I've been trying out an update to a computing operating system that's quite remarkable. It's Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005. It's a huge leap forward in providing new functionality to the PC.
When Microsoft introduced its tablet computer OS several years ago, it was met with skepticism and criticism. The OS was designed to run on tablet computers that had no keyboards or, at best, mediocre detachable ones. Data was entered by tapping on an onscreen keyboard with a stylus, or writing with the stylus and depending on its handwriting recognition to convert the scribbling to readable text.
But reality failed to match expectations. The handwriting recognition was unreliable and, without a good keyboard, the computers were difficult to use. Tablet sales languished and never met expectations.
Fast forward to 2005. Microsoft's latest software release and new hardware from Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) and others are beginning to fulfill earlier expectations.
Handwriting recognition is a huge improvement, battery life is longer, and the hardware works better. Sales of tablet computers are now exceeding projections.
What's so special about a tablet computer?
You can write directly on the screen and your handwriting is recognized nearly perfectly. It's easy to take notes without using a keyboard, and more natural when in a meeting.
You can read Web sites, e-mail and documents more easily using the tablet like a book. And you can even download books to read on it.
Screen orientation can be instantly changed so you can view some things such as Web pages in portrait mode, and others, like a PowerPoint presentation in landscape mode.
You can create sketches and handwritten notes, save them or e-mail them to others.
The tablet is much easier to use than a notebook when traveling in the confines of a coach class seat.
My testing has been based on using the HP tc4200 (from $1,600), the company's latest combo notebook/tablet computer. (I've also tried the Fujitsu's T4010, similar to the HP, as well as the M1400 from Motion Computing, which is intended to be used primarily without a keyboard. I'll cover these products in next week's column.) The tc4200 is a strong offering, one of the best notebook products ever from HP. It's a ruggedly built design with a magnesium lid and rock-solid plastic base in dark gray and black. It has a terrific full-size keyboard as well as both a track point and touch pad. The 12-inch XGA screen is sharper than most, making close viewing of the screen a pleasure, particularly when in tablet mode. It weighs 4.6 pounds, has a 60GB hard drive, a 3.5-hour battery, thoughtful touches such as buttons to turn sound off and adjust volume, and an SD memory slot.
It quickly transforms from notebook to tablet mode by rotating the open lid 180 degrees and then closing and latching it with its clever magnetic closure.
What can you do with a tablet computer? Here's what a San Diego newspaper executive has been doing with one for over a year: He wanted one computer that would let him keep everything of importance with him, and to use for note taking. The tablet computer appealed to him because it allowed him to take notes in a meeting naturally using the pen, and without it becoming obtrusive or a barrier between others. He started out using it just like a notepad, writing with the stylus to capture his handwritten notes, but not converting it into text.
With the latest release of the software, he now uses the handwriting recognition. That makes the notes more valuable. They can be annotated, searched and sent to others. He uses his tablet with a Verizon EVDO high-speed wireless card, which lets him connect wirelessly throughout the day from wherever he is. Every morning he reads a half-dozen newspapers electronically, using the tablet like a book, and no longer buys or reads the print editions. With the stylus he can easily clip news items of importance, save them or send them to others.
Most tablet users rely on Microsoft's "killer" tablet application, OneNote ($100), for note taking. It's a powerful but simple-to-use product that replicates a paper notebook, complete with automatic indexing and tabs.
While it can be used on any computer, it shines on the tablet. The product allows you to create pages and sections by topic, write and sketch anywhere on the page, and even cut and paste text, graphics or web pages to it.
In my testing I've found the handwriting recognition to be almost too good to believe. When the pen is placed on the screen a little icon appears and can be touched to open a window where the writing is done. It recognizes my printing, handwriting and a combination of both without requiring any training. If it does make a mistake there are several ways to quickly correct it, either by letter or word, or by using suggested choices. As you write the words appear below the window. At any point the words can be entered into the document. I've written several sentences and e-mails without any corrections needed. There's a lot going on in the background to get things right while you write, including near-instantaneous spell checking.
Using the computer like a book is one of the great benefits of a tablet and must be tried to be appreciated. You interact in a different way, bringing the screen closer and using the stylus to quickly navigate. In this mode, the stylus is much more effective than a keyboard and mouse. The backlit screen and sharp text make reading enjoyable. Many of the computers have wheels or buttons to scroll while reading. It's a totally new way of using the computer that works well, particularly for reading in bed.
Next week I'll cover some of the latest tablet hardware as well as several applications designed specifically for tablet computers.
Baker has developed and marketed consumer and computer products for Polaroid, Apple, Seiko and others. He is the holder of 30 patents and was named San Diego's Ernst & Young Consumer Products Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000. He can be reached at phil.baker@sddt.com. Comments may be published as Letters to the Editor.
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