A complete computer contained in a touch screen. Tablet computers can be specialized for only Internet use or be full-blown, general-purpose PCs with all the bells and whistles of a desktop unit. The distinguishing characteristic is the use of the screen as an input device using a stylus or finger. In 2000, Microsoft began to promote a version of Windows XP for tablet computers, branding them "Tablet PCs." See Tablet PC, Ultra-Mobile PC, Webpad and touch screen.
The Qbe Tablet
The Qbe or \"Cube\" from Aqcess Technologies is an example of an earlier tablet computer with built-in voice recognition, camera, modem and networking. It included a stand and keyboard for desktop use. (Image courtesy of Aqcess Technologies Inc.)
The Qbe Tablet
The Qbe or \"Cube\" from Aqcess Technologies is an example of an earlier tablet computer with built-in voice recognition, camera, modem and networking. It included a stand and keyboard for desktop use. (Image courtesy of Aqcess Technologies Inc.)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Apple Tablet - Unofficial, unannounced ... but still delayed
- You guys have been asking...You guys have been asking for a Mac tablet for years already, while we have been able to get tablet PCs for many years now, in many different form factors and from many different vendors.Yet when you close your world off by relying solely on Apple,...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-19
- Microsoft designs laptop for developer giveaway
- Windows division president Steven Sinofsky took his Windows team through the process of designing and building a Windows 7 laptop in conjunction with Acer. LOS ANGELES--As a software guy, Windows division president Steven Sinofsky readily admits that he had little idea of all that goes into building a laptop....
- News items 2009-11-19
- Apple's "force fed ads" patent more likely related to content, not hardware
- Perhaps neitherHopefully you are right and they'll use this process to allow customers to earn free content. Unfortunatley I see this as being a way for Apple to increase its warchest by forcing its followers to view ads. Perhaps it'll be a blend - view enough ads to put $10...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-17
- Netbooks dead? Not when sales are up 264% percent
- My prediction:Intel and MS and the major brands are trying to drag the market upwards in size and cost to maintain their margins. They will shortly face a barrage of products based on ARM class processors and Linux (Chrome?), which will cost much less and have much better battery lives....
- Discussion threads 2009-11-16
- Apple hints at possible pen-based tablet
- different?this doesn't look different from other tablets. may be it will use both multi-touch and stylus just like other tablets out in the market???the Apple iFail 2.0... :Tablet computing is a niche market and all of these "inventions" are ancient.It doesn't have to be to be "innovative"it just needs...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-12
- Apple hints at possible pen-based tablet
- Pretty much anything that includes the words "Apple" and "tablet" in the same sentence is going to get the attention of the blognoscenti, but when it comes from Apple itself, people pay attention. Exhibit A is 9 to 5 Mac's piece today about a patent...
- Blog posts 2009-11-12
- Apple's big box store debuts in NYC
- Not like Best BuyBest Buy does not do panoramic walls of glass.Apple Stores do not a jerk at the exit door asking to see your receipt.That looks really uglyUgh, the designer needs to be fired, quick.RE: Apple's big box store debuts in NYCHow does that in any way look like...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-12
- Amazon's Kindle for PC app available; It's a handy download
- Open formatYou say the Kindle is less open than the Sony or B&N readers. Are you saying that a Sony book can be read on the Nook? Or that a Nook book can be read on a Sony reader? I think you're pretty well mistaken on...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-10
- An unusual day, part 2 (or "My lease is up! Now what?")
- Smart Boards...Are Smart Boards such a great idea? Those projectors are all good and nice but there are other ways to achieve the same thing...The Interactive whiteboard is a compelling technology for teachers, it closely mimics what they're already used to. But there are weaknesses. Firstly using a whiteboard is...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-06
- E-book reader news and releases round-up
- Why e-books ?Using a "normal" paperback book I have indefinite battery life and extreme portability. I have no need to carry a hundred books at one time and can take along a few books for an extended read time just about anywhere and in any travel bag. I...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-28
- News to know: L.A. goes Google; AMD-Galleon; Cisco-ScanSafe; Ubuntu; Amazon RDS
- Here are today's notable headlines. You can get News To Know via email alert and RSS daily. For continuous updates see BNET's around-the-Web tech coverage.: Larry Dignan: WSJ: AMD's former CEO was a Galleon tipster Sam Diaz: Cisco continues its buying spree with...
- Blog posts 2009-10-28
- Windows 7 will shine in medicine
- not convinced by touchI have a touch phone & a tablet.Frankly, never use the tablet, use keyboarded machines instead, and hanker for a phone with buttons again and not a slide phone.If you want to try to look cool, I can understand having one, but really, they are pretty awkward...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-23
- How long until Windows 7 market share beats Mac OS X Leopard/Snow Leopard?
- RE: How long until Windows 7 market share beats Mac OS X Leopard/Snow Leopard?snow leopard is 10.6 the figures don't even mention that!!!???!Years if you look at adoption ratesBased on percent of existing users. RE: How long until Windows 7 market share beats Mac OS X Leopard/Snow Leopard?One week.RE: How...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-20
- Will Windows 7 have the right touch?
- The touch interface has arrived on smartphones, thanks largely to the iPhone. But it hasn't found much mainstream success on the PC despite years of trying. The imminent arrival of Windows 7, which has multi-touch support built-in, and a separate Touch Pack with sample apps and games, has rekindled interest...
- Blog posts 2009-10-19
- Spring Design debuts Google Android-based e-book reader, Alex
- Myself, I do not even want a separate device, no matter how cheap. AND, I want to be able to read my books on any of my devices, such as smart phone, netbook, or desktop.ExactlyI would like to read my eStuff on my desktop, laptop or any other device. I...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-19
- ActiveWords Plus 1.95 (Windows)
- ActiveWords is user interface technology that makes all words active. Enter or select any text in any context at any time, and be directly transported to services related to the meaning of that text. Make a small investment in tagging all the things you do with words that mean something...
- Software downloads 2009-10-19
- Android opens doors for Google's next-gen search, ads and tools
- Current problem with Android devicesI am Android fan, but nevertheless my next mobile phone will be HTC HD2 - i.e. Windows device. And the reason: all Andorid devices currently available have relatively small screen size and resolution. I am wandernig why Google doesn't urge on phone makers to offer...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-16
- Typical On-Screen Keyboard 1.2.0.15 (Windows)
- Typical On-Screen Keyboard is a utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the screen and allows users to type data using a pointing device or a touch screen. It can be used on regular PC, Ultra-Mobile PC UMPC, Tablet PC, interactive kiosk, surface computer, and multiuser touch table. Typical On-Screen...
- Software downloads 2009-10-16
- Netbook or a cheap Compaq for students?
- Re: Netbook or cheap CompaqThe problem I see at least in my organization it is never 1:1. Sometimes I wish we could get away with a netbook or using some of our older desktop hardware for lighter 1:1 usage. We bought a small cart of Netbooks...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-13
- News to know: Google; CTIA; Microsoft; Apple
- Here are today's notable headlines. You can get News To Know via email alert and RSS daily. For continuous updates see BNET's around-the-Web tech coverage. Larry Dignan: FBI's 'Operation Phish Phry' snares nearly 100 people Sam Diaz:Mobile VoIP services no longer taboo, following AT&T...
- Blog posts 2009-10-08
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