What is a tablet PC, how is it different from a laptop and is it
the right computer for you? To find the answer to these
questions lets take a look at tablet PC\’s and how they work.
Tablet PC\’s were originally designed to put mobile computers in
the hand of people working in the field. The people using them
spent the majority of their time away from a desk and wouldn\’t
have access to a keyboard or mouse. Users would make entries via
stylus or digitizer. The lightweight and highly portable nature
of these types of computers made them perfectly suited to field
technicians and health care workers. These original models are
known as slate tablets do to their distinctive one piece design.
The entire computer screen and all was encased in one small
unit, usually weighing 4 pounds or less. All of the units came
with ports for connecting an optional keyboard, mouse, CD/DVD
drive, printer, monitor or other computer peripherals. By
choosing not to include all of these peripherals computer
manufacturers were able to shave off pounds and lengthen the
battery life considerably.
Many people were attracted to these new tablet PC\’s but still
wanted a traditional keyboard setup. Manufacturers responded to
consumers demand and the convertible tablet PC was born. A
convertible tablet PC looks very much like a small notebook
computer. Aside from the monitor it functions exactly like a
traditional laptop computer. The monitor is attached on special
hinge that allows the monitor to swivel, making it an extremely
powerful tool for small customer presentations and
demonstrations. The monitor is also capable of swiveling
completely around and lying on top of the keyboard with its
screen facing up. This gives it the appearance of the
traditional slate tablet PC. Convertible tablet PC\’s
traditionally have a larger viewing screen, larger hard drive,
larger battery, and other accessories. These extras make it a
much more powerful computing platform, but they also make it
heavier and more expensive.
Is a tablet PC the right PC for you? The real question is how
portable does you\’re computing lifestyle have to be? Do you
spend a lot of time outside of a traditional office environment?
Do you need to use a computer to record or makes notes while
you\’re walking, or moving from place to place, if so a tablet PC
is the perfect choice for you? For salespeople or business men
who spend a lot of time traveling a convertible tablet is
probably a much better option. It gives them more power, and
more features, with a more traditional computer setup.
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About the author:
Eve Larson is the lead writer for the Six Level Network Tablet
PC News and Review website (http://tabletpc.6ln.com).