HP
TC1100
Certainly one of the most beautiful technology implementations I've ever seen, and especially as tablet PCs were relatively new at the time, HP's TC1100 was a revelation. Everything the TC1000 should have been, it revolutionised my experience of education.
I'd just started uni, and remembered well my A-Level days. I get pains in my hand after even brief writing spurts, so had purchased a Dell Inspiron 8200 (laptop) to take notes, and learned to
touch-type. Trouble is, I was doing A-Levels where you needed to make diagrams. Despite having an accompanying Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman, I just couldn't keep up with teachers' diagrams.
When I got to uni, it was even worse. (I did a maths degree.) I ended up just writing the notes, first year. However, for the next year, I got a TC1100 tablet PC, and it was nothing short of incredible. Using Word 2003, I could type the 90-odd-% that was text. When neccesary, I'd just pick up the pen, and append a diagram. Then I continued writing.
Not everybody likes tablet PCs - but I can't praise them highly enough. Sure, they're niche to an extent (although watch Windows 7...), but the niche is very grateful.
Criticisms:
- Very low battery life - technology at the time (as I've said).
- Screen resolution was very high. IF my eyesight hadn't been pinsharp in my uni days, it would have been (very) difficult to use. However, I think high resolution is a plus. (See XXXN1.)