Mira vs. Tablet PC
WinInfo | at | by Mike
Speaking of Mira, several readers wondered how this technology, which enables a new generation of portable and wirelessly connected computer screens, compares to a Tablet PC. The distinction is rather vague: A Tablet PC is a full-fledged portable PC that will include a range of value-added software, such as digital-ink and handwriting capabilities. Mira screens will run Windows CE .NET and offer a Windows Terminal Services-based wireless connection to the PC, which would need to be within a certain distance from the screen (e.g., within a house) to work. Mira screens won't include any of the special Tablet PC software but will include transcriber and virtual-keyboard software similar to that found on today's Pocket PC devices. Presumably, Mira screens also will weigh less than Tablet PCs, but the ViewSonic Mira prototype I used at the show was every bit as heavy as the two Tablet PC prototypes I've used. In addition, Mira screens will be considerably less expensive than Tablet PCs.