Back in the dot-com days, Web tablets were touted as being the next big thing in business tools. But Web tablets died with most dot-coms. Or did they? They're making a comeback as Tablet PCs, and they may yet fulfill everyone's expectations.
Back in the heady, crazy days of the dot-com boom, countless companies designed or produced devices that were supposed to make our personal and business lives easier. One of those devices was the Web tablet.
Web tablets were flat panel devices that resembled a large writing pad. The monitor was built into the device, and it was light enough to carry around in the crook of your arm. Web tablets had limited functions -- like checking e-mail and browsing the Web -- but could also be used for other basic computing tasks. But with the end of the dot-com era, the Web tablet died.
Or that's what people thought. Now, under the guise of the "Tablet PC," Web tablets are attempting a comeback thanks to the efforts of companies like Microsoft, HP, and Fujitsu as well as smaller players like Amtek and Monitor Computer. And Tablet PCs are trying to snake their way into the professional world. They're shaping up to be very useful in both business and industry.
Why Tablet PCs?
And not notebooks or PDAs? The first factor is functions. Tablet PCs exist in the middle ground between notebooks and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) like the Palm. They pack more punch than a PDA (not to mention a bigger, clearer screen), but somewhat less than a notebook. You get the applications you need and nothing else.
That Tablet PCs only take a couple of seconds to start up is a bonus. You waste no time waiting while Windows boots up -- that takes a while even on the fastest notebooks. While PDAs also feature "instant on", they're often too small or lack the proper software to do serious work.
There there's the "clamshell barrier." Many of you have probably seen this in a meeting. That's where you're facing a person using a notebook and you have to look at the person over his or her open computer. Many people find the clamshell barrier frustrating and impersonal.
The final factor is simple convenience. People in the field don't always have the luxury of having a flat surface on which to place a notebook. If you've ever tried typing on a notebook with one hand while holding it in the crook of your arm, you know this is at best uncomfortable. Being able to hold a small, light device with pen input functionality is a definite boon.