Tablet PC

Introduction

“Generically, a tablet PC refers to a laptop or slate-shaped mobile computer, equipped with a touchscreen or graphics tablet/screen hybrid to operate the computer with a stylus or digital pen, or a fingertip, instead of a keyboard or mouse.” (Wikipedia, retrieved 18:43, 15 June 2009 (UTC)).

Hardware

Several vendors sell tablet PCs.

I found not very easy to find a good website that gives good advice on high-end tablet PCs. TablePC Review is ok as starting point. In June 2009, I found 4 useful systems, HP tx2005z (attractive price, but not sold in Switzerland), Lenovo ThinkPad (but a colleague has it and doesn't like it), Fujitsu LifBook T5010 (was difficult to find), so I settled for a Dell XT2 (3GB, 120 GB HD) with a DVD "backback". I am happy with it so far. Its DLV screen is fine for a tablet PC and works in most light conditions. It also can understand double touch like the iPhone (if you can find an application that can handle it). On the negative side, it doesn't have a built-in camera, but a 2MPixel portable Logitech webcam gives better image quality anyhow, so I got one of these. - Daniel K. Schneider 18:43, 15 June 2009 (UTC).

Software

Various

• For Windows (both XP and Vista), there are free Microsoft experience packs for download.
  • Experience Pack for Tablet PC (Windows XP)
  • Microsoft Experience Pack for Windows Vista (English only, but works in non-English versions)

• Microsoft Ink Desktop for Windows Vista
  • Allows to write on the desktop in various way (e.g. transparently)
  • Download page. English is default, change the language in the pulldown menu of the download page. An English version will not work on a french system for example.

Drawing and note taking

• InkSeine is a free note taking / idea management product from Microsoft research.
  • AlpineInker An InKSeine Developer Blog.
  • GBM InkShow: InkSeine, BottaBeMobile.com

• OneNote - MS commercial note taking product
  • Official Homepage
  • WMS OneNote -Wikipedia Entry
  • Daniel Escapa's OneNote Blog

• Freestyler is an educational software with many functionalities (including collaborative drawing and modeling)

Fun

• linerider.com

OS Support

Windows support

Win XP users should install Tablet PC Win XP addons from Microsoft if it hasn't been done by the vendor. Same for Office 2003 programes like PPT.

Vista includes tablet PC functionalities and offers a series of improvements like:

• Better handwriting recognition
• Visual pen feedback for single tap, double-tap and right clicking
• File explorer has checkboxes
• Pen flicks (pen gestures like "move forward", "move back" etc.
• Support for use of fingers (e.g. move things). Also includes a "touch pointer" including a virtual mouse, drag aread and pointer.
• Snipping tool.
• Better input panel

Mac

There is no official table PC so far (June 2009)

Linux

Support seems to flaky so far (but didn't really try).

Links

Introductions

• Table PC (Wikipedia)

Windows support

• Windows XP Table PC
• Vista for Moblie PCs. Entry point for VISTA add-ons etc.

Commercial websites

• TablePC Review