is this the future of college computing? (the tablet pc)(cover story). - digital pen and pad

Professor at Purdue University (IN)
Called "wall effect": students walk into the classroom, take out their laptops, flip the screen, and effectively build obstacles between themselves and their teachers.
Coupled with the harsh sound of the constant clicking keys, the notebook may be the professor's most terrible nightmare.
"Our faculty and staff found them so distracting," said John Campbell, vice president of teaching computing information technology at the school.
"Generally speaking, the technology in the academic environment is good, but it is surprising how many of us say they are ready for new things.
"New things" may be in front of you in Purdue.
To integrate more cautious technology into a classroom environment, school IT managers and officials plan to pilot up to 1,000 brands
New equipment for some classes this fall.
They haven't decided to buy a certain product yet, but they know that their upcoming strategy will depend on tablets.
Thanks to a technology known as "digital ink", tablets combine the convenience of laptops with the convenience of pens and paper, pack the two together with a device no larger than this magazine.
They are portable, durable and interactive, and most models are available for wireless network out of the box.
In addition, unlike personal digital assistants and handheld computers, tablet technology runs on a standard operating system, where users can swap files from a tablet to a desktop and exchange them again. No need to convert file formats.
However, these devices are not de-destructors without them;
Take the high price and novelty touch of the tablet as an example
Industry analysts say they are skeptical about whether a tablet will have a massive screen interface.
The impact of the market on the academic environment until people can afford it.
Still, people are talking about tablets in universities and big school parks across the country, and students, professors, technicians and administrators refer to these devices as "next generation" computers.
"Two years later, I wouldn't be surprised if the technology was more standardized than it was," said Jim Botham, Purdue's chief information officer . ". "Who knows?
Soon, every notebook in academia can become a tablet.
Most OEMs (0EMs)
They launched tablet products late last year, but in reality the technology behind the tablet is longer than Web browsers. Fujitsu (www. fujitsu. com)
For example, the technology has been selling to the United States since the beginning of 1990. S.
Over the past five years, similar products have been sold by medical insurance, manufacturing and more local suppliers.
Other early products were also about digital ink: discarded pensand-
The tablet's predecessor includes Apple, Universal magic, and grid.
The core of current tablet technology is touch
Screen interface and stylus
Like a digital pen, it enables users to navigate and interact with devices without the help of a mouse.
Each tablet also runs the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet version, and users can "write" on the screen in a variety of ways: * through the "log" function, a utility, its interface is similar to a legal mat and is simulated on paper to be written in "digital ink.
* In the tablet input panel, there is a small one.
A window across the width of the display designed to simulate the pen-
Input window on PDA screen.
* Through the extra pen-
Enabled Applications from suppliers such as Corel Corp. (www. corel. com)
Franklin Covey (www . franklincovey. com)
And pen & Internet Co. , Ltd (www. penandinternet. com)
, All of which allow users to enter the pre-directly-
Various existing files that capture the generated images as separate and different files.
The tablet has two basic designs: a "slate" device with a removable or wireless keyboard and a "convertible" device that imitates the laptop flip design, with only the display rotating 360 degrees, and can close the keyboard face to face.
Most of the Slate devices--
Similar to clipboard without clip-
Equipped with docking stations so that users can handle them as they do on a desktop computer.
For convertible devices, these stations are unnecessary because the display is part of the entire device.
Nevertheless, many of these devices also include a connection port to display the tablet output to an external monitor.
"These products are designed in line with the way you decide to use them," said Tim tisconia, mobile product manager, Microsoft Education Solutions Group (www. microsoft. com).
"Basically, that's the whole idea: their purpose is to make everything convenient.
"The convenience of today's use is the name of the game by ratric Ellis --
Behnke, a professor of brain and cognitive science at MIT, uses HP's Compaq TC1000 tablet (www. hp. com)
Help him with his research on nerve regeneration. Ellis-
Behnke said that when he squatted on a microscope in the lab, taking notes on a tablet was as simple as taking notes on paper ---
Only with a tablet can he save them with other electronic files.
He said he also helped him with his tablet: Ellis-
Behnke translates the display image to the screen on the wall, adds the emphasis that everyone can see with his digital pen, and then
Send updated notes to students at the end of the course.
At Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Professor Tom Marino used his Fujitsu-style ST4000 tablet for similar purposes.
Marino also projects images on the tablet onto the screen on the wall, but he says he uses Correll's Grafigo software to add charts and flow charts to his notes in real time. Like Ellis-
Behnke flicked with his digital pen, and then Marino
When students sit in front of him, they send them these notes ---
Prevent students from saying that they have never received a good strategy for discussing information in a lecture.
Marino said that when he did not incorporate the device into his anatomy and cell biology lectures, he used the log function of the tablet to arrange personal appointments and write down useful reminders.
"Sometimes I use it to write my own notes," he joked . ".
"Definitely easier than open [
Word processing program
, Take the time to type whatever you need to record.
"Of course, most professors in other schools are slow to adopt tablets, but gradually, more and more educators try tablets.
In some IHEs, the students even took part in the bill: at the School of Management at Northwestern University, in Illinois, first of all
Chris O'Toole, graduate student of the year, avoided the school.
Sponsored the laptop purchase plan and took risks with the tablet.
Otu owns Acer (www. acer. com)
TravelMate C100 said he turned the device into his main computer in just three months.
During class, he scribbled notes on the tablet's log function.
When he was at home, he wrote an email
Thanks to pen & Internet's riteMail product, send mail with a digital pen.
When he arranged his day, he used Franklin Covey's tablet calendar system.
As Otule says, none of these software features are as convenient as the tablet's own formal features.
Many of the Kellogg classes involve group learning, in which he rotates the display so that his group mates can see his notes, Otule said.
"We can do it together comfortably, instead of having everyone around the screen of someone's laptop.
"What is going to happen next, and few scholars say that their actual knowledge of tablets exceeds what they see on advertising and television. (
Microsoft recently bought a lot of ads in magazines and websites, trying to get news on the street about its tablet operating system. )
However, the tablet is still relatively mysterious.
While some experts attribute this to the relative novelty of tablet technology, others say "elitism" has become one of the biggest challenges for the product to survive in all markets.
Roger Kay, an analyst at IDC market researchers, said: "tablets are still unknown (www. idcresearch. com).
Kai questioned whether tablet technology could surpass niche products in the medical and academic sectors. "At first [mass-market]
"Consumers will think they are an ergonomic clumsy or oversized pda," he said . ".
Another challenge for tablet applications in academia is price.
Look at the products on the market (see page 63)
It shows that the cheapest tablet is about $1,600, with an average price of about $2,200.
These prices are more or less premium and super
Portable laptop, but according to Leslie Feilin, vice president of mobile computing at Gartner, market analyst (www. gartner. com)
As long as students and other academic clients can buy laptops for less than $1,200, they will buy them.
"Most customers in academia don't have unlimited disposable income," says Fiering . " Since OEMs first announced their development strategy in the summer of 2001, he has been focusing on tablet technology.
"Before the price factor between the laptop and the tablet is 100% equal, I don't think this is [new technology]
Other than niche users, everyone else will pay attention to it.
"Regardless of the price, the biggest challenge in academia to adopt tablets may be universal practicality.
As Flaring points out, most consumers have no reason to go to tablet design ---
Pen input is a luxury that most users are used to taking notes on traditional keyboards.
More importantly, pen and paper are like notes --
Fiering has been thinking for hundreds of years about whether customers inside and outside academia are really willing to adopt the technology on a large scale.
At IDC, Kay offers two of the best productsand worst-
The general scene of the tablet.
The worst case scenario, he said, is that tablets will struggle in the market, selling about 575,000 units in the United States. S.
This year, it rose to 1.
9 million units in 2006.
He said sales will reach up to 800,000 units this year, to seven.
3 million units in 2006.
None of these figures specifically account for academia, but supporters like Ellis --
People at Behnke and Purdue University, the prospect of only opening up the academic market in a wide range, make OEMs mouth watering.
Craig mark, senior product marketing manager at Toshiba, said: "This technology perfectly addresses all previous complaints about laptops . " (www. toshiba. com)
Portege 3500 is one of the most popular tablets.
"It's up to people in academia whenever they realize this fact.
Matt bachano is a freelance writer in Seattle and Moss Beach, California.
Decision: there is no shortage of tablet products in the market today.
You can distinguish them in this way.
Product: TravelMate C100 design: convertible manufacturer: AcerWeb site: www. acer.
Com Price: $1,699 approved by Microsoft, TravelMate C100 is the best seller.
It includes a superlow-
Voltage Mobile Intel Pentium III processor with operating frequency of 800 MHz, and 20-
Gigabit hard drive.
TravelMate also offers integrated InviLink 802.
11b wireless LAN module and internal antenna.
Acer's new Centrino TM110 tablet is also available. [
Slightly] Illustrations
Design: convertible manufacturer: Electrovaya, Inc. Web site: www. electrovaya.
Com Price: $2,299 with the longest battery life on the market (up to 16 hours)
, Scribbler also offers a $99 battery upgrade to power the product all day/night. This Canadian-
Low tablet
Operating at 733 MHz voltage Mobile Intel saiyang processor
Integrated 802 gb hard drive.
11b wireless connection and built-in
Easy-to-play joystick.
Product: Compaq TC1000 design: Slate Mfr: HPWeb site: www. hp.
Com Price: $1,699 Compaq TC1000 weighs only 3 lbs and is one of the lightest tablets on the market.
It comes with a removable keyboard and a flexible docking system, and the network needs to be synchronized.
Standard is also 1-
32 ghz Crusoe TM5800 processor
Gigabit hard drive, 10. 4-
Built-in inch screen
Wireless network function. [
Slightly] Illustrations
Product: Portege 3500 design: convertible Mfr: Toshiba USAWeb site: www. toshiba.
Com Price: $2,299 This tablet has the fastest processing speed due to 1. 33-
Intel Pentium III processor-ghz
Enhanced Intel speed step technology.
The device also offers 20-, 30-, or 40-
Gb hard drive, optional 802.
Wireless network card 11b.
Convertible design can be used as a traditional notebook or standalone slate-type tablet PC. [
Slightly] Illustrations
Design: convertible manufacturer: Panasonic United States (
Panasonic Electric Co. , Ltd. )Web site: www. panasonic.
Com Price: based on $2,099-$900
CF18 is the MHz version of the new Pentium m ulv processor, using what Intel calls the new Centrino mobile computing technology.
The device has a complete magnesium alloy housing and integrated wireless WAN, LAN and GPS.
While the average weight of other tablet devices rarely exceeds 3 kilograms.
5 lbs, "harder-
The weight of the book is very large. 4.
Products: tablet design: Gateway, Inc. manufacturer of tablet computers. Web site: www. gateway.
Com Price: $2,249 gateway tablet weighs about 3 lbs with a mobile keyboard and docking station with several ports connected to peripherals.
The device also has an integrated 802.
1 pound wireless Internet access, low
Intel Pentium III processor volt and 40-operating at 866 MHz-
Gigabit hard drive.
The other tablets come with a digital pen and the other comes with two.
Product: Stylistic ST4000 design: Manufacturer of Slate: Fujitsu Limited website: www. fujitsu.
Price: The $2,099 style ST4000 weighs only 3 lbs.
2 lbs. less than an inch thick. The device comes standard at 800. Super Hertzlow-
Intel Pentium III processor, 20-
Gigabyte hard drive and wireless keyboard.
It is also equipped with a revolutionary tablet base that enables it to be used like a desktop. [
Slightly] Illustrations
Products: convertible Mfr: PaceBlade Technologies, Inc. Web site: www. paceblade.
Com Price: $2,100 perhaps the most significant feature on this device is the Crusoe TM5800 processor, a complete
A speed processor with only 5 watts of power is required, no fan is required.
PaceBook also offers 12. 1-
Two USB ports and one IEEE-
Port 1394 enables users to connect high
High speed equipment or digital camcorders.
The device comes with a tripod hole and can be installed anywhere like a tabletscreen TV.
Product: Tablet V1100 design: Slate manufacturer: ViewSonic Corp. Web site: www. view sonic.
Cam Price: $1,699, small and light, only 3.
4 lbs, V1100 comes with 866-
Intel Pentium III processor and 20Hz mobile
Gigabit hard drive.
Built-in product featuresin, 802. 1lb Mini-
The PCI wireless connection and the new border design have eight 1-
Touch the access button as well.
Depending on where you buy it, the V1100 may also come with a free miniUSB keyboard. [
Slightly] Illustrations
Design: Slate Mfr: Motion Computing, Inc. Web site: www. Mobile computing.
Com Price: $1,899 launched by a former Dell programmer, the device that Michael Dell wants to reach tablet technology most at this time.
The tablet has an ULV mobile Intel Pentium III processor at 866 MHz and a 20-
Gigabit hard drive.
With the help of $100
The Motion series FlexDock also offers a "grab and move" docking solution for installation on your desktop.
Product Model: Versa LitePad design: Slate manufacturer: NEC Solutions. Web site: www. necsolutionsam.
Cam Price: $2,399 at 2.
NEC's litlitepad is the industry's thinnest and lightest tablet solution.
This product has superlow-
Voltage mobile Pentium III processor operating at 933 MHz
Gb hard drive, and a range of pro-
The installed packages include Corel Grafigo, FranklinCovey TabletPlanner, Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.
0, and Alias/Wavefront SketchBook Pro. --