What is a tablet PC?
A tablet is a fully capable computer which utilizes a touch screen for input and typically has a form factor smaller than a standard laptop.
Up until 2010 tablet pc's were used commercially by sales agents and other people in the "field" who needed a portable device with a rich user experience.
What is not a tablet PC?
In the past there have been devices which have been marketed as graphic tablets. These connect to a PC and allow the user to use a pen to draw on the tablet. Wacom is a leader in these types of devices and it is common to see them on the desks of graphic artists and other users who work in the creative space.
What different types of tablet's are available?
Currently there are three flavors of tablet's.
Slate/Pad - These are flat and do not include a built-in keyboard. Since these devices do not include a keyboard they are much more streamline than a Hybrid device. Some examples of these devices are the Apple iPad and the HP Slate.
A convertible or hybrid style
Hybrid or Convertible - These are essentially notebooks with a touch screen. Most of these devices can open like a standard notebook but the screen can also swivel and close so that it resembles a slate when the keyboard is not needed. HP/Compaq and Lenovo have been leaders in these types of tablet PC's with devices such as the Lenovo Ideapad U1 and the HP 2710P.
Book - Book tablet PC's tend to be more directed towards users who just want to be able to read publications electronically. They tend to be less capable and sometimes have two "pages" to imitate a conventional physical book or newspaper. As Tablet PC's gain more popularity it would not be a huge surprise if people started to not consider these tablets PCs. An example of a book style tablet PC is the Sony's PRS-700BC.
Why would I want a tablet PC?
Tablets are currently being marketed towards individuals who want a device which fills the gap between a smart phone and a laptop. See Tablet vs. Smart Phone and Tablet vs. Laptop section of FAQ.
A Deloitte research note reported by CNET indicates that they are forecasting that in 2010 tens of millions of people will by Tablet PC's. This means that there will be more and more applications and OS features built to make the most out of the unique Tablet PC hardware and usability opportunities.
Tablet vs. Smart Phone
Advantages of a Tablet
Larger screen for easier browsing and better user experience
Familiar operating system (i.e Windows, MacOS, iPhone OS, Linux, etc)
Better performance (i.e faster CPU, more memory, etc)
Large Touch Screen
Easier input of diagrams and other more visual material
Advantages of a Smart Phone
Smaller form factor (pocket sized)
Lower cost for device
Data via mobile carrier without additional hardware
Tablet vs. Standard Notebook
Advantages of a Tablet
Large Touch Screen
Easier input of diagrams and other more visual material
Smaller and Lighter
Advantages of a Standard Notebook
Lower cost for device
Typically hardware is more powerful in standard notebooks
Wider variety of configurations
Data via mobile carrier without additional hardware
Full keyboard for quicker input of text without additional hardware (most tablets can use external keyboards)
More extensible than Tablet's
Tom Starlek is a regular contributor to tabtracker.net and loves his tablet devices.
