Tablet PCs: Microsoft.Aiming to merge the notebook computer A laptop computer that weighs in a range from five to seven pounds. The term originated when laptops were routinely more than 10 pounds, and those that became lighter were placed in a special "notebook" category. In practice, notebook computer and laptop computer are synonymous. with the traditional pen-and-paper concept of note-taking, the Tablet PC (1) A tablet computer environment from Microsoft that is based on an enhanced version of Windows XP. Designed to function more like a portable writing tablet than previous tablet-based computers, it includes handwriting recognition as well as the ability to retain handwritten words is a new computer category that helps solve some of the major barriers to technology integration in schools, including mobility and comfort. Imagine these scenarios: A teacher grading a student assignment on screen who's able to mark where corrections should be made within the actual document; a student taking notes for each class and never running out of paper, and then being able to search electronically within those notes; an administrator manipulating assessment data on-the-go, without a keyboard. These are just some of the education uses for the Tablet PC envisioned by former teacher Mary Cullinane, Microsoft's K-12 segment manager. "We absolutely see the Tablet taking the place of traditional laptops for administrators and faculty. It allows them increased mobility and provides a more natural computing Natural Computing is the academic journal of record of natural computation research. It has been published quarterly by Springer Verlag (Springer Netherlands) in print (ISSN 1567-7818 ) and online (ISSN 1572-9796 ) since May 11 2002. experience," she says. Running the Microsoft Windows See Windows. (operating system) Microsoft Windows - Microsoft's proprietary window system and user interface software released in 1985 to run on top of MS-DOS. Widely criticised for being too slow (hence "Windoze", "Microsloth Windows") on the machines available then. XP Tablet PC operating system operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. , Tablet PCs are full-featured notebook computers with a twist Using a digital pen, users can write directly on the screen and save notes in their own handwriting or convert them to typed text for input into other applications. The digital pens can also work as a mouse, allowing users to open applications, select text or display menus. The Windows Journal note-taking utility helps organize notes and capture diagrams and pictures users would normally create on paper. Users can even ink comments on a traditional Office XP application document, emphasizing key points during a PowerPoint presentation or sending an Outlook e-mail message written by hand, for instance. In addition adding an external microphone allows content dictation to the Tablet. Microsoft's hardware partners are releasing Tablets in a variety of forms. Some will be "pure Tablets" without an integrated keyboard, while others will look more like a conventional notebook and be equipped with rotating screens. Ranging from two to three pounds, a Tablet will cost about the same as a mid-range laptop. The writing surface is roughly the size of a standard paper notebook, and users can rest their hand on the screen while writing or running software. Cullinane says she expects districts to implement Tablet technology in a number of ways-providing them to individual students, creating mobile carts, and having them used by administrators and teachers, at first CIRCLE #501 FOR INFORMATION [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Where to Buy a Tablet PC The following hardware manufacturers are supporting the Tablet PC initiative in the U.S. (some products may still be in development): Acer, aac.acer.com Aopen, www.aopen.com Aplux Communications, www.aplux.com Hewlett Packard, www.hp.com Compal Electronics, www.compal.com FIC FIC First International Computer FIC Fogarty International Center (John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences; National Institutes of Health) FIC Fellowship for Intentional Community , www.fica.com Fujitsu PC Corp., www.fujitsupc.com Fujitsu Siemens Computers Fujitsu Siemens Computers is a Japanese and German IT vendor, selling consumer and business computing products in the markets of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (products marketed elsewhere are sold under the Fujitsu brand). , www.fujitsu-siemens.com NEC (NEC Corporation, Tokyo, www.nec.com, www.necus.com) An electronics conglomerate known in the U.S. for its monitors. In Japan, it had the lion's share of the PC market until the late 1990s (see PC 98). NEC was founded in Tokyo in 1899 as Nippon Electric Company, Ltd. Corp., www.necus.com Motion Computing, www. motioncomputing.com PaceBlade Technology, www.paceblade.com Quanta quan·ta n. Plural of quantum. Computer USA, 1-510-226-1000 Toshiba, www.toshiba.com Twinhead, www.twinhead.com Via Technologies, www.via.com.tw/en/index/index.jsp ViewSonic Corp., www.viewsonic.com WalkAbout walkabout a dummy syndrome in horses; usually pyrrolizidine alkaloses caused by crotalaria poisoning. Affected horses walk compulsively, head press, appear blind and walk into objects. They do not respond to usual external stimuli or commands. Computers, www.walkabout-comp.com Xplore Technologies Corp., www.xploretech.com |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion