3. Different Designs: Slates And Convertibles

All Tablet PCs have one thing in common: they use well-known, tried and tested notebook technology. The processors are Intel Pentium III M or Transmeta Crusoe models. Depending on the computer, clock speeds can be anywhere from 700 MHz to 1.33 GHz. The graphics solutions range from the relatively weak, such as the SMI Lynx 3DM+ with 8 MB video RAM (in the Travelmate C102Ti), to NVIDIA's very powerful GeForce 2 Go with 16 MB video RAM (Compaq TC1000).

The devices can be divided into two basic designs: slates and convertibles.

The slates do not have an integrated keyboard and are operated mostly by pen. Included in this group are the Compaq Tablet PC TC1000, the Stylistic ST4110 from Fujitsu-Siemens Computer, the Pacebook from Paceblade and Viewsonic's V1100.

The convertibles are conventional notebooks with a small form factor. By turning the display 180° and flipping it back, you can lock the keyboard behind, or rather, under, the display.

The convertibles include the Tablet PC version of Toshiba's Portege 3500 and Acer's Travelmate C102Ti.

It's All A Matter Of Preference In The Pen Menu

In the new Control Panel applet "Tablet and Pen Settings," you can adjust the pen and the display to suit your preferences.

You can also choose between "Right-hand" and "Left-hand" and can define what pen gestures correspond to what mouse actions (click, double-click, etc.). You can also calibrate the display and the brightness in the applet.