It's true: Better technology, sleeker designs, and lower prices have recently helped the Tablet category pick up some momentum in the mainstream market. But those aren't the only factors helping Tablets along. Users are beginning to discover just how practical Tablets can be.  Students use Tablets to take and save class notes; teachers use them to mark up papers and illustrate points in lecture halls; and business professionals use them to quickly diagram a chart or explain a concept that's better expressed visually than verbally.

 

Tablet PCs are divided into two categories: slates and convertibles. Slates--Tablets without dedicated keyboards--are designed for people working mostly in vertical fields, such as field work and health care. A convertible Tablet, on the other hand, resembles a regular notebook. It has a keyboard and full-sized display, but its base is connected to the display via hinges, which allows the screen to be rotated or folded down flat on top of the keyboard. Convertibles are the natural next step for notebook users who are looking to ease into Tablet functionality.
 
When shopping for a Tablet, there are a few things to consider. Screen quality, always a key consideration in any notebook purchase, takes on an increased importance in the Tablet format. If the screen is too glossy, it can impede wide-angle viewing when you rotate the screen. Remember, when you're writing on a flat display, you're viewing from a very wide angle, which can cause a lot of glare if the screen is too glossy. Also make sure that the system is lightweight; if it's not easy to transport and is too heavy to rest comfortably on your arm or in your lap, then the Tablet may cause more pain than it's worth. Unless you plan to use your Tablet for extensive media playback, you may want to opt for an external optical drive to decrease the system's weight. Finally, test out the pen to see how it feels in your hand--especially if you know you'll be using the stylus for extended periods of time.

 

The arrival of Microsoft Vista is predicted to strengthen the Tablet market. Vista offers various improvements over the former XP Tablet OS, and Tablet functionality is built into the Business, Enterprise, Home Premium, and Ultimate editions of Vista. Improvements include a Handwriting Recognition Personalization tool, in which you provide samples of your handwriting, increasing the likelihood of having it interpreted correctly. Handwriting Recognition Automatic Learning keeps track of what words you use most frequently and the style in which you write them.

 

If you're thinking about making a Tablet your next notebook purchase, here are a few of our favorites to get you started.