| There are three basic hardware designs of Tablet PCs, and several mutations from each of those that add value in particular areas. Differences in Hardware As shown in Figure 2.1, Tablet PCs come in three basic designs: Figure 2.1. The three types of Tablet PCs: from left to right, the slate, the convertible, and the hybrid.  The slate A slate Tablet PC is an excellent choice for those who want the lightest device and who are focused on pen input (handwriting and sketching). If you type often, you can connect a keyboard and mouse to a slate, and in some cases, a slate can be docked. When you're traveling with a slate, you will either need to carry a keyboard along with you or use the pen exclusively. The convertible A convertible Tablet PC has the clamshell design of a typical laptop, with a screen that can be twisted and folded down to create a pseudo-slate machine. Although convertibles tend to be a bit bulkier than true slates, the benefits of the built-in keyboard often outweigh the extra weight. The hybrid Hybrid Tablet PCs feature a special keyboard that easily attaches and detaches. When detached from the keyboard, the hybrid becomes a light slate; otherwise, it functions like a convertible. When attached to the slate, the keyboard can be folded over so that both may be carried together. (One down side of this design is that when keyboard and slate are folded up, the screen is exposed, which could lead to screen damage.)
Each design has its own strengths and weaknesses; Table 2.2 highlights the key differences between the designs. Table 2.2. A Comparison of Tablet PC Form FactorsTrait | Slate | Hybrid[*] | Convertible |
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Speed | Most are around 800 866 MHz | 1GHz and above over 1GHz | Ranges from 800MHz to well over 1GHz | Display size | 10" 12" | 10" | 10" 12" | Pen type | Varies | Active | Mostly passive | Keyboard | Separate | Integrated or detached | Integrated | Weight | Light to heavy | Light | Light to Mid |
[*] HP/Compaq has the only hybrid currently on the market.
The Absolute Minimum Keep the following points in mind: The Tablet PC is a powerful new platform, and as such, you may need to play around with it to fully understand its capabilities. The Tablet PC is different from other computers and pen-based systems. Understand the differences to get the most out of it. There are three types of Tablet PCs the slate, the convertible, and the hybrid. Each has its own benefits and uses.
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