Tablet PCs or tablet laptops are catching on for one major reason: They’re just so cool!
The idea behind a tablet laptop is that it basically uses a touchscreen in place of a mousepad. If you do graphic design, this is unbelievably convenient. Drawing with a mouse or a separate stylus feels archaic and silly in comparison. A tablet is closer to drawing or writing right on a piece of paper. Sorry to gush, but you could say that tablet computers really are the wave of the future without being hyperbolic in the least. Using a touchscreen after years of using a mouse or tablet feels like having your hands back after years of using hooks. It really is that big of a difference.
There have been a few criticisms. For example, input speed; critics cite that you can type a lot faster than you can write by hand… but come on, that’s why it includes a keyboard. There’s also fear that the screen is more easily damaged. People said the same thing about CDs vs. the more durable cassette tape.
The only real criticism that holds any water is that tablet PCs are kind of expensive in comparison to notebooks. However, it won’t be long before the prices drop. That’s just the nature of technology.
But anyways, enough gushing, here are a few of the better tablets available right now…
HP Compaq TC4400
The TC4400 is a convertible tablet, meaning that the keyboard can be folded under the tablet for writing on, or folded out for typing. Depending on which options you go with, the unit features either an Intel Core Duo or Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Both models have a 12.1 inch TFT XGA WVA display. It only comes with anywhere from half a gig to 2GB of memory, but it can be upgraded to 4GB, and you get 60-100GB of HD space. It comes equipped with wireless, and optional Bluetooth.
Dialogue Technology Flybooks
Dialogue Technology actually got started in 1990 for the express purpose of researching and developing touch screen and wireless technology for notebooks, a good ten years before notebooks were commonplace. This proved to be a smart investment, as the company now has a turnover of about $150 million. The latest models use the Core 2 Duo processor, with the current FlyBooks being the V5 8.9 inch, and the VM 12.1 inch.
Toshiba Portege M200
The Toshiba Portege M200 is claimed, by Toshiba, to be the best selling Tablet PC. That claim at least holds true in Canada, whether or not it’s actually the best selling tablet in the world. The system features a 1.6 Ghz Pentium-M processor, Intel 855GM Chipset, and Intel 2100B 802.11b wireless built in, though Bluetooth is optional. The screen is a twelve inch silicon TFT. The screen can be a little sensitive to scratches, so a screen protector is recommended. The unit is convertible, so you can slide the keyboard in and out.
If you want to find out all the latest news on tech why not subscribe to our RSS feed?
[...] Tablet Laptops, They Are Just So Cool [...]
What tablet PC would you recommend for someone who has difficulty typing (its painful after awhile) She feels that writing would be better. Is there a tablet that converts handwriting to type pretty easily?
lenova x200 tablet pc has very good handwriting-to-text programming. it’s gr8!