tablet PC

Type of laptop computer, launched in 2002. There are two main designs for the tablet PC: the laptop-style ‘clamshell’ design, with a display screen that can be pivoted on the keyboard base unit, and the ‘slate’ design, with a detachable keyboard.

Unlike a ‘smart display’, which is a slimline monitor wirelessly connected to a desktop PC and using its settings, the slate form factor tablet PC is a complete PC in itself. Electronic books can be read on a tablet PC, as can a number of periodicals. The tablet PC is also a pen-based computer, with a digital pen that can capture handwriting as ‘digital ink’, which can then be reformatted and edited. Word-processing, spreadsheet, and e-mail applications can also include digital ink facilities, so that handwriting can be used to create e-mail messages, annotate documents, and mark up presentations.