News
Issue #2002 - 39 (October 2002)
(Updated Oct. 15, 2002)

DEVICES

Tablet PCs - Microsoft May Find an Important Niche in Mobile Environments

At first glance, they look just like lightweight notebook computers. But on closer inspection of the forthcoming tablet PCs, modeled after Microsoft chairman Bill Gates' vision of a mini "slate-style'' computer, there's more than meets the eye.

The Acer Inc. TravelMate 100 tablet PC has a hinge that pivots and connects the LCD to the keyboard, so users can flip the screen 180 degrees. Close the notebook with the display facing outward and it's a tablet with a pen-sensitive screen to scribble meeting notes, surf the Web, or send E-mails without the need for a desk, keyboard, or any wires at all.

Fujitsu's Stylistic ST4000 Tablet PC weighs 3 pounds, is less than 1-inch thick, and is equipped with the Mobile Intel Pentium III processor-M. It can be plugged into Fujitsu's Tablet Dock docking system, which comes with multiple ports.

Still under development, Toshiba's tablet will be part of the Portege notebook line, says Masa Okumura, director of worldwide product planning at Toshiba's computer-systems group. The tablet PCs, scheduled to hit stores Nov. 7, will cost about the same as high-end notebook computers.

Bill Gates has been promoting the tablet for two years as a tool to improve productivity. Microsoft also is lining up software vendors that are now working on programs. Corel Corp. is developing an application called Project Coligo to let tablet users remotely collaborate as if they were all in the same room, using a whiteboard. Users can sketch ideas on the tablet screen that are converted into an electronic graphic and distributed. FranklinCovey hopes its 1Planner software will replace the heavy day planners that execs still tote. The app lets users create task lists, track events, and more; the information can be synchronized with software such as E-mail. Adobe Systems, Autodesk, and SAP also are developing tablet PC products. The tablets are likely to give handheld devices competition. But handhelds will hold their own, thanks to their more diminutive size and lower cost, says Steve Sakoman, chief product officer at Palm Inc. A top-of-the-line Palm device costs about $450; a midrange device with Internet connectivity costs about $300. 

Source: CMP

For more information: www.microsoft.com and http://informationweek.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory:  Tablet PC has a definite place in many industrial and field applications where neither laptop nor PDA nor smart phone will do. - applications where we need to enter a lot of data. This need for a distinct mobile device like Tablet PC will continue till we stop using pen and paper to record information for many of our personal and business tasks. We will give full marks to Bill Gates for marketing Tablet PC concept. We have nothing against PDAs but their form factor will not cut it for many field applications without making a lot of compromises. 

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.