RSSTablet PC Prototypes Arrive at COMDEX
By Nate Mook | Published November 12, 2001, 11:59 PM
Keeping the promise he made at last year's COMDEX keynote, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates used Sunday's address to debut the first prototype Tablet PC devices, or as the company calls them, "the next-generation mobile business PC." Coming in a variety of form factors from a long list of vendors, a Tablet PC may resemble an Etch-a-Sketch, or feature a notebook-like clamshell design. With a full day of battery life and a weight of just 2.5 pounds, Microsoft believes the Tablet PC will solve the problems associated with current mobile computing.
Perhaps learning from the falling PDA and desolate Internet appliance markets, the Tablet PC is a full-fledged computer running Windows XP. It is not intended to simplify tasks, but rather make it easier to complete those tasks when away from a desk, or standing up. Devices will feature pen-based input, as well as speech recognition.
Many Tablet PC devices will act as a display when docked at a workstation with a keyboard and mouse, according to Microsoft, and thus offer high resolution screens.
"This will be your primary computer -- it's not a 'companion' device to anything else, except a companion to you," said Ted Clarke, head of Compaq's Tablet PC division. "It will have the capabilities and full functionality of a Windows XP notebook that you'll be able to -- and want to -- carry with you everywhere."
Although branded Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, the OS will run the exact same applications as today's notebooks. Microsoft has already announced it will extend Office XP to support the Tablet PC's stylus interface. Users will be able to send handwritten e-mail, add comments to documents, and annotate PowerPoint slides with the device's "rich ink." Note-taking software called Journal will be included to serve as an "unlimited source of virtual notepaper."
Intel, Transmeta, and VIA have signed on to develop Tablet PC microprocessors, with ViewSonic, NEC, Acer, Compaq, Fujitsu, Toshiba, and others also joining the initiative. Adobe and Corel are among those who will extend to their applications to support the Tablet PC platform.
Although details regarding pricing and release dates will emerge in the coming months, Microsoft expects Tablet PCs to hit stores in the second half of 2002 and cost about the same as midrange laptops.
what exactly is the advantage over a laptop besides a touch screen?
you would still probablly want a keyboard to type anything over a couple of words.
i would also want an integrated dvd player so i can watch movies on the road.
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|It would be interesting to know what mobile network connection hardware that is built into the tabletPC. if it was GPRS and Bluetooth compatible it would be excellent. As well as some other highspeed wireless connections out there. surly MS will include these? is there any more information on these new tabletPC's anywhere?
also yes tabletPC have been around for ages, i have a tablet PC running Windows 95, it was given to me by my work for when i need to carry a computer around but i didnt want a laptop. All this is, is a next generation tabletPC which is smaller, lighter, faster, more powerful, has more mobile functions (like GPRS i hope) and has WindowsXP on it!! kinda obvious init?
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|Once again, Microsoft does not make the hardware, they just make the software, and push it along... just like PocketPC's.
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|true true but i was wondering if anyone knew any spec details for the systems? i dont really care about the software if it doesnt have the hardware i need!
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|I don't think you quite understand.
What hardware/features are incldued is totally at the descretion of the hardware manufacturer.
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|Not really true - Microsoft is part of the platform that sets the minimum requirements for the tablet-PC and as far as I heard they are pushing 802.11b as the wireless-standard.
In 'The World According to Microsoft' there is no place anymore for Bluetooth.
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|I hate to tell you this, but Bluetooth and 802.11b are for VERY different things. Bluetooth is for short range wireless communications, 802.11b is for wireless networking, both of which, I might add, are supported by XP and PocketPC 2002.
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|I hear 802.11a is supposed to kick serious wireless a**
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|Yep, but it is very proprietary. 802.11g is where the future is at. 54mbit/sec wireless, I can't wait.
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|gprs wouldn't be a good idea. that would force US users to subscribe to voicestream or cingular. you can just get a pcmcia card instead.
things i want to see...
bluetooth, 802.11b, gps, usb 2.0, dvd player, audio i/o, small size (no larger than a 8.5x11 peice of paper and maybe even smaller versions)
optional accessories...
foldable keyboard, usb webcam that attaches to the top of the tablet, bluetooth headset (for listening to mp3s, teleconferencing, and voice recognition), tv/radio tuner, bluetooth gamepad, video in
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|There is alredy a company making them since beginning of 2001.
http://www.qbenet.com/
But as usual with Microsoft, they want to tell the world that they invented something!
Instead of telling the truth that they just copy other peoples work and makes alot of money of it!
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|Where in this article did they say they "invented" something? Yes, there are a few different types out there, so what? Intel didn't invent the microprocessor, Apple didn't invent the computer, etc. You gonna post this against them?
As to the article, I am interested in what Microsoft is offering, just to see if it can be programmed with any other OS or any other programs.
James Wheat
http://belprecomputerwizard.com
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|Neither intel nor Apple are telling the public that they have invented something, or if they have, they haven't made it as public as Microsoft has.
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|Letting people know is called "Marketing" and "Advertising". Maybe Microsoft wants to actually sell these things to any/everybody, instead of keeping it secret, not advertising, then crying to the DOJ when they can't sell....
Honestly, how would anyone know about it if they didn't advertise? I still want to know how anyone gets "they invented this" out of the article. They made their own brand, pure and simple, and want people to know they are selling it. Makes sense to me.
James Wheat
http://belprecomputerwizard.com
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|Not only that, bust MS is ACTUALLY touting the software that THEY created, and which is NOT available from other tabletPC manufacturers.
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|wow... you will use any lame excuse to bash MS. I thought that only anti-microsoft news would spur the zealots in to a bashing frenzy. Aparently any news will spawn MS bashing. You wonder why we think that MS bashers are clueless? Read the article again and tell me honestly if your remarks were warranted.
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|Shut up
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|No one else has ever in the history of computing created their own software for their devices, leave it to Microsoft for this wonderful innovation. :-P
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|"to debut the first prototype Tablet PC devices, or as the company calls them, "the next-generation mobile business PC.""
This implies that they invented the Tablet PC, though I think it is the fault of the person that wrote the article.
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|How's about Apple?
James Wheat
http://belprecomputerwizard.com
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|I was making fun of his comment ;-)
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|And I was making fun of Apple, hehe...especially after reading about "iPOD".
James Wheat
http://belprecomputerwizard.com
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|LOL... Just the response I expected from you fewt. Do you have anything else intelligent to offer us fewt? Perhaps another posting on how evil Microsoft is? ... or maybe "shut up" is all you really have to offer.
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|That's all I have to say to mental midgets like yourself bud, when your IQ peaks over 40 maybe I can lower myself to be able to communicate with you in a more effective manner. Until then, sit ubu sit.
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|Maybe it was supposed to be "to debut THEIR first prototype Tablet PC devices...."
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|agreed
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|Actually, the prototype devices weren't from Microsoft, but from companies like Acer and Compaq. Just because Microsoft calls the Tablet PC something, doesn't mean they invented it. However, they have been the ones to initiate the push to the platform and without Microsoft, similar Tablets would continue to be nothing more than expensive toys.
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|I'm getting sick of using my desktop PC to do stuff. It's not fun anymore having to sit in my room to use my computer. It would also be very nice to have a writing tablet instead of a notepad. Much more useful than a laptop for that sort of stuff.
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|nice idea
but high res backlit screens?
long battery life
light weight bit hard to imagine without a new super battery time will tell
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|I have seen a few tablet pc's running at tech NY a few months back. So far they perform as stated except for the battery life. Most companies wouldn't tell me how long their battery would last but admitted that it was in the range of 2-3 hours. The transmeta tablet pc claimed battery life of 5-6 hours. The other problem I had with them is that some of the designs were rather heavy. I am sure that this is because they haven't finalized their designs yet. Let me tell you it was not comfortable carring around a 4lb tablet and trying to use it for more then a few min at a time.
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