The Tablet PC: A Primer
Sarah Peck CPSC 414, spring 2006
INTRODUCTION
In the foreword for Building Tablet PC Applications [7],
Ben Keely, an architect of the Tablet PC describes it as
“creating better paper.” You might say, How can you
improve on pen and paper? Keely goes on to say that the
Tablet PC improves on paper because it is interactive,
connected to others, and can hold a higher capacity of
information.
which are more durable and intended for people who need
to take their computer into dangerous conditions [19].
You still may be skeptical. This paper is designed to
inform you about all aspects of the Tablet PC. It begins
by describing what exactly a Tablet PC is, and then
discusses who makes them and what they cost. Next, it
talks about the differences between the Tablet PC and the
traditional UI, as well as new UI metaphors introduced
by the Tablet. Finally, it describes software available
specifically for the Tablet PC.
WHAT IS A TABLET PC?
A Tablet PC, or a tablet computer, “is a thin stand-alone
general-purpose computer with an integrated interactive
screen. It typically has a large screen and accepts a
special pen (a stylus) as an input device.” [7]
The Tablet PC is not merely a device used to display; it is
a full-fledged personal computer, part of a subset of
laptop computers, with some new features [7, 19]. The
screen is equipped with a digitizer, which allows the user
to interact directly with it using a special pen, technically
referred to as a stylus. This allows the user to rest his
hand and arm on the screen, as the digitizer only interacts
with the pen [19]. The pen acts just like a mouse,
allowing the user to control the on-screen cursor, while
also acting as an alternative to the keyboard by allowing
handwritten input [17, 19]. Tablets are generally thin, on
the order of ¾ of an inch thick, and have screens
approximately the size of a sheet of paper. They are also
made to be light as possible, though screen size and
battery life make it difficult [7, 5]. Most expect a Tablet
PC to run Windows XP Tablet PC Edition [8].
Tablet PCs come in two general models: the slate model
and the convertible model [17]. The slate model Tablet
PC does not have a permanently attached keyboard, and
therefore tends to be thinner and lighter. The convertible
model Tablet PC looks nearly identical to a regular laptop
computer, but its screen can rotate 180 degrees to lay flat
on a surface for more comfortable and natural reading and
writing [19]. The Convertible models are generally more
expensive. There are also “ruggedized” models available,
Fig 1. Slate [11] and convertible [13] models.
Microsoft has also defined a set of hardware guidelines to
which manufacturers must hold when producing Tablet
PCs. The first guideline deals with the digitizer. Most
Tablet PCs are equipped with electromagnetic digitizers,
which are made with a thin conductive film, which picks
up low-powered radio frequency signals emitted by the
pen. They can detect hover, when the pen is close to but
not touching the screen, which is one of the guidelines.
They can also be mounted below the LCD screen, thus
not interfering with the brightness of the display. The
digitizer must also be able to sample at least 100 times per
second [7]. The second guideline declares that a Tablet
PC must be able to resume from standby in two seconds
or less. This allows for “grab-and-go” computing. The
third guideline requires the Tablet PC to have the ability
to switch from landscape to portrait mode (and back),
without having to reboot.
Many Tablets do this
automatically when they are converted from laptop to
slate. Lastly, the guidelines require that the user be able
to perform a ctrl-alt-del action while the Tablet is in slate
mode [7].
I’M THINKING ABOUT BUYING ONE, TELL ME
MORE…
Microsoft is by no means the first to try out the Tablet PC
idea. However, they have a core group of people,
including Bill Gates himself, who believe that Tablet PCs
will revolutionize the mobile computing market [7].
Despite this, Tablet PCs have not yet reached the
mainstream market since they first were sold in 2002.
They are somewhat prominent in vertical markets like
healthcare, real estate and insurance [21, 8]. There are
signs that the market is growing, however; the research
firm IDC estimated that 640,000 Tablet PCs were shipped
in 2004, and 1.2 million in 2005, about 2 percent of the
global portable PC market [20].
Many research
companies, like In-Stat predict a steady growth of Tablet
PC sales from now until 2009, reaching a predicted $5.4
billion [8]. IDC also predicts 9.7 million units to ship in
2008, or about 11 percent of the notebook PC market
[20].
The reason behind this growth is probably connected with
price. Microsoft is determined to lower the price of
Tablet PCs to within $100 or $200 of comparable laptops.
As of 2005, prices had already dropped well below
$2000.
The release of its new operating system,
Windows Vista in early 2007 will also most likely boost
sales even more, as all pen and Ink capabilities will be
included in all grades of the operating system, removing
the need for a separate Tablet PC operating system [8].
Slate models of the Tablet PC are manufactured by
ElectroVaya, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Itronix, Amtek,
Motion Computing, NEC, ViewSonic and range from
$900 to $1300, depending on processor, RAM and hard
drive size. Convertible models of the Tablet PC are
manufactured
by
Acer,
Averatec,
HewlettPackard/Compaq, Fujitsu, Gateway, Lenovo (IBM), and
Toshiba. These can range from $1200 to $1800.
Comprehensive lists of links can be found at [10, 15].
Fig 2. The most popular Tablet PCs. [16]
WHAT DISTINGUISHES TABLET PC USE FROM
THE TRADITIONAL WIMP UI?
The most obvious difference between traditional
computers (specifically laptops) and the Tablet PC is the
pen. Users have the additional functionality of interacting
with the computer screen using a stylus. This introduces
many new abilities to computer interaction.
Having a pen as input affords writing on the screen,
allowing users to create and save handwritten documents.
Handwritten words can either be translated into
typewritten text, or kept handwritten, since the Ink itself
is a data structure. In either case, the document can be
searched in either format, as the Tablet PC can recognize
handwritten words to understand, but not to translate [5,
24, 7].
Conversion from handwritten to type is also very easy.
The Tablet PC Edition of Windows XP includes a widget
called the Tablet Input Panel, or TIP. This tool can
follow the cursor anywhere on the screen, opening where
ever the user needs it. TIP dynamically translates text as
you write, using context to translate certain text more
accurately, such as URLs or e-mail addresses [5].
Fig 3. The Tablet Input Panel [18]
The ability to hand write words on the screen
makes taking quick notes easy. This feature is
useful both for business people in meetings and
students in class. Because they are electronic,
not only is there no need to search for paper, they
can be organized all in one place, and searched
later [24]. In addition to being able to create
handwritten documents, the user can also add
handwritten annotations to previously existing
documents created in with the Microsoft Office
Suite, including Word and PowerPoint, as well
as documents imported into OneNote from many
other applications [5, 24, 17].
In this same vein, the Tablet PC’s Ink data
structure is extremely customizable, so as to
enhance the feeling that the user is actually
writing in pen. The Ink from the pen can take
different shapes, from a rounded tip, to a square
one, to an elongated one, simulating calligraphy.
The Ink thickness also varies, simulating a
ballpoint pen, a felt-tip pen, a pencil, or a
marker, and can even change according to
pressure. The transparency of the Ink can be
defined, simulating highlighters, and of course
the color can be set to any one in the rainbow.
Most Tablets also support back-of-pen erase [7].
Pen input is also more natural than indirect
methods like mice or keyboards. With a pen you
can directly manipulate objects on the screen,
which utilizes much less hand-eye coordination.
Nearly every person has used a pen and paper
some time in their life, so people who normally
consider themselves “computer illiterate” are
able to feel comfortable interacting with the
Tablet [7, 24].
The gestures done with a mouse or keyboard can
also be completed using the pen, getting the
same results. Many standard keys have pen
gestures associated with them, including
Backspace, Space, Enter and Tab [23]. Digitizers
in Tablet PCs allow for hovering, or holding the
pen over the screen with out touching it, and
moving the pen while hovering creates the same
effect as moving the cursor across the screen
with the mouse. A tap, or short touch of the
screen (without moving more than a few pixels)
of the pen creates the same effect as a left mouse
click, and a double tap simulates a left double
click. Many pens have a button on the barrel;
when pressed, taps have the same effect as right
mouse clicks. Placing the pen on the screen and
moving produces the same result as a mouse
click-and-drag. An entirely new gesture known
as the lasso had to be created for Ink selection, as
most user-input Ink is not organized in straight
lines like text usually is. The lasso gesture uses
the pen to draw a circle around all Ink to be
selected [7].
Lastly, the Tablet PC enhances the social
environment associated with laptops. Usually, a
person taking notes on a laptop during a lecture
or a meeting is cut off from the speaker by the
wall created by the laptop screen. The Tablet PC
screen can be folded horizontally, so as not to
interfere with personal interaction. The Tablet
PC may also be used while standing [7, 24, 19].
WHAT NEW UI METAPHORS DOES THE
PEN AFFORD THE USER?
The ability to hand write and interact with a pen
makes the computer seem like paper; people
know how to interact with paper, and transfer
that knowledge over to interacting with the
Tablet PC, making the mobile computer feel
more ubiquitous.
There isn’t any special
alphabet to learn, nor does it matter if the user is
left-handed, or if he writes lightly or heavily [5].
HAS THERE BEEN ANY NEW TABLETSPECIFIC SOFTWARE DEVELOPED?
Tablet PCs ship with many tablet-specific
applications installed. Windows Journal is a
program imitating a notebook, filled with lined
paper on which the user may write. Sticky Notes
is an Ink Post-It Note application. On the more
fun side, InkBall is a game that involves Inking
to direct balls into holes. Microsoft OneNote is
another note-taking product that simulates a
binder, joining many folders, or “notebooks” into
one central place [7, 22].
Microsoft also supplies a Tablet PC software
development kit (SDK) which includes a
plethora of application programming interfaces
(APIs) through which third parties may use
digital Ink features in programs they create, as
well as documentation on how to use the SDK
[7].
A large amount of third party software exists,
perhaps for this reason. There is software
available for many uses; here is a sampling of
what is out there. Autodesk Architectural Studio
recreates the physical feel of a studio, sketching
and designing with a pen. Corel Grafigo is one
of many paint-type programs, simulating the feel
of
drawing
or
painting
on
canvas.
FranklinCovey Planner is a personal organizer
for the Tablet PC. Mind Manager is a unique
tool for jotting down ideas and relating
information together. RitePen is a commercial
handwriting recognizer, which is able to translate
handwritten input from anywhere on the screen
in English, German, French, and Russian [14].
There has also been a large amount of third party
software developed specifically in the area of
education. Agilix GoBinder is another notetaking program that organizes all notes both into
notebooks and collectively into a binder. It also
integrates notes with to-do lists, as well as
calendars [14].
DYKnow and Classroom
Presenter are both collaborative note-taking
applications that create an interactive classroom
environment. They allow for instructor and
student views of slides, to which both the
instructor can add broadcasted annotations, and
the student can add individual notes. The
instructor may also pose questions to the
students, who can Ink their answers and submit
them real-time [1, 2]. Brian Dean of Clemson
University has created an application called
LectureScribe which gives an instructor a tool to
record mini-lectures using Ink. Not only is the
Ink recorded, stroke by stroke, voice may be
recorded alongside, as well as gesturing [4].
Tablet PC programs have also been created to
teach language, including Japanese and Russian.
The Japanese language program is used to teach
students how to form kanji properly [6]. The
Russian language program was created by Sarah
Peck of Clemson University, initially as part of a
class on developing software for the Tablet PC
platform. Russian Tutor allows students of
Russian language to practice many necessary
skills, including writing in Cyrillic, vocabulary,
and grammar, outside of class [12].
Other students in the same class also created
educational programs, whose applications
include the demonstration of data structures and
finite state automata, drawing mind maps, and
statistics and calculus [3].
CONCLUSION
Hopefully, this paper has revealed just what all
the fuss is about with these Tablet PCs. The
market for them is still small, but it is growing.
Tablets are available for many different price
ranges and with many different hardware
capabilities. The ability of pen input also affords
the user new ways of interaction. Third parties
see the usefulness of the Tablet PC and have
created a large and varied array of applications
specifically for the Tablet PC. Hopefully, you
have been convinced of the usefulness of Tablet
PCs as well!
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