With the integration of the key productivity applications, the Tablet PC does one better than the paper notepad.

• 500 MHz to 600 MHz CPU
• 128MB of RAM
• 10GB hard disk
• USB ports for keyboard and mouse
• Runs Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint Applications
• Internet access
• Digital Ink, technology allows for the taking of notes on the screen, with the ability to move, highlight, save, sort and search handwritten notes
• Microsoft’s ClearType, a technology that makes LCD screens more readable
• Supports 802.11b and eventually Bluetooth or any widely supported wireless standard
• Compatible with Pocket PCs, smartphones, and Internet appliances

Commenting on the evolution and design of the Tablet PC, Alexandra Loeb, General Manager of Microsoft Tablet PC effort, said, "We are evaluating the Tablet PC from the perspective of the consumers’ perspective rather than from the OS developer’s perspective" and as such the Tablet PC will provide greater mobile functionality for business computing when taking notes or annotating a document.

The Tablet PC will more than likely will be priced in the range of a full-function PC, said Ms. Loeb.

Not expected to be released commercially until the spring of 2002, depending on the both Microsoft’s testing and software development and also the design and production schedules of the OEMs, said the company.