Got the computer blues?

The Tablet PC, the latest offering from Microsoft which has already become every computer buff’s dream machine, has entered the Indian market too. But what’s it like? How much does the user experience differ from that of a regular PC or laptop?
The first Tablet PC sent out by Microsoft is the Acer TravelMate. It’s what the modern geek would call a reinvention of the notebook concept.Despite its tiny size, the Tablet has a lot to boast about – enhanced notebook power, superior functionality and thickness of just an inch that makes it handy for even a Lilliputian. A body weight of just 1.4 kg makes it light and travel friendly.
Now here’s the best part — despite its size and multiple features, the Tablet screen does a very good aerobic stretch. The secret lies in the way its display is mounted, which is not just open-and-close standard notebook design, but a 180-degree extended rotation.
This allows the machine to bend over flat on top of the keyboard and turn itself into a pen slate. Smartly-designed screen latches fasten the display and the keyboard with flexibility to face the LCD up or down.
The usual disadvantage of earlier pen computers was that you were like a soldier without a gun if you lost the pen. Now, you have not one but two pens — a standard one and a miniature stylus that slides into the top of the display. It also flaunts a standard notebook touchpad, navigation disc and all button drives found in Tablet PC hardware designs.
Performance-wise, it’s in tune with the times in its introduction version but technology specifications evolve at the speed of its developers’ thoughts. Acer’s 800 MHZ Intel, Pentium 3 processor, a 20GB hard disk, 256 MB RAM is already lagging in the technology race. The Tablet’s ACPI compliant 26WHr Li-Ion battery provides 3.5 hours of worktime between charges. Besides, the Acer doesn’t generate too much heat due to its advanced cooling vents.
The version carries a PC card slot, a smart card slot, headphones and microphone jacks. The back is an equal wonder with a standard VGA out port, an RJ 45 jack for the 10/100 Built-in 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet, Wake-on-LAN-ready and a RJ-11 for the built-in V.90 56Kbps MDC modem; Wake-on-ring ready and an infra-red port in the front and next to the internal microphone — all sealed with rubber plugs. The LCD measures just 10.4 inches diagonally, which is just perfect.
The QWERTY keyboard makes it slightly cramped for large hands, which is compensated through a curved design. The size of the various bracket and slash keys could have been reduced to ensure consistency.
As a travel companion, the machine is near-perfect as it not only takes care of all your communication and work, but also fits in well like a fashion gadget.
Bill Gates believes Tablets will replace ordinary laptops/notebooks in less than five years. So go ahead, empower yourself.
The writer provides consultancy for setting up new businesses in and around the entertainment, web, media, interactive and wireless space.