - Tablet PC's are handled more than conventional laptops yet built on the same frames and since their screens also serve as input devices (like PDAs) they run a higher risk of screen damage.
- No built in optical drive (in many Tablet PCs) — in order to reduce weight and thickness.
- Tablet PCs often come installed with Windows XP tablet edition but they do not come with a cd; neither does Microsoft offer any way to re-install the OS. This can lead to computers running very slowly or OS' being destroyed by viruses without any way to fix them. Microsoft recommends buying Windows Vista to re-install the OS however, it is often too resource intensive for Tablet PCs.
Designing around disadvantages
Manufacturers can design additional durability into the displays of tablets to effectively reduce screen damage risk, hinge failure, and screen size limitations. As an example, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company designed the Toughbook 19 specifically to overcome the screen damage issue potential. The use of scissor shock absorbers mounted to the screen, flexible connectors for data cables, molded magnesium alloy screen casing, durable and replaceable screen overlayments, and purpose built convertible hinges impact reliability. However, handheld models of computer such as the OQO Model 2 have a retractable keyboard that slides out sideways as a measure against having weak hinges and that the clamps for the sideway retracting keyboard are stronger if you put it into proportion to the robustness.Features
New Tablet PCs includes:
- Capacitive technology, which senses touch of finger with no pressure required for system to recognize input.
- Digital palm recognition technology prevents inadvertent contact from disrupting pen input .
- Multi-touch is the ability to touch the screen in more than one place at the same time and do things .
- Sunlight readable displays (800 nit display), so you can clearly read it even in bright and direct sunlight .
Popular models
Major tablet PC Manufacturers include Acer, Asus, Bosanova, Fujitsu, Gateway, Inc., Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lenovo Group, LG Electronics, NEC, TabletKiosk, Motion Computing, Panasonic and Toshiba.Popular models include:
Slate
- PaceBlade SlimBook 200
- Fujitsu Stylistic ST5010
- Electrovaya Scribbler SC4000 series (older: SC2000, SC3000, SC3100)
- MobileDemand xTablet T8600 Rugged Tablet PC
- Motion M1200, M1300, M1400, LE-Series, C5, LS800, LE 1700 and C5 which is targeted towards the healthcare industry
- JLT8404 Field Tablet PC
- Panasonic Toughbook 08
- TabletKiosk Sahara i400 series
- Samsung Q1 (Q1 Ultra)
- Xplore Technologies
- COWON Q5W
- Axiotron Modbook
- Nokia N800/N810
Convertible
- Acer TravelMate C100/C300/C310
- Asus R1F
- Asus R1E
- Averatec C3500 Series
- Dialogue Flybook V5
- Dell Latitude XT
- Fujitsu LifeBook P1610(Slim, Ultra-portable, Small) /T4020, /T4210, /T4220 /T2010, /T5010 /T1010 (Latest)
- Gateway C-140X (aka S-7235/E-295C)
- Gateway C-120X (aka S-7125C/E-155C)
- HP Compaq TC4200/TC4400
- HP Compaq 2710p
- HP Pavilion tx1000 Entertainment PC
- HP Pavilion tx2000
- HP Pavilion tx2500z
- HP Pavilion TX2009AU
- Lenovo ThinkPad X41 Tablet
- Lenovo ThinkPad X60 Tablet (known popularly as "X60t")
- Lenovo ThinkPad X61 Tablet
- Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet
- Lenovo ThinkPad X200s Tablet
- LG XNote C1
- LG LT-20-47CE
- Panasonic Toughbook 19
- Toshiba Portégé 3500/3505
- Toshiba Portégé M200
- Toshiba Portégé M400/405/700
- Toshiba Portégé R400/405
- Toshiba Satellite R10/R15/R20/R25
- Toshiba Tecra M4/M7
Hybrid
- Compaq TC1000
- HP Compaq TC1100
- Tatung Tangy
Programs
- Microsoft Office OneNote
- Einstein Technologies Tablet Enhancements for Outlook
- GO Corporation
- Agilix GoBinder
- Mobilis - Protectis Range
- EverNote
- IHMC CmapTools - a free concept mapping application
- Xournal - a linux notetaking application
- Ergo from Invu - a search, clustering, visualization and annotation application from YourErgo
- OnSite Companion Construction Software for Tablet PC
- : MusicReader - Electronic Music Stand - sheet music display on Tablet PC
- Documentor: A Documentation Engine for Health Care Professionals
See also
- Pen computing
- Graphics tablet
- 802.11b/g
- Bluetooth
- HSPA
- Candela per square metre, also called nit.
- MIL-STD-810F standard.
- Mobile Internet Device (MID)
- Numeric keypad
- RJ45
- Solid-state drive (SSD).
- USB
- WiFi
References
External links
- Microsoft Tablet PCs FAQ
- DIY (touchscreen-equipped) Tablet PC
- Annotated bibliography of references to handwriting recognition and pen computing
- Notes on the unknown history of Pen Computing -- through 1992
- How does Tablet PC's digitizer work?
- MobilePCWiki - Tablet PC, UMPC wiki
- Current list of convertible tablets
Tablet PCs in healthcare
- Tablet PC: Moving Queensland Health towards a paperless future (Microsoft).
- The Case for the Tablet PC in Health Care (HP, Based on a Microsoft White Paper).
- Tablet PCs in Health Care
Tablet PCs in education
- College of Engineering announces alliance with Fujitsu and Microsoft — News article from Virginia Tech
- UW Classroom Presenter — Software designed at the University of Washington to provide a unique presentation environment utilizing the technology of Tablet PCs.
- Ubiquitous Presenter — Outgrowth of University of Washington's Classroom Presenter (CP), a program that uses Tablet PC ink to allow instructors to annotate pre-prepared slides and students to create submissions for in-class activities.
- Linux on Tablet
- Linux on Thinkpad X41 Tablet
- Microsoft Center for Research on Pen-Centric Computing
- Open Slate Project — Hardware, software, and course content built using open-source principles.
- UofL Student Tablet Users Group - Student group at the University of Louisville promoting the Tablet PC Program instituted there.
- Wesley College, Melbourne - First educational institution in Australia to use tablet styled PC's (Fujitsu T4220)
Tablet PCs in construction
- Tablet PC Site Progress Management/Workflow Management software for construction
- Lily Homes, using Tablet PCs to manage home building
- McDonald Jones Homes using Tablet PCs in the field for workflow management and Email
- Fujitsu PC Australia construction industry case study
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Last updated on Friday October 10, 2008 at 07:05:09 PDT (GMT -0700)
View this article at Wikipedia.org - Edit this article at Wikipedia.org - Donate to the Wikimedia Foundation
The form factor offers a more mobile way to interact with a computer. Tablet PCs are often used where normal notebooks are impractical or unwieldy, or do not provide the needed functionality.
The term "Tablet PC" was coined by Microsoft in a Keynote Address by Bill Gates at the 2001 Comdex conference. The more general term is Pen computer or Pen computing.
Forms
Slates
Slates, which resemble writing slates, are tablet PCs without a dedicated keyboard. Keyboards can usually be attached via a wireless or USB connection.These tablet PCs typically incorporate small (8.4-14.1 inches/21–36 cm) LCD screens and have been popular for quite some time in vertical markets such as health care, education, and field work.
Slate models are often designed with a focus on pure mobility, that is, the less to carry, the better.
Rugged tablet PC models are usually in the slate form factor; without a keyboard, there are fewer moving parts to break.
Convertibles
Convertible notebooks have a base body with an attached keyboard. They more closely resemble modern notebooks/laptops, and are usually heavier and larger than slates.
Typically, the base of a convertible attaches to the display at a single joint called a swivel hinge or rotating hinge. The joint allows the screen to rotate around 180° and fold down on top of the keyboard to provide a flat writing surface. This design, although the most common, creates a physical point of weakness on the notebook.
Some manufacturers, however, have attempted to overcome these weak points. The Panasonic Toughbook 19, for example, is advertised as a more durable convertible notebook. One model by Acer has a sliding design in which the screen slides up from the slate-like position and locks into place to provide the laptop mode.
Convertibles are by far the most popular form factor of tablet PCs, because for people who are unsure about the practicality of using the pen as the primary method of input, the convertibles still offer the keyboard and pointing device of traditional notebooks as a backup plan.
Hybrids
Hybrids, coined by users of the HP/Compaq TC1000 and TC1100 series, share the features of the slate and convertible by using a detachable keyboard which operates in a similar fashion to a convertible when attached.This is not to be confused with slate models that have a detachable keyboard—detachable keyboards for pure slate models do not rotate around to allow the tablet to rest on it like a convertible.
Despite a loyal following of users, the hybrid form factor has not received any recent updates after the TC1100 was discontinued.
History
- Before 1950
- 1888: U.S. Patent granted to Elisha Gray on electronic stylus device for capturing handwriting
- 1915: U.S. Patent on handwriting recognition user interface with a stylus
- 1942: U.S. Patent on touchscreen for handwriting input
- 1945: Vannevar Bush proposes the Memex, a data archiving device including handwriting input, in an essay As We May Think
- 1950s
- Tom Dimond demonstrates electronic tablet with pen for computer input and handwriting recognition
- Early 1960s
- RAND Tablet invented
- Late 1960s
- Alan Kay of Xerox PARC proposed a notebook using pen input called Dynabook: however device is never constructed.
- 1982
- Pencept of Waltham, Massachusetts markets a general-purpose computer terminal using a tablet and handwriting recognition instead of a keyboard and mouse
- Cadre System markets the Inforite point-of-sale terminal using handwriting recognition and a small electronic tablet and pen
- 1985:
- Pencept and CIC both offer PC computers for the consumer market using a tablet and handwriting recognition instead of a keyboard and mouse. Operating system is MS-DOS
- 1989
- The first commercially available tablet-type portable computer was the GRiDPad from GRiD Systems, released in September. Its operating system was based on MS-DOS.
- Wang Laboratories introduces Freestyle. Freestyle was an application that would do a screen capture from an MS-DOS application, and let the user add voice and handwriting annotations. It was a sophisticated predecessor to later note-taking applications for systems like the Tablet PC. The operating system was MS-DOS
- 1991
- The Momenta Pentop was released.
- GO Corp announced a dedicated operating system, called PenPoint OS, featuring control of the operating system desktop via handwritten gesture shapes.
- NCR released model 3125 pen computer running MS-DOS, Penpoint or Pen Windows.
- The Apple Newton entered development; although it ultimately became a PDA, its original concept (which called for a larger screen and greater sketching capabilities) resembled that of a tablet PC.
- 1992
- GO Corp shipped PenPoint and IBM announced IBM 2125 pen computer (the first IBM model named "ThinkPad") in April..
- Microsoft released Windows for Pen Computing.
- 1993
- The first commercialized portable tablet computer systems available to the consumer market were the IBM ThinkPad 750P and 360P introduced in 1993
- AT&T introduced the EO Personal Communicator combining PenPoint with wireless communications.
- 1999
- The "QBE" Tablet PC created by Aqcess Technologies wins Comdex Best of Show..
- 2000
- The "QBE Vivo" Tablet PC created by Aqcess Technologies ties for Comdex Best of Show.
- 2006
- Windows Vista released for general availability. Vista included the functionality of the special Tablet PC edition of Windows XP.
- 2008
- In April 2008, as part of a larger federal court case, the gesture features of the Windows/Tablet PC operating system and hardware were found to infringe on a patent by GO Corp. concerning user interfaces for pen computer operating systems.
System software
Microsoft
The operating system on which most tablet PCs run is Windows XP Tablet PC Edition . Tablet PC Edition is a superset of Windows XP Professional, the difference being tablet functionality, including alternate text input (Tablet PC Input Panel) and basic drivers for support of tablet PC specific hardware. Requirements to install Tablet PC Edition include a tablet digitizer or touchscreen device, and hardware control buttons including a Ctrl-Alt-Delete shortcut button, scrolling buttons, and at least one user-configurable application button.Service Pack 2 for Windows XP includes Tablet PC Edition 2005 and is a free upgrade. This version brought improved handwriting recognition and improved the Input Panel, allowing it to be used in almost every application. The Input Panel was also revised to extend speech recognition services (input and correction) to other applications.
With Windows Vista, the Tablet PC functionality no longer requires a separate edition. Tablet PC support is built into all editions of Windows Vista with the exception of Home Basic and Starter editions. This extends the handwriting recognition, ink collection, and additional input methods to any computer running Vista even if the input device is an external digitizer, a touch screen, or even a regular mouse.
Windows applications
There are quite a lot of 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.
A brief description of the applications included follows:
Experience Pack
- Ink Desktop: an Active Desktop control designed to run in the background and allow the user to write directly on the desktop.
- Snipping Tool: a screen capture application which allows the tablet pen to be used to select a portion of the screen and then annotate it and save as a file or send in an email.
- Ink Art: a painting application developed by Ambient Design originally as ArtRage, licensed to Microsoft for release to Tablet PC users.
- Ink Crossword: a crossword application developed to mirror the experience of a paper crossword puzzle on a tablet PC.
- Media Transfer: a synchronization utility designed to download music, pictures, and videos off of computers in the same network.
Education Pack
- Ink Flash Cards: an application designed to assist memorization by using a flash card approach, enabling the user to handwrite their own flash cards and display them back in a slideshow.
- Equation Writer: a recognition tool specializing in converting handwritten mathematical equations to a computer-generated image for pasting into other documents.
- GoBinder Lite: an organization and note-taking application developed by Agilix Labs.
- Hexic Deluxe: a game with a tablet PC specific gesture enabled for easier use with the tablet
GNU/Linux
Running Linux on tablet PCs is as practical as on conventional notebooks. More recently, tablet PCs may also be configured with Linux pre-installed.One early implementation of a Linux tablet was the ProGear by FrontPath. The ProGear used a Transmeta chip and a resistive digitizer. The ProGear initially came with a version of Slackware Linux, but could later be bought with Windows 98. Because these computers are general purpose IBM PC compatible machines, they can run many different operating systems.
Xorg now supports screen rotation and tablet input through Wacom drivers, and handwriting recognition software from both the Qt-based Qtopia and GTK+-based Internet Tablet OS provide promising free and open source systems for future development.
Another handwriting recognition software for GNU/Linux is CellWriter; a note-taking application for GNU/Linux and FreeBSD is Xournal
However, little mature desktop-oriented software of the sort has arisen, leading many users to rely on on-screen keyboards and alternative text input methods like Dasher.
TabletKiosk currently offers a hybrid digitizer / touch device running SUSE Linux. It is the first device with this feature to support Linux.
Apple
The aftermarketer Axiotron has introduced aftermarket, heavily modified Apple MacBooks called Modbooks, a Mac OS X-based tablet computer. It uses Apple's Inkwell for handwriting and gesture recognition and bundles additional digitization software from Wacom.While Apple Inc. doesn't sanction running their operating system Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware, there are a large number of computer enthusiasts who are running hacked copies of Mac OS X on various x86 architecture PC models, among them Tablet PC computers. To get Mac OS X to talk to the digitizer on Tablet PC systems they use a free open source driver originally written to support serial tablets for which Wacom no longer supplies Mac drivers.
Tablets vs. traditional notebooks
The advantages and disadvantages of tablet PCs are highly subjective measures. What appeals to one user may be exactly what disappoints another. The following are commonly cited opinions of the tablet PC platform:Advantages
- 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.
Disadvantages
- Higher cost — convertible tablet PCs can cost significantly more than their non-tablet counterparts although this premium has been predicted to fall.
- Screen size — the size of tablet PC screens peaks at around 14.1 inches although some models make up for this with higher resolution (pixel density per unit area).
- Input speed — handwriting can be significantly slower than peak typing speeds which can be as high as 50-150 WPM.
- Screen damage risk - Tablet PC's are handled more than conventional laptops yet built on the same frames and since their screens also serve as input devices (like PDAs) they run a higher risk of screen damage.
- No built in optical drive (in many Tablet PCs) — in order to reduce weight and thickness.
- Tablet PCs often come installed with Windows XP tablet edition but they do not come with a cd; neither does Microsoft offer any way to re-install the OS. This can lead to computers running very slowly or OS' being destroyed by viruses without any way to fix them. Microsoft recommends buying Windows Vista to re-install the OS however, it is often too resource intensive for Tablet PCs.
Designing around disadvantages
Manufacturers can design additional durability into the displays of tablets to effectively reduce screen damage risk, hinge failure, and screen size limitations. As an example, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company designed the Toughbook 19 specifically to overcome the screen damage issue potential. The use of scissor shock absorbers mounted to the screen, flexible connectors for data cables, molded magnesium alloy screen casing, durable and replaceable screen overlayments, and purpose built convertible hinges impact reliability. However, handheld models of computer such as the OQO Model 2 have a retractable keyboard that slides out sideways as a measure against having weak hinges and that the clamps for the sideway retracting keyboard are stronger if you put it into proportion to the robustness.Features
New Tablet PCs includes:
- Capacitive technology, which senses touch of finger with no pressure required for system to recognize input.
- Digital palm recognition technology prevents inadvertent contact from disrupting pen input .
- Multi-touch is the ability to touch the screen in more than one place at the same time and do things .
- Sunlight readable displays (800 nit display), so you can clearly read it even in bright and direct sunlight .
Popular models
Major tablet PC Manufacturers include Acer, Asus, Bosanova, Fujitsu, Gateway, Inc., Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lenovo Group, LG Electronics, NEC, TabletKiosk, Motion Computing, Panasonic and Toshiba.Popular models include:
Slate
- PaceBlade SlimBook 200
- Fujitsu Stylistic ST5010
- Electrovaya Scribbler SC4000 series (older: SC2000, SC3000, SC3100)
- MobileDemand xTablet T8600 Rugged Tablet PC
- Motion M1200, M1300, M1400, LE-Series, C5, LS800, LE 1700 and C5 which is targeted towards the healthcare industry
- JLT8404 Field Tablet PC
- Panasonic Toughbook 08
- TabletKiosk Sahara i400 series
- Samsung Q1 (Q1 Ultra)
- Xplore Technologies
- COWON Q5W
- Axiotron Modbook
- Nokia N800/N810
Convertible
- Acer TravelMate C100/C300/C310
- Asus R1F
- Asus R1E
- Averatec C3500 Series
- Dialogue Flybook V5
- Dell Latitude XT
- Fujitsu LifeBook P1610(Slim, Ultra-portable, Small) /T4020, /T4210, /T4220 /T2010, /T5010 /T1010 (Latest)
- Gateway C-140X (aka S-7235/E-295C)
- Gateway C-120X (aka S-7125C/E-155C)
- HP Compaq TC4200/TC4400
- HP Compaq 2710p
- HP Pavilion tx1000 Entertainment PC
- HP Pavilion tx2000
- HP Pavilion tx2500z
- HP Pavilion TX2009AU
- Lenovo ThinkPad X41 Tablet
- Lenovo ThinkPad X60 Tablet (known popularly as "X60t")
- Lenovo ThinkPad X61 Tablet
- Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet
- Lenovo ThinkPad X200s Tablet
- LG XNote C1
- LG LT-20-47CE
- Panasonic Toughbook 19
- Toshiba Portégé 3500/3505
- Toshiba Portégé M200
- Toshiba Portégé M400/405/700
- Toshiba Portégé R400/405
- Toshiba Satellite R10/R15/R20/R25
- Toshiba Tecra M4/M7
Hybrid
- Compaq TC1000
- HP Compaq TC1100
- Tatung Tangy
Programs
- Microsoft Office OneNote
- Einstein Technologies Tablet Enhancements for Outlook
- GO Corporation
- Agilix GoBinder
- Mobilis - Protectis Range
- EverNote
- IHMC CmapTools - a free concept mapping application
- Xournal - a linux notetaking application
- Ergo from Invu - a search, clustering, visualization and annotation application from YourErgo
- OnSite Companion Construction Software for Tablet PC
- : MusicReader - Electronic Music Stand - sheet music display on Tablet PC
- Documentor: A Documentation Engine for Health Care Professionals
See also
- Pen computing
- Graphics tablet
- 802.11b/g
- Bluetooth
- HSPA
- Candela per square metre, also called nit.
- MIL-STD-810F standard.
- Mobile Internet Device (MID)
- Numeric keypad
- RJ45
- Solid-state drive (SSD).
- USB
- WiFi
References
External links
- Microsoft Tablet PCs FAQ
- DIY (touchscreen-equipped) Tablet PC
- Annotated bibliography of references to handwriting recognition and pen computing
- Notes on the unknown history of Pen Computing -- through 1992
- How does Tablet PC's digitizer work?
- MobilePCWiki - Tablet PC, UMPC wiki
- Current list of convertible tablets
Tablet PCs in healthcare
- Tablet PC: Moving Queensland Health towards a paperless future (Microsoft).
- The Case for the Tablet PC in Health Care (HP, Based on a Microsoft White Paper).
- Tablet PCs in Health Care
Tablet PCs in education
- College of Engineering announces alliance with Fujitsu and Microsoft — News article from Virginia Tech
- UW Classroom Presenter — Software designed at the University of Washington to provide a unique presentation environment utilizing the technology of Tablet PCs.
- Ubiquitous Presenter — Outgrowth of University of Washington's Classroom Presenter (CP), a program that uses Tablet PC ink to allow instructors to annotate pre-prepared slides and students to create submissions for in-class activities.
- Linux on Tablet
- Linux on Thinkpad X41 Tablet
- Microsoft Center for Research on Pen-Centric Computing
- Open Slate Project — Hardware, software, and course content built using open-source principles.
- UofL Student Tablet Users Group - Student group at the University of Louisville promoting the Tablet PC Program instituted there.
- Wesley College, Melbourne - First educational institution in Australia to use tablet styled PC's (Fujitsu T4220)
Tablet PCs in construction
- Tablet PC Site Progress Management/Workflow Management software for construction
- Lily Homes, using Tablet PCs to manage home building
- McDonald Jones Homes using Tablet PCs in the field for workflow management and Email
- Fujitsu PC Australia construction industry case study
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Last updated on Friday October 10, 2008 at 07:05:09 PDT (GMT -0700)
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