Tablet PC designs… which one is best?
By Spencer Goad, Executive Editor

Tablet PCs vary greatly in design from model to model. Some with permanently attached keyboards (well, attached until you break it anyway), some with detachable keyboards, and some don't even have keyboards at all. Some are small with 10 inch screens, some are rather large with 14 inch screens. What design is best though?

Well, like many things with Tablet PCs it probably depends on your personal use. The mobile professional who is on the go all the time, probably wants something small, light, and easy to carry. For that user, something with a 10 inch screen and detachable keyboard is probably best. A developer probably needs more processing power than the smaller units can give them though, so for that user something slightly larger with a few more features is probably the "best" design.

Personally, if I were to give design awards to Tablet PCs, I would give the award to the HP/Compaq TC1x00 series or Motion Computing's M1x00 series. Both have created "hybrid" units that allow for detaching the keyboard, while still packing a pretty powerful punch into the unit. I think HP probably has the better design of the two though, as it was designed this way from the beginning instead of as an after thought.

There is still a lot that can be done in the area of design. I'm almost tempted to say it would be good to see Apple come into the tablet computer industry, because I know they could design some very compelling hardware. I'm always puzzled at the fact that PC manufacturers never can seem to "break out of the box" with their designs. I always love Apple's hardware… not for the software that is on it, but for the actual hardware itself. But on the other side I don't think I've ever seen an IBM/Windows PC that would make me want to go out and buy it for the hardware.

Simply put, I'd like to see manufacturers getting a lot more creative with their designs. There is so much potential here, and I know the ability is out there. Maybe they just need a little more convincing, come on guys… break out of the box!

Howdy folks! March Madness is in full swing this week, as the NCAA college basketball tournament has gotten underway. It is too late to enter now, but we have a small contest going for whoever can make the best picks (ok, guesses) for the tourney. I thought I had a pretty good bracket, but then Gonzaga went and lost on me. So much for my national champion pick... I think I'm pretty well out of the running in the contest now (but hey, not like I was going to win anything anyway. :-).

Outside of March Madness, there hasn't been a whole lot going on this week... at least in the world of Tablet PCs. The biggest news (although not very big) is that HP is going to start selling a rugged Tablet PC. As always though, there was quite a bit of activity in the forums. So if you haven't stopped by there in a while, check it out. I think you will probably find quite a bit of new information.

Thanks for inviting us into your inbox, see you in the forums!

(spg@tabletpcbuzz.com)

"Seize the work day" (Using the Tablet PC)

Greetings to all! Well, I had planned to do a little something on the Crossword Puzzle Powertoy this week, but …, well, looks like there is still a few bugs there. So instead, we decided it was time to share info on a new book just out, "Seize the work day" (Using the Tablet PC), by Michael Linenberger. A few Buzz members actually participated in helping Mike edit this book, so there couldn't be a better place to share it! I wrote the foreword for Mike, and thought we would share it as this week's piece!

Foreword:

The Tablet PC has been more a quest than a product for many years. Represented in times past as "Pen Computing" and other names, it has been many times tried and failed. Why has it failed in the past? A combination of bad timing, bad implementation and other factors have all contributed to the lack of success of a worthy goal. So why is a Tablet PC a viable product today? Simply put, the world is ready for it, and the technology is here. The meeting of minds between computer hardware and software companies and those consumers actively using technology on a daily basis has presented the "call to arms" for this technology. The work day today for many people is a mobile one. Gone are the days when the majority would go to work at one place and be able to effectively carry out their workload. People are on the move, and that is where the Tablet PC makes a hugely valuable contribution to daily work efforts, above and beyond even the notebook PCs available today. The Tablet PC can go where no computer has gone before, and go quickly and efficiently, and with the added personalization of your own handwriting. It is time for the tablet.

In over 20 years of working as a computer professional, I have read many books, both technical and business professional. What I have generally found is that each type of book meets a certain percentage of my needs. But what most authors neglected to realize was that my needs were partially in both areas, technical and business. The book you hold in your hands does realize that pertinent fact. Make no mistake, this book is not just a computer "how-to" book. It is about business, and how to do it better utilizing a new technology tool. There is a mixture of the absolute technical details presented in such a way as to make it understandable to nontechnical people, but there also is a higher level of learning available that addresses the business needs of the professional worker today. The author's many years of executive and IT professional experience, combined with an obvious understanding of the Tablet PC itself, will provide you with an excellent source as you take this journey. In addition, he offers many unique yet tried tips on general task and time management developed throughout a long professional and technical career. Coverage of and suggestions for how to organize your meetings and related processes are excellent, not just for the individual, but for how the Tablet can contribute to the efforts of the entire team as a facilitation tool.

As with any new product, the Tablet PC and related software are not ready, "out of the box" to make you productive. This book will break it down for you in an organized manner from the start to help you become productive quickly. Of particular note are the coverage of Microsoft OneNote and FranklinCovey's Tablet Planner and PlanPlus products. Mr. Linenberger has covered these products and their use on a Tablet PC like none other has before. There is not a great deal of information available on the use of these relatively new products, but they are covered in a most complete manner in this text.

Each day I assist users with this new tool as a Microsoft MVP (Most Valued Professional) for the Tablet PC, and many of the questions I see daily are answered here. Whether you have purchased a Tablet PC, or contemplating doing so, this will be a valuable resource. As you turn each page of this book, open your mind to new ways of achieving your workday goals, meetings, and tasks, and let the Tablet PC and applications change the way you work as you learn to "Think Ink." When you first begin to lay ink on that Tablet PC screen, you will be transformed. Once you realize the value in the new breed of Tablet PC Applications, you will wonder to yourself, "How did I ever do without this tool?"

A word of caution here. If you use this book wisely, your daily productivity could increase, and your work day may end earlier. Oh my, what WILL you do with that extra time each day? Good luck on your "inking" journey.

Dennis V. Rice, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, Microsoft MVP - Tablet PC Platform
January 2004

The book is now available on Amazon.com. Watch TabletPCBuzz.com for more on how you can get yourself a copy.

Until next time ….!