Working With a Tablet PC - Pen Computing

The Tablet PC is the latest generation of this sleek utilitarian style of computer by Microsoft. It's actually the latest installment in pen computing, a technology that allows you to write in longhand directly into the computer. Previous write-only versions on the market include the Apple Newton, the Eo, and the Sony Vaio Pen Tablet.

The Microsoft-based Tablet PC adds more advanced technology, including better handwriting recognition, voice recognition, and wireless capability. The Tablet PC is available in models manufactured by Compaq, Gateway, Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba, Fujitsu, NEC, plus minor manufacturers.

The Tablet PC uses a sophisticated handwriting recognition technology that is a very convenient feature. Not only can it save a signature, but much more importantly, you can write as a means of inputting information into the computer. The handwriting will be read by the computer and rendered into standard font type. This is marvelous technology; however, should you have handwriting that other people find difficult to read, well, so will the computer.

Each currently available model also comes with another marvelous technology, and that is a program that enables speech recognition.

Corridor Warrior

This unique type of computer is often found within a particular work lifestyle. The corridor warrior is the niche market all Tablet PC manufacturers are betting on.

A corridor warrior is an always-moving individual/employee that typically runs from meeting to meeting or location to location. That person might need to collect actual signatures (for deliveries or sales orders), take quick notes (for inspections or observations), or take more extended notes and give presentations (at meetings, sales appointments).

The Tablet PC can be very convenient within a meeting environment because writing notes during meetings is less annoying than tapping away on a keyboard. Also, a Tablet PC saves time since the computer can convert handwriting directly into standard type, and there is no need to go through earlier notes in order to type them into the computer at a later time. Also, a Tablet PC is much more comfortable to work with when there is no work surface available. It's much less of a juggling act than a laptop computer.

The Tablet PC is not necessarily suitable for working on long documents, although some would disagree. It is especially useful as an accessibility device for the ultra-mobile individual with very specific mobile computing needs.

All Tablet PC's use Microsoft's Tablet PC version of Windows XP as their operating system. Any program written for windows will run on them. The price is $1,700.00 US and up, so they are still pricey. The hard drive is usually 20 Gig and they usually come with a screen between 10.4 to 12.1 inches in size.

Convertible or Slate

Two designs are available: convertible and slate. (Compaq's can be used as either a convertible or a slate). Deciding which design you need is the first decision to make.

• The slate model is flat in design and has no attached keyboard. (A few have detachable keyboards or an external keyboard can usually be plugged-in, if Tablet PCneeded..) Most slate models have no protective cover over their screens. While you can buy a screen protector, you need to be careful with a slate model. Some individuals may be better off with a convertible model. You may also want to look for rubber edging to help with the grip.

• The convertible model is a clamshell design (like a laptop) only with a twist, you can twist the panel monitor around to flatten into a flat tablet. While they usually come with a keyboard, it will be smaller than a standard laptop keyboard, which means it's much smaller than a standard keyboard. Convertibles tend to be about a half-pound heavier than slate models and are usually a little more expensive.

The Tablet PC is certainly a different kind of computer that can be used most effectively by those in certain vocations. The Tablet PC's are used by overnight delivery services. Because the Table PC is light and easily portable, it is easy to use it to capture a written signature.

Sales people can efficiently use the Tablet PC as an attention-getting visual aid during presentations, as well as a convenient way of taking important notes, as well as an order pad that can accept an order signature. There is no question that for a defined niche market, it is a powerful tool.

But Microsoft and Tablet PC manufacturers are looking for a wider market. The fact that you can easily use a Tablet PC in places where PCs arn't commonly used, such as meeting rooms, hallways, and on the street, can be a very attractive feature even to those that are not of the corridor warrior crowd.

So, for those with need, the Tablet PC is certainly a form of computer to consider.

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