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Computer
Articles
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.
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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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