The $100 Laptop

Tablet PCs

The idea of tablet computing is generally credited to Alan Kay of Xerox, who sketched out the idea in 1971. The best-known and first widely sold tablet computer was Apple Computer’s Newton, which was not a commercial success. With today’s extended battery life, better display resolution, handwriting recognition software, larger memory, and wireless Internet access, the tablet computers of today are deemed to have a great chance of being accepted as a viable computing option.

A tablet PC is a wireless personal computer that allows a user to take notes using natural handwriting with a stylus or digital pen on a touch screen. A table PC is similar in size and thickness to a notepad and has two formats. One format is a convertible model with an integrated keyboard and display that rotates 180 degrees and can be folded down over the keyboard. The second format is a slate style with a removable keyboard. Both formats receive inputs through a special pen rather than input devices such as a keyboard or mouse. The technology of the Tablet PC enables you to rest your hand on the screen while writing or running software programs. Tablet PCs operate with an electromagnetic digitizer instead of a resistive-touch screen, such as those typically found in personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other small-screen devices. This means that the Tablet PC accepts input only from a pen that contains an electromagnetic coil. Therefore, you can touch the screen while writing without inadvertently moving the cursor. The Tablet PC also allows you to convert handwritten inputs into typed text. It has functionalities in multiple languages depending on the region of the world it will be used in.