Acer Tablet PCs: The power of stylus

The ability to unwire the office network and work and connect via the Internet from any place and anywhere has resulted in an increased demand for notebooks boasting all round functionality. The Tablet PC fills the gap, thanks to Intel`s Centrino technology and Microsoft`s tablet PC variant of XP.

"Tablet PCs incorporating the latter are designed for mobile professionals who once had to rely on a combination of notebooks, planners, handheld devices and sticky notes to conduct business out in the field, in the warehouse, or on the road," says Gary De Menezes, commercial director at Acer.

"The growth in public wireless LANs in coffee shops, hotels and conference centres worldwide, generally known as hotspots, has encouraged businesses to become more mobile and Intel`s Centrino has really revolutionised the mobile office concept."

Intel Centrino mobile technology is designed specifically for mobile computing with integrated wireless LAN capability and features in Acer`s latest notebook and Tablet PC range. Centrino offers lower power consumption as well as intelligent battery management, which is essentially the benchmark for mobility and, because of the Pentium M processor design, Acer`s notebooks are now thinner and lighter.

Acer`s Tablet PCs, the C111 and C300 series, represent an evolution of the traditional notebook. With Intel Centrino processors and integrated graphics chipsets, two USB 2.0 ports, IEE 1394 port, 10/100/1000 LAN connection, and standard 56K V.92 modem, they have shuttled mobile business productivity into traditional deskbound markets such as engineering, hospitals and education institutions.

All units ship with Microsoft`s tablet XP OS, a specialised version of XP that revolutionises the way users interact with mobile computers. It`s a full version of XP with additional features for tablet pen-based computing, which runs on all XP compatible applications, including Word and Excel.

The stylus performs all the functions an ordinary mouse does and the Tablet Edition recognises handwriting as well as freehand drawings thanks to digital ink technology. Users can leave notes, translate and send hand-written information to clients and customers that can be opened in conventional PC applications.

Acer`s Tablet PC range comes with anti-shock protection, enhanced smart card security, ships in a sturdy case and, with a second battery, has up to nine hours of battery life for true mobility.

Acer`s Tablet PCs can be used either in conventional notebook mode with keyboard, or in tablet mode with the stylus, to scribble sketches and notes. The screen can swivel 180 degrees to conduct presentations and users can choose between landscape and portrait mode.

While Tablet PCs are unlikely to overtake conventional notebook sales, they have established their rightful place in the market. "Those who work on Tablet PCs swear by them. Internationally, we are seeing Tablet PCs move beyond vertical markets and becoming increasingly common in the office environment," De Menezes says.

For more information on Acer`s Tablet PC and notebook range, visit www.acer.co.za.