What if the computer can convert natural writing to text instead of typing? This too is possible using the ‘Character Recognition’ and ‘Transcriber’ technologies used in PDAs and Tablet PCs.

What is a Tablet PC?

Tablet is a computer. It is smaller in size than a notebook and bigger than a PDA. Therefore you can carry Tablet PCs easily.

A special feature in Tablet PC is the ‘Slate’. Students can use this feature just like a slate. It comes with a special pen, using which you can write on the slate and the computer will read and convert it into text.

The slate in Tablet PC is nothing but a special monitor and ‘Stylus’ is the special pen used to write on the slate.

The Operating System in a Tablet is either Windows XP Tablet PC Edition or Windows CE.

Many Tablet PCs comes with a keyboard. Therefore those who want to type can use this keyboard. And those who do not like to type can use the stylus and the slate.

Just like desktop PCs, Tablets also can be equipped with MS Word, Exel, PowerPoint, Email, Browser etc.

Notebook Vs Tablet

Most of the Tablet manufacturers make their Tablet PCs to be able to be used as a notebook too. For example, Acer and Toshiba Tablets can also be used as a notebook. If the monitor of the Tablet is turned 180 degrees and faced other side it becomes a notebook.

Some brands in addition to slates also provide keyboards. So if you insert the keyboard it will become a notebook and if you take out it becomes a Tablet. HP makes this type of Tablets.

Some brands just come with the slate. ViewSonic makes this type of Tablet PCs.

Who Needs a Tablet PC?

Those who don’t know typing, or those who know but do not like to type or those who type very slow are some of the people who can buy a Tablet PC.

Doctors who would like to store the details of the patients faster, Lawyers who want to record the details of a case also can use Tablet PC.

Students, Teachers, Press reporters, Stenos also can use Tablet PCs.

Do you need training to use Tablet PCs?

Yes. You need to train the Tablet PCs. Because the Slate has to recognize your handwriting style. If your hand writing is very legible and clear then you don’t have to worry. Tablet will easily recognize your hand writing.

Configuration of Tablet PCs.

Generally Pentium III M or Crusoe chips are used at a speed ranging from 800 MHz to 1.5 GHz.

The screen ranges from 10.4″ to 12.1″ with a resolution of 1024×768.

The weight of the Tablet usually ranges from 1.4Kg to 1.8 Kg, so it can be easily carried around.

While at home and office, notebooks use AC power. While in Trains and Planes notebooks depend on the DC power supplied by the battery.

During a 12 hours journey if you would like to use the notebook at least for 6 hours then your notebook’s battery should last for at least six hours. During journey if you follow the tips given below you can extend the battery life of notebook computers. Your journey will be successful.

Follow these tips to extend your your notebook battery’s life

1. Power off the monitor and the hard disk.

   When you are using the computer, if you have to leave the computer to attend to something else then you can power off the monitor and hard disk during that time. This will increase the battery’s life. You can make the Windows Operating System carry out this job automatically.

   Open the control panel and click on ‘Power Options’. In the new dialog box select the ‘Power Schemes’. In the ‘Running on batteries’ section change the time provided in the ‘Turn off monitor’ and ‘Turn of hard disks’ to a shorter time. Generally you don’t have to change the default settings in the Os. But you can change it if you want it.

2. Enable Hibernation

   In Windows XP there is a Hibernation feature. Many use the ‘Stand by’ option instead of hibernation. There is a difference between hibernation and standby. When you are not using the computer you can use both of them. But if you choose hibernation then all your work will be backed up and then the computer will be fully shut down. The battery power will be saved. In stand by mode the battery power is still being used by the computer.

   As given in the previous heading, in the ‘Power Options properties’ dialog box click on the ‘Hibernate’ tab and select the ‘Enable Hibernation’ check box.

3. Change the BIOS setting

   Electricity related settings can also be determined in the BIOS settings. If there is a difference between the time you have given in Windows and the time you have given in BIOS then the time given in the BIOS will override the time given in the windows. Therefore make changes accordingly to make these two settings same.

4. Decrease the screen brightness

   When you use the notebook in battery reduce the screen’s brightness. This will extend battery’s life.

5. Remove unwanted hardware from your notebook

   Whether you use or not, all the hardware connected to the computer will consume power. You can use the mouse pad provided in the notebook instead of an external mouse.

6. Disable unused devices

   Disable unused devices such as Wi-Fi, Infrared while not in use. You can disable them either through appropriate menu options or by right clicking the system tray icons in the task bar.

   Also disable Anti-virus software, scheduler, Instant messaging etc. This will increase battery life. After your journey you can enable them again.

7. Do not run unwanted applications

   During journey you may use VCD, DVD etc to view movies. This will consume lot of battery power. So use them wisely.