If you are making up your mind to buy a new desktop or laptop pc, it is not a new topic today. As the prices are down, many more features are available as compared to the PC's available before and more affordable models that offer power, mobility, and a long-life battery in a package. One alternative that is available is Tablet PC which has the size of a letter-sized notepad, pen activated screen, which is simpler to use at meetings and while traveling, and many more features that put them on par with relatively powerful laptops. It was launched in 2002 in an attempt to popularize pen-based computing and gradually gained attention as a useful tool for businessmen and educators. These machines are now in their second and third generation. The market for tablet PC's is in a boom and as most of the big players in the market have decided to jump on this bandwagon, it is predicted that the trend is likely to gain further momentum.

The tablet PC is a culmination of advances in shrinking notebook hardware and improvements in integrated digitizers as methods of input to enable pen-activated screens. It operates on Microsoft’s most advanced operating system and is compatible with any of Windows-XP applications and does not require any translations as required to run in some PDA's. A tablet PC has an active digitizer screen which recognizes physical touch or digital pen interaction on the screen. The input by the pen that is digital ink is stored as ink or recognized as text. If needed, a keyboard can also be attached to a tablet PC. It enables you to write e-mail or notes in your handwriting.

Actually, a tablet PC does not have any mouse for interaction and a small keyboard can be attached, but optional. A tablet PC screen is integrated with digitizers which are responsible for acknowledging any physical touch or digital pen interaction on the screen with the virtual information portrayed on it.

Passive digitizer

A touch screen based tablet PC uses passive digitizer either capacitive or resistive, only knows where the position of the stylus or finger is when the user presses it and causes the pointer on the screen to jump to the location of the press and instantly "click." It leads to lower accuracy and a higher rate of error—e.g. when the user's hand rests on the screen surface—which makes them less common in tablet PC's.

Active digitizer

In most tablet PC's, an active digitizer is used and can be installed behind the screen for maximum visibility. It has the ability to track the position of the pen when it is in proximity to the digitizer so that the user can “hover” over the screen. It facilitates the users to navigate through menus without accidentally activating an item. The advantage of using active digitizer is that only movement of the stylus affects the mouse pointer and discards other causes like your hand on the screen. Almost all the manufacturers install a protecting covering to avoid any unwanted damage to the LCD screen.

Electromagnetic resonation based tablets are troubled with “jitter” and when around the metal at the edges of the screen may change the properties of the reflected signal. Digitizer may not be able to maintain a totally accurate sense of the pen's position making it difficult for writing small characters.

In some digitizer technology a battery powered pen is used which actively transmits RF signals to be received by the tablet sensor. As a result, it consumes very less power of the tablet PC itself, but higher size and weight of the pen because of the battery. The main advantage is that the accuracy problems related to interference from metal at the edge of the screen are not an issue, but they usually suffer from the lack of support in many graphics applications.

Hybrid digitizer

The modern tablet PC's digitizers are a combination of both active pen and passive touch input. These digitizers are called hybrid digitizers which enables the user to use both touch screen based navigation as well as the accurate inputs from the stylus. Operating systems, like Windows Vista, support hybrid digitizers and differentiate between pen and touch input. Eg-Lenovo X60 Tablet PC.

The Tablet PC comes in these basic styles or forms: Convertible, Slate and Hybrid. The available models differ in size, processing speed, design, etc. to meet anyone's needs. It depends basically on the users and the kind of tablet PC's they prefer in accordance to their needs or requirements.  Tablets are being manufactured by major companies, such as Hewlett Packard, Fujitsu, Toshiba and Acer, and run on Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system. Any applications you use with Windows XP will work on a Tablet PC.

Three different styles of Tablet PCs are the following.

Convertibles

Figure 1

 

 

 

 

The convertible Tablet PC has an attached keyboard attached to the base body. It looks much like a conventional laptop PC but is quite heavier than other types. The screen can be rotated by 180 degrees as the base is attached using a rotating hinge and folding it flat over the keyboard for a more comfortable reading and writing experience as if it were a slate. They are the most popularly used tablet PC's as we have the choice to switch either between keyboard or touch screen.

Example: Panasonic Toughbook 19

Slates

Figure 2

 

 

 

 

 

As the name suggests, slates are the tablet PC's which are lightweight, slim and resemble writing slates. They do not have dedicated keyboards. They are attached using USB or wireless connection. Those tablet PC's are comprised mainly of a full-sized LCD screen. They are designed keeping the focus on mobility, that is, the less to carry, the better. So they are quite popular with fields like health care, education, and field work. Rugged tablet PC models are usually in the slate form factor because without a keyboard, there are fewer moving parts to break.

Hybrids

Hybrid Tablet PC's includes the feature of the slate and convertible by using a detachable keyboard which operates in a similar fashion to a convertible when attached. Those keyboards used in slate models do not rotate around to allow the tablet to rest on it like a convertible.

Example: HP/Compaq TC1000 , TC1100 series

Features of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition software include that Microsoft Windows XP Professional.

The Windows XP Tablet PC Edition software is written entirely in C# and 8 developers spent 15 months from scratch to the final product.

Handwriting Recognition and Conversion: It is integrated software, using that which one wrote in his or her own handwriting and later converting it to typed text. It is used in sending emails, making notes, and prints. Because of the development of advance processors and voice recognition technology, it has become far more practical and reliable.

Screen Rotation: You can quickly rotate your screen by 360 degree as per your convenience.

Pen Input: Using a special digital pen that comes with it, you can write directly on the screen and save notes in your handwriting or convert them to typed text.

Input Panel: Input Panel is an on-screen (virtual) keyboard and writing pad. With Input Panel, you can type text without using your standard keyboard. But standard keyboards can be attached as per our need. 

Speech Recognition: Most of the tablet PC's have built-in speech-recognition features that act as speech to text converter.

Microsoft Windows Journal: The Windows XP Tablet PC Edition comes with a note taking utility called the Microsoft Windows Journal. With it you can create and organize handwritten notes.

Document Annotation: You can add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments to the imported or downloaded documents with a Tablet PC stylus.

Reading: Tablet PC uses Microsoft ClearType technology; readers may employ this technology in reading their electronic version of your favorite books on their tablet PC's and a high-resolution display.

Gestures: You can use your Tablet PC pen to make "gestures.” Gestures are movements with the pen that complete common tasks.

1) Tablet PCs runs on one of the most advanced operating system called Windows XP Tablet PC. It is actually designed on the same platform as that of Windows XP Professional with some additional features, including handwriting recognition features, so it runs all Windows-based applications without modification.

2) Tablet PC's are designed to facilitate mobile computer users with some advance features, such as digital stylus (pen), help for the user to write directly on the screen, light weight Tablet PC as compared to other normal notebooks, advanced power management that extends battery life to help in enabling remote operations, sustaining for long hours before next charging, tablet PC's have wireless capability to connect to information sources anywhere regardless of the users’ location and many more features. These, along with multiple options for customizing, make the tablet PC a perfect solution for today's fast paced lifestyle.

3) The Tablet PC allows users to choose the way to interact. A User can use the keyboard, stylus, or voice commands to enter information or navigate through programs. This provides versatility to input which helps in enhancing productivity in many situations that were previously unsuitable for computers.

4) Because of advance software, tablet and pen settings allow you to customize your Tablet PC for left or right handed operation and to program buttons to complete a variety of tasks so that we can personalize.

5) Tablet PC enables you to take all your notes electronically and then later capture and store them in Windows journal. Then handwriting recognition technology allows you to search your notes quickly to find what you need.

6) Your data is encrypted and protected. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition offers all of the protection features of Windows XP Professional, including the Encrypting File System security feature and access control.

- To project correctly, the tablet must be placed in landscape mode instead of the more comfortable portrait mode.

- Electromagnetic resonation based tablets are troubled with “jitter” and when around the metal at the edges of the screen may change the properties of the reflected signal.

- In some digitizer technology a battery powered pen is used; they usually suffer from the lack of support in many graphics applications.

- Right clicking is sometime tricky using a digital pen.

The Tablet PC is typically used in education for presentation purpose, taking the place of blackboards. Professors and students find that the natural input options of the Tablet PC enhance the learning experience. Input is given from Tablet PC and video is output to a screen using a data projector. The lecturer can use software like Microsoft OneNote, PowerPoint, or Journal to prepare lecture materials in advance so that she can directly concentrate on actual content and is helpful in topics involving mathematical problems solving; requires face to face interaction.

In 2004, University of Alaska Anchorage conducted courses under CSI using Tablet PC's as the digital backboard. Usually the course was conducted primarily by writing on the blackboard. Traditionally, handwritten delivery using PowerPoint and computer were used for executing programs and debugging purpose which slows down the pace of class. The advantages using tablet and projector over the blackboard are listed below.

Digital ink can be saved over and viewed later.

Convenient switching between various applications on tablet.

The lecturer can maintain eye to eye contact with the students, resulting in better interaction.

The lecturer can redisplay the previously covered content that would have been lost.

A sample screenshot from CSI is shown below. The lecturer uses attention marks on the sample to highlight certain important points.

Figure 3

Student Survey

An online survey was conducted during the course. Around 16 out of 21 students participated in the survey. The first question compared Tablet PC delivery to a traditional blackboard. Most students preferred Tablet PC over blackboard based teaching

Figure 4

2. Tablet PC usage outside the Classroom

Outside the classroom, the instructor can add his or her comments for better understanding for the students and it is easier for the lecturer to draw diagrams using pen than mouse. Students also have the option to use the class notes during their examinations. The Tablet PC has also been quite useful for note-taking at conferences, department meetings, research meetings, and committee meetings.

Figure 5: Grading a paper with the Tablet PC

 

Microsoft Education

The Place for Tablet and Mobile PC Comparisons, News, Reviews and Information

This write-up has delved into the various features of a Tablet PC, its application and its technology. It also describes how the Tablet PC can be used as an effective tool in various fields like medical, construction, education and helps in enhancing the productivity. The Tablet PC is becoming more popular by the day.