 Apple to Unveil its Latest Creation: A Tablet PC |
On January 27th, Apple Inc. showed the world its latest creation: the long-awaited multimedia tablet device. During a highly anticipated media event, the company formally unveiled a tablet personal computer running on the iPhone operating system. Building on the tremendous success of the i series, namely the iPod and the iPhone, the company expects the newest computing device to be another legendary hit.
In general terms, a tablet PC is a wired or wireless personal computer that allows users to take notes or draw using a digital pen on a touch screen. Boasting faster speed than the WebPad, a web-based text editor, the tablet PC can be used as a laptop when a keyboard is attached. Due to the inclusion of the touch-screen interface, however, tablet PCs typically consume more power than a regular laptop.
Bill Gates, who resigned from his position as CEO of Microsoft Corporation in January, 2000, is credited with introducing the first public prototype of the tablet PC. Despite doubts concerning consumer success, tablet PCs are still expected to emerge as the latest trend in new technology. Over the years, Bill Gates have consistently expressed his optimism that tablet PCs will be accepted as the most popular form of computing device among consumers in the near future. In the early 2000’s, many of the world’s leading PC makers including Compaq, Toshiba, and HP had launched table-style computers, but failed to win consumer acceptance due to high cost and the unfamiliar user interface.
| Tablet PC to Make a Comeback |
When a tablet PC was first introduced, it was largely ignored for its inaccuracy in displaying input information. Now, with advanced touch-screen technology, the tablet-style PC enables users to interact with their computer directly via the touch screen or by using a digital pen or an attachable keyboard. Some argue that smart phones are too small for carrying out certain tasks as watching videos or web surfing, while laptops and netbooks are too heavy to carry all the time. Featuring a 10- or 11-inch touch screen, the latest creation by Apple seems to offer a lightweight alternative to bulky full sized laptops. Capable of displaying e-books, TV shows, films, games, as well as running various applications, tablet-style PCs are expected to reinvent computing and transform the future of personal media consumption.
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