Johannesburg, 29 Aug 2003
The Tablet PC is going to revolutionise the mobile communications market and, in the near future, is very likely to replace today`s laptop in the popularity stakes, said Christopher Riley, CEO of Pretoria-based laptop and accessories retailer, The Notebook Company (www.notebook.co.za).
Riley said the fact that people can actually write on today`s Tablet PCs, such as Acer`s recent release, is going to make ease-of-use and convenience a compelling reason for mobile users to switch allegiances from their laptops to Tablet PCs.
"A lot of people still like to write things down. This, I think, will never go away. When you are in a meeting it is nice to be able to write, as well as drawing diagrams and lines to explain a point. It will also make presentations that much easier."
Riley said that battery time will also be vastly improved on the new breed of Tablet PCs, making it possible to use them for more lengthy periods in meetings, or when on the road in remote areas. The new Centrino processor, he pointed out, will provide a battery life of up to five times longer. In addition, thanks to a new standby power button, boot-up will take a few seconds as opposed to the customary minute - or few minutes - with today`s laptops.
"Booting up can be irritating when you are in a meeting. So many people prefer to revert to the old paper and pen method."
Presentations can also be more interactive. Via the wireless Bluetooth technology, Tablet PCs will be able to interface with overhead projectors, meaning that presenters will be able to draw, in real-time, on their tablet PCs - which will then be reflected on the screen. They will be able to emphasis certain slides, or simply improvise if they want to - especially, perhaps, when answering technical, and other, questions, after the presentation.
In addition, if someone mails you a document and you want to make a change, all you have to do is make the alteration - by writing - and mail it back to the sender. This type of feature takes us to a higher level of convenience and ease-of-use in computing.
Riley said laptops are often regarded as "non-personal" or "anti-social" in meetings, because other people cannot really see the screen and by typing on the keyboard eye contact is avoided more than if a person wrote on a notepad. However, the screens of the new Tablet PCs are far more flexible and can literally swivel by 180 degrees, allowing colleagues or clients taking part in the meeting to have meaningful interaction with each other via the Tablet PC. This ability might very well make Tablet PCs a lot more popular in meetings as a powerful communications tool, and as a means of tapping into information "on the fly".
"It is true," said Riley, "that Tablet PCs are currently noticeably more expensive than laptops. But the pricing is bound to come down and, when this pricing equalises somewhat, more people are arguably going to opt for the Tablet PC because of its obvious versatility. Naturally, if you want to, you will be able to plug a keyboard into a printer port and work the traditional way as well. This," he joked, "is an advisable option for those with really bad handwriting..."
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