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 In Las Vegas in 2000, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates first put forward his company's aims for the so-called tablet PC. The next year Microsoft put some tablet PCs on display at Comdex with Gates saying, "It's a PC that is virtually without limits, and within five years I predict it will be the most popular form of PC sold in America."
Tablet PCs are similar to laptops in terms of size, weight and power, but what sets them apart is their mobility and ease of use on the go. Tablet PCs are far more powerful than their PDA cousins, and easier than a laptop to use in a meeting, while standing, or on an airplane. Instead of the "clam shell" design that most laptops have, tablet PCs consist of a flat-screen and no keyboard.
And competition in the market for the devices got a little stiffer last week when Hewlett-Packard announced plans that will see the firm introduce a new Compaq Evo tablet PC later this year that incorporates a 1GHz processor from Transmeta.
The announcement from HP is important for more than one reason. First, it represents a huge win for Transmeta and its low-power Crusoe processor, which is battling with Via Technologies and Intel for dominance in the tablet PC market. More importantly, however, with HP throwing its hat into the ring, it joins a rising tide of computer makers and start-ups who are putting forth tablet PC designs.
In reality not many tablet PCs are available in Europe, and even fewer can be found in Ireland. But there is one shimmering exception: Taiwan-based PaceBlade, one of Microsoft's "strategic partners" for the tablet PC, is selling its PaceBook here.
In March, PaceBlade Technology said it would launch its new PaceBook into the European markets for around EUR2,500 after selling the device in North America for months.
At one-inch thick and 13 by 10 inches across, PaceBook has the look and feel of other tablet PCs, with a flat screen that covers the powerful computer underneath. Another notable feature is the wireless keyboard that sells with the unit, allowing users to input data into the device like any other laptop.
Without the keyboard, the PaceBook can be used as a touch screen computer, complete with handwriting recognition technology based on Microsoft software. PaceBlade, however, is in the process of developing its own proprietary version of the handwriting recognition technology.
Like HP's forthcoming device, the PaceBook includes a Transmeta Crusoe processor that runs at 600MHz, although versions that run at speeds of up to 1GHZ will be available soon. The unit also has 128MB SDRAM (upgradeable to 640MB) and a 30GB hard drive. Additionally, it can be purchased with an external CD-ROM, DVD or CD-RW.
And if this is not enough, the PaceBook comes with USB connectivity and it can connect to networks using its internal modem. PaceBlade's computer also comes ready to connect to Bluetooth and 802.11 through adapters. However the company says future models will have wireless connectivity integrated into the unit. In terms of software, PaceBook comes loaded with Windows XP Home, XP Professional or Windows 2000, as well as a number of games and typical office applications. Finally, PaceBook has between five and six hours of active battery life and thanks to the Crusoe processor and its lack of moving parts, it is surprisingly quiet.
The company says it has sold around 12,000 units in Europe since March, but only a few in Ireland. SD Distribution in Galway is currently the sole Irish distributor. As with most tablet PC users, PaceBlade will target the medical industry first, but the company says that it will also look to manufacturers, salespeople and workers who currently use a laptop for new customers. For more information visit PaceBlade's Web Site.
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