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HP Compaq tablet PC with rotating/removable keyboard
A Tablet PC is a notebook or slate-shaped mobile computer, equipped with a touchscreen or graphics tablet/screen hybrid technology which allows the user to operate the computer with a stylus or digital pen, or a fingertip, instead of a keyboard or mouse.
The form factor offers a more mobile way to interact with a computer. Tablet PCs are often used where normal notebooks are impractical or unwieldy, or do not provide the needed functionality.
The term "Tablet PC" was coined by Microsoft in a Keynote Address by Bill Gates at the 2001 Comdex conference. [1] The more general term is Pen computer or Pen computing.
[edit] Slates
Slates, which resemble writing slates, are tablet PCs without a dedicated keyboard. Keyboards can usually be attached via a wireless or USB connection.
These tablet PCs typically incorporate small (8.4-14.1 inches/21–36 cm) LCD screens and have been popular for quite some time in vertical markets such as health care, education, and field work.
Slate models are often designed with a focus on pure mobility, that is, the less to carry, the better.
Rugged tablet PC models are usually in the slate form factor; without a keyboard, there are fewer moving parts to break.
[edit] Convertibles
Convertible notebooks have a base body with an attached keyboard. They more closely resemble modern notebooks/laptops, and are usually heavier and larger than slates.
Typically, the base of a convertible attaches to the display at a single joint called a swivel hinge or rotating hinge. The joint allows the screen to rotate around 180° and fold down on top of the keyboard to provide a flat writing surface. This design, although the most common, creates a physical point of weakness on the notebook.
Some manufacturers, however, have attempted to overcome these weak points. The Panasonic Toughbook 19, for example, is advertised as a more durable convertible notebook. One model by Acer has a sliding design in which the screen slides up from the slate-like position and locks into place to provide the laptop mode.
Convertibles are by far the most popular form factor of tablet PCs, because for people who are unsure about the practicality of using the pen as the primary method of input, the convertibles still offer the keyboard and pointing device of traditional notebooks as a backup plan.
[edit] Hybrids
Hybrids, coined by users of the HP/Compaq TC1000 and TC1100 series, share the features of the slate and convertible by using a detachable keyboard which operates in a similar fashion to a convertible when attached.
This is not to be confused with slate models that have a detachable keyboard—detachable keyboards for pure slate models do not rotate around to allow the tablet to rest on it like a convertible.
Despite a loyal following of users, the hybrid form factor has not received any recent updates after the TC1100 was discontinued.
[edit] History
Before 1950
1888: U.S. Patent granted to Elisha Gray on electronic stylus device for capturing handwriting[2][3] 1915: U.S. Patent on handwriting recognition user interface with a stylus[4][5] 1942: U.S. Patent on touchscreen for handwriting input[6][7] 1945: Vannevar Bush proposes the Memex, a data archiving device including handwriting input, in an essay As We May Think [8]
1950s
Tom Dimond demonstrates electronic tablet with pen for computer input and handwriting recognition [9]
Early 1960s
Late 1960s
Alan Kay of Xerox PARC proposed a notebook using pen input called Dynabook: however device is never constructed.
1982
Pencept of Waltham, Massachusetts markets a general-purpose computer terminal using a tablet and handwriting recognition instead of a keyboard and mouse [12] Cadre System markets the Inforite point-of-sale terminal using handwriting recognition and a small electronic tablet and pen[13]
1985:
Pencept [14] and CIC [15] both offer PC computers for the consumer market using a tablet and handwriting recognition instead of a keyboard and mouse. Operating system is MS-DOS
1989
The first commercially available tablet-type portable computer was the GRiDPad [16]from GRiD Systems, released in September. Its operating system was based on MS-DOS. Wang Laboratories introduces Freestyle. Freestyle was an application that would do a screen capture from an MS-DOS application, and let the user add voice and handwriting annotations. It was a sophisticated predecessor to later note-taking applications for systems like the Tablet PC. [17]The operating system was MS-DOS
1991
The Momenta Pentop was released[18]. GO Corp announced a dedicated operating system, called PenPoint OS, featuring control of the operating system desktop via handwritten gesture shapes.[19][20] NCR released model 3125 pen computer running MS-DOS, Penpoint or Pen Windows.[21] The Apple Newton entered development; although it ultimately became a PDA, its original concept (which called for a larger screen and greater sketching capabilities) resembled that of a tablet PC.
1992
1993
The first commercialized portable tablet computer systems available to the consumer market were the IBM ThinkPad 750P and 360P introduced in 1993[23] AT&T introduced the EO Personal Communicator combining PenPoint with wireless communications.
1999
2000
2006
Windows Vista released for general availability. Vista included the functionality of the special Tablet PC edition of Windows XP.
2008
In April 2008, as part of a larger federal court case, the gesture features of the Windows/Tablet PC operating system and hardware were found to infringe on a patent by GO Corp. concerning user interfaces for pen computer operating systems.[25]
[edit] System software
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[edit] Microsoft
The operating system on which most tablet PCs run is Windows XP Tablet PC Edition[26][27]. Tablet PC Edition is a superset of Windows XP Professional, the difference being tablet functionality, including alternate text input (Tablet PC Input Panel) and basic drivers for support of tablet PC specific hardware. Requirements to install Tablet PC Edition include a tablet digitizer or touchscreen device, and hardware control buttons including a Ctrl-Alt-Delete shortcut button, scrolling buttons, and at least one user-configurable application button.
Service Pack 2 for Windows XP includes Tablet PC Edition 2005 and is a free upgrade. This version brought improved handwriting recognition and improved the Input Panel, allowing it to be used in almost every application. The Input Panel was also revised to extend speech recognition services (input and correction) to other applications.
With Windows Vista, the Tablet PC functionality no longer requires a separate edition. Tablet PC support is built into all editions of Windows Vista with the exception of Home Basic and Starter editions. This extends the handwriting recognition, ink collection, and additional input methods to any computer running Vista even if the input device is an external digitizer, a touch screen, or even a regular mouse.
[edit] Windows applications
There are quite a lot of operating systems in use on devices marketed as tablets. Note that most tablet PC software is targeted particularly for the Microsoft Tablet PC API, and will not run on devices without Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Care should be taken when researching a tablet system or any device or software that claims to be designed for tablet PCs, as the phrase does not guarantee compatibility.
Applications developed for the tablet PC cater to the form factor and functionality available on the platform. Many forms of applications incorporate a pen-friendly user interface and/or the ability to handwrite directly in the document or interface.
A brief description of the applications included follows:
[edit] Experience Pack
Ink Desktop: an Active Desktop control designed to run in the background and allow the user to write directly on the desktop. Snipping Tool: a screen capture application which allows the tablet pen to be used to select a portion of the screen and then annotate it and save as a file or send in an email. Ink Art: a painting application developed by Ambient Design originally as ArtRage, licensed to Microsoft for release to Tablet PC users. Ink Crossword: a crossword application developed to mirror the experience of a paper crossword puzzle on a tablet PC. Media Transfer: a synchronization utility designed to download music, pictures, and videos off of computers in the same network.
[edit] Education Pack
Ink Flash Cards: an application designed to assist memorization by using a flash card approach, enabling the user to handwrite their own flash cards and display them back in a slideshow. Equation Writer: a recognition tool specializing in converting handwritten mathematical equations to a computer-generated image for pasting into other documents. GoBinder Lite: an organization and note-taking application developed by Agilix Labs. Hexic Deluxe: a game with a tablet PC specific gesture enabled for easier use with the tablet
[edit] GNU/Linux
Running Linux on tablet PCs is as practical as on conventional notebooks. More recently, tablet PCs may also be configured with Linux pre-installed.
One early implementation of a Linux tablet was the ProGear by FrontPath. The ProGear used a Transmeta chip and a resistive digitizer. The ProGear initially came with a version of Slackware Linux, but could later be bought with Windows 98. Because these computers are general purpose IBM PC compatible machines, they can run many different operating systems.
Xorg now supports screen rotation and tablet input through Wacom drivers, and handwriting recognition software from both the Qt-based Qtopia and GTK+-based Internet Tablet OS provide promising free and open source systems for future development.
Another handwriting recognition software for GNU/Linux is CellWriter; a note-taking application for GNU/Linux and FreeBSD[28] is Xournal
However, little mature desktop-oriented software of the sort has arisen, leading many users to rely on on-screen keyboards and alternative text input methods like Dasher.
TabletKiosk currently offers a hybrid digitizer / touch device running SUSE Linux. It is the first device with this feature to support Linux.
The aftermarketer Axiotron has introduced aftermarket, heavily modified Apple MacBooks called Modbooks, a Mac OS X-based tablet computer. It uses Apple's Inkwell for handwriting and gesture recognition and bundles additional digitization software from Wacom.
While Apple Inc. doesn't sanction running their operating system Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware,[citation needed] there are a large number of computer enthusiasts who are running hacked copies of Mac OS X on various x86 architecture PC models, among them Tablet PC computers.[citation needed] To get Mac OS X to talk to the digitizer on Tablet PC systems they use a free open source driver originally written to support serial tablets for which Wacom no longer supplies Mac drivers.
[edit] Tablets vs. traditional notebooks
The advantages and disadvantages of tablet PCs are highly subjective measures. What appeals to one user may be exactly what disappoints another. The following are commonly cited opinions of the tablet PC platform:
[edit] Advantages
More natural form of input — sketching and handwriting are a much more familiar form of input than a keyboard and mouse, especially for people who are new to computers. Gesture recognition — gestures (moving the stylus in special patterns over the screen) are powerful ways to increase efficiency. Many applications, or the operating system itself, can be programmed to respond in different ways to certain gestures created by the pen. Note-taking — taking handwritten notes and drawing diagrams at a class or conference increases productivity and retention of information. The notes can also be searched automatically if handwriting recognition is implemented. Accessibility — those who are physically unable to type can utilize the additional features of a tablet PC to be able to interact with the electronic world. Digital art — tablets are often necessary for professional digital artist work. For many, mouse movement is too jerky to be used as a precision tool. Portability — slate tablets and hybrids without keyboards are very slim and light compared to typical laptops and can easily be tucked under the arm like a book. Horizontal orientation — most tablet PCs do not interrupt line of sight since they lie flat on the table or in one's arms. This allows for better interaction in business meetings and conferences and also makes it easy for digital artists who wish to draw on a horizontal medium.
[edit] Disadvantages
Higher cost — convertible tablet PCs can cost significantly more than their non-tablet counterparts although this premium has been predicted to fall.[29] Screen size — the size of tablet PC screens peaks at around 14.1 inches although some models make up for this with higher resolution (pixel density per unit area). Input speed — handwriting can be significantly slower than peak typing speeds which can be as high as 50-150 WPM. Screen damage risk - Tablet PC's are handled more than conventional laptops yet built on the same frames and since their screens also serve as input devices (like PDAs) they run a higher risk of screen damage. No built in optical drive (in many Tablet PCs) — in order to reduce weight and thickness. Tablet PCs often come installed with Windows XP tablet edition but they do not come with a cd; neither does Microsoft offer any way to re-install the OS. This can lead to computers running very slowly or OS' being destroyed by viruses without any way to fix them. Microsoft recommends buying Windows Vista to re-install the OS however, it is often too resource intensive for Tablet PCs.
[edit] Designing around disadvantages
Manufacturers can design additional durability into the displays of tablets to effectively reduce screen damage risk, hinge failure, and screen size limitations. As an example, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company designed the Toughbook 19 specifically to overcome the screen damage issue potential. The use of scissor shock absorbers mounted to the screen, flexible connectors for data cables, molded magnesium alloy screen casing, durable and replaceable screen overlayments, and purpose built convertible hinges impact reliability. However, handheld models of computer such as the OQO Model 2 have a retractable keyboard that slides out sideways as a measure against having weak hinges and that the clamps for the sideway retracting keyboard are stronger if you put it into proportion to the robustness.
[edit] Features
New Tablet PCs includes:
Capacitive technology, which senses touch of finger with no pressure required for system to recognize input[30]. Digital palm recognition technology prevents inadvertent contact from disrupting pen input [30]. Multi-touch is the ability to touch the screen in more than one place at the same time and do things [31]. Sunlight readable displays (800 nit display), so you can clearly read it even in bright and direct sunlight [32] .
[edit] Popular models
- Further information: Comparison of tablet PCs
Major tablet PC Manufacturers include Acer, Asus, Bosanova, Fujitsu, Gateway, Inc., Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lenovo Group, LG Electronics, NEC, TabletKiosk, Motion Computing, Panasonic and Toshiba.
Popular models include:
PaceBlade SlimBook 200 Fujitsu Stylistic ST5010 Electrovaya Scribbler SC4000 series (older: SC2000, SC3000, SC3100) MobileDemand xTablet T8600 Rugged Tablet PC Motion M1200, M1300, M1400, LE-Series, C5, LS800, LE 1700 and C5 which is targeted towards the healthcare industry JLT8404 Field Tablet PC Panasonic Toughbook 08 TabletKiosk Sahara i400 series Samsung Q1 (Q1 Ultra) Xplore Technologies COWON Q5W Axiotron Modbook Nokia N800/N810
[edit] Convertible
[edit] Hybrid
[edit] Programs
[edit] See also
[edit] References
^ Gates, Bill (2001-11-11), State of the Industry: The Digital Decade, Comdex Keynote Address, <http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/Press/2001/Nov01/11-11Comdex2001KeynotePR.mspx>. Retrieved on 24 August 2008 ^ Gray, Elisha (1888-07-31), Telautograph, United States Patent 386,815, <http://rwservices.no-ip.info:81/pens/biblio70.html#Gray1888b> ^ Gray, Elisha (1888-07-31), Telautograph, United States Patent 386,815 (full image), <http://www.freepatentsonline.com/386815.pdf> ^ Goldberg, H.E., Controller, United States Patent 1,117,184, <http://users.erols.com/rwservices/pens/biblio70.html#GoldbergHE15> ^ Goldberg, H.E., Controller, United States Patent 1,117,184 (full image), <http://www.freepatentsonline.com/1117184.pdf> ^ Moodey, H.C. (1942-12-27), Telautograph System, United States Patent 2,269,599, <http://users.erols.com/rwservices/pens/biblio70.html#Moodey40> ^ Moodey, H.C. (1942-12-27), Telautograph System, United States Patent 2,269,599 (full image), <http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2269599.pdf> ^ Bush, Vannevar (1945-07-15), As We May Think, The Atlantic Monthly, <http://rwservices.no-ip.info:81/pens/biblio70.html#BushV45> ^ Dimond, Tom (1957-12-01), Devices for reading handwritten characters, Proceedings of Eastern Joint Computer Conference, pp. 232-237, <http://rwservices.no-ip.info:81/pens/biblio70.html#Dimond57>. Retrieved on 23 August 2008 ^ RAND Tablet, 1961-09-01, <http://users.erols.com/rwservices/pens/biblio70.html#RAND61> ^ 50 Years of Looking Forward, RAND Corporation, 1998-09-01, <http://www.rand.org/publications/randreview/issues/rr.fall.98/50.html> ^ Pencept Penpad (TM) 200 Product Literature, Pencept, Inc., 1982-08-15, <http://rwservices.no-ip.info:81/pens/biblio83.html#Pencept83> ^ Inforite Hand Character Recognition Terminal, Cadre Systems Limited, England, 1982-08-15, <http://rwservices.no-ip.info:81/pens/biblio83.html#Inforite82> ^ Users Manual for Penpad 320, Pencept, Inc., 1984-06-15, <http://users.erols.com/rwservices/pens/biblio85.html#Pencept84d> ^ Handwriter (R) GrafText (TM) System Model GT-5000, Communication Intelligence Corporation, 1985-01-15, <http://rwservices.no-ip.info:81/pens/biblio85.html#CIC85> ^ The BYTE Awards: GRiD System's GRiDPad, BYTE Magazine, Vol 15. No 1, 1990-01-12, pp. 285, <http://rwservices.no-ip.info:81/pens/biblio90.html#GridPad90a> ^ WANG Freestyle demo, Wang Laboratories, 1989, <http://rwservices.no-ip.info:81/pens/images.html#WangFreestyle>. Retrieved on 22 September 2008 ^ Lempesis, Bill (1990-05), What's New in Laptops and Pen Computing, Flat Panel Display News, <http://rwservices.no-ip.info:81/pens/biblio90.html#Momenta90> ^ Agulnick, Todd (1994-09-13), Control of a computer through a position-sensed stylus, United States Patent 5,347,295, <http://users.erols.com/rwservices/pens/biblio95.html#Agulnick94> ^ Agulnick, Todd (1994-09-13), Control of a computer through a position-sensed stylus, United States Patent 5,347,295 (full image), <http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5347295.pdf> ^ NCR announces pen-based computer press release, <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NEW/is_1991_June_24/ai_10957018>. Retrieved on 20 April 2007 ^ Penpoint OS shipping press release, <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NEW/is_1992_April_17/ai_12165379>. Retrieved on 20 April 2007 ^ Lenovo - The history of ThinkPad ^ Trends at COMDEX Event 1999, <http://www.guiart.fi/gobr01en.htm>. Retrieved on 11 August 2008 ^ Mintz, Jessica (2008-04-04), Microsoft to Appeal $367M Patent Ruling, The Associated Press, <http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-04-04-2507619152_x.htm>. Retrieved on 4 September 2008 ^ MSDN: Windows XP Tablet PC Edition: Tablet PC: An Overview, Microsoft, 2004-08-24, <http://users.erols.com/rwservices/pens/biblio05.html#Microsoft04a>. Retrieved on 4 September 2008 ^ Windows XP Tablet PC Edition: Tablet PC: An Overview, Microsoft, 2002-06-01, <http://www.itxcgc.com/images/Brochures/Microsoft/TabletPCOverview.pdf>. Retrieved on 4 September 2008 ^ Xournal patch for FreeBSD ^ Convertibles: The new laptop bling? - CNET News.com ^ a b Tablet PC offers capacitive touch sensing capability., Dell, Inc ^ jkOnTheRun:So what is multi-touch? ^ Rugged PC Review.com - Rugged Tablet PCs: Getac E100
[edit] External links
[edit] Tablet PCs in healthcare
[edit] Tablet PCs in education
[edit] Tablet PCs in construction
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