Tablet Computing

Anita Bhattacharya & Beeba Mary Thomas

S6 Department of Computer Science Engineering Mohandas College of Engineering and Technology

Abstract
The idea of tablet computing is generally credited to Alan Kay of Xerox, who sketched out the idea in 1971. The first widely-sold tablet computer was Apple Computer's Newton, which was not a commercial success. Technological advances in battery life, display resolution, handwriting recognition software, larger memory, and wireless Internet access have since made tablets a viable computing option. A tablet PC is a wireless, portable personal computer with a touch screen interface. The tablet form factor is typically smaller than a notebook computer but larger than a smart phone. There are primarily two styles of tablets- the convertible tablet and the slate tablet. New marketable applications are being produced at an incredible rate. In April 2010, Apple released the iPad which is controlled by a multitouch displaya departure from most previous tablet computers, which used a pressure-triggered stylusas well as a virtual onscreen keyboard in lieu of a physical keyboard.

Introduction
A tablet personal computer (tablet PC) is a portable personal computer equipped with a touchscreen as a primary input device and designed to be operated and owned by an individual. The term was made popular as a concept presented by Microsoft in 2001 but tablet PCs now refer to any tablet-sized personal computer, even if its not using Windows but another PC operating system. Tablets may use virtual keyboards and handwriting recognition for text input through the touchscreen. All tablet personal computers have a wireless adapter for Internet and local network connection. Software applications for tablet PCs include office suites web browsers, games and a variety of applications. However, since portable computer hardware components are low powered, demanding PC applications may not provide an ideal experience to the user.

impulse into something the computer's processor can understand. This is very similar in action to what happens when you click your mouse, or keyboard. You can add a keyboard to your tablet PC if you desire, and even add a mouse, though this does somewhat defeat the purpose of a touch-screen. Some people prefer to treat tablet PC's as standard PC's, and only use the touch screen when doing things like drawing, or writing quick notes. Complete the Action- The computer processes the translated information, and acts accordingly, whether it be a click, a slide, or writing. The entire process happens in a fraction of a second, allowing you to do multiple actions at once. For instance, double-clicking an application to open it, can be done with the speed and precision of using a standard mouse. The computer process both clicks independently, and is able to recognize the intent of the user. Hand Writing- The hand writing recognition feature of tablet PC's functions by converting the hand writing into an image. The computer logs this image, and then analyzes it. Any future writing is converted into an image, and checked against all the other images that have been stored and analyzed. This allows the computer to recognize what you are writing, for when it converts your hand writing into type.

Types of Tablet PCs

There are three types of Tablet PCs: the convertible, the slate and the rugged. Each type is designed with a specific user in mind. Convertible Slate - application, or even put your handwriting in the correct field. Translate Information- Once the computer has the coordinates of your touch, a special driver translates the

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laptops need to be lugged wherever you go. Tablet PCs score on account of their lightness of weight.

How Does The Tablet PC Work?

Apply a Stimulus- Tablet PC's are best thought of as touch-screen PC's. Touch screens begin operation as soon as a stimulus is applied. Generally, touch screens can operate with the use of any stimulus, but some have specific stimuli. In the case of tablet PC's, this stimulus is generally a stylus pen. Change Electrical Field-Conductive and resistive metal plates, in the screen, act together to process where on the screen you touched. The plates each have a respective electrical field running through them. When pressure is applied, the plates meet in the exact same spot, and the electrical field alters. The computer recognizes this change in the electrical field as the beginning of an action and immediately starts processing the event. Determine Coordinates- The alteration of the electrical field, allows the computer processor to determine the coordinates of your touch. This allows the computer to know the exact location on the screen that you put your stylus. This is what causes the computer to select the proper file, or open the proper The tablet PC can be laid flat on the working surface. This is ideal when you are in a conference. The laptop screen needs to be kept vertical and that might obstruct clear view of the person sitting in front of you. The tablet PCs take their input basically with the help of a special pen. Your handwriting is the input. That can be a good choice if you are doing something artistic. You can fine-tune your input better with a pen than with a mouse or a touch pad. Over time, you will learn to use the pen in the right manner, and even customize the pen to your tablet PC. There are different gestures that you can apply to the pen, which will produce different kinds of results. Eventually this will become easier for you than creating results with the keyboard and mouse. Finally, it must be said that a tablet PC becomes more personal to the user than a laptop. Since everyone has a different style of holding and using pens, the tablet PC will become unique to the user, and even the user will become unique to the pen. In fact, there are

Tablet PC Operating Systems

Some of the operating systems used by tablet computers are: GNU Linux MeeGo Android Apple iOS Windows Tablet PC Edition

Some Popular Tablet PCs

Apple iPad Samsung Galaxy Tab BlackBerry PlayBook HP Slate, PalmPad Dell Streak 7,10 ViewSonic ViewPad Notion Ink Adam Tablet Motorola Xoom

Advantages Of Tablet PCs Vs. Laptops

The primary advantage of the tablet PC is that it is lighter than most laptops. They are also smaller in sizes,which means you can take them quite easily tucked under your arm from one place to another. Most

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handwriting recognition applications that will train the tablet PC to understand your handwriting and convert it into text to up to 99% accuracy.

References

Tablet PC Quick Reference by Jeff Van West Teach Yourself Visually iPad by Lonzell Watson www.ehow.com www.google.com www.wikipedia.com

Disadvantages Of Tablet PCs Vs. Laptops

Some people might find the screen size of the tablet PC too small in comparison with a laptop. The maximum size the tablet PC screen can go up to is 14.1'. Another handicap with a tablet PC is that it does not have an inbuilt optical drive, though you can connect it externally. But this could be a deterrent to some users. The reason behind not including the optical drive is to maintain the low mass of the device. A tablet PC is not good if other people besides you are planning to share it. The tablet PC understands your handwriting and writing gestures, and it may not understand those of others. For that reason, tablet PCs are good only when single users intend to use it for their entire lifetime. Laptops can be used by any number of users without such concerns. There are more chances of screen damage to tablet PCs than to laptops. This is because of the kind of input they take, with the pen device. You will need a special screen guard for the tablet PC installed when you purchase it. Technically, inputs with tablet PCs become slower than those with laptops. The reason here is that tablet PCs take handwriting inputs, and that cannot match the speed of the keyboard and mouse, which the laptops use. Tablet PCs are also costlier than laptops. That must be one of the clinching points in making your decision, but you do need to check out the features that they provide too.

Conclusion
The tablet computer has met with both bouquets as well as brickbats since the time it has made its foray into the market. There are people who consider it to be the next best invention.

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