Tablet PC
Toshiba Portege 3500 tablet PC, in tablet configuration
A Tablet PC is a computer shaped in the form of a notebook except with the capabilities of being written on through the use of Digitizing Tablet technology or a Touch screen. A user can use a stylus and operate the computer without having to have a keyboard or mouse.
The Tablet PC that includes a keyboard is named convertible or hybrid. The ones that are only a monitor with pen are called slate, they can use external wireless or usb keyboards.
The most popular convertible Tablet PCs are the Acer and Toshiba. The most popular slates are the Motion, Fujitsu, and HP/Compaq.
Most Tablet PCs run on Microsoft Windows XP Tablet Edition operating system.
A user can input text using the operating system's built-in text recognition, on-screen (virtual) keyboard, voice-recognition, or physical keyboard (if available).
It is important to note that all Tablet PCs that run Windows XP Tablet PC Edition use a WACOM digitizer. This screen sends out a small magnetic field that activates electronics on the pen itself. This means that you can rest your hand on the screen without affecting it. Nothing but a WACOM pen will move or click on the screen.
Tablet PCs have only recently become available to the public. Before they were used in small markets in industry, medicine, and government. Now they are used by students and many professionals.