Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

If someone asked you what the difference was between a laptop and a Tablet PC, you might first say that it is like a laptop with a stylus or a PDA on steroids.  Although the most obvious differences between a Tablet PC and other portable devices is the hardware, the real power of the Tablet PC is its unique software that allows you to utilize the hardware to its fullest capacity.

The software differences start at the Operating System itself, Tablet Windows XP.  The most noticeable feature of Tablet Windows XP, is that it allows the user to interact with the OS with a stylus directly on the screen.  Beyond that of a PDA, Tablet PCs have an active digitizer beneath the screen, which allows the user to hold the stylus above the screen and still control the cursor.  Tablet Windows XP also enhances the pen-like attributes of the stylus.  A user can apply pressure to get a bolder stroke and then turn the stylus around and use the other side as an eraser.  Microsoft has implemented the use of a stylus into all of its Office suite and other programs.  This enables the user to write notes, click, select, drag-and-drop, type on a virtual keyboard, and navigate seamlessly throughout each application by using the stylus. Tablet Windows XP takes the ink and paper environment one step further by allowing the user to switch quickly between portrait and landscape view with the entire OS.

Two other Tablet PC software titles that come with Tablet Windows XP are Windows Journal and Windows Sticky Notes. Windows Journal makes it possible for a student to take notes in the same fashion they would in a class.  One of the most impressive features is the ability to organize and search these notes without converting them into text. Although the user information is stored in the original handwriting, it is difficult for a Tablet user to share these notes without converting them to text or a .tiff picture file.  Windows Sticky Notes gives the user the ability to quickly access a sticky note and write whatever they want.  Similar to its paper counter part, Window Stickies are a great way to write reminders, but hard to organize. 

Many other programs are available to use in Tablet Windows XP Edition that allow the user to get full functionality of the stylus. Graphic designers love their Tablet PCs, which allows them to do all their sketches electronically without having to scan in a piece of paper.  Students and the business professional enjoy the portability and freedom they have to take notes in almost any meeting or class.  The Tablet Windows XP Edition fits the bill in many situations and hopefully with the release of Microsoft Vista the handwriting to text and the ability to share Journal notes will be improved.

For additional information on Windows XP Tablet PC Edition visit: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/evaluation/default.mspx

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