The Tablet PC is often referred to as the evolution of the
laptop.
Microsoft describes it as "the most
mobile and
versitile computer ever". The device is expected to reach its full potential in the first quarter of 2003. A Tablet PC is essentially a
PC with a
touch-screen and no
keyboard, though one can be plugged in if a user prefers. Input is entered using a
stylus, and the device uses
handwriting recognition technology similar to the
Pocket PC's
Transcriber tool. The devices run
Windows XP Professional as their
operating system. Tablet PCs feature
low-power Intel processors with long
battery life. The devices are generally
lightweight and some of them come with
wireless capability. Tablet PCs differ from
Palms and
Internet appliances in that users can run full
Windows applications using a
pen. In essence, users create
documents using "
digital ink." Some people refer to the Tablet PC as a "Super
Personal Digital Assistant."
Although still in development, several companies are adopting Tablet PCs, including: Microsoft, ViewSonic, Compaq, IBM, and Sony, among others. The price is expected to be initially large due to competition in the laptop market and the PDA market simotaneously.