| u heard about the tablet PC? | | | | The Tablet PC does everything a regular |
| You might as well get used to the term because | | | | computer does. It has a complete Windows XP |
| if high tech experts are right, it's about to take | | | | operating system and can run all of the normal |
| the computing world by storm. | | | | programs and applications consumers are used to |
| Of all the personal technology advances we've | | | | on their desktops and laptops. The big difference |
| seen over the past five years, the Tablet PC has | | | | is that with a Tablet PC, you can also use that |
| to rank among the most significant. For the | | | | electronic stylus to run many programs, taking |
| Tablet PC is truly one of the most innovative and | | | | notes by hand or tapping on the individual letters |
| useful products that is just now starting to gain | | | | of an on-screen keyboard representation to type. |
| major traction. These machines, which are | | | | Handwriting can be converted to type with just a |
| powered by a specially tweaked version of the | | | | tap of the stylus, though, obviously, the neater |
| Windows XP operating system, allow users to | | | | you write or print, the more accurate will be the |
| scribble notes on a screen with a pen-like stylus, | | | | conversion into type. |
| turning handwriting or block printing into what's | | | | I've been a a tablet user for several years and, |
| called digital ink. | | | | truthfully, I seldom convert handwritten notes on |
| Although Tablet PCs have been on the market | | | | the Tablet. I don't need to. I can read my own |
| for a few years now, much of the public has | | | | notes just fine. And there's something satisfyingly |
| been unexposed to them. That's about to change. | | | | personal about seeing my scribbes on a computer |
| Tablet PCs are now showing up on TV | | | | screen. It's sort of the ultimate in customization. |
| commercials, in magazine and newspaper ads and | | | | While a Tablet does everything a regular |
| being exuberantly talked about through word of | | | | computer does, they have the added advantage |
| mouth. Maybe it's time for you to consider one. | | | | of some special tablet-only software |
| Some Tablets are slate models only. That means | | | | enhancements. I bought a $39 add-on to the |
| there is no keyboard, just the screen. You write | | | | Outlook program that lets me use digital ink to |
| on them like those old Etch-a-Sketches that kids | | | | enter calendar, to-do, journal and contact info. |
| used to play with. Others, are called convertibles. | | | | And a $99 program called PlanPlus from Franklin |
| Flip the screen up and it looks and works like a | | | | Covey puts the equivalent of a Franklin Planner on |
| notebook computer, with a keyboard, CD/DVD | | | | my Tablet. I've fallen in love with this application. |
| slot, track pad and the like. But swivel the screen | | | | Then there's Microsoft OneNote, which comes |
| around and down over the keyboard and it's a | | | | bundled on many of the Tablets sold today or can |
| slate. | | | | be purchased separately for $99. OneNote I |
| All of the big computer makers produce Tablet | | | | believe, is the most amazingly useful application |
| PC models: Dell, Gateway, Toshiba, Lenovo (IBM), | | | | for any platform I have ever tried. |
| Fujitsu and others. There are a couple of | | | | Besides the digital ink note-taking and |
| Tablet-only makers, too, like Motion Computing | | | | organizational features, OneNote uses the built in |
| and Rugged Computers. Even Apple Computer | | | | microphone on the Tablet to record meetings, |
| with its fabled Macintosh line is rumored to be | | | | lectures, interviews, whatever you want. As you |
| close to developing a Tablet version. | | | | take notes of a presentation and hear something |
| The cost of a Tablet depends on how yoy equip | | | | that's important, make a star or exclamation |
| it. I suggest at least 1GB of memory/ And if a | | | | mark next to someone's words that you've |
| CD/DVD drive isnt included, either as a built-in | | | | jotted down, just as you do with pen and paper |
| internal option or as an external device, make | | | | notes. Afterwards, as you review the notes, you |
| sure you order one. Wi-Fi and BlueTooth is | | | | can tap on the special mark you made to hear |
| standard on most Tablets. | | | | the actual recording of the subject as the |
| But you can figure spending around $2,000 for a | | | | presenter spoke the information. |
| full-featured model. | | | | No matter how much I use OneNote, it blows me |
| Over the past couple of years, Tablets have sold | | | | away every time. |
| fairly well in what are known as vertical markets, | | | | If you're thinking about a new laptop and if |
| among niche interest groups like students (great | | | | note-taking is a part of your life, a tablet should |
| for note-taking and recording lectures), medical | | | | be at the top of your shopping list. |
| professionals (for keeping track of patient | | | | It's that handy. |
| records) and salespeople (for forms and | | | | Is a Tablet PC right for you? |
| order-taking). Indeed, some schools are now | | | | Obviously, only you can answer that. But it's been |
| giving Tablet PCs to their students, that's how | | | | my esperience as a longtime road warrior who |
| great they are as educational tools. | | | | has used all sorts of laptops, that the Tablet PC |
| But now that the momentum has built up, most | | | | offers so many more features and so much |
| observers are convinced the real market is much | | | | more convenience than a standard laptop that I |
| larger ... and largely untapped, if you'll excuse the | | | | would never go back. |
| pun. | | | | I bet you will feel the same. |