Tablets are not new invention but they suddenly become
“hot” because of iPad of Apple. We are reviewing what they can do.
Most computers invented in last 40 years
required you to operate them in a similar way: typing on the keyboard or using
the mouse recently. Now another choice is popular: tablets without keyboard or
mouse, and there is only a touch screen.
Tablets have been appeared for a long time
but you might not hear about it till now. So why is this old idea successful?
And you should think about switch your desktop into tablet in the near future,
shouldn’t you? We will explain all.
The first tablets
Tablets are computers you can control by
pen, stylus or finger instead of the keyboard or mouse. Although it may be
quite natural if you have used keyboard up to now, it’s not the instinct way to
interact, so computer manufacturers have found better methods. Because
handwriting is very well-known and widely taught, it’s reasonable for a
computer to be made in order to understand it and that computer must be easier
to use.
The first patent for an electronic device
which could be used to write letters for Elisha Gray was given on July 31,
1888, but till the 1940s, everyone began to create theories on controlling
devices by using writing. An electronic tablet with written input was
illustrated in the 1950s, but while the crew of the original Star Trek in the
1960s just used computers based on stylus, there was nothing in real world
compared to it.
In the 1980s, those called “graphic tablets”
became popular in the first time. They were separated devices beside keyboard,
and allowed users to control computers with styluses.
However, they were mainly used by the
artists and engineers to draw rather than controlling generally. Graphic
tablets are still being sold currently, and become more multitasking but they
still require you to use your hands while looking the screen. However, tablets
let you to completely touch the screen.
In 2001, Microsoft began to develop the
term “tablet PC” by introducing a computer with the same name along with the
“Tablet PC Edition” of Windows XP. Since then, Windows computers started to
emerge with features like tablets.
In general, they had the appearance of
laptop because its screens can rotate in the proper location on the keyboard,
so they were able to be used as standard laptops or as touch devices. Those
called “slate” didn’t have keyboards – everything was controlled by the screen.
There were two important points those computers have to face with though they were
impressing by technology. Firstly, they were too expensive, even more than
equal standard laptops. Secondly, it was hard to persuade potential customers
that there are uncountable values in the tablet. At that time, most computer
users had learned how to use the keyboard, mouse or touchpad on laptops
already, while the handwriting recognition and cursor control on tablets left
much regret, so we were mostly stuck with reliable keyboards and mouse.
Come to mobile
Recently, companies have tried to design
small screens to small mobile computers. OQO and Dialogue Flybook are two
examples of fashionable small devices working well, though in both cases, their
prices make them out of reach of most people. After that, ultra mobile PC
(UMPC) comes out. It’s another type of small mobile computers with touch screen
but they are quite pricey.
Another problem of this kind of small PC is
that growing power and user-friendly features of mobile phone and smartphone.
Smartphone screens are becoming larger and processors are approaching computers
nearer and nearer about what they can do. When Apple launched iPhone in 2007,
it was advertised as a device that could surf the internet, read and send email
and view the map, which were mostly what people wanted from a device they
brought.
Nevertheless, an area that tablets dominate
is in specific work. For example, those who are investigating can use tablets
to enter information directly instead of writing it down and then transferring
it into computer database, whereas stores and meter readers also find that
tablets are very handy to sell and deal with records. A lot of tablets designed
for businessmen are very “sturdy” – that means they are created to use outdoor
and in severe environment every day. They are often more expensive than
standard computers, so they are out of reach of most home users, but the
additional cost is an attractive option for companies because they have to
replace broken PC.
Table-top touch screen
Touchscreen technology is not limited for
tablets or laptops. Several manufacturers have recently launched “all-in-one”
computers combined all electronic components (except keyboard and mouse) and
the touch screen.
Examples compose of Advent MT22, Samsung
U200, MSI AE2220 H-Fi and Medion Akoya P4011D. We haven’t been convinced that
with desktop, touch screen provide more advantages with the mouse and
keyboard. It’s easier to control the touch screen but if you are teaching
your son to control the computer, they will be left behind if they just know
how to use the touch screen because they will have to use keyboard and mouse
when they go out.
It means that the dimension and
appearance of all-in-one will do better with those who live in cramped place
or don’t want the mess of desktop while expecting more with the laptop.
