Although Apple started the new revolution of mobile computing with its wildly popular iPad, many smartphone and netbook manufacturers are now jumping on the bandwagon. With so many consumers purchasing the Apple iPad, it just makes sense that the PC industry would want a piece of the tablet mobile computing pie. Dell, Samsung, Avaya, Lenovo, and Cisco have all recently announced plans to bring their own touch screen tablets to the market in the next several months.
With all these new tablets entering the market, how can you decide which one will provide the maximum computing, collaboration, and mobile unified communications capabilities? There are several considerations to take into account before shelling out your cash on a new mobile device.
Touchscreen Tablet Windows
Shopping for a Tablet? Factors to Consider
Let's start with operating systems. Of course, the iPad uses Apple's iOS, but the majority of new tablets hitting the market will be based on the Android OS made popular by the latest smartphones. The Android platform has already proven its exceptional capabilities for a wide variety of utilizations. Lenovo is the sole exception, opting for Microsoft's Windows 7 OS.
Along with the Android OS, all will utilize 3G, the third generation of developments in wireless technology for increased bandwidth. Only one, the Avaya DVD, is instead offering Dongle for security authorization.
What about size and weight? At just a half a pound and with a tiny five-inch screen, the Dell Streak is the smallest of the new tablets. It's also one of the cheapest, with a proposed price of 0; of course it also has the fewest features. At the top end of the scale is the Lenovo X201, which weighs in at three pounds but features a screen just over twelve inches.
When it comes to Wi-Fi technology standards, the choices are 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n.Apple and Cisco are the only two manufacturers to currently offer them all.
As far as features in relation to price and size, none of the new tablets really comes anywhere close to what you get with the Apple iPad. Since it's been on the market for a while now, the price has come down and it's the beefiest when it comes to computing capabilities.
Tablet Mobile Computing Success
Unfortunately, tablets are not the best choice if you need heavy-duty computing functionality. But when it comes to communication and collaboration, a tablet is a good smartphone alternative. Email access, texting, and media playing are the best features on a tablet, taking smartphone capability to the next level by offering a larger screen. Another advantage of a tablet over a smartphone is the ability to use it as an eBook reader.
Since communication and collaboration are the two advantages of a tablet, it's best to connect these devices with synchronization service for your business. Choose a service that updates data between devices immediately and wirelessly. It's also a good idea to ensure that the synching works across platforms so that Apple and Android users can share calendars, contacts, and project notes. Some mobile syncing applications will offer extras, such as free antivirus and anti-spam service.
Some Disadvantages of Tablet PCs
The biggest disadvantage of a tablet is data input. Yes, the touch screen is larger than a smartphone, but tablets just aren't set up to easily input data other than through check boxes. Freeform text and graphics are often a requirement of mobile computing in many businesses and any of the tablets currently available or proposed do not address this capability.
Tablets make mobile computing easier but they are not computing workhorses so may not be as productive as you're hoping. You may want one now but look at your options before investing in one, particularly if you already own a smartphone and investigate available apps / software tools that could make your tablet work the way you need it too.
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Wacom Bamboo Touch Tablet Feature
- Multi-Touch input for intuitive control
- Use a single finger for navigation and selection or multiple fingers for gestures
- Four user-defined ExpressKeys for shortcuts or clicks
- Simple gestures make it easy to scroll, zoom, rotate and go backward or forward
- Interactive tutorial helps you make the most of your Bamboo
Wacom Bamboo Touch Tablet Overview
Bamboo Touch lets you add the power of Multi-Touch to virtually any computer, so you can navigate, scroll, and work with simple gestures, only with more space to maneuver than on a standard mobile device or laptop trackpad. Using hand gestures and finger taps, Bamboo Touch makes it easy to move around your desktop, scroll through documents, navigate the web, zoom in and out of photos, and rotate images. PC and Mac compatibleWacom Bamboo Touch Tablet Specifications
With the Bamboo Touch, you can say goodbye to the frustrations of using an unresponsive laptop trackpad. Using an innovative tablet and Wacom's "Multi-Touch" technology, the Bamboo Touch allows you to navigate your computer using simple gestures and finger taps. Bamboo Touch makes it easy to move around your Windows desktop, scroll through documents, navigate the web, zoom in and out of photos, and rotate images -- all with the touch of a finger.
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 Large, textured work surface and customizable keys give you artistic control. View larger. |
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Measuring only 8.2 by 5.4 inches, the Bamboo Touch is compact enough to store comfortably in a laptop case. It features a large and responsive active area, and there's more room to navigate than you'd experience with a mobile device or a traditional laptop trackpad. It's also reversible, so you can use it comfortably whether you're right- or left-handed.
The Bamboo Touch is simple to set up, using a plug-and-play mechanism. Simply plug the tablet into your computer via a USB port, install the provided drivers, and you're ready to go. You'll be doodling, writing, and painting in minutes.
Navigate Easily with Multi-Touch Technology
With the Bamboo Touch, Wacom has implemented a new technology called Multi-Touch. Typically, tablets require you to use the stylus for navigation, but Multi-Touch provides a comfortable hands-on alternative. It allows you to quickly navigate through your computer with a single finger.
You can also scroll, zoom, and rotate your screen with simple hand gestures. It's intuitively-designed and easy to use -- even if you're new to the touch experience. The tablet also has four built-in Express Keys, which users can map to whatever shortcuts or commands they choose.
Because the Bamboo Touch is potentially a replacement for your mouse, Wacom has included an interactive tutorial that teaches you the gestures and helps you adjust to using the tablet.
Bamboo Touch is compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP (Service Pack 2) and Mac OS X (10.4.8 or higher.) It requires a powered USB drive, a colored screen, and a CD/DVD drive.
What's in the Box Bamboo Touch tablet, Quick Start guide, installation CD (includes driver software, interactive tutorial and user's manual).
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