Tablet PC
The advantages of a tablet computer
A tablet PC is a thin, ultra-light notebook computer with a hybrid screen that lets you take handwritten notes, surf the Web and navigate using a digital stylus. The stylus takes the place of the keyboard and mouse; it is used to write, draw, point, click and select items right on the screen.
Handwritten and dictated text on a tablet computer can be used immediately in most Microsoft Windows programs, which makes tablet PCs popular among people on the go. Many professionals use them for drawing, taking notes and accessing information on the Internet in a non-office setting. This is also facilitated by tablet PCs' excellent battery life and built-in wireless connectivity.
There are two types of tablet PCs: convertible and slate. Convertible tablets are the most popular form of PC tablet. They look like regular laptops but have a swivel screen that turns 180 degrees and lies flat over the keyboard. They have the functionality of a laptop and a computer drawing tablet all in one.
Slate tablets do not have keyboards and are often much smaller than convertible tablets. Slates resemble PDAs; they are ultra-portable and have docking stations that can be used with wireless keyboards, mice and other standard computer accessories.
The Apple iPad is an example of a slate tablet computer. The iPad does not have a keyboard. Instead, it uses a touchscreen display. A simple touch of the finger is all that's needed to activate iPad apps, many of which are the same as those that are available for the iPhone. The iPad can be used as an e-book reader, word processing machine and even a mobile communication device (since some iPad models can access 3G networks).
Must-Have Features
- Stylus (digital pen)
- Voice recognition software
- Wireless capability
- 30 GB to 60 GB hard drive
Major Considerations
- Which type of tablet PC works best for my needs - convertible or slate?
- Which company or operating system do I want to use? Do I want an Apple iPad or a Windows 7 tablet PC?
- How important is the weight of the computer? (Tablet PCs usually weight between 2 and 4 pounds.)
- What kind of damage is covered under the warranty? (Since tablet PCs are usually handheld, they are more likely to be dropped or damaged, and repairs can be costly if not covered under warranty.)
Top Manufacturers
- Apple
- HP
- Fujitsu
- Dell
- Lenovo
- Toshiba
- Sony
Common Accessories or Add-Ons
- Wireless keyboard
- Wireless mouse
- Travel case
- Docking station
Price Range
Tablet PCs are more expensive than standard notebooks and start at around $1,000. Higher-end tablet PCs sell for $2,000 and up. Apple's iPad sells for between $500 and $800, depending on how much memory you want and whether you need 3G accessibility.
Summary
The advantages of tablet PCs are their versatility and portability. Tablets are popular for people on the go who need to make handwritten notes or create drawings in a non-office setting. Convertible tablets are very similar to regular notebooks (but with a rotating touchscreen), while slate tablets are similar to PDAs because they are smaller and don't have built-in keyboards.
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