Tablet PC
From MobileRead
Tablet PC's are the largest of the convenient portable readers. While laptops are usable as eBook readers they are not nearly as convenient as other devices due to the awkward keyboard arrangement and even more awkward use in portrait mode.
[edit] Overview
Tablet PC's typically have a 10 inch or larger screen and if they have a keyboard it can be folded out of the way under the unit. They are also generally the most expensive, typically even higher cost than a laptop. They compete with Web Tablets, also know as Internet tablets, and some UMPCs which have smaller screens but are even more portable.
Tablet PC's feature a touch screen and are really overgrown PDAs with a full blown computer operating system. Typically they run Windows XP Tablet version or Windows Vista. There are Linux versions as well for less money. Modbook is an Apple MacOS X tablet computer.
[edit] Features
A touch screen is central to the idea of a Tablet PC. These generally use a special stylus that is integral to the design. Generally they will not work with your finger or the stick type stylus used on a PDA. Most units include writing recognition software so you can just handwrite on the screen and it will be corrected into typed text.
Microsoft has release a special version of the Microsoft Reader that takes advantage of the touch screen. In addition there are several other applications designed to take advantage of the screen.
Most Tablets are either Slates or Convertibles. Slates have only a touch screen although external keyboards can be used. Convertibles have a laptop look with a builtin keyboard but then the screen can be rotated and folded down or can be slid over the keyboard so that it looks like a slate, although thicker and heavier. Of course a keyboard is also available on the touch screen.
One of the big negatives to tablets is poor battery life. They also tend to be heavier than other portable solutions.
[edit] For more information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablet_PC
What is a Tablet PC by Microsoft
http://www.pencomputing.com/TabletPC/
http://thetabletpc.net/index.htm
http://www.tuxmobil.org/tablet_unix.html - Linux versions.
