Tablet PC: Cool but who's gonna buy it?
ZDNet | at | by Mike
As the Nov. 7 ship date for the Tablet PC version of Windows XP draws closer and more companies begin to show devices that support it, I wonder: How much will these cost, and who will be willing to pay for one during these difficult times? Having spent precious little time with a prototype, my sense is that the Tablet PC's main appeal will be to home enthusiasts with wireless networks and students with deep pockets. Tablet PC will primarily be packaged in two form factors: dedicated tablets (most of which can be connected to external keyboards, monitors, etc. for use as a normal PC), and notebook/tablet convertibles that open clamshell-style like other notebooks. With their LCD displays mounted on swivels, these convertibles can be used like a normal notebook when the clamshell is open, or like a tablet when the clamshell is closed. In the latter mode, one of Tablet PC's cool features is the ability to change the orientation of the display from horizontal to vertical. This way, when using its built-in journal application, the device looks and feels like a letter-sized white pad.