Manufacturers have taken two approaches to designing the tablets. One approach is to add a special hinge to an existing laptop model to enable the screen to fold completely over the keyboard and base to create a tablet. The other is to create a tablet with most of the hardware of a standard laptop, minus the keyboard, in an electronic clipboard format. This eliminates the hinge, which may prove to be a weak point in some tablet designs, but means that users will require an attachable keyboard--or one connected via short-range wireless technology--or will be forced to do without a keyboard entirely.

When compared to notebooks, tablets add additional functionality that drives up the cost somewhat. Tablets computers use a digitizer that is placed under the screen and can be written on using a special RF stylus, while providing visual feedback of the pen actions. The stylus includes an electronic eraser on one end to enable users to erase as they would with a pencil eraser. Most versions also include built-in 802.11b wireless LAN capability. The additional hardware adds about $150-$200 to the price, above and beyond the normal cost of an equivalent notebook computer or tablet. We expect initial devices to arrive at price points slightly above mainline notebook computers ($2,000-$2,500). Future lower-cost versions will arrive to serve a more consumer-oriented market.

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Tablet hardware also needs to prove its durability, and battery life will always be an issue if the tablets are used as mobile devices. We expect handheld computers to continue to appeal to users who require lighter functionality, instant-on, long battery life, smaller size, and lighter weight. We expect the Tablet PC to have minimal impact on the handheld market.

The lack of Tablet PC models from IBM and Dell does not indicate a long-term lack of support from PC manufacturers. IBM is in the process of reducing its PC product portfolio to cut costs and has recently announced the termination of several advanced products--including the TransNote tablet product. However, it has also developed several prototype Tablet PCs and believes it can move into the market quickly as demand appears. We expect IBM to introduce a Tablet PC in mid-2003.

Dell's corporate strategy is to wait for a market to develop before entering, counting on its efficient logistics and supply chain to enable it to deliver a better product than competitors at less cost. We expect Dell to enter the Tablet PC market in 2005, after the market has been established and second- or third-generation devices that meet evolving market demands in terms of functionality and price are available. On the other hand, Fujitsu is heavily committed to the Tablet PC, hoping to find some momentum to escape from its present obscurity in the PC market.

Over time, we expect Microsoft and third-party software providers to perfect their implementations of the Tablet PC's new interface and rich data types. Hardware manufacturers will also improve their systems, reduce prices, and bring out ruggedized versions suitable for plant floor and other harsh environments. We also believe that, although Microsoft intends to maintain a special Tablet PC version of Windows XP for now, it will eventually migrate these new interfaces to its mainstream desktop/laptop operating system, providing these capabilities to the vast majority of employees and home users.

User Action: Although first-generation implementations of the new Tablet PC technologies will not likely be ready for widespread enterprise adoption when they debut in the November/December 2002 time frame, users should start considering how this new technology combination will impact how people work. They should identify where it can be used to increase the efficiency not only of individual users, but of the people surrounding them as well.

"Tablet PCs Will Provide New User Interfaces"
Originally published by Meta Group on August 7, 2002
By Jack Gold, Steve Kleynhans, David Cearley, Bruce Hudson, Val Sribar, and Dale Kutnick

Can you see a use for Tablet PCs in your company? TalkBack or send e-mail to us.

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