Centrino and Tablet PC
Intel's March 11 announcement of the Centrino processor, a platform specifically designed for mobile computers where low power consumption matters most, has put Tablet PC vendors in a somewhat difficult position. The new chip, which many customers want, comes only months after the introduction of the first generation of TPCs, so obsoleting them already is a risky strategy. In addition, the initial Centrinio chips cost quite a bit more than mobile Pentiums. So far, there are only two announced TPCs with Centrino chips, the Panasonic CF-18 and the Acer TravelMate C110. Both use the 900MHz version and the price premium of Centrino models compared to Pentium systems seems to be around US$500. -- Posted Friday, March 28, 2003 by chb
WalkAbout ships rugged Tablet PC
WalkAbout Computer announced it is shipping its rugged Hammerhead XRT Tablet PC slate. CEO David Grainger said the Allegheny Power is deploying 850 Hammerhead XRTs to its field workers. [see release] -- Posted Friday, March 21, 2003 by chb
Chinese news on Tablet PC
According to DigiTimes, Chinese-language Commercial Times reported that Acer will release a 14.1-inch Intel Centrino-based convertible with a tilt/swivel display. The report also said that Taiwanese Mitac, Micro-Star, FIC, Tatung and Clevo all plan on releasing Centrino-based Tablet PCs in the third quarter of 2003. -- Posted Wednesday, March 19, 2003 by chb
Good initial Tablet PC sales
According to IDC, more than 72,000 Tablet PCs were shipped during the platform's launch quarter (4th quarter 2002), with the majority going to vertical market customers. Acer and HP tied for most units shipped, ahead of Fujitsu. The numbers are not very relevant as shipping of Tablet PCs only started during the quarter. -- Posted Wednesday, March 19, 2003 by chb
The fabulous Snipping Tool
Have you checked out the growing collection of Tablet PC PowerToys at the Microsoft Tablet PC website? They all show what can be done with the new functionality of Tablet PCs, and the Snipping Tool is especially terrific! We used it to quickly grab and annotate screens during a recent webcast by the Oakland Police Department. [see how we did it.] -- Posted Wednesday, March 12, 2003 by chb
Enhanced language support for Tablet PC
At CeBIT in Germany, Microsoft announced the beta release of the Multilingual User Interface & Reco Pack which allows users to switch between languages and install multiple recognition languages on the same Tablet PC. -- Posted Wednesday, March 12, 2003 by chb
Change in Tablet PC leadership at Microsoft
After almost 15 years at Microsoft, Tablet PC veep Alexandra Loeb is taking a leave of absence. Longtime mobile computing guru Dr. Bill Mitchell will take over as Vice President in charge of the Tablet PC. Congratulations and best of luck, Bill!! -- Posted Wednesday, March 12, 2003 by chb
Chinese company introduces Tablet PC
Chinese Zupera Technology (www.zupera.com) introduced the Transmeta TM5800-based neXP Tablet PC. The neXP has an 8.4-inch display, an integrated digital camera, a weight of 2.2 pounds, and optional finger print recognition. It is not clear from reports if the neXP is a "true" Tablet PC with an active digitizer able to run the Tablet PC Edition of Windows XP. Price is said to be around US$1,000. -- Posted Wednesday, March 12, 2003 by chb
Motion plans adding Centrino-based models
Motion Computing, based in Austin, Texas, announced plans to extend its family of Tablet PC slates with Intel Centrino-based products. In mid-2003, the company plans to add a new model that leverages each component of the Intel Centrino mobile technology: an ultra-low voltage Pentium M processor, the Intel 855 chipset and the Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 Network Connection, 802.11b networking chip. -- Posted Wednesday, March 12, 2003 by chb
TabletPlanner 2.0 is here
Franklin Covey announced TabletPlanner 2.0, a substantially enhanced version of the original TabletPlanner that received an "Editor's Choice" award from Pen Computing Magazine. -- Posted Tuesday, March 11, 2003 by chb
Wistron to introduce Tablet PC
Taiwanese Wistron, the manufacturing side of Acer, will launch a low cost (less than US$1,300) 10.4-inch Tablet PC in the third quarter of 2003. Wiston, which reportedly landed an order from Acer for a 14.1-inch Tablet PC, expects to ship between 300 and 400,000 Tablet PCs in fiscal 2003. -- Posted Monday, March 3, 2003 by chb
Online Tablet PC survey
TechCall, an IT service company for the DC Metro area, announced a 26-question online Tablet PC survey. Those who take the survey will be emailed results once the stdy is completed. -- Posted Saturday, March 1, 2003 by chb