Tablet PCs 2007

Microsoft is putting a lot of its corporate weight behind the Tablet PCs concept - the new wave of computers. Tablet PCs are a cross between laptops and PDAs. The devices resemble laptops and notebooks in size and allow digital pen and ink input like a PDA. You unlock the screen, twist it and turn the screen around to the back, thus turning a device that is very similar to a traditional laptop into a Tablet PC.

Microsoft makes the software for Tablet PCs. The software is a superset of Windows XP Pro. That means it is software that sits on top of Windows XP Pro. Its main function is to provide the user with ‘Digital Ink’ meaning that you write directly on the screen with a plastic stylus and your words are saved in your own handwriting.

Bill Gates has recently re-emphasised the importance of the Tablet PC in Microsoft's product portfolio strategy. This is because e-books and digital rights management software have been transformed lately and the Tablet PC is a perfect platform for you to read and e-learn text while on the move. With the prevalence of Intel Centrino technology and Wi-Fi wireless nodes springing up in coffee shops especially Starbucks and Cafe Nero in London and throughout the UK taking your Tablet PC out with you and working through a high bandwidth always on wireless link is now a technology that is coming of age.

Handwriting recognition

Tablet PCs allow you to save your own hand written documents and search the text you have written so that you can reference your notes. You can also store your handwriting as actual computer text. With a little practice recognition of your handwriting can be nearly 100 percent.

Windows Journal

The software program inside Tablet PCs is called Windows Journal. It allows you to write and save notes in digital ink and turn handwriting recognition on and off. There are all sorts of cool things you can do to a digital ink document including highlighting your writing, erasing, selecting, cutting and pasting plus changes color, and pen size, all with a touch of your stylus. You do all this with the screen in the Tablet PC position.

Digital ink can also be used in Microsoft Word and Outlook. That means you can jot down an e-mail message on your Tablet and the recipient will receive it in your handwriting. If they’re on a Tablet PC they’ll be able to answer your message in their own handwriting. If they’re not using a Tablet PC they’ll see your handwriting as an image file and can answer in regular e-mail text. The first time you receive a digital ink e-mail you’ll realize how cool this really is.

In addition to digital ink, the Tablet PC is also capable of voice recognition using a headset and microphone. Early units came with a 700 MHz Pentium III mobile processor and 256 MB of memory and various ports hidden behind rubber enclosures. They are lightweight, and have good battery life. It is normal for Tablet PCs to come with built-in 802.11b WiFi (wireless Ethernet) as standard. Like all wireless devices, expect battery life to suffer when you turn on the 2-way radio features.

Various manufacturers build Tablet PCs now, including Toshiba. They all sport different designs. Some look like laptops, some have detachable keyboards, others come with docking stations which turn Tablets into desktop devices. With the touch-screen locked into place with the keyboard hidden underneath you're ready to use your Tablet PC. From boardrooms to conference rooms, Tablet PCs could make paper-laden yellow pads a thing of the past. At least that’s what Microsoft are hoping.

Wi-Fi wireless technology news updates

Where can you make a wireless Wi-Fi connection in the UK if you have a Centrino or 802.11 a/g/b wireless network card or adaptor in your laptop PC or Tablet PC? Networks are currently operated by Independent providers, Public WLAN Hotspot, ReadytoSurf and T-Mobile Wireless Broadband

• Megabeam has recently installed hotspots at various hotels including Holiday Inn London Heathrow, the Express at London Luton Airport, Holiday Inn Docklands and the Crowne Plaza, Marlow on Thames. The hotspots went live at the beginning of 2003.
• T-Mobile intended to have 56 hotspots in British branches of Starbucks by the end of May 2003.
• The following places currently have Wi-Fi or wireless hotspots in the UK: 212 Piccadilly, Adam's Eatery, Alfresco, Alphabyte, Bagelmania, BFI London Imax Theatre, BlueWater Shopping Centre, BT Business Showcase - Birmingham, BT Business Showcase - Croydon, BT Business Showcase - London, BT Business Showcase - Manchester, BT Business Showcase - Watford, Caffe Crema, Cafi 67, C'est Ici, Coffee Island, Comfort Inn Heathrow, Costa Coffee, Darwins Deli, Days Inn, Days Inn - Birchanger Green, DP Computers, EAT Cafi, Esquires, Euston Square Hotel, Euston Station, Fariba Wraps, Gatwick Airport - North Terminal, Hammersmith BP Retail Outlet, Hastings Culloden Hotel, Hastings Europa Hotel, Hastings Everglades Hotel, Hastings Stormont Hotel, Hilton - Basingstoke, Hilton - Bath City, Hilton - Birmingham Metropole, Hilton - Bracknell, Hilton - Bradford, Hilton - Brighton Metropole, Hilton - Brighton West Pier, Hilton - Bristol, Hilton - Cardiff, Hilton - Cobham, Hilton - Coventry, Hilton - Croydon, Hilton - Dartford Bridge, Hilton - Dundee, Hilton - Edinburgh Caledonian, Hilton - Edinburgh Grosvenor, Hilton - Glasgow, Hilton - Glasgow Grosvenor, Hilton - Leeds City, Hilton - Leeds Garforth, Hilton - Leicester, Hilton - London Docklands, Hilton - London Gatwick, Hilton - London Green Park, Hilton - London Heathrow, Hilton - London Hyde Park, Hilton - London Islington, Hilton - London Kensington, Hilton - London Metropole, Hilton - London Olympia, Hilton - London Paddington, Hilton - London Park Lane, Hilton - London Wembley Plaza, Hilton - London, Trafalgar Square, Hilton - Norwich, Hilton - Portsmouth, Hilton - Southampton, Hilton - Swindon, Hilton - Warwick, Hilton - Watford, Holmes Place Health Club, III Amici, Jarvis - Airport Ramada, Glasgow, Jarvis - Royal Berkshire Ramada Plaza Hotel, Java Joes, Kariba Coffee Company, L'Amandine, Le Petit Pain, Lockside Lounge, McDonalds - London, McDonalds - Reading Gate, Moto, Mr Bagels Cafi, Olympia - London, Paddington Train Station, Reading Moat house, ReadytoSurf@Alphabyte, ReadytoSurf@Esquires Coffee, ReadytoSurf@Picadilly, Roadchef - Maidstone, Roadchef - Sandbach Service area, Starbucks - Liverpool Street, The Coffee Gallery, Tinderbox, Tourist Information Centre, Tower Records, Tower Thistle Hotel - London Tower Bridge, Travel Inn, London Euston, Virgin Megastore, Welcome Break - Birchanger Green, Welcome Break - Corley, Welcome Break - London Gateway, Welcome Break - South Mimms.
• Look for a Wi-Fi ZONE when you're mobile for a fast, reliable and secure Internet connection in a public venue. Wi-Fi ZONEs are easy to find, and they provide a dependable, consistent Wi-Fi connection with simple steps for Internet connectivity in a public setting .When you see the Wi-Fi ZONE logo you'll find a fast, reliable and easy to use Wi-Fi connection that makes connecting via a slow, dialup modem a distant and uncomfortable memory.

PC World current exclusive web deal: Toshiba Portege 3500 Intel Pentium 3 1.3Ghz

Tablet PC laptop specification:
Processor Type Intel P3M
Processor speed 1330 mhz
RAM Memory 256 mb
Hard Disk Capacity 40 Gb
CD ROM Yes
DVD Drive Not Specified
CD Rewriter Not Specified
Screen size 12.1 inches
Screen quality Digitised TFT XGA
Battery life (up to) 3.5 hours
Sound 16 bit
Modem Yes
No of USB connections 2
Touchpad mouse Yes
Colour Black & Silver
Weight 1.85 kg
Height 32 mm
Width 295 mm
Depth 234 mm
Graphics type CyberALADIN-T
Infrared Port Yes
TV-out Option Not Specified
Lan Interface Yes
Battery Type Li-Ion
Graphics card memory 16mb mb
Diskette Drive Type Not Specified
Operating system XP Tablet PC Edition
Expansion Bays Not Specified
Onboard LAN Not Specified

Visitors to the tabletpcs website used the following searches in the month of November:

Current top selling Tablet PCs:
LG Tablet PC Xnote LT-20 - 12.1" XGA WAV, Pentium M 1.4GHz (later on 1.8+ GHz - Dothan)
Acer 250PE - Pentium 4 2.6 GHz. (laptop with Tablet functionality)
Tatung TTAB-B12D - 12.1", Pentium M 900MHz ULV and 1.2 GHz LV
ViewSonic V1250 Tablet PC - Pentium M 1GHz ULV, 12.1" WVA
Fujitsu Stylistic ST5000 (D) Tablet PC - 12.1" and Pentium M 1.0 GHz+ Centrino (Slate model, 3.2 lbs.)
Acer TMC300 - Pentium M 1.5 GHz, 14.1"
Sharp Actius TN10W - 12.1" XGA AGLR TFT LCD, Pentium M 1.1 GHz MLV
Acer TMC111 - 10.4", Pentium M 1.0 GHz ULV, 3.2 lbs.
Gateway M275X / M275XL Tablet PC - Pentium M 1.4 GHz and 1.6 GHz, 14.1"
HP Tablet PC TC1100 - 10.4", Pentium M 1.0 GHz and Intel Celeron 800 MHz (nVIDIA Video)
Toshiba M200/M205 Tablet PC - 12.1" and Pentium M 1.5 GHz, SXGA+ 1400x1050, nVIDIA GeForce FX Go 5200
Electrovaya Scribbler SC-2000/2010 - 12.1", Pentium M 1.2 GHz LV, 9 hour battery life
Fujitsu-Siemens LifeBook T Series T3010 (D) Tablet PC - Intel Pentium M 1.4 GHz, 12.1"

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